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Post by mcb on Sept 20, 2013 14:48:45 GMT -5
As an aside to politics, tehre are over 300 Judges scheduled to go to AALJ union training the first week in October. The Agency approved duty time for this training. So, we have 300 Judges in limbo if the shut down occurs as they may be determined to be essential and have to report to their ODAR offices to work.. Some may have to fly back from Santa Fe?? It's not only the applicants being affected by this possible shutdown and the unknown consequences.. As you noted, when we were planning for the shutdown that almost occurred in April 2011, ALJs were considered essential employees and expected to be at work. I know some ALJs on vacation in Europe, and elsewhere, had to return and be ready to work, and then a close down was averted at the last minute. I almost missed returning home for the birth of my son.
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Post by lildavey on Sept 20, 2013 14:53:05 GMT -5
Wow. Cool. I never knew he was the one that coined that phrase. Thanks!
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Post by lildavey on Sept 20, 2013 14:54:26 GMT -5
8-)Well it was Obama's idea about the sequester, and he is the one that is saying he will not compromise on the debt ceiling or any cuts in spending. He is also finding it increasingly difficult to defend his affordable care act, as members of his base, unions, fellow democrats and a whole host of others are now discovering what Pelosi said some while back, we have to pass it to see what is in it. They are finding out. "Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts."--Sen. Moynihan Wow. Cool. I never knew he was the one that coined that phrase. Thanks!
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ehjd
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Post by ehjd on Sept 20, 2013 20:09:40 GMT -5
IMHO, Great posts! Maybe its the microbrew talking, but yaw'l a good bunch. USA! USA!
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Post by usnrcwo on Sept 20, 2013 22:13:48 GMT -5
8-)Well it was Obama's idea about the sequester, and he is the one that is saying he will not compromise on the debt ceiling or any cuts in spending. He is also finding it increasingly difficult to defend his affordable care act, as members of his base, unions, fellow democrats and a whole host of others are now discovering what Pelosi said some while back, we have to pass it to see what is in it. They are finding out. "Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts."--Sen. Moynihan Well, I don't know if he coined the phrase or not, but we could definitely use more ladies or gentlemen like Daniel Patrick Moynihan.
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Post by minny on Sept 20, 2013 22:14:36 GMT -5
Minny and Observer, have you emailed OPM yet? IMHO, I would bombard them with emails because I would want to know asap. From my current agency's perspective, we are predicting about a 20% chance of a shutdown, so most of us are fairly confident a Continuing Resolution will get passed instead of a shutdown occuring. When an answer comes, let us know. My fingers are crossed for you all. I did email today, but no response yet. I just tend to have the worst luck sometimes so even a 20% chance has me pretty queasy. Thanks for the support/compassion from you and all others.
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Post by 71stretch on Sept 20, 2013 23:49:31 GMT -5
Minny and Observer, have you emailed OPM yet? IMHO, I would bombard them with emails because I would want to know asap. From my current agency's perspective, we are predicting about a 20% chance of a shutdown, so most of us are fairly confident a Continuing Resolution will get passed instead of a shutdown occuring. When an answer comes, let us know. My fingers are crossed for you all. I did email today, but no response yet. I just tend to have the worst luck sometimes so even a 20% chance has me pretty queasy. Thanks for the support/compassion from you and all others. Actually, I was about to do just that. I'll let you all know if I hear anything.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2013 0:20:29 GMT -5
I wrote to them yesterday. No response yet.
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Post by moopigsdad on Sept 21, 2013 6:37:54 GMT -5
Minny and Observer, have you emailed OPM yet? IMHO, I would bombard them with emails because I would want to know asap. From my current agency's perspective, we are predicting about a 20% chance of a shutdown, so most of us are fairly confident a Continuing Resolution will get passed instead of a shutdown occuring. When an answer comes, let us know. My fingers are crossed for you all. I did email today, but no response yet. I just tend to have the worst luck sometimes so even a 20% chance has me pretty queasy. Thanks for the support/compassion from you and all others. I hope for all your (minny, marcopolo and observer53) sakes there is no disruption in the process and all of you do not have to come back to DC for a second time. It would be so unfair of the process that I would be willing to give all of you an extra five points in the scoring, if it happens. Of course, I have no control over scoring or I wouldn't have had to go through the process myself. I will keep my fingers crossed the Federal Government does not shut down.
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Post by 71stretch on Sept 21, 2013 22:07:04 GMT -5
It probably won't happen, but it would not surprise me, either.
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Post by lildavey on Sept 23, 2013 11:13:00 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2013 12:19:17 GMT -5
Thank you lildavey, great article. As always, this will probably go on until the last possible minute. Meanwhile, I am still waiting to hear back from the help desk in reply to the message I sent last week.
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Post by moopigsdad on Sept 23, 2013 12:32:23 GMT -5
I read the same article this morning and it looks more likely that a Government Shutdown will occur sometime in October, either for lack of Government Funding (October 1) or a lack of raising the debt limit (October 15 or so). One way or the other, some type of Government Shutdown is a good likelihood this year, but who knows for how long. Once again, my concern is for those having testing in October at OPM, I sure hope the Government Shutdown is avoided, but it may not be. I am glad I could test prior to October and I feel sorry for those now in this dilemma.
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Post by trekker on Sept 23, 2013 13:35:42 GMT -5
I would add that there will be a lot of nasty name calling in the next week or so. I lived in DC during the 1977-1980, 1981-1996 shut downs. It wasn't fun given that my spouse was on active duty and considered part of the essential work force. We endured at least one late pay check which reaked havoc on rent and mortgage payments for the military. For us the years between 77 and 82 were pretty lean and we did not have much of a cushion in savings. Banks and LL were mostly forgiving given that the DC metro area is very dependent on the federal government. In a not so serious note to the 1995-1996 shut down, I remember going to an OHA (aka ODAR) hearing and getting out earlier than I expected. I used the time to visit the Vermeer exhibit at the National Gallery. It was early December and no one was in town. It contained 21 of his 35/36 paintings. The next week the exhibit was closed thanks to the government shut down and because it was closed over the holidays, a lot of international tourists could not get in to see the exhibit. For those of you testing after September 30, I offer my condolences.
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Post by moopigsdad on Sept 24, 2013 9:27:17 GMT -5
There was another interesting Washington Post article on the possible federal shutdown.....in answer to funky's post in another thread it looks like federal employees may not receive back pay this time is there is a shutdown. Find the link to the Washington Post article hereIt is a sad state of affairs when supposedly rational people cannot come to a consensus among themselves in the best interests of their country and constituents. This is why every vote matters during an election.
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Post by funkyodar on Sept 24, 2013 10:00:39 GMT -5
Absolutely amazing. Fear that certain members of congress would be unsympathetic to hundreds of thousands of govt workers losing their paychecks because congressdidn't do its job. Not political tools mind you, the actual people that perform the real govt services needed by the country.
These same tools that will look at hurting these real public servants as a way to save $ will of course be considered "essential" along with all their highly paid staff and continue to get paid.
The same group that attached a small rider to the CR bill extending a full year of congressional pay to the widow of one of their own without taxes and without consideration that the deceased cngressman was one of the wealthiest in history. All because giving such a benefitis tradition in congress. No debate from anyone on that being a 175k unnecessary expense, but the 22k a year receptionist at a odar office....well, she can miss a check or twoin the name of cost cutting.
This is utterly ridiculous. Sad for this great country.
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Post by moopigsdad on Sept 24, 2013 10:05:50 GMT -5
When you are right funky, you are spot on. I am with you 100% regarding the lack of consideration for the everyday government employees who are making the entire process work. They don't call Congress a "good old boys network" for nothing.
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Post by bartleby on Sept 24, 2013 11:17:17 GMT -5
Let's not forget that the people you are so upset with were duly elected and are doing what the people that elected them wanted them to do when they elected them. We are public servants and the public is much more concerned with the problems of the country than they are us, especially considering that they think we sit on our butts and are overpaid along with vacations and pensions. A lot of them would trade jobs with us in a heartbeat. We advertized for attorney-advisors in Toledo and had over 400 apply. How many have applied for the ALJ position? Quit your pity party.. Be thankful if you have a government job.
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Post by moopigsdad on Sept 24, 2013 12:51:25 GMT -5
Let's not forget that the people you are so upset with were duly elected and are doing what the people that elected them wanted them to do when they elected them. We are public servants and the public is much more concerned with the problems of the country than they are us, especially considering that they think we sit on our butts and are overpaid along with vacations and pensions. A lot of them would trade jobs with us in a heartbeat. We advertized for attorney-advisors in Toledo and had over 400 apply. How many have applied for the ALJ position? Quit your pity party.. Be thankful if you have a government job. The problem being the overall consensus (based on many polls) of Americans is that they do not want a government shutdown and they do blame Congress (more) and the President (less) if it happens. So, your argument that those elected are doing the bidding of their constituents is incorrect bartleby. I came from a political background, so I know well about how politics works. I do not see a clamoring of people in the U.S. saying the federal government should shutdown or not pay it's obligated bills. Hence, while I can respect your politics and viewpoints, I do not necessarily agree with your argument. Now, leaving politics aside, let's get back to our regularly scheduled discussions on this Board.
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Post by funkyodar on Sept 24, 2013 14:03:38 GMT -5
Let's not forget that the people you are so upset with were duly elected and are doing what the people that elected them wanted them to do when they elected them. We are public servants and the public is much more concerned with the problems of the country than they are us, especially considering that they think we sit on our butts and are overpaid along with vacations and pensions. A lot of them would trade jobs with us in a heartbeat. We advertized for attorney-advisors in Toledo and had over 400 apply. How many have applied for the ALJ position? Quit your pity party.. Be thankful if you have a government job. Wow. Pot meet kettle. Bart, I would estimate 90% of the posts you have submitted and I ahve read deal with some complaint you have about the job. Seems every alj you knowis in trouble, unable to be productive or just sad they took the job. I've long since chalked you up to one of those that talks down their group, school or whatever in the hopes of keeping others from wanting to join. An exclusivity thing. But now, you have the wherewithall to accuse others who are upset with congress and the prospect of having A shut down as having a "pity party" and telling them to just be happy they have a job? Please. How about taking your own advice dr. feelgood. And that elected group you defend as just doing their job....you checked out congress' approval ratings lately?
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