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Post by maquereau on Oct 16, 2013 8:05:42 GMT -5
Well, some of these posts poignantly remind us of the vast change that has occurred in the relation of people to government in this country. We started out as a self-reliant bunch that, for the most part, never cared for or much came in contact with "the government." Now a couple of weeks without big brother and everyone is on their knees pleading for it to come back. We are, taken as individuals at least, much weaker than we used to be, much more dependent, much less provident. I think this was all by design - or perhaps a psychohistorian or Harry Seldon figure could have shown us that this state of affairs was inevitable - but it doesn't matter at this point how we erected this golden calf. Geneticists are just now beginning to come to terms with what they are terming "epigenetic change." Perhaps a version of this operates on the American character through the generations, the new environment we have set up in turn exerting its effects, reciprocating a change in our fundamental nature. I don't think American 2.0 is an improvement on the previous system. I'm sure there are those who disagree.
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Post by sealaw90 on Oct 16, 2013 8:31:12 GMT -5
Well, some of these posts poignantly remind us of the vast change that has occurred in the relation of people to government in this country. We started out as a self-reliant bunch that, for the most part, never cared for or much came in contact with "the government." Now a couple of weeks without big brother and everyone is on their knees pleading for it to come back. We are, taken as individuals at least, much weaker than we used to be, much more dependent, much less provident. I think this was all by design - or perhaps a psychohistorian or Harry Seldon figure could have shown us that this state of affairs was inevitable - but it doesn't matter at this point how we erected this golden calf. Geneticists are just now beginning to come to terms with what they are terming "epigenetic change." Perhaps a version of this operates on the American character through the generations, the new environment we have set up in turn exerting its effects, reciprocating a change in our fundamental nature. I don't think American 2.0 is an improvement on the previous system. I'm sure there are those who disagree. While I can understand and somewhat agree with what you are saying, I think that should be posted on another thread. I have to point out that most of us on this Board ARE dependent on the government - for a da*m paycheck. Otherwise we are a pretty self-reliant bunch of smart, dedicated, hard working attorneys. Please don't lump us in with the less than honest folks trying to milk the system so they don't have to work. That is not the situation we are dealing with on this thread. Again, there is a lot of truth to what you are saying, and I've read some articles on this. Some call it the "wussification" of this country. But I am no wuss, and our collective stress for the situation both we and our co-workers are in has nothing to do with that effect. Peace out.
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Post by maquereau on Oct 16, 2013 8:33:09 GMT -5
Sealaw, sorry, not trying to single out any group particularly. This was just a general observation.
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Post by quesera on Oct 16, 2013 10:08:10 GMT -5
Funk, the staff are talking about bringing their children to work next week as they can't afford childcare with the furlough. It will be interesting indeed to see if staff in ODAR start bringing children to work if they are out of cash to pay for daycare. Do it, I say! At least it might cheer people up a bit to have some innocent souls around...
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Post by sealaw90 on Oct 16, 2013 12:43:34 GMT -5
I figured it was. The furloughed follies castmembers sometimes are feeling a tad *sensitive* about the whole not-getting-paid thing !
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Post by funkyodar on Oct 16, 2013 21:48:36 GMT -5
Ok, so the grand reopening bill has passed both asylums and the pres says he will sign it. And it includes guaranteed retro pay for furloughs. Anybody have any info on when we will actually get it? Do we wait till payday next friday and get it all at once or will they pay the missed portion sooner? After that questions answered, I move we table this thread till January when we may get to do this again
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Post by sealaw90 on Oct 17, 2013 8:51:20 GMT -5
Funky, last time this happened, if my memory serves me well, the pay was added to your next regularly scheduled paycheck that is from a complete pay period. If you have just got back to work and are in the middle of a payperiod, I don't think it will be added to this paycheck. Each agency will dole out the money after they receive it depending upon which 'color' it is and from what pot of money you get paid from, so this will vary from agency to agency. If I completely wrong about my memory, then I may have early dementia!
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Post by JudgeRatty on Oct 17, 2013 9:18:00 GMT -5
We received this email this morning: A Message to all SSA Employees The President signed a Continuing Resolution (CR) that reopens the Government and provides funding until January 15, 2014. This CR includes retroactive pay for all Federal employees. One of our most important startup activities is to ensure employees are paid as quickly as possible for retroactive salaries beginning October 1, 2013. Our working plan is that an initial payment for October 1 through October 5 will be deposited into employee accounts on Tuesday, October 22 or Wednesday, October 23. The payment will be a partial advance of the salary owed for October 1 – 5 and will be a very simple calculation for the purposes of getting you money as soon as possible. Based on time and attendance amendments that your timekeeper will prepare, our payroll provider will calculate the number of hours that you should be paid, multiply that number by your hourly rate, and deposit 65% of that amount into your account. As an example: Yogi Bear, a GS-7 employee in the Baltimore/Washington area, was furloughed from 10/1 – 10/4 and is a regular 8-hour per day employee. Yogi’s regular pay rate is $20.22 per hour and he is due 32 hours of pay. Yogi can expect a deposit in his account in the amount of $20.22 x 32 hours x 65% or $420. Wilma Flintstone, an excepted GS-11 employee in a remote location working an alternate work schedule, was required to be on duty 9-hours each day on 10/1 – 10/3 and 8-hours on 10/4. Wilma’s regular rate of pay is $27.51 and she is due 35 hours of pay. Wilma can expect a deposit in her account in the amount of $27.51 x 35 hours x 65% or $626. On Monday, October 21, we will process a normal Time & Attendance closeout for the October 6 - 19 pay period. As part of this closeout, the adjustment for the remaining 35% of salary for October 1-5 that you are due will be included in your October 25 salary deposit. We strongly suggest that you confirm deposits with your financial institutions on the dates mentioned above. So looks like all will be back to normal programming soon! Until Dec/Jan ....
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Post by moopigsdad on Oct 17, 2013 14:20:40 GMT -5
I just saw a Washington Post article from today speaking about a 1% pay raise for all Federal Employees taking place in January 2014. See the article here. Good news for all of you who just were on furlough.
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Post by epic0ego on Oct 17, 2013 15:10:22 GMT -5
good news MPD - hadn't seen this, thanks. I know they haven't passed it yet but at least we're going in the right direction with this proposal. I repeat my prediction that there will be a record number of retirements this year. Its not really a prediction since it is being widely reported. But morale is really bad at all levels and people want out. If SSA has 250 ALJ vacancies by year end it will bode well for us.
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Post by moopigsdad on Oct 17, 2013 15:38:05 GMT -5
good news MPD - hadn't seen this, thanks. I know they haven't passed it yet but at least we're going in the right direction with this proposal. I repeat my prediction that there will be a record number of retirements this year. Its not really a prediction since it is being widely reported. But morale is really bad at all levels and people want out. If SSA has 250 ALJ vacancies by year end it will bode well for us. The bigger question is will Congress ever pass a regular budget (not a Continuing Resolution) without Sequestration limits in it, so SSA can hire to replace to full capacity again? If that happens, I like our chances of being hired.
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Post by epic0ego on Oct 17, 2013 15:45:09 GMT -5
this speech was quoted on MSNBC yesterday expressing the sentiment against the recent actions of Congress. It is taken from Oliver Cromwell's speech dissolving the Parliament in 1653:
"It is high time for me to put an end to your sitting in this place, which you have dishonored by your contempt of all virtue, and defiled by your practice of every vice; ye are a factious crew, and enemies to all good government; ye are a pack of mercenary wretches, and would like Esau sell your country for a mess of pottage, and like Judas betray your God for a few pieces of money.
Is there a single virtue now remaining amongst you? Is there one vice you do not possess? Ye have no more religion than my horse; gold is your God; which of you have not barter'd your conscience for bribes? Is there a man amongst you that has the least care for the good of the Commonwealth?
Ye sordid prostitutes have you not defiled this sacred place, and turn'd the Lord's temple into a den of thieves, by your immoral principles and wicked practices? Ye are grown intolerably odious to the whole nation; you were deputed here by the people to get grievances redress'd, are yourselves gone! So! Take away that shining bauble there, and lock up the doors. In the name of God, go!"
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