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Post by SPN Lifer on Jan 23, 2018 21:19:21 GMT -5
They are guaranteed Platinum retirement pay whether they get re-elected or not, so arrogance and egos must be the real problem. Actually, for those elected since 1984, they have the same FERS requirements you do. Yes, they earn 1.7% per year for the first ten years, etc. (similar to LEOs), compared to 1% for us plebians. But they still have the same minimum retirement age and years of service requirements as the rest of us. So it is hardly a “Platinum” program. Do not succumb to the Politics of Envy. |
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Post by bayou on Jan 24, 2018 8:16:26 GMT -5
My office made us stay the entire four hours even though we couldn't actually get any substantive work done. Went home, worked out, watched "Air Disasters", now back in the office this morning undoing everything I did yesterday. At least I'm prepared for February 8th! Any word on if we'll receive back-pay for the furloughed hours? Re: pay for furloughed hours: The text from the CR reads: ‘‘SEC. 154. (a) Employees furloughed as a result of any lapse in appropriations which begins on or about January 20, 2018, shall be compensated at their standard rate of compensation, for the period of such lapse in appropriations, as soon as practicable after such lapse in appropriations ends. ‘‘(b) For purposes of this section, ‘employee’ means: ‘‘(1) a federal employee; ‘‘(2) an employee of the District of Columbia Courts; ‘‘(3) an employee of the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia; or ‘‘(4) a District of Columbia Government employee. |
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Post by stevil on Jan 24, 2018 9:10:14 GMT -5
They are guaranteed Platinum retirement pay whether they get re-elected or not, so arrogance and egos must be the real problem. Actually, for those elected since 1984, they have the same FERS requirements you do. Yes, they earn 1.7% per year for the first ten years, etc. (similar to LEOs), compared to 1% for us plebians. But they still have the same minimum retirement age and years of service requirements as the rest of us. So it is hardly a “Platinum” program. Do not succumb to the Politics of Envy. Agreed so far as the formal retirement benefit. But I was also referring to the fact that every Congressman I've ever met has done extremely well for themselves financially while in Congress, and landed really sweet and high-paying gigs after Congress. Some don't run for reelection precisely because they can cash out and cash in. I was heavily into politics 30+ years ago, until I realized I wasn't willing to compromise my integrity enough to have a meaningful future in it and did not possess the requisite situational ethics. If you are dumb enough like me to say what's really on your mind, you are headed for political oblivion anyway. The successful politicians I observed all tended towards being sociopaths, had outsized egos, and were able to engage in gross hypocrisy without blinking and with a totally straight face. Folks may start out with ideals, a conscience and integrity, but power does corrupt and folks line up to do things for you and in your name for future considerations. I'm talking about so-called pillars of the community. Everyone tends to say and do things in public that belies how little they actually care about the community. I'm sure many will say that I have perception problems, or I just had a bad experience, or that's the way it was in the dark ages, or even that I'm envious having given up the pursuit of political power - to which I say wake up!! People with enough money to spare to contribute to politicians want corruption, because then they have a shot at getting what they want. You have to pay to have access, and without access you simply don't count. Mass demonstrations may have the power to set some agendas, but examine the end results and who really benefits. The millions who in good conscience donate small amounts to political campaigns thinking it will actually matter, should donate instead directly to the organizations doing the good works with which they identify. OK, off my soapbox.......................... |
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Post by SPN Lifer on Jan 24, 2018 9:29:11 GMT -5
Be the change you want to see.
I ran for Congress several decades ago, but only got 45% in a two-person primary, seeking to challenge a one-term incumbent (who went on to a long career in the House and Senate).
Integrity is needed just as much in Congress as in the ALJ corps.
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Post by jagvet on Jan 24, 2018 11:17:38 GMT -5
Be the change you want to see. I ran for Congress several decades ago, but only got 45% in a two-person primary, seeking to challenge a one-term incumbent (who went on to a long career in the House and Senate). Integrity is needed just as much in Congress as in the ALJ corps. Not exactly on topic, but @spn Lifer had me thinking. Back in 1984, a trial judge was very nasty to me because "I don't like your firm" and made me wait all day to sign a routine consent order transferring a civil case. I ran against him in 1996 and lost 45-55% (not bad against an incumbent). In any event, I promised myself that if I were ever a judge, I wouldn't be hostile and arrogant on the bench like that guy. Since I have become an ALJ, I try to remember when I was on the other side of the railing. Oh, yes, in 2018, he's still on the bench, senior judge in the district. Lawyers complain about him all the time, but he's a political big shot, so nothing's ever happened to him. |
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Post by foghorn on Jan 24, 2018 16:22:46 GMT -5
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Post by foghorn on Jan 25, 2018 12:43:15 GMT -5
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Post by foghorn on Jan 25, 2018 13:29:04 GMT -5
Unless Davos changes his mind, looks like a shutdown in February--Senate Republicans will possibly agree to something palatable to Dems so they get cover; in the House no pro DACA bill will be passed; even if there was agreement the President might not sign; if necessary Republicans will use the "nuclear option"
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Post by stevil on Jan 25, 2018 16:22:21 GMT -5
The Republicans will be forced to hold a hard line when you have folks like Sen Shumer saying it is un-American that we don't allow illegals to vote! I'm hoping that tidbit was fake news, but considering the source......
We were all better off when there wasn't a 24-hr BS news cycle driven by social media - folks had a chance to work out compromises without all the nutty rhetoric.
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Post by Prrple on Jan 26, 2018 9:42:26 GMT -5
The Republicans will be forced to hold a hard line when you have folks like Sen Shumer saying it is un-American that we don't allow illegals to vote! I'm hoping that tidbit was fake news, but considering the source...... We were all better off when there wasn't a 24-hr BS news cycle driven by social media - folks had a chance to work out compromises without all the nutty rhetoric. That's going to be a false story. Recommend: NPR story on Learning to Spot Fake News |
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Post by foghorn on Jan 26, 2018 12:37:38 GMT -5
The Republicans will be forced to hold a hard line when you have folks like Sen Shumer saying it is un-American that we don't allow illegals to vote! I'm hoping that tidbit was fake news, but considering the source...... We were all better off when there wasn't a 24-hr BS news cycle driven by social media - folks had a chance to work out compromises without all the nutty rhetoric.
or that the children are illegal therefore they should be sent back even though they had nothing to do with being here, don't know the language or particulars of the other).
thehill.com/homenews/senate/316757-schumer-we-may-be-able-to-overturn-trumps-ban
The thorny issue it seems to me is this. We all (97%) probably agree there is no right to be admitted barring longstanding factors such as birth to US citizens overseas (Sens McCain, Cruz).
If you come illegally, you should be sent back.
However the longer the person is here, the more there's a feeling that if they've been productive, especially if they entered legally but overstayed wellllllllllllll........ and in fact the law and regs allow for waivers or at least voluntary departure.
It's rather like the occasional story of the person who escapes after conviction while awaiting sentencing, lives a life of compelling virtue, is found thirty years later and returned to the jail she should have been in (plus an addition for escape). it's not a feelgood situation, certainly not comparable to the person on the lam who commits serial home invasions and we all feel glad when they are found and given consecutive sentences.
Dreamers are in the category of non-citizens who've been here and lived productive and blameless lives (have to be HS Grad or on track, employed), and did not decide to come here. Result? Most support doing for them, variance as to the what, to the extent the machine that turns out catch phrases ("job creators" "homeland"*) have (likely following focus group trials), put out "chain migration" and reverted to calling them illegals.
Forgetting the Family Reunification Act and the origins of DACA in an earlier Congressional deadlock about what to do about them.
Note also if they were such a big threat would the President have offered to increase the number allowed (while axing the Family Reunification Act)?
But right now everyone is pushing extremes and worrying about saving face (vide 25bn for a wall no one says is needed or any more functional than double fencing [cost $1.2 billion according to Border Patrol])instead of looking to a win win.
Hey, regardless of whether you're Democrat or Republican we can all sing:
Chuckie and Lindsey were getting along
Like two pals on a fling,
Oh what a budget surprise,
Pres torpedoed their thing,
It's my party etc
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Post by stevil on Feb 2, 2018 11:01:14 GMT -5
OK, bumping this up because I've neither seen nor heard anything that's going to resolve the budget or immigration by COB next Thursday. Hope I'm wrong, but maybe we should start the pool on how long the shutdown will be?
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Post by monopoly on Feb 2, 2018 13:33:21 GMT -5
OK, bumping this up because I've neither seen nor heard anything that's going to resolve the budget or immigration by COB next Thursday. Hope I'm wrong, but maybe we sh ould start the pool on how long the shutdown will be? I think if it happens again it will be for a few weeks, especially since none of the todddlers, err...I mean politicians, learned how to work together last time. Official guess: 17 days 5 hours. |
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Post by redsox1 on Feb 3, 2018 8:47:24 GMT -5
Given the events of the past 24 hours, I find it difficult to believe that Congress will have a budget deal by Thursday. Possibly a CR but that maybe wishful thinking.
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Post by denise on Feb 3, 2018 12:10:35 GMT -5
I heard another CR was in the works which would be passed prior to Feb 7 when the Dems leave for their annual retreat. It's likely to be another short term CR 😩😩😩
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Post by ok1956 on Feb 3, 2018 12:12:52 GMT -5
While not ideal better than a shut down....
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Post by phoenixrisingALJ on Feb 3, 2018 13:48:50 GMT -5
Gee- I guess it is unrealistic to think these retreats should be on hold until
After they pass a budget?
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Post by SPN Lifer on Feb 3, 2018 15:07:19 GMT -5
Yes it is, because these retreats are where they do essential planning, such as how to get the budget passed.
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Post by alohastate on Feb 3, 2018 15:41:26 GMT -5
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Post by alohastate on Feb 3, 2018 15:46:53 GMT -5
Note the very lame, too-PC title of that article, by the way. Immigrants have had the ability to vote forever, provided they are USCs. The title should be "Aliens are getting the right to vote..." |
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