Government employees DO NOT pay taxes. Their pay is a draw on the treasury, any money held out of their check is NOT a net gain. It is smoke and mirrors to create the illusion they “pay taxes like everyone else”. No they don’t.
I have to pay my taxes every year just like everyone else. I have also been at the same pay grade for over 4years w/o a raise, and just one COLA over the last 4 years. My wife works part time in the community and makes almost as much as I do per hour and has not been an RN as long as I have.
Our pay as nurses in the federal government just barely meets what those nurses are paid in the community. I choose to work where I do because at least here our leadership knows what leading really means and what team work really looks like.
I suppose some would argue that many fed workers are rendering a service for US citizens (national security is supposed to be the first priority, but not the TSA/NSA crap). Sadly, over 50% of salaries nationally are now coming from taxpayers at the federal, state and local levels. Less than 50% of producers are supporting the income for over 50% who are public servants.