Quotes in this article show a childish disconnect with the real world amongst civilian employees. It’s highlighted by a tremendously inflated sense of self, whining, and blame shifting.
I would be a lot more impressed except:
The sequester affects future income not current. Money for the last quarter of FY 2013 was allocated in later FY 2012 or early FY 2013.
The sequester affects increases in the FY 2014 (Oct 2013 - Sept 2014) budget not the budget itself.
The impacts of the sequester were ordered, by the White House, to have the maximum impact on both groups and individuals. No cost center was allowed to manage the impacts - it was top down directed. This explains why certain elements and cost centers continue to spend while other, more visible cost centers are cut (White House Tours, 4th of July Fireworks, Aerial Demonstration Teams, ....).
In about two months we will see the annual, dating back to the 1970s, spending splurge that comes at the end of the fiscal year. This annual event happens when every cost center through out the Federal Government endeavors to spend every penny from the current year’s budget so they will get their baseline budget increase for the following year. The theory is if they don’t spend every penny they can expect a reduced budget the following year.
While I can not speak for the other services I do know that the AF goes on a buying binge including such mission essential items as wide screen, 50 inches or more, for every colonel who doesn’t already have one. At $ 2,000 a pop times the number of new colonel that runs into some “interesting” money AF wide real quick. And, unfortunately, that is not the only example.
I would agree with you, if the entire federal government had been furloughed, but DOD is getting the worst of it. Department of energy, education, welfare recipients??? Nothing!
Nobody really believes the situation could be them until it IS them. Wouldn't it be nice if everyone upon finishing their education (whatever level) were given $100 or so start-up money and told they have to figure out how to survive for a year?