I was screaming at my TV this morning as I got ready for work while they bellyached about how local civilian military contractors would be furloughed and how national parks would be closed and how if this shutdown lasts for more than 30 days then SS checks might be delayed for...two weeks!
So working Americans, those of us with employer-funded health insurance, those of us paying taxes who live above this BS magic line the government arbitrarily sets, we have to budget our households every month to keep the bills paid, food on the table, fuel in the cars to get us to and from our jobs while federal employees get a taxpayer-funded vacation courtesy of the retroactive pay they'll receive when the next CR is passed? Meanwhile, grams and gramps have to wait 2 additional weeks to receive a check, and in all likelihood, the ones who will bitch are those who have no business receiving SS checks in the first place.
And why is NO ONE addressing the fact that it's been over 3 years since the government actually created a BUDGET; a real, dyed-in-the-wool, genuine, every day budget is something that our government literally cannot cobble together and pass. It's absolutely disgusting what's happening in this nation right now.
Most people earned those checks & they damn well deserve to have them arrive on schedule.
A furloughed contractor might have to cut back on dining out, but many retirees will simply not eat without their SS check. An old person can starve in 2 weeks, while a furloughed bureaucrat will simply substitute rib-eye for prime rib.
SS recipients are the WRONG people to denigrate in this shutdown.
My husband was navy then dod at STRATCOM. When he left Offutt he opened a military contracting office down the street from Offutt. Over 90% of the people he hires are x or retired military with clearances. Today one of his people will not have a job. All the others are already funded. Since it’s not a complete shutdown, military are still working, only those contractors whose projects haven’t been approved and funded will not have a job.
I think whoever wrote the report that you saw this morning has no clue about how the government functions.
Contractors are not considered civilian employees, and they are not affected by the shutdown because their contracts are paid up front. They are all working.
Civilian employees may be kept on board if they perform an essential service. The bulk of civilian employees do not, and have been given furloughs.
Military personnel are all essential employees. Military personnel must show up for work, and will not be allowed to apply for leave. I really hope the Republicans hold their ground and citizens continue to put pressure on the Dems to defund Obamacare--sooner, rather than later.