PUBLIC PAYROLL SOARS (wealth transfer gone from citizens to people in Govt)

LA Daily News ^ | 3./22/04 | Troy Anderson

[palmer]

Obviously a separate retirement system is necessary at least for Congress since they have promised $40 trillion to the people which they can't deliver. They aren't stupid.

[Poohbah]

Those new city halls, government facilities, top shelf security, and all those government workers with killer salaries, benefits, and pensions require that money. With tax time quickly approaching, just quietly give up the money and don't complain.

Who approved the budgets of these entities?

[Poohbah]

Isn't it true that government workers have a separate system from Social Security too?

They have a separate retirement system that they can contribute to in addition to paying Social Security taxes.

[Joe Hadenuf]

Who approved the budgets of these entities?

You mean city/county/state/federal paid cars, new government buildings/top shelf security, chauffers, killer government employee salaries, medical benefits, and big time pensions?

Was it you?

It sure the hell wasn't me.

[Joe Hadenuf]

With all the jobs and manufacturing leaving the USA, surely we can downsize the EPA, state environmental boards and some other regulatory bodies.

Won't happen. They only get bigger and more powerful.

[Poohbah]

You mean city/county/state/federal paid cars, new government buildings/top shelf security, chauffers, killer government employee salaries, medical benefits, and big time pensions?

Yes. Are you unable to read standard English?

Was it you?

No, it wasn't.

It sure the hell wasn't me.

Are you an elected official (REALLY BIG HINT)?

Now, for the second time:

Who approved the budgets of these entities?

[Joe Hadenuf]

I have no idea. What are you saying Poobah? Are you suggesting that the hard working tax payers are all for this?

Even if many are stupid enough to support all of this, where is the leadership? Why are they spending our money like drunkin sailors? Do they not see the train coming?

[Not A Snowbird]

See #17. The wording of the post made it sound like we had expense accounts.

[Skooz]

I guess this is not the right time to bring up the fact that today you (and other taxpayers) paid me 37.5 cents per mile for 122 miles plus a per diem of $23.50 (which is 3/4 daily per diem) and are also paying for my $55.00 (government rate) hotel room. Tomorrow, you will pay me to drive home at the same rate.

Thanks.

[Poohbah]

I have no idea.

You have no idea how our system of government works? You have no idea who makes budgetary decisions in your community? You have no idea who makes the decision to spend public money?

Which of the above describes you?

What are you saying Poobah?

I'm asking you a simple question that you're either unwilling or unable to answer.

Are you suggesting that the hard working tax payers are all for this?

No, I'm asking you if you know (or are able to find out) who approved the expenditure of public funds in a way which displeases you.

Now, for the third time...

Who approved the budgets of these entities?

(Cue Final Jeopardy theme music)

[Joe Hadenuf]

Man, you seem angry and upset.

Now, for the third time... Who approved the budgets of these entities?

Sheesh, you are naggy. Tell us Poobah, who approved all this out of control, govenment spending?

[Poohbah]

Sheesh, you are naggy. Tell us Poobah, who approved all this out of control, govenment spending?

Out of kindness towards the willfully ignorant, I'll give you the answer.

Elected officials--county supervisors, city council members, state legislators, congressmen, and Senators.

Now, how did these people become "elected officials?" (Hint: the answer is in the adjectival modifier.)

[Starboard]

The taxpayer funded gentry in the Washington DC area lives high on the hog. Government salaries for most professionals (term used loosely) fall in the GS 13-15 range:

13
$72,108 -- $93,742

14
$85,210 -- $110,775

15
$100,231 -- $130,305

Complete salary tables are available on www.opm.gov in case you're curious about federal pay scales in other areas of the country. Benefits for federal employees are second to none and job security is almost absolute.

[Joe Hadenuf]

Thanks for that link. Wonder how many government employee actually work in the greater DC area. Bet it's in the hundreds of thousands.

[eeriegeno]

Remember when government workers and politicians were considered public, civil servants? Now it's the job of choice due to the big money and generous benefits, all on the backs of the little peon, taxpayers. Government is only growing larger. They just built a new city hall not too far from me. It's the fanciest, most opulent building in the entire area. The parking lot is full of near new cars, they have beautiful landscaped, secured, and guarded parking. There are lavish fountains, landscaping, safe, secure bullet proof windows for their employees, guards, closed circuit cameras to watch for angry tax payers, and to top it off, they built one of the most expensive restaurants in the area right across the street, so the government employees don't have to travel far to those yummy, tax payer paid lunches.

Check out your governmental schools and their parking lots. Same thing...............

[Starboard]

I'm sure the number is available somewhere on the web, but suffice it to say that traffic patterns in the DC area are noticeably eased on Federal holidays--as they are on Mondays and Fridays when many government workers who are allowed to work alternative schedules get a day off (every other week). Yet another benefit of federal employment.

But one of the best advantages of being a federal employee is that there are legions of contractors in virtually every agency who shoulder most of the workload and/or serve as scapegoats for inept management.

[Joe Hadenuf]

Out of kindness towards the willfully ignorant, I'll give you the answer.

Man, you are really a snob.

Elected officials--county supervisors, city council members, state legislators, congressmen, and Senators.

Well thanks for that enlightening, profound information. What a find! LOL....

[Joe Hadenuf]

traffic patterns in the DC area are noticeably eased on Federal holidays--as they are on Mondays and Fridays when many government workers who are allowed to work alternative schedules get a day off (every other week). Yet another benefit of federal employment.

Same in most cities.

While most everyone else has to work, to pay for the millions of government employes who enjoy the day off. We are even paying them to take these days off.

[Ronzo]

In the People's Republic of Portland,Oregon public employees retire with 103% of their working salary.All teachers in Portland have their entire health premium-over $900 a month-paid by tax payers!!

Note to self: begin applying for governement jobs in Oregon...(if you can't beat 'em....)

[Not A Snowbird]

I wish I were a public employee! Where can I sign up?

www.usajobs.com