It's understood by everyone that serving in the Armed Forces constitutes real "work".Yes,I should have made *that* clear.As for Air Traffic Control...was there a union there that gave tons of $$$ to the Rat Party? If so,I don't consider that "work".Sorry.
Did you notice the figure "35 years"? That means I 'worked' THROUGH the strike...yup, a SCAB!
In '81 I had been at Chicago Center, the busiest air traffic facility in the world, for 13 years. I was one of only 8 non-PATCO controllers (FedGov is open shop), which made for a miserable existence. We had 22 that either did not walk out, or came back before Reagan's deadline....and 465 were fired. So, I claim to have actually "worked", at least a little, for my gov't check.
But, since Massachusetts only votes Rats into office, you are therefore a Rat yourself. By your own reasoning. Sorry.