Government employees are just people wanting to do their jobs

[meadowlark5]

My husband is furloughed. We aren't nameless, faceless pawns out in the land. We have a mortgage, we have bills, we have utilities, we have kids and my pay doesn't come close to covering those expenses. There are some federal employees that are locked at grade 5, the Census Bureau, the paper pushers at the VA. They might make around $40,000 per year and most likely live paycheck to paycheck.

Hearing and reading about people angry and grumbling "the dems caved" and that a deal was made to open the govt and we will not continue to be used as ransom to get an agenda item pisses me off.

Funding the govt should be a stand alone issue. I don't care which party is using the govt employees for their agenda gains, it's not right. They should be able to write and pass legislation without putting people out of work.

And retro active pay is never guaranteed. And with this corrupt, hateful, spiteful gang controlling all branches of govt, I could see retro active pay not happening.

[Phoenix61]

1. Exactly

And when the dem senator tried to bring a bill to the floor that would pay the military McTurtle shut it down. He sure wasn't going to allow a vote to pay civilians. I realize some people think we "caved" but I don't. As you said, there are people who are living pay-check to pay-check and losing a weeks pay would be a serious problem for them. Everybody's back at work. CHIP is funded for the next 6 years. I say that's two wins.

[Blue_true]

2. I agree. I am sick of the "hostage" culture for doing legislation.

Every bill should rest on it's own merits. Government funding should be completely free of policy issues.

[Tarheel_Dem]

3. Thx for the reminder that there are real flesh & blood people behind the actions our leaders take.

Government shutdowns are no way to make legislation. I opposed government shutdowns when Obama was POTUS, and I still do.