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The Real Pay Gap Progressives Won't Talk About: Federal Workers Make 78 Extra Cents on the Dollar Compared to Their Private Sector Analogues

Apparently "Good enough for government work" is now considered the gold standard as far as determining employee recompense.

Employees for the federal government earn far more than their counterparts in the private sector, according to a new study by the Cato Institute.

Federal workers' pay and benefits were 78 percent higher than private employees, who earned an average of $52,688 less than public sector workers last year.

The study found that federal government workers earned an average of $84,153 in 2014, compared to the private sector’s average of $56,350. Cato based its findings on figures from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA).

But when adding in benefits pay for federal workers, the difference becomes more dramatic. Federal employees made $119,934 in total compensation last year, while private sector workers earned $67,246, a difference of over $52,000, or 78 percent.

This is largely because while private sector pay rises are delayed or diminished due to economic downturns, civil servants always get their too-generous pay increases, come hell or high water.

Cato makes a good-government pitch for reducing government worker pay, too: They say reducing pay would encourage turnover, which would bring in new (and younger) people with new ideas. It would reduce government sclerosis.

Oh, I'm putting lots of stuff in the sidebar too, so feel free to use this as a Mid-Day Open Thread.


Posted by: Ace at 03:53 PM




Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 1st

Posted by: Mallflower at October 08, 2015 03:51 PM (qSIlh)

2 Barack Obama is a SCOAMT.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at October 08, 2015 03:51 PM (kff5f)

3 Burn it down.
Scatter the stones.
Salt the earth where it stood.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at October 08, 2015 03:52 PM (kff5f)

4 $119,934 is AVERAGE?!?

Holy shit.

Posted by: Grump928(c) at October 08, 2015 03:52 PM (evdj2)

5 So, it's a bit like communism, where everyone is equal, but party members are more equal than others.

Posted by: Vashta Nerada at October 08, 2015 03:52 PM (QPogr)

6 I remember when it used to be said that a Gov't job didn't pay well but there was job security.

Now they've got it all.

Get the unions out of Gov't.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at October 08, 2015 03:52 PM (Xo1Rt)

7 Good stuff in side bar. Say ace, you aren't a dork are you? Or is that bannation language?

////

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at October 08, 2015 03:52 PM (J3phO)

8 Sometimes I consider going into government contracting.

Then I remember that I *do* have a use for my soul.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at October 08, 2015 03:52 PM (kff5f)

9 higher pay and lower quality workers ... because the bad ones can never be fired.

Wonder if they figure in private sector folks that lose their pensions entirely in Enron cases, for example.

Posted by: Illiniwek at October 08, 2015 03:53 PM (dyyN5)

10 And they get PENSIONS

Posted by: @votermom at October 08, 2015 03:53 PM (cbfNE)

11 and you know that they say, well, I could make a lot more working in private industry, but I do it because I want to serve the people and my government.

Get rid of the EPA and most of the people working there would have a hard time finding any work that pays nearly what Uncle Taxpayer gives them.

Posted by: Mallflower at October 08, 2015 03:53 PM (qSIlh)

12 If no one else want the Speaker's post, I'll take it.

Posted by: Grump928(c) at October 08, 2015 03:53 PM (evdj2)

13 I just has a fight with some scumbag GOv Worker at the Defense Travel Office and the fuck actually hung up on me.....They should fire them all

Posted by: Nevergiveup at October 08, 2015 03:54 PM (gf8BH)

14 higher pay and lower quality workers ... because the bad ones can never be fired.



All it takes is a pen and a phone.........

Posted by: rickb223 at October 08, 2015 03:54 PM (vc6c9)

15 BTW, there is no such thing as an economic downturn in the government sector - in government, under keynesianism, if the economy turns south, the government turns on the spigot.

Posted by: Vashta Nerada at October 08, 2015 03:54 PM (QPogr)

16
Get the unions out of Gov't.
Posted by: Bitter Clinger a

Scott Walker wanted to. But it wasn't yuuge enough.

Not only is it unions, it's automatic pay increases. Those who run the printing presses win.

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at October 08, 2015 03:54 PM (J3phO)

17 ....They should fire them all
Posted by: Nevergiveup at October 08, 2015

Or take away their dental care.

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at October 08, 2015 03:55 PM (J3phO)

18
They can afford to pay more because they save money on bathrooms.

Posted by: wth at October 08, 2015 03:55 PM (wAQA5)

19 re 5: no, as was once explained to a French Commie who couldn't believe the inequality he saw when he visited the USSR in the 1930s:
comrade, this is a classless society. Comrade Stalin is a worker, just like everyone else. It's just that his needs are greater.

Posted by: Mallflower at October 08, 2015 03:56 PM (qSIlh)

20 I feel like the sclerosis is more built in than anything. "Regulations" and so forth.

Of course, it's often those same bureaucrats who create the regulations, so I guess it's a wash either way.

Posted by: Hal at October 08, 2015 03:56 PM (nzmxZ)

21 By the way it "appears" this all might have been more kabbuki Theater to keep that fuck Boner in Office...Let it burn

Posted by: Nevergiveup at October 08, 2015 03:56 PM (gf8BH)

22 "And they get PENSIONS"

Yeah they do. Grandpa retired from FAA at 65 after a heart attack. He died at 93.

Posted by: Lauren at October 08, 2015 03:56 PM (GZ6Pf)

23
There are 459,016 Federal Government employees compensated at $100,000 or more per year. One in five Federal workers.

This is the case for pay reduction on a massive scale to under the current civil compensation rates. It's time has come.

Posted by: Doctor Fish at October 08, 2015 03:56 PM (OiFtZ)

24 Good stuff in side bar. Say ace, you aren't a dork are you? Or is that bannation langu

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian



Why yes, yes it is.

Posted by: rickb223 at October 08, 2015 03:56 PM (vc6c9)

25 "y the way it "appears" this all might have been more kabbuki Theater to keep that fuck Boner in Office...Let it burn"

Yeah I'm getting that vibe too.

"We tried to offer you an alternative but you wingnuts are just too radical so, for the good of the party, The Orange King must remain."

Posted by: Lauren at October 08, 2015 03:57 PM (GZ6Pf)

26 Make everybody a government employee and we will all benefit!

Posted by: Berniee at October 08, 2015 03:57 PM (9Fc79)

27 But if we don't pay Government employees more, how will we save Matt Damon?

Posted by: Puddin Head at October 08, 2015 03:57 PM (oDCMR)

28 I WISH I had been smart enough to suck off the Government tit my whole life...I fucked up...I tried to go out on my own

Posted by: Nevergiveup at October 08, 2015 03:57 PM (gf8BH)

29 With paychecks like that, we must be getting the bests and brightest people into government positions, right?

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at October 08, 2015 03:58 PM (VPLuQ)

30
Get rid of the EPA and most of the people working there would have a hard time finding any work that pays nearly what Uncle Taxpayer gives them.
.................................

and they would have to learn how to use a bathroom

Posted by: wth at October 08, 2015 03:58 PM (wAQA5)

31 I gotta neighbor, retired, huge pension, gives his seven grandkids 10k per year toward their college education. He used to work In the govmint defense side of a company that made light bulbs in the usa.

Nice guy but Ho Lee Fuk.

Posted by: se pa moron at October 08, 2015 03:58 PM (sI4OA)

32 And they can retire early AND they can use military seniority for pay scales and retirement.

Lots and lots of bennies that accrued when they weren't getting paid as well and now that they're getting paid well, they also still have those extra bennies.

Get the Unions out of Gov't.

It's Democrat money laundering scheme.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at October 08, 2015 03:58 PM (Xo1Rt)

33 Are you guys reading where Cheryl Mills "handpicked" the people who sat on the Accountability and Review Board for Benghazi?

Also something about people at State falsifying documents, something like that if I am reading it correctly.

It's in the House letter to Cummings who is leaking unilaterally to the press. Basically it's a knock it of warning to Elijah and his staff.

Posted by: Danube River Guide at October 08, 2015 03:58 PM (mcm0N)

34 Yo!

Posted by: Yo! at October 08, 2015 03:58 PM (GwIKd)

35 This is the case for pay reduction on a massive scale to under the current civil compensation rates. It's time has come.

In before M'M' whines about "best and brightest".

Posted by: Brother Cavil, down with Eph 6:12-13 at October 08, 2015 03:58 PM (9krrF)

36 Posted by: Vashta Nerada at October 08, 2015 03:54 PM (QPogr)

And, often, your performance is based on how much money you spend. Or similar perverse incentive.

For instance, the Arlington Public Library (I'm sure most do this, but I have inside information about Arlington, TX) gets budget increases based on how many library cards they issue. That sounds nice and reasonable, right? Except that they then specifically encourage everyone in a family to get their own cards. Then they set policies which discourage family members from sharing a library card. This means that an average family (well, average among those who actually use the library) has 4 - 6 cards, instead of one, but *usage* of the library hasn't actually gone up (we would use the same if we had 1 card and the policies were set up to allow it easily).

Perverse incentive.

And that one is hardly the worst of the lot in Government World.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at October 08, 2015 03:58 PM (kff5f)

37 Russian President Vladimir Putin's bullish entry into the Syrian conflict has worked wonders for his popularity in neighbouring Iraq, where some await "Hajji Putin" like a saviour.

Posted by: unlawful enemy combatant at October 08, 2015 03:58 PM (e8kgV)

38 >>Oh, I'm putting lots of stuff in the sidebar too, so feel free to use this as a Mid-Day Open Thread.



**sigh**

Posted by: Slow News Day Gorn at October 08, 2015 03:59 PM (5jzvv)

39 The main contributor are their pensions. Holy hell, these folks can quit in their 50s and suck comfortably off the government teat until death. Ask Detroit how the story ends.

Posted by: dogfish at October 08, 2015 03:59 PM (0O2Lr)

40 Knock it *off* warning to Cummings.

Posted by: Danube River Guide at October 08, 2015 03:59 PM (mcm0N)

41 End pensions. Nobody in the private sector gets them any more.

Posted by: Unknown Soldier at October 08, 2015 03:59 PM (e8kgV)

42 13 I just has a fight with some scumbag GOv Worker at the Defense Travel Office and the fuck actually hung up on me.....They should fire them all
Posted by: Nevergiveup at October 08, 2015 03:54 PM (gf8BH)


There was nothing I hated more than having to deal with GS Civilian Techs in the Military.

Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Staring at the Lake in the rain at October 08, 2015 03:59 PM (7rAXc)

43 My pipe dream is President Trump doing mass layoffs.
And you're fired, and you're fired, and you're fired.

Posted by: @votermom at October 08, 2015 04:00 PM (cbfNE)

44 Bullwinkle: Watch me pull a Boehner out of my hat.

Rocky: That trick never works.

You what they say about if it's too good to be true?

Yeah, that.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at October 08, 2015 04:01 PM (Xo1Rt)

45 "I WISH I had been smart enough to suck off the Government tit my whole life...I fucked up...I tried to go out on my own"

Me too. My mother who was a child during the great depression always said, 'get a government job' because she knew the time when few people had jobs, and a government job was the best because you could never be fired. I just couldn't do it; just couldn't take the regimentation.

Posted by: Hayfield Volkovski at October 08, 2015 04:01 PM (7Kxm7)

46 Perverse incentive.



That is a government office in DC.

Posted by: rickb223 at October 08, 2015 04:01 PM (vc6c9)

47 https://benghazi.house.gov

It's at this site -exact link to the pdf is going to blow the margins.

Posted by: Danube River Guide at October 08, 2015 04:01 PM (mcm0N)

48 the way it "appears" this all might have been more kabbuki Theater to keep that fuck Boner in Office...Let it burn
Posted by: Nevergiveup at October 08, 2015 03:56 PM (gf8BH)


-------------------


As soon as I heard the the speaker election was being delayed once again, I suspected this. I even commented on it.

Posted by: Soona at October 08, 2015 04:01 PM (Fmupd)

49 Maybe we should treat the executive as a state. Do block grants to the executive, x number of dollars for salaries, and let them decide how much to pay vs. how many to hire within that limit.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at October 08, 2015 04:01 PM (2lndx)

50 Sometimes I consider going into government contracting.
Posted by: AllenG


Government contractor is not the same as government civil servant when it comes to "gettin' mine".

Posted by: dogfish at October 08, 2015 04:02 PM (0O2Lr)

51 ... The Aristocrats!

Posted by: Just the punchline at October 08, 2015 04:02 PM (JmGFJ)

52 There was nothing I hated more than having to deal with GS Civilian Techs in the Military.
Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Staring at the Lake in the rain at October 08, 2015 03:59 PM (7rAXc)

I have short fused Orders to do something, that like a fuckin fool I volunteered for, and I called DTS to ask where my authorization is and they said it would take them over 24 hours...I said but I leave tomorrw early AM and he said baiscally to fuckin bad.... asshole

Posted by: Nevergiveup at October 08, 2015 04:02 PM (gf8BH)

53
Lowering the Federal compensation to current civil or under rates will encourage turnover, and rid the government of some decaying deadwood.

Eliminating public sector unions time has also come, and that would be disruptive in the short term, but a huge benefit in the future.

When Reagan killed PATCO, the liberals screamed it would decimate the FAA and people would die. The actuality was much different, and for many years the FAA was more responsive.

Today, the FAA is again loaded with malingers, and those seeking the final solution with early out pensions due to medical problems primarily mental, and those seeking EEOC solutions through the courts. Fuck 'um all!

Posted by: Doctor Fish at October 08, 2015 04:03 PM (OiFtZ)

54 Govt agencies should compete with each other for funding. To the death.

Posted by: @votermom at October 08, 2015 04:03 PM (cbfNE)

55 But in the public sector you can be put on suspension if they catch you smearing shit on the walls or for watching porn for more than seven hours/day.

Posted by: Gristle Encased Head at October 08, 2015 04:03 PM (+lsX1)

56 Does this also include pensions --- because it's a sweet deal if you can make what was your highest salary in retirement through cute schemes like cashing in all your unused vacation days in your final year of federal employment.

Posted by: Lizzy at October 08, 2015 04:03 PM (NOIQH)

57 That's like saying women make 78% of men. Same methods used. It is simply an average of federal workers compared to an average of private sector workers. Not a job-by-job comparison. Goldman Sachs employees make much more than McDonald's workers. There are reasons for that.

Posted by: razor419 at October 08, 2015 04:04 PM (wZzb8)

58 $119,934 is AVERAGE?!?

====

Deceptive. Majority of rank and file get BS wages, top dogs get outrageous salaries.

Posted by: Bigby's Meathooks at October 08, 2015 04:04 PM (3ZtZW)

59 Yep, have a friend who works at Tinker AFB as a contractor, the government workers are called civilians to differentiate them from the Air Force folks. The stories she tells about how little work gets done by the contractors because of the civilians being too lazy to pass out assignments would make you cry.

Posted by: Sherry McEvil, Stiletto Corsettes at October 08, 2015 04:04 PM (kXoT0)

60 An Ohio man made a strange, and not-so-wise call to police last Friday to tell them that he was "too high" on marijuana. Police arrived at the 22-year-old man's home at approximately 5:20 p.m, according to WJW. There, they found him on the floor "in a fetal position," surrounded by, "a plethora of Doritos, Pepperidge Farm Goldfish and Chips Ahoy cookies."

Posted by: Sky King at October 08, 2015 04:04 PM (e8kgV)

61 FWIW the so-called sexiest computer hacker in the world does nothing, zippo, nada, for me. Her body looks malformed to me two gigantic beach balls stuck on toothpicks.

Posted by: A friend at October 08, 2015 04:04 PM (tMrac)

62 30
Get rid of the EPA and most of the people working there would have a hard time finding any work that pays nearly what Uncle Taxpayer gives them.
.................................

and they would have to learn how to use a bathroom
Posted by: wth at October 08, 2015 03:58 PM (wAQA

Most of them couldn't find a job in the private sector. Housebroken or not.

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at October 08, 2015 04:05 PM (J3phO)

63 OK - but what about women ???

Does the government pay women less than men ?

systemic #War on Women !!!!

Posted by: McCool at October 08, 2015 04:05 PM (TQxRy)

64 Mind if I take a dump here?

Posted by: EPA Worker at October 08, 2015 04:05 PM (1DH1V)

65 Posted by: dogfish at October 08, 2015 04:02 PM (0O2Lr)

Plus you have to deal with government workers day in and day out. They don't care that you're on a deadline, they don't care that you'll be penalized if you're late. They'll get around to your contract when they damn well feel like it.

I think dealing with gov't inspectors shortened my bosses life.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at October 08, 2015 04:05 PM (Xo1Rt)

66 ya know those russian cruise missiles that hit Iran.... maybe the Israelis were are fucking with the guidance systems???? Just saying

Posted by: Nevergiveup at October 08, 2015 04:05 PM (gf8BH)

67 >>But in the public sector you can be put on suspension if they catch you
smearing shit on the walls or for watching porn for more than seven
hours/day.


How about the (now retired) EPA's top Global Warming expert who, for over a decade, insisted he was also working for the CIA, which he used to get reimbursed for all sorts of non-EPA travel and more time off than time "on".

Posted by: Lizzy at October 08, 2015 04:05 PM (NOIQH)

68 4 $119,934 is AVERAGE?!?

Holy shit.

Posted by: Grump928(c) at October 08, 2015 03:52 PM (evdj2)


All of a sudden those overweight black women working in the federal offices look pretty good, don't they?

Posted by: jwest at October 08, 2015 04:05 PM (Zs4uk)

69 Posted by: Sky King at October 08, 2015 04:04 PM (e8kgV

Heard about this, this morning. I chuckled heartily

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at October 08, 2015 04:05 PM (J3phO)

70 Here's a hint on Government employment - you first have to qualify as a woman or some special variant of a protected species. After that, you need to be real bitchy. Do those two things and the world is your oyster.

Posted by: Puddin Head at October 08, 2015 04:06 PM (oDCMR)

71 I have short fused Orders to do something, that like a fuckin fool I volunteered for, and I called DTS to ask where my authorization is and they said it would take them over 24 hours...I said but I leave tomorrw early AM and he said baiscally to fuckin bad.... asshole
Posted by: Nevergiveup at October 08, 2015 04:02 PM (gf8BH)


Typical. They know they're not accountable for shit and couldn't care less what inconvenience their incompetence causes you.

Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Staring at the Lake in the rain at October 08, 2015 04:06 PM (7rAXc)

72 And don't forget their bonuses they can get by fudging numbers and creating secret waiting lists.

Posted by: Buzzion at October 08, 2015 04:06 PM (z/Ubi)

73 Govt agencies should compete with each other for funding. To the death.
Posted by: @votermom


YOU should be President.

Posted by: dogfish at October 08, 2015 04:07 PM (0O2Lr)

74 61 FWIW the so-called sexiest computer hacker in the world does nothing, zippo, nada, for me. Her body looks malformed to me two gigantic beach balls stuck on toothpicks.
Posted by: A friend a

Ace had posted about her recently. Your opinion was widely held.

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at October 08, 2015 04:07 PM (J3phO)

75 re 56: the railroad trick: your defined benefits pension is based on your last two years, so they make sure they run up a lot of overtime during the last two years. I would be very surprised if most of the muni unions didn't play some version of that game.

Posted by: Mallflower at October 08, 2015 04:07 PM (qSIlh)

76 67 real life George Costanza

Posted by: @votermom at October 08, 2015 04:07 PM (cbfNE)

77 66 Possible but you can't rule out that they are just Russian junk.

Posted by: steevy at October 08, 2015 04:07 PM (8HTq1)

78 I'm still not going to watch the antman sequel or original.

Posted by: Draki at October 08, 2015 04:07 PM (bkFxU)

79 Goldman Sachs employees make much more than McDonald's workers. There are reasons for that.

Because Goldman Sachs employees are also too big to fail, so no matter how much their bosses give them, the government will bail them out?

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at October 08, 2015 04:07 PM (2lndx)

80 Not to mention its almost impossible to get fired.

Even if you turn the power of your office on the uppity proles-- that practically guarantees your Golden parachute.

Posted by: Pappy O'Daniel at October 08, 2015 04:07 PM (oVJmc)

81 68 4 $119,934 is AVERAGE?!?

Holy shit.

Posted by: Grump928(c) at October 08, 2015 03:52 PM (evdj2)


All of a sudden those overweight black women working in the federal offices look pretty good, don't they?
--------------------
If you missed the obvious, they are all driving Mercedes and rolling into work after 9:00Am. Pretty good for a gal that struggled as a receptionist.

Posted by: Puddin Head at October 08, 2015 04:07 PM (oDCMR)

82 21 By the way it "appears" this all might have been more kabbuki Theater to keep that fuck Boner in Office...Let it burn

@costareports 12m BREAKING: BOEHNER IS PERSONALLY ASKING RYAN TO STEP UP AND BE SPEAKER, have spoken twice today by phone...

@guypbenson 4m Sr. House official confirms @costareports report that Boehner is personally lobbying Ryan to run.Gowdy also urging Ryan to reconsider.

@JakeSherman 4m The effort to get Ryan in this race is widespread. He's resisted - he has no interest in speakership. question is can the party draft him

Posted by: Miss80sBaby at October 08, 2015 04:07 PM (YjDyJ)

83 Posted by: jwest at October 08, 2015 04:05 PM (Zs4uk)

Um. NO.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at October 08, 2015 04:08 PM (Xo1Rt)

84 >>And don't forget their bonuses they can get by fudging numbers and creating secret waiting lists.

And tax delinquency.

Posted by: Lizzy at October 08, 2015 04:08 PM (NOIQH)

85 The scariest words in the English language: I'm from the IRS and I'm here to help.

Posted by: The Great White Snark at October 08, 2015 04:08 PM (XUKZU)

86 Dogfish, bwahaha

Posted by: @votermom at October 08, 2015 04:08 PM (cbfNE)

87 When my cousin worked at the EPA they didn't mess around. First time you shit on the floor and smeared it on the walls - reprimand. Second time - note in your file. Third time - bam, three-day suspension.

Posted by: Gristle Encased Head at October 08, 2015 04:08 PM (+lsX1)

88 What is the private sector analogue to "defecate in the hallways"?

Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner at October 08, 2015 04:08 PM (E5UB0)

89 @JakeSherman 4m The effort to get Ryan in this race is widespread. He's resisted - he has no interest in speakership. question is can the party Establishment pricks draft him

Fixed that for him.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at October 08, 2015 04:09 PM (kff5f)

90 61
FWIW the so-called sexiest computer hacker in the world does nothing, zippo, nada, for me. Her body looks malformed to me two gigantic beach balls stuck on toothpicks.

Posted by: A friend at October 08, 2015 04:04 PM (tMrac)


I wouldn't kick her out of bed, but she definitely could use a meal or two.

Posted by: rebel flounder at October 08, 2015 04:09 PM (1DH1V)

91 What is the private sector analogue to "defecate in the hallways"?

Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner at October 08, 2015 04:08 PM (E5UB0)


"Fired for cause."

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at October 08, 2015 04:09 PM (kff5f)

92 It's at this site -exact link to the pdf is going to blow the margins.

Dude.

Posted by: TinyUrl at October 08, 2015 04:09 PM (evdj2)

93 If Boner can't hand-pick his replacement, he ain't going.

That's life in our democracy.

Posted by: Pappy O'Daniel at October 08, 2015 04:10 PM (oVJmc)

94 What is the private sector analogue to "defecate in the hallways"?

Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner


Take the last of the coffee and not refill it.

Posted by: Just the punchline at October 08, 2015 04:11 PM (JmGFJ)

95 Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner at October 08, 2015 04:08 PM (E5UB0)

Disorderly conduct and trespassing with a trip in a Police car to the local jail.

Do not pass go, do not collect anything etc etc.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at October 08, 2015 04:11 PM (Xo1Rt)

96 re 74: saw the pics. agreed, ok but nothing to scream hurray over.

Posted by: Mallflower at October 08, 2015 04:11 PM (qSIlh)

97 Goldman Sachs employees make much more than McDonald's workers. There are reasons for that.

#1 reason, both are in the private sector.

Posted by: Blanco Basura at October 08, 2015 04:12 PM (YEelc)

98
Boehner suggesting his replacement reeks of the good-ole-boy network working hard to solidify their power over the body.

Posted by: Doctor Fish at October 08, 2015 04:12 PM (OiFtZ)

99
It's easy to understand why Republicans go Big Government when tax revenues, to all politicians, is just one mega slush fund for them to play with.

Posted by: Soothsayer at October 08, 2015 04:12 PM (7vjfd)

100 When all these people go to Washington and lose their souls, where do those souls all end up?

It doesn't seem to matter who I vote for, I don't think we make much difference.

Posted by: GBruno at October 08, 2015 04:12 PM (u49WF)

101 Posted by: Miss80sBaby at October 08, 2015 04:07 PM (YjDyJ)


------------------------


It almost looks like no one wants to be speaker. I wonder why that is?

Perhaps Gowdy needs too step up to the plate. I actually think he could be elected.

Posted by: Soona at October 08, 2015 04:12 PM (Fmupd)

102 96
re 74: saw the pics. agreed, ok but nothing to scream hurray over.



Posted by: Mallflower at October 08, 2015 04:11 PM (qSIlh)


Yep, you're gonna have to show some areola or something before you can get me to hand over the keys to the castle. I wasn't born yesterday.

Posted by: OPM Director Archuleta at October 08, 2015 04:13 PM (1DH1V)

103 I live in a small town in the Heartland.

Every individual that I've ever dealt with at our local DMV has been nothing less than friendly and helpful.

Based on a lot of DMV horror stories I've heard, I'd say we're pretty lucky here.

Posted by: Randy Westerfeld at October 08, 2015 04:13 PM (zp6Kj)

104 99
It's easy to understand why Republicans go Big Government when tax revenues, to all politicians, is just one mega slush fund for them to play with.
Posted by: Soothsayer at October 08, 2015 04:12 PM (7vjfd

Plus it doesn't hurt to have immunity against negligent and criminal acts. Private sector doesn't have such protections.

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at October 08, 2015 04:14 PM (J3phO)

105
No one wants to be speaker?
What power does Obama hold over congress that no one wants to be speaker?

Posted by: Hayfield Volkovski at October 08, 2015 04:14 PM (7Kxm7)

106 My friends, you don't have to be afraid of some guy who let Joe Biden tea bag him in the vice-president debates, be Speaker of the House.

Posted by: John McCain at October 08, 2015 04:14 PM (sI4OA)

107 Katie Pavlich. Mmmmmm.

Posted by: Soona at October 08, 2015 04:14 PM (Fmupd)

108
Roger Goodell hasn't worked out well for the NFL, maybe he can take the speaker's job and install a system of risk and reward like he did in the league.

Posted by: Doctor Fish at October 08, 2015 04:15 PM (OiFtZ)

109 I haven't said this yet today, but Boehner can go fuck 'imself. I hope they go ahead on a vote to remove him.

Posted by: dogfish at October 08, 2015 04:15 PM (0O2Lr)

110 So Boener wants Ryan to be Speaker.

I guess that tells me what I should need to know about picking him.

Posted by: joe at October 08, 2015 04:15 PM (KUaJL)

111 What is the private sector analogue to "defecate in the hallways"?

Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner

Take the last of the coffee and not refill it.




Steal someone's sammich out of the breakroom fridge.

Posted by: rickb223 at October 08, 2015 04:15 PM (vc6c9)

112 Based on a lot of DMV horror stories I've heard, I'd say we're pretty lucky here.

Posted by: Randy Westerfeld at October 08, 2015 04:13 PM (zp6Kj)


Actually, the DMV employees aren't that bad (usually). I usually get more surly service from the Post Office.

The problem with the DMV is that they all seem to be soul-sucking pits of government waste. There's no reason, except the government wants to keep tabs on you, that you should *have* to go into the DMV to renew your driver's license in most cases (and, in fairness, I think most states are moving away from that). There's no reason the process of renewing your DL should take as long as it does. It's just... government being government.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at October 08, 2015 04:16 PM (kff5f)

113 GBruno, their souls are in the same place as all of those rubber particles that have worn from our tires.

Posted by: JohnnyBoy at October 08, 2015 04:16 PM (YiJNE)

114 How the hell do you aim a cruise missile at Syria and hit Iran? That's like aiming at NYC and hitting LA.

Posted by: JackStraw at October 08, 2015 04:16 PM (/tuJf)

115 re 107: da, comrade. Although for me, an ideal physical specimen was Nikki Cox C 1999. Went and ruined her looks with collagen.

Posted by: Mallflower at October 08, 2015 04:17 PM (qSIlh)

116 CNN planing to juice the Donk debate ratings by opening with Sheryl Crow singing the Star Spangled Banner. Maybe they could have a half time show, too.

Posted by: The Great White Snark at October 08, 2015 04:17 PM (XUKZU)

117 A few decades ago it used to be that people would accept government jobs, even though they typically paid less than private-sector jobs, because they'd get to leave at 5:00 and would never have to work week-ends, like people in the private sector often must do. And it was almost impossible to get fired from a government job, no matter how badly you f*cked up, unlike in the private sector, where if you screw up, you're fired.

Today, government workers still work shorter hours, go home at 5:00 (if not sooner), never work weekends (or holidays), and can't get fired no matter how much they screw up. And yet they're being paid much better, and get much better benefits, than comparable private sector workers.

It's insane.

Posted by: TrivialPursuer at October 08, 2015 04:17 PM (a31sM)

118 Federal workers' pay and benefits were 78 percent higher than private employees, who earned an average of $52,688 less than public sector workers last year.

The Vampire State.

Posted by: rickl at October 08, 2015 04:17 PM (zoehZ)

119 This is why we will not reduce the size of government. Anyone who gets into elected Federal office wants this highly-rewarded constituency to vote for them. To reduce their pay/job opportunities is to lose their support.

That is government and why it never, ever shrinks until financial collapse and/or revolution.

Posted by: AnonymousDrivel at October 08, 2015 04:17 PM (1CroS)

120 ow the hell do you aim a cruise missile at Syria and hit Iran? That's like aiming at NYC and hitting LA.

Posted by: JackStraw at October 08, 2015 04:16 PM (/tuJf)

******

Those shots went exactly where they wanted them to go.

Posted by: ManWithNoParty, unperson from Free Market Jesus Paradise at October 08, 2015 04:18 PM (GA9gG)

121 Usually don't have to go to the DMV unless its for some particular thing. Even then for a lot of transactions its very quick. Worst part is the waiting, not the service.

Posted by: Bigby's Meathooks at October 08, 2015 04:18 PM (3ZtZW)

122 No one wants to be speaker?
What power does Obama hold over congress that no one wants to be speaker?


It's not the SCOAMT. I'm betting its the Chambers of Commerce and other Establishment backers.

Specifically, I think the Conservative wing is finally feeling its oats, and starting to say "No. You can either go full Democrat and burn this f*cker down, or you can move toward us. Pick one."

And no one is willing to budge. The Establishment doesn't want to run someone acceptable to those hicks in the Conservative wing (little better than peasants, really), and the Conservative wing is finally saying "we've spent 6+ years 'compromising.' Now it's your turn."

So no one from the deep conservative portions of the House will be elected, but the Establishment is afraid that they'll have to join with Democrats to get their preferred candidate elected.

The Establishment is just realizing how deeply in trouble it is- it can't keep appeasing its paymasters AND its voters at the same time- and they're scrambling to figure out some way around it.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at October 08, 2015 04:20 PM (kff5f)

123 What is the private sector analogue to "defecate in the hallways"?
Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner




Listening to the radio above a reasonable volume.

Posted by: dogfish at October 08, 2015 04:20 PM (0O2Lr)

124
The problem with the DMV is that they all seem to be soul-sucking
pits of government waste. There's no reason, except the government
wants to keep tabs on you, that you should *have* to go into the DMV to
renew your driver's license in most cases (and, in fairness, I think
most states are moving away from that). There's no reason the process
of renewing your DL should take as long as it does. It's just...
government being government.


Come to AZ. Changed my DL when I moved here 16 years ago, it expires on my 65th birthday. Only time I needed to go back to the office was to update my picture after about 10 years.

Posted by: Blanco Basura at October 08, 2015 04:20 PM (YEelc)

125 How the hell do you aim a cruise missile at Syria and hit Iran? That's like aiming at NYC and hitting LA.

Posted by: JackStraw at October 08, 2015 04:16 PM (/tuJf)

Depends on where it landed. They're firing them from the Caspian and there's a bit of Iran that sticks out there between the Caspian and Syria.

Good to know they're QC isn't up to par. Or their Missile Techs. One of the two or both.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at October 08, 2015 04:20 PM (Xo1Rt)

126 121
Usually don't have to go to the DMV unless its for some particular thing. Even then for a lot of transactions its very quick. Worst part is the waiting, not the service.

Posted by: Bigby's Meathooks at October 08, 2015 04:18 PM (3ZtZW)



Do you not have nose? The worst part is stench of hoo mons.

Posted by: Hillary! at October 08, 2015 04:21 PM (1DH1V)

127 What is the private sector analogue to "defecate in the hallways"?
Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner

Typing loudly.

Posted by: joe at October 08, 2015 04:21 PM (KUaJL)

128 Based on a lot of DMV horror stories I've heard, I'd say we're pretty lucky here.
Posted by: Randy Westerfeld at October 08, 2015 04:13 PM (zp6Kj)


As do I. We have a small, out of the way DMV (HINT: Paul Powell's hometown if you're familiar with Illinois lore). It's a breeze. I've never seen more than two people in there at any one time.

Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Staring at the Lake in the rain at October 08, 2015 04:21 PM (7rAXc)

129 >>Based on a lot of DMV horror stories I've heard, I'd say we're pretty lucky here.

Yep.
I've had some nice DMV people, but my last go-around, when I went in merely to update the address on my license, they were just lazy. Twice they messed up the updated license info (caught when asked to review), both times taking 20+ minutes to get the updated form (after waiting over an hour to get to the counter). The worst was that the chick just did not care --- it was like talking to a wall. Not even a glimmer of acknowledgement that she was doing a piss-poor job, not even attitude, just *yawn*...Next!

Posted by: Lizzy at October 08, 2015 04:22 PM (NOIQH)

130 Those shots went exactly where they wanted them to go.


----------------


My belief also. It was a warning shot: Don't fuck with the Bear.

Posted by: Soona at October 08, 2015 04:22 PM (Fmupd)

131 The Establishment is just realizing how deeply in trouble it is- it can't keep appeasing its paymasters AND its voters at the same time- and they're scrambling to figure out some way around it.

I am a Washington outsider!

Posted by: Jeb Bush at October 08, 2015 04:22 PM (YQA13)

132 DMV's have improved as computers took on more of the work.

Being threatened with being replaced works wonders for attitude. Now that everything is so automated and digitized, suddenly the DMV workers realized they needed to smile and be polite.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at October 08, 2015 04:22 PM (Xo1Rt)

133
CNN planing to juice the Donk debate ratings by opening with Sheryl Crow singing the Star Spangled Banner. Maybe they could have a half time show, too.
Posted by: The Great White Snark at October 08, 2015 04:17 PM (XUKZU)
...........................

The halftime show would be good because Hill! and Bern! may need a nap.

Posted by: wth at October 08, 2015 04:23 PM (wAQA5)

134
Ahhhh -- Paul Prudhomme died.

Posted by: Bruce With a Wang! at October 08, 2015 04:24 PM (iQIUe)

135 Lets see... public sector UNIONS, using Union dues to elect people who will give them pay raises...

On the backs of the peasants who must support them...

We are entering the Mandarin Age of America... where Government workers (Lois Lerner?) have more power than elected officials, because they are unaccountable to either said elected officials, OR the Electorate.

Posted by: BB Wolf at October 08, 2015 04:25 PM (qh617)

136 >>My belief also. It was a warning shot: Don't fuck with the Bear.

Yea, accept the Bear is partnering with Iran and Assad. Russia has been pouring weapons into Iran since the breakdown of the sanctions and getting Iranian oil in return.

Seems kind of odd.

Posted by: JackStraw at October 08, 2015 04:25 PM (/tuJf)

137
That's like aiming at NYC and hitting LA.
.....................

Either way it's a bullseye.

Posted by: wth at October 08, 2015 04:25 PM (wAQA5)

138 127 What is the private sector analogue to "defecate in the hallways"?
Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner

Typing loudly.
Posted by: joe at October 08, 2015 04:21 PM (KUaJL)

Breathing too noisily. Stomach gurgles.

Posted by: Insomniac at October 08, 2015 04:26 PM (2Ojst)

139 98

Boehner suggesting his replacement reeks of the good-ole-boy network working hard to solidify their power over theRenee's body.


Posted by: Doctor Fish at October 08, 2015 04:12 PM (OiFtZ)


FIFY

Posted by: Nip Sip at October 08, 2015 04:26 PM (jJRIy)

140 Lots of noise about Eddie Munster running for Boehner's seat.


Supposedly he says no, but the image of pushing a guy tied to the disastrous Romney run coupled with the memories of Joey Bidet handing Ryan his ass in that horrific debate sure is a brilliant move, GOPe!


The GOPe: Pushing losing losers who lose and lose again into leadership positions because by gawd we'll get Obama.

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at October 08, 2015 04:26 PM (4ErVI)

141 Personally, I think you peasants are just jealous you're not retiring at 50 years old......now, GET BACK TO WORK!! My retirement won't pay for itself, you know? *switches back to Porn movie*

Posted by: Porn-watchin Govt Worker at October 08, 2015 04:26 PM (5QLCg)

142 134


Ahhhh -- Paul Prudhomme died.

Posted by: Bruce With a Wang! at October 08, 2015 04:24 PM (iQIUe)


I'm not dead yet.

Posted by: Don Prudhomme at October 08, 2015 04:26 PM (1DH1V)

143 >>CNN planing to juice the Donk debate ratings by opening with Sheryl Crow singing the Star Spangled Banner.

Seriously?
Is it that they don't think they can get Dems to watch unless it's an entertainment experience, or are they using it to burn time?
Oh, probably as a way to get viewers to justify their ad prices.

Posted by: Lizzy at October 08, 2015 04:27 PM (NOIQH)

144
120 ow the hell do you aim a cruise missile at Syria and hit Iran? That's like aiming at NYC and hitting LA.

Posted by: JackStraw at October 08, 2015 04:16 PM (/tuJf)

******

Those shots went exactly where they wanted them to go.

Posted by: ManWithNoParty, unperson from Free Market Jesus Paradise at October 08, 2015 04:18 PM (GA9gG)

Dear Iran...

Comrades... I know I have been distracted with other issues... but to be clear:

Assad is my bitch...

Posted by: Vlad Putin at October 08, 2015 04:28 PM (qh617)

145 I mean gawddamn let's get the kid with a fifty point plan to cut the budget by backloading all the potential savings to future congresses who are in no way obligated to follow such a plan.


But hey there were savings mentioned!

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at October 08, 2015 04:28 PM (4ErVI)

146 Odd, I've never had trouble with DMV even in a big city like Albuquerque. Even back in the day when I had multiple...

wait let me check statute of limitations

hhmmm NJ (and others) using facial recognition software detected 2,500 cases of fraud, and 12,500 cases of clerical error.

Posted by: Hayfield Volkovski at October 08, 2015 04:28 PM (7Kxm7)

147 Dear Iran...



Comrades... I know I have been distracted with other issues... but to be clear:



Assad is my bitch...


Syria's been an Iranian satellite state for a long while.

Posted by: Pappy O'Daniel at October 08, 2015 04:29 PM (oVJmc)

148 Vacate the Chair.

Posted by: Boss Moss at October 08, 2015 04:29 PM (B6YW+)

149 GBruno: "When all these people go to Washington and lose their souls, where do those souls all end up?"

Volcanoes and the Cinema but mostly the Cinema.

Posted by: Xenu at October 08, 2015 04:29 PM (1CroS)

150 >>CNN planing to juice the Donk debate ratings by opening with Sheryl Crow singing the Star Spangled Dingleberry

Posted by: wth at October 08, 2015 04:29 PM (wAQA5)

151 Well....I am making zero now.

Zilch....nada....zippo.

Posted by: Fat Zombie Paul Prudhomme at October 08, 2015 04:29 PM (D0NZx)

152
mghmgmph

*lifts head from trough*

::belch::
:snort::

* continues feeding *

mfmghmghmrh

Posted by: Pig at October 08, 2015 04:30 PM (9mTYi)

153 136 >>My belief also. It was a warning shot: Don't fuck with the Bear.

Yea, accept the Bear is partnering with Iran and Assad. Russia has been pouring weapons into Iran since the breakdown of the sanctions and getting Iranian oil in return.

Seems kind of odd.

Posted by: JackStraw at October 08, 2015 04:25 PM (/tuJf)

Note really...

Its Russia saying... you may attack these guys, but not those guys...

Know your limits...

Posted by: BB Wolf at October 08, 2015 04:30 PM (qh617)

154 "When all these people go to Washington and lose their souls, where do those souls all end up?"
---------------------

On the pension rolls.

Posted by: Pig at October 08, 2015 04:31 PM (9mTYi)

155 Oh wow--looks like Sidney f'n Blumenthal cited a CIA employee who said we were reliant on one source for INTEL,


Flipping named that INTEL source that we were highly (probably overly) reliant on and then-


Hillary forwarded the info all around to people--most likely without security clearances , from her personal email server.
And most likely the various recepients were on less secure servers.

Posted by: Danube River Guide at October 08, 2015 04:31 PM (mcm0N)

156 I'm increasingly thinking we'll be out of Syria in about a week.


I figure that's how long it will take for Putin to outright demand Obama leaves.


And Obama will.

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at October 08, 2015 04:32 PM (4ErVI)

157 Syria's been an Iranian satellite state for a long while.


Posted by: Pappy O'Daniel at October 08, 2015 04:29 PM (oVJmc)


Not really.... they were a Russian satellite for a long time... and only went to Iran when Russia was not supporting them enough...

Now? The Bear is back... and Assad would much rather be in Russia's back pocket, then the Iranians.

Posted by: BB Wolf at October 08, 2015 04:32 PM (qh617)

158 Eh, the high pay attracts high quality people. Lee Kuan Yew thought paying the civil servants well (far more than US) was important, I'll take his word for it. I know lots of government people here in DC, they are often overqualified for their jobs.

Posted by: bjk at October 08, 2015 04:32 PM (Qvx74)

159 When all these people go to Washington and lose their souls, where do those souls all end up?

There's a secret tunnel that rings the city. It's inhabited by gingers.

Posted by: Blanco Basura at October 08, 2015 04:32 PM (YEelc)

160 I should have become a Fireman like the rest of my family. I could have retired 10 years ago and had a side business for extra dough. Stupid me thought I'd become rich after the college degrees. Fucking cubicle.

Posted by: Max Rockatansky at October 08, 2015 04:32 PM (NqZ29)

161 >>>$119,934 is AVERAGE?!?



====



Deceptive. Majority of rank and file get BS wages, top dogs get outrageous salaries.
.
.
.Yep, the number of overpaid political appointees skews the average wage data upward. Reduce the number of SES and Political Appointment positions and the average wage would plummet.

Case in point, Hillary Clinton. She took almost two dozen very senior people with her when she went to State and they were at the tippy top of the pay scale when they were there.

Posted by: The Great White Scotsman at October 08, 2015 04:33 PM (iONHu)

162 148 Vacate the Chair.
Posted by: Boss Moss at October 08, 2015 04:29 PM (B6YW+)


Yep. The HFC has its candidate. Vacate the chair and force a vote for Webster.

The whole point of this is that Boehner has lost the confidence of the caucus. Stop letting him call the shots.

Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at October 08, 2015 04:33 PM (YQA13)

163 153 136 >>My belief also. It was a warning shot: Don't fuck with the Bear.

Yea, accept the Bear is partnering with Iran and Assad. Russia has been pouring weapons into Iran since the breakdown of the sanctions and getting Iranian oil in return.

Seems kind of odd.

Posted by: JackStraw at October 08, 2015 04:25 PM (/tuJf)

Note really...

Its Russia saying... you may attack these guys, but not those guys...

Know your limits...
Posted by: BB Wolf at October 08, 2015 04:30 PM (qh617)

Has Obama tweet lately about the Bear being loose? Now if he changed it to the Bowels are loose...

Posted by: A friend at October 08, 2015 04:33 PM (tMrac)

164 160 I should have become a Fireman like the rest of my family. I could have retired 10 years ago and had a side business for extra dough. Stupid me thought I'd become rich after the college degrees. Fucking cubicle.


They tell you a lot of lies growing up. One was that you'll make more money in the Private Sector.

Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at October 08, 2015 04:34 PM (YQA13)

165 Putin might demand that Obama get the US out of Syria but Obama will just say the US was never in Syria.

Posted by: Hayfield Volkovski at October 08, 2015 04:34 PM (7Kxm7)

166 >>Its Russia saying... you may attack these guys, but not those guys...

>>Know your limits...

I think you are downplaying the amount of partnering going on between Russia and Iran. Israel is reporting that their are hundreds of Iranian troops in Syria working with the Russians as we speak. And before the ink was even dry on the new Iranian deal Soleimani, the top Quds Forces general was in Moscow reportedly planning out the strategy of a joint Russian/Iranian military attack on Syria.

This sounds a lot more like Russian incompetence than Russia pulling a 180 overnight and attacking their partner for dominance in the middle east.

Posted by: JackStraw at October 08, 2015 04:35 PM (/tuJf)

167 AllenG: ...and the Conservative wing is finally saying "we've spent 6+ years 'compromising.' Now it's your turn."

Conservatives have been compromising for a LOT longer than 6+ years. But I guess it's all relative.

Posted by: AnonymousDrivel at October 08, 2015 04:35 PM (1CroS)

168 Keep in mind that $25,000 of that compensation is in the form of vouchers.

Posted by: Vashta Nerada at October 08, 2015 04:35 PM (QPogr)

169 Okaaaaaaaay. My MA provider has thrown in the towel.

My doctor quit last year, early retirement.
My wife's doctor (separate practice) quit last year. Got the hell out of dodge, moved to New Zealand.

Yes, yes...., Obamacare is just the cat's pajamas.

On the upside, millions of illegals are receiving healthcare. Wait, is that an upside?

Posted by: Pig at October 08, 2015 04:36 PM (9mTYi)

170 Sheds porcine sock

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at October 08, 2015 04:37 PM (9mTYi)

171 101 It almost looks like no one wants to be speaker. I wonder why that is?

Perhaps Gowdy needs too step up to the plate. I actually think he could be elected.

Being Speaker is not as alluring as it once was. The primary tools used by former Speakers to keep members in-line have either been banned (a good thing, in the case of earmarks) or are no longer as effective as they once were. That and everyone realizes that getting the SCOAMF to change his mind with regards to major issues is going to take a miracle. Also, anyone who holds the office has to be willing to give up their weekends to fundraise.

As for Gowdy, Boehner already tried to talk him into it. He (Gowdy) says he is best-suited to the job he is already doing.

Posted by: Miss80sBaby at October 08, 2015 04:37 PM (YjDyJ)

172 162 148 Yep. The HFC has its candidate. Vacate the chair and force a vote for Webster.

The only HFC candidate who could come close to the "magic number" is Rep. Jordan, and he has already ruled-out a bid.

Posted by: Miss80sBaby at October 08, 2015 04:39 PM (YjDyJ)

173 On the upside, millions of illegals are receiving healthcare. Wait, is that an upside?

If it cuts down on some of the communicable diseases they've been bringing wit them, yes.

'Course, if they weren't here that would completely eliminate the problem, so they're still a net negative.

Posted by: Blanco Basura at October 08, 2015 04:39 PM (YEelc)

174 They tell you a lot of lies growing up. One was that you'll make more money in the Private Sector.
Posted by: Bevel
------------------

Hey, asshole, I barely make a living wage.

And, my benefits are none of your business.

Posted by: City employee, leaning on shovel at October 08, 2015 04:39 PM (9mTYi)

175 Pig: "On the upside, millions of illegals are receiving healthcare..."

Well, subsidized health insurance anyway. Care is a different story. As predicted countlessly.

Posted by: AnonymousDrivel at October 08, 2015 04:40 PM (1CroS)

176 Recipients.

Anyways she's busy playing Field Marshal Hillary in Libya and looks like they hired Osprey- in-which Sid had a financial interest.


No wonder they locked out the Defense Department when Ham offered to send military to protect Tripoli and the consulate.

Posted by: Danube River Guide at October 08, 2015 04:41 PM (mcm0N)

177 If it cuts down on some of the communicable diseases they've been bringing wit them, yes.

'Course, if they weren't here that would completely eliminate the problem, so they're still a net negative.
Posted by: Blanco Basura

It would help if their home country didn't think cutting the head off a chicken or sacrificing a goat was medical treatment.

Posted by: Prince Ludwig the #Problematic at October 08, 2015 04:41 PM (awspb)

178 The speaker's job is about as appealing as the job of captain of the Titanic, post iceberg.

Posted by: Vashta Nerada at October 08, 2015 04:41 PM (QPogr)

179 How about banning government employees from voting in elections where they'd be voting for/being bribed by their bosses?

Work for state government? No voting in state elections.
Work for the feds? No voting in federal elections.
Work for local government? No voting in local elections.

It would help cut down on the bureaucratic class' incestuous relationship with incumbents.

Oh and ban government employees from unionizing to stop that gravy train of corruption too.

Posted by: BlueFalcon in Boston at October 08, 2015 04:41 PM (A1Dcl)

180 I should have become a Fireman like the rest of my family. I could have retired 10 years ago and had a side business for extra dough. Stupid me thought I'd become rich after the college degrees. Fucking cubicle.

Posted by: Max Rockatansky at October 08, 2015 04:32 PM (NqZ29)

Yup...and have a nice fat union contract where your Department can soak the local government for fat pensions and bennies while scaring them into paying or their property insurance rates may go up if they get a bad rating because of subpar fire service. Fire scams have been going on since Ancient Rome.

Posted by: Zombie Crassus at October 08, 2015 04:42 PM (D0NZx)

181 175
Pig: "On the upside, millions of illegals are receiving healthcare..."



Well, subsidized health insurance anyway. Care is a different story. As predicted countlessly.

Posted by: AnonymousDrivel at October 08, 2015 04:40 PM (1CroS)


And NOT one Mohammedan is paying a penny. They and Injuins are exempt.

Posted by: Nip Sip at October 08, 2015 04:42 PM (jJRIy)

182 179
How about banning government employees from voting in elections where they'd be voting for/being bribed by their bosses?



Don't forget. Taxpayer funded PP supports Dem candidates/causes.


*cue rage headache*

Posted by: Jane D'oh at October 08, 2015 04:43 PM (FsuaD)

183 Hired Osprey to do what maybe our military should have done.

They did that so they could tell the American public with a straight face--during Obama's re-election that we had no boots on the ground.

Miss80sBaby

Yep, Gowdy is doing a stand up job where he is.

Posted by: Danube River Guide at October 08, 2015 04:44 PM (mcm0N)

184 116 CNN planing to juice the Donk debate ratings by opening with Sheryl Crow singing the Star Spangled Banner. Maybe they could have a half time show, too.
Posted by: The Great White Snark at October 08, 2015 04:17 PM (

I take it this debate will not be running toilet paper commercials.

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at October 08, 2015 04:44 PM (J3phO)

185 Oh, and I think the only reason why Hilary is being investigated is that the OPM hack was the result of her shitty security allowing state sponsored hackers to obtain the necessary credentials and understanding of secure .Gov networks to break in.

Posted by: BlueFalcon in Boston at October 08, 2015 04:45 PM (A1Dcl)

186 Since this is an open thread, husband wants us to go to S. Africa next year to celebrate our 30th anniversary.

We've got the mileage points to fly comfortably.

Anyone here been to Johannesburg? On a S. African safari?

???

Posted by: Jane D'oh at October 08, 2015 04:45 PM (FsuaD)

187 Vashta

Ha!

Posted by: Danube River Guide at October 08, 2015 04:45 PM (mcm0N)

188 Dear Iran...



Comrades... I know I have been distracted with other issues... but to be clear:



Assad is my bitch...



Posted by: Vlad Putin at October 08, 2015 04:28 PM (qh617)

And my best goat killed by a Russian missile. Fvck you Val.

Posted by: Mohamed, the goat fucker at October 08, 2015 04:45 PM (jJRIy)

189 A lot of these guys spend their time making contacts so they can start their own big bucks consulting firm when they retire from the feds.

Posted by: Bruce With a Wang! at October 08, 2015 04:46 PM (iQIUe)

190
someone should tweet and ask why Sherly Crow is selling out to the political party that interred Japanese-Americans

Seriously, this is how you get to these people. But we never do it...

Posted by: Soothsayer of the Righteous And Harmonious Fists at October 08, 2015 04:47 PM (7vjfd)

191 BlueFalcon

Holy---didn't even consider that.

Posted by: Danube River Guide at October 08, 2015 04:47 PM (mcm0N)

192 "Mom, my professor said some stuff today I didn't like"
WTF are these snowflakes going to do in real life?
"They wanted me to read something by someone I don't agree with"
How do any of these women or modern man make it in the world?
God help us

Posted by: Skip at October 08, 2015 04:47 PM (gY61M)

193

You hit the Left back not with sound arguments but with their own bullshit.

Posted by: Soothsayer of the Righteous And Harmonious Fists at October 08, 2015 04:48 PM (7vjfd)

194 Re: the sidebar.

Emeriti don't teach. Well, not for money. That's the point. There's no mandatory retirement age, so if you want to keep teaching, keep teaching.

Occasionally they'll do some sort of seminar or supervise graduate students but they aren't doing the 200-student lecture of Intro Micro Econ.

They sometimes get visiting positions. In this case, probably he's getting expenses to hang out at an institute and maybe there's some teaching to go along with the fellowship, but basically he went from not working at a job to working at a job in Australia.

Posted by: AmishDude at October 08, 2015 04:48 PM (Xd2w5)

195 186
Since this is an open thread, husband wants us to go to S. Africa next year to celebrate our 30th anniversary.

We've got the mileage points to fly comfortably.

Anyone here been to Johannesburg? On a S. African safari?

???


Posted by: Jane D'oh at October 08, 2015 04:45 PM (FsuaD)

I've been to Tanzania. Go to Capetown. J burg is dangerous as shit. Also take the Blue train if you can afford it.



http://tinyurl.com/p28fzqb

Posted by: Mohamed, the goat fucker at October 08, 2015 04:48 PM (jJRIy)

196 Fuck Boehner. Fuck Paul Ryan. Fuck the toadies that continue to push excuses for them. Fuck the establishment and their whiny little petulant temper tantrums when part of the party doesn't want to go along with their kabuki of selecting their predetermined approved choices.

Posted by: Buzzion at October 08, 2015 04:48 PM (z/Ubi)

197 163 153 136 >>My belief also. It was a warning shot: Don't fuck with the Bear

Re-calculate, re-calculate

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at October 08, 2015 04:48 PM (J3phO)

198 sounds a lot more like Russian incompetence

Decadent Uzbeks have drunk my cruise missiles battery fluid.

Posted by: DaveA at October 08, 2015 04:48 PM (DL2i+)

199 off goat sock

Posted by: Nip Sip at October 08, 2015 04:49 PM (jJRIy)

200

la nooda

Posted by: Soothsayer of the Righteous And Harmonious Fists at October 08, 2015 04:49 PM (7vjfd)

201 Nude orange crush

Posted by: BunkerintheBurbs at October 08, 2015 04:49 PM (WDySP)

202 New thread

Posted by: Killerdog at October 08, 2015 04:49 PM (lT+fL)

203
Anyone here been to Johannesburg? On a S. African safari
--------------------

Personally, I would avoid all 3rd world hell holes as an American.
However, if you are set on Africa Tanzania isn't a bad country to go as of 3 years ago.

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at October 08, 2015 04:50 PM (J3phO)

204 More on the Blue Train.




http://tinyurl.com/ok7tqxa

Posted by: Nip Sip at October 08, 2015 04:50 PM (jJRIy)

205 Don't forget. Taxpayer funded PP supports Dem candidates/causes.

*cue rage headache*

Posted by: Jane D'oh at October 08, 2015 04:43 PM (FsuaD)



Could I interest you in some camo underwear and sharp pointy objects?

Posted by: WebAds at October 08, 2015 04:51 PM (0NdlF)

206 Never been to S Africa but a year or so ago got on it and started searching the web on the place. Nice weather, the government is totally 're up.

Posted by: Skip at October 08, 2015 04:51 PM (gY61M)

207 Anyone here been to Johannesburg?
------------------------
Just stay out of Mombasa bar rooms.

Posted by: Van Owen at October 08, 2015 04:52 PM (9mTYi)

208 Posted by: Jane D'oh at October 08, 2015 04:45 PM (FsuaD)

I've been to Tanzania. Go to Capetown. J burg is dangerous as shit. Also take the Blue train if you can afford it.



http://tinyurl.com/p28fzqb

Posted by: Mohamed, the goat fucker at October 08, 2015 04:48 PM (jJRIy)


Errrm...thanks...Mohamed...

Posted by: Jane D'oh at October 08, 2015 04:52 PM (FsuaD)

209 The only HFC candidate who could come close to the "magic number" is Rep. Jordan, and he has already ruled-out a bid.

The HFC pledged to vote for Webster. If that's the candidate, get on with it.

Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at October 08, 2015 04:53 PM (YQA13)

210 I won't totally dispute the premise. But I will note a couple of caveats in our defense:

(1) Almost all of us have at least a college degree, which is a requirement in most agencies.
(2) Many are very educated (NIH doctors, NASA PhDs, SEC lawyers, federal judges).
(3) Most of the lower-level work (food services, building maintenance, security, computer support, much clerical, parking staff) is now done by contractors that are not federal employees. This raises the average a lot among the remaining people. The trend toward contracting in recent decades moved lots of people at the lower levels off of federal payrolls.
(4) High-cost DC area.

That said, the point is valid.

Posted by: Dan at October 08, 2015 04:54 PM (I/amE)

211 209 The HFC pledged to vote for Webster. If that's the candidate, get on with it.[/]

That pledge was made for protest vote purposes.

Posted by: Miss80sBaby at October 08, 2015 04:55 PM (YjDyJ)

212 >>> 179
Oh and ban government employees from unionizing to stop that gravy train of corruption too.

=========

You can thank our hero pal JFK for allowing the government employees to unionize.....and by executive order, no less.

Ya...we never got to vote on that either.

Posted by: GBruno at October 08, 2015 04:56 PM (u49WF)

213 Oh for God's sake there's a thing at Hot Gas about Romney as speaker.


Oh what the fuck ever. I'm outta this shitstain party. What a bunch of puking losers. I can't have this type of epic fail in my life.

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at October 08, 2015 04:58 PM (4ErVI)

214 God I've never seen such a bunch of knee knocking pukes.

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at October 08, 2015 04:59 PM (4ErVI)

215 (1) Almost all of us have at least a college degree, which is a requirement in most agencies.
(2) Many are very educated (NIH doctors, NASA PhDs, SEC lawyers, federal judges).


Which with today's college bubble, inflates the demand for college degrees.

Degrees != competence

(am college graduate; I worked a few years for the fed, too)

Posted by: ConservativeMonster at October 08, 2015 05:05 PM (0NdlF)

216 Jane... go to the Caribbean. Life is too short to spend on long plane rides. You can find islands with French influence,British influence, Dutch influence, etc.All different, all fascinating.

Or rent a sailboat and crew and sail from island to island. Like a modern day Christopher Columbus. You're there in mere hours, no jet lag. Get some brochures. Best part of trip is planning, so they say. My experience in Caribbean Is both actual experience and planning are awesome.

Posted by: se pa moron at October 08, 2015 05:09 PM (sI4OA)

217 Is this all government workers compared to all private workers? Or is it equivalent positions? Because if it's the former, that's sorta like the salaries men make versus the salaries women make, and coming up with the 73 cents on the dollar, isn't it? Is it an apples to apples comparison?

Posted by: Drive-by poster at October 08, 2015 05:16 PM (DOaVY)

218 what is the private sector equivalent of a government clockwatcher? a welfare queen?

Posted by: x at October 08, 2015 05:17 PM (57fhp)

219 No wonder I see so many Porsche's, Tesla's, and Maserati's around here (DC and environs)!

Posted by: some asshole at October 08, 2015 05:23 PM (l9C+f)

220 > 186 ...Anyone here been to Johannesburg? On a S. African safari?


Posted by: Jane D'oh at October 08, 2015 04:45 PM (FsuaD)

Go to Cape Town instead of Jo'burg. Rent a car, and drive around the old Boer vineyards. If you really want safari (what kind: camera? hunting?), check out reputable firms online. I spent a couple months there, as consultant to SA firms. I took weekend trips into the Karoo...

Posted by: meerkat at October 08, 2015 05:24 PM (IQI2h)

221 I used to work for state government. Many of the employees there had one big dream: to one day make it to the Bigs, the Federal government job corps, which would bestow huge gobs of money and retirement and medical and expense accounts beyond their wildest dreams.

Nobody ever made it though. You had to know someone.

Posted by: pj at October 08, 2015 05:50 PM (cHuNI)

222 This stupid "study" isn't controlled for demographic differences just like the gender inequality claptrap. So go suck a bag of dix.

Posted by: oldtrub at October 08, 2015 06:09 PM (thAVF)

223 Good news and bad news -

Good news is that since Obama has been in office civil servants pay has been frozen (I think they did get ~1% one year).

Bad news is that affirmative action hires have exploded, people who used to be lucky/connected to get a high school level GS-1 are all now GS-13s, somewhat like some high-level welfare where the recipient has to pretend to work, and all those rocket surgeons are still GS-11s.

Posted by: Burnt Toast at October 08, 2015 06:15 PM (NaeCR)

224 218
what is the private sector equivalent of a government clockwatcher? a welfare queen?

Posted by: x at October 08, 2015 05:17 PM (57fhp)

Gotcha. Didn't mean to interrupt your angry mob fun run. Carry on.

Posted by: Drive-by poster at October 08, 2015 06:15 PM (DOaVY)

225 u mad bro? you're welcome to get out of the wagon and pull for a while if you don't like it.

Posted by: x at October 08, 2015 06:33 PM (57fhp)

226 The "average" federal employee is a GS-11, a GS-11 step 4 makes around $65,000. A GS-13 step 1 makes around $85,000. The higher up the pay scale the fewer positions there are. Those stats are probably true for the DC area since the grade system there is so much higher than in the rest of the country. It is justified because the cost of living is so high, but the cost of living is so high because the feds are so over-graded and over-paid.

Posted by: DrEvil007 at October 08, 2015 06:33 PM (b04/g)

227 Ace, please stop referring to leftists as progressives. It's just not so. Unless we are talking about the progress they've made to take the country into the shit-can then ok

Posted by: Triple Twenty at October 08, 2015 06:39 PM (ficNf)

228 Not much of a study and the methodology is not explained. The author misleads on the two retirement systems (CSRS which is being phased out) and FERS.

Also...he misleads on the Unions. Unions do not set wages. All federal employment rules are set by Congress. All the Unions do is argue about working conditions...i.e. Johnny has 3 more square feet of cubicle than I do....

Unions really cannot stop an organization from firing people...its the managers that do that. Managers find it hard to fire someone since it has no effect on their pocketbook or bottom line since they are dealing with other peoples money (the taxpayer).

Posted by: Budahmon at October 08, 2015 07:37 PM (vcSri)

229 I'd like to know where my 78 cents are? 'cause that'd pocket me nearly 200K and I don't get paid that.

Posted by: Former Mass Resident, Ph.D. at October 08, 2015 07:57 PM (/lYhj)

230 Can't really comment on other Fed Gov't agencies, but in DoD where I work, things seem a little different than the "study" suggests. My director (SES level) probably pulls in around $130k + bennies, putting him at maybe $200k total compensation. That is a lot of money. But look at his equivalent in the private sector. He has 1500 employees, responsibility for over half a billion in resources annually, and over 100 locations throughout the world. You know what you call the private sector equivalent? The CEO of a mid-to-large size multi-national company. How many of those make less than 7 figures in total compensation annually? Here is the dirty secret - those at the lower end of the gov't scale make much more than their counterparts (how many secretaries pull in over 6 figures in total compensation? Some, but not very many). Those at the higher end make significantly less than their private sector counterparts (my sister just started as a deputy sub director something of global IT research for a fortune 500 company and makes the same, first year, as the global director of all IT for a global DoD agency with over 30 years of experience). The exception, of course, is the political appointees.

The other thing that doesn't add up to me is all the talk about pensions - I get one - if I work 30 years, I get 30% of my high three (highest paying 3 years averaged - that is base pay, by the way - no overtime or "saved" vacation goes into it, nor locality pay). It isn't anything to sneeze at, but it does not compare in the slightest to the automotive industry, or many other pensions out there. And I pay for over half of it (I asked about opting out - no-go).

I also average about 50 hours per week - and what I see amongst many co-workers is similar.

That said, we do have some personnel issues that will probably only be solved by retirement. And we do have some old school secretaries in senior management now. But the times are changing - currently, the majority of our new employees are vets - I'm not sure how other agencies are doing. But I don't think most people understand what they are talking about when they compare Gov't to private sector employment.

Posted by: nonsubhomine at October 09, 2015 01:53 PM (Pg7a4)

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