So Which Is It?

[Gardening Grandma]

So which is it?  Is the economy doing "great"  or are there "serious economic conditions" that warrant cutting raises for federal workers?


Trump: The economy is the best in history. Also Trump: We need to cut raises for federal worker
During congressional testimony on Wednesday, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin echoed Trump’s theme, telling senators that the president’s “economic freedom agenda is working” and that “American families are earning more each year ... growth [will] reduce our debt and deficits over time.”

But at the same time as Trump and administration officials are painting this rosy picture, the president quietly sent a letter to Congress on Monday announcing that as part of his 2021 budget proposal, he wants a scheduled pay raise for civilian federal workers cut from 2.5 percent to just 1 percent. The letter cites a “national emergency or serious economic conditions affecting the general welfare” and claims federal agencies “cannot sustain such increases.”

www.vox.com/2020/2/13/21136131/trump-federal-workers-cut-pay-raises-federal-budget

[happyhoix]

it's also going to be necessary to cut the social safety net programs because we just don't have money to waste on the lower classes. 

Not if we want to keep that fat tax break for the wealthy and all the bloated military programs we need. 

Trump has said the economy is the best ever, but it's not the best for everyone. Only for the important people. 

[busymom]

The current administration only wants those who are white, male & rich to do well.



Everyone else, not so much...

[teen persuasion]

Sounds like the local news tonight.

First, the stock market was down today.
But 401k balances are the highest ever!
But more people are having trouble making ends meet, even the wealthy - 32% of those earning more than $200k/yr spend more than they make!
Next - 7 ways to save more money, to help pay your debts down. Latte factor, cut to one steaming service (overlaps), cutback at grocery store, make a budget...

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

He probably has the same view as many on this board if you aren't in private industry and one of three approved professions you're likely an over paid no talent leech. Otherwise why would you be a government worker?

[Tiny]

I've heard that song and dance before! 

Back in the 80's the Firm I worked for would have a meeting for the underlings to say what a great year it was and how well the Firm had done and how everyone would benefit!   And then a couple of months later when it came time for raises a sad face was presented because the Firm was having a rough time.  There was hardly any money for raises 1% maybe 1.5% if you were an achiever!), or training, or anything else.  The thing was being in IT and supporting the Accounting Department and the Super Secret PartnerPay accounting department.. all of us in those departments saw that the Firm did have a great year - and all the extra $$ were redistributed to the Partners and other "special people".   The people who were "expenses" for the Firm... well, they were an expense it's good business practice to keep your expenses low.  

Actually, alot of employees just bought into it.  Some actually believed the Firm wasn't doing well.  Yes, pay was reasonable. It was just the weird "acting" thing that I found odd. Like acknowledging the truth was harmful, so it was better to just wink and nod. 

[tbop77]

Feb 13, 2020 20:51:12 GMT -5 Tiny said:

I've heard that song and dance before! 

Back in the 80's the Firm I worked for would have a meeting for the underlings to say what a great year it was and how well the Firm had done and how everyone would benefit!   And then a couple of months later when it came time for raises a sad face was presented because the Firm was having a rough time.  There was hardly any money for raises 1% maybe 1.5% if you were an achiever!), or training, or anything else.  The thing was being in IT and supporting the Accounting Department and the Super Secret PartnerPay accounting department.. all of us in those departments saw that the Firm did have a great year - and all the extra $$ were redistributed to the Partners and other "special people".   The people who were "expenses" for the Firm... well, they were an expense it's good business practice to keep your expenses low.  

Actually, alot of employees just bought into it.  Some actually believed the Firm wasn't doing well.  Yes, pay was reasonable. It was just the weird "acting" thing that I found odd. Like acknowledging the truth was harmful, so it was better to just wink and nod. 

Happens every year where I work.  Just got my bonus!  The underlings received a big fat $0 for the success of the company.  

When I read and hear the bitching about "redistributing the wealth", I always think it should be shared fairly in the first place.  The underlings are just as responsible for the success of the business as anyone else.  

[hoops902]

Feb 13, 2020 18:40:06 GMT -5 busymom said:

The current administration only wants those who are white, male & rich to do well.



Everyone else, not so much...

Well...I wasn't planning on voting for Trump in 2020, but you're making a compelling case for me to change my mind now!

[thyme4change]

Feb 14, 2020 8:32:40 GMT -5 hoops902 said:

Feb 13, 2020 18:40:06 GMT -5 busymom said:

The current administration only wants those who are white, male & rich to do well.



Everyone else, not so much...

Well...I wasn't planning on voting for Trump in 2020, but you're making a compelling case for me to change my mind now!

Lol. We were just talking about how much money we are earning in the market. We have hit the milestone of making more in the market than in our paychecks. We also did very well under Obama. So, I believe we may have hit the level where we will do well under either of the established parties. As long as there isn't revolution, we are probably okay.

[busymom]

Feb 14, 2020 8:32:40 GMT -5 hoops902 said:

Feb 13, 2020 18:40:06 GMT -5 busymom said:

The current administration only wants those who are white, male & rich to do well.



Everyone else, not so much...

Well...I wasn't planning on voting for Trump in 2020, but you're making a compelling case for me to change my mind now!

     LOL!  You're not rich enough.  He wouldn't waste a moment with anyone like you or me.  

[happyhoix]

Feb 14, 2020 6:40:12 GMT -5 tbop77 said:

Feb 13, 2020 20:51:12 GMT -5 Tiny said:

I've heard that song and dance before! 

Back in the 80's the Firm I worked for would have a meeting for the underlings to say what a great year it was and how well the Firm had done and how everyone would benefit!   And then a couple of months later when it came time for raises a sad face was presented because the Firm was having a rough time.  There was hardly any money for raises 1% maybe 1.5% if you were an achiever!), or training, or anything else.  The thing was being in IT and supporting the Accounting Department and the Super Secret PartnerPay accounting department.. all of us in those departments saw that the Firm did have a great year - and all the extra $$ were redistributed to the Partners and other "special people".   The people who were "expenses" for the Firm... well, they were an expense it's good business practice to keep your expenses low.  

Actually, alot of employees just bought into it.  Some actually believed the Firm wasn't doing well.  Yes, pay was reasonable. It was just the weird "acting" thing that I found odd. Like acknowledging the truth was harmful, so it was better to just wink and nod. 

Happens every year where I work.  Just got my bonus!  The underlings received a big fat $0 for the success of the company.  

When I read and hear the bitching about "redistributing the wealth", I always think it should be shared fairly in the first place.  The underlings are just as responsible for the success of the business as anyone else.  

At my company, this the last year only the managers get bonuses. Next year, the hourly employees will get one too. Not sure how big it will be, (I'm sure not as large as the managers) but I'd glad they get something. They're the ones making our products. 

[thyme4change]

Feb 14, 2020 11:44:34 GMT -5 busymom said:

Feb 14, 2020 8:32:40 GMT -5 hoops902 said:

Well...I wasn't planning on voting for Trump in 2020, but you're making a compelling case for me to change my mind now!

     LOL!  You're not rich enough.  He wouldn't waste a moment with anyone like you or me.  

He wont waste a minute on us, but there is a level of rich that doesn't register to the super rich (like Trump) but still gets the benefits of policies they like.

For example, neither party (regardless of what Bernie is proposing) is going to do something that will crash the stock market. They will all take precautions to protect it as much as they can. If Bernie says he wanted to fully socialize medicine - make private insurance illegal, take over all medical facilities, make all hospital staff and every doctor a federal employee, and turn our whole system into 'VA for everyone', it wont happen, because health care is like15% of the stock market. The best anyone will do is get a public option and expand medicaid, which will still pay publically traded companies for goods and services and those companies will do very well. Therefore their stock value will at least be stable. The Dems that stop Bernie won't be doing it for me (and my kind) but I will definitely benefit!

[happyhoix]

Feb 14, 2020 11:44:34 GMT -5 busymom said:

Feb 14, 2020 8:32:40 GMT -5 hoops902 said:

Well...I wasn't planning on voting for Trump in 2020, but you're making a compelling case for me to change my mind now!

     LOL!  You're not rich enough.  He wouldn't waste a moment with anyone like you or me.  

A good rule of thumb - if you can't afford the $200,000 annual membership fee for Mar A Lago (and have enough money to blow on the right clothes and fees for all the special events there) you're not worth him wasting his time on. 

If, however, you are one of those Mar A Lago princes of industry, he might let you redesign and run the VA even if you know fuck all about it, because you're the cream of society and have a bigly brain like him.