The looming sequester

[rushmc 23]

From the Washinton Times

Quote

The federal government is facing massive furloughs beginning later this week, but it is still running help-wanted ads seeking workers to answer phones — at up to $81,000 a year — or to drive cars for the State Department, for as much as $26.45 an hour.

Sen. Tom Coburn, an Oklahoma Republican and Congress’s top waste-watcher, sent a letter Monday to the White House budget office asking it to halt new hiring in low-priority jobs as a way of trying to preserve more important positions such as food safety inspectors and Border Patrol agents.


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

SEE RELATED: White House raises terror threat, warns illegals could flood borders after sequester cuts


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

His letter identified 10 help-wanted jobs posted on the federal hiring website, USAJobs.gov, which he said could save as much as $1.4 million a year if the government canceled the hiring.

Among them were the staff assistant job at the Labor Department, which paid up to $81,204 a year for someone to do scheduling and screening calls; a new lawyer for the Morris K. Udall Scholarship program, with a salary of up to $155,000 a year; and a new director for the Air Force’s history and museums program, with a salary topping out at $165,300 a year.

There is also an ad for 10 “motor vehicle operator” jobs at the State Department, ranging in pay from $22.76 to $26.45 an hour for duties described as: “Drive and operate vans, trucks, and passenger vehicles on shuttle runs, special, long distance, and overnight trips; Perform maintenance and minor repairs on vehicles that includes but is not limited to changing flat tires and checking vehicle oil; and Assist passengers and loads and/or unload luggage.”

It would seem you have nothint to worry about

And just so you know, I wish no evil on anyone. But the gov has created this mess. The Dems will not do their Constitutionaly demanded budget process and another end of the world government could shut down vote is comeing the end of March

As for any justification, the Fed is doing way more thant the Consttitution says it should be doing. A correction has to be coming

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[Skyrad 0]

Thank you rehmwa.

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[BigMikeH77 0]

Quote

From the Washinton Times

Quote

The federal government is facing massive furloughs beginning later this week, but it is still running help-wanted ads seeking workers to answer phones — at up to $81,000 a year — or to drive cars for the State Department, for as much as $26.45 an hour.

Sen. Tom Coburn, an Oklahoma Republican and Congress’s top waste-watcher, sent a letter Monday to the White House budget office asking it to halt new hiring in low-priority jobs as a way of trying to preserve more important positions such as food safety inspectors and Border Patrol agents.


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

SEE RELATED: White House raises terror threat, warns illegals could flood borders after sequester cuts


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

His letter identified 10 help-wanted jobs posted on the federal hiring website, USAJobs.gov, which he said could save as much as $1.4 million a year if the government canceled the hiring.

Among them were the staff assistant job at the Labor Department, which paid up to $81,204 a year for someone to do scheduling and screening calls; a new lawyer for the Morris K. Udall Scholarship program, with a salary of up to $155,000 a year; and a new director for the Air Force’s history and museums program, with a salary topping out at $165,300 a year.

There is also an ad for 10 “motor vehicle operator” jobs at the State Department, ranging in pay from $22.76 to $26.45 an hour for duties described as: “Drive and operate vans, trucks, and passenger vehicles on shuttle runs, special, long distance, and overnight trips; Perform maintenance and minor repairs on vehicles that includes but is not limited to changing flat tires and checking vehicle oil; and Assist passengers and loads and/or unload luggage.”

It would seem you have nothint to worry about

And just so you know, I wish no evil on anyone. But the gov has created this mess. The Dems will not do their Constitutionaly demanded budget process and another end of the world government could shut down vote is comeing the end of March

As for any justification, the Fed is doing way more thant the Consttitution says it should be doing. A correction has to be coming

Fyi, that particular job... that was made to sound like an entry level receptionist, is actually as for a GS-11 level assistant to a deputy director... The equivilant of an admininstrative asistant to an top level executive VP of a multinational corporation.

To qualify for the job, you need a security clearance, experience within the organization, and an incredible amount of people skills. this is NOT entry level. Here is the link to the job. if it doesn't work, go to usajobs and search for req number 338114300.

The news is only as good as the source it comes from, and biases are always attached.

https://my.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/338114300

[rushmc 23]

Quote

Quote

From the Washinton Times

Quote

The federal government is facing massive furloughs beginning later this week, but it is still running help-wanted ads seeking workers to answer phones — at up to $81,000 a year — or to drive cars for the State Department, for as much as $26.45 an hour.

Sen. Tom Coburn, an Oklahoma Republican and Congress’s top waste-watcher, sent a letter Monday to the White House budget office asking it to halt new hiring in low-priority jobs as a way of trying to preserve more important positions such as food safety inspectors and Border Patrol agents.


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

SEE RELATED: White House raises terror threat, warns illegals could flood borders after sequester cuts


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

His letter identified 10 help-wanted jobs posted on the federal hiring website, USAJobs.gov, which he said could save as much as $1.4 million a year if the government canceled the hiring.

Among them were the staff assistant job at the Labor Department, which paid up to $81,204 a year for someone to do scheduling and screening calls; a new lawyer for the Morris K. Udall Scholarship program, with a salary of up to $155,000 a year; and a new director for the Air Force’s history and museums program, with a salary topping out at $165,300 a year.

There is also an ad for 10 “motor vehicle operator” jobs at the State Department, ranging in pay from $22.76 to $26.45 an hour for duties described as: “Drive and operate vans, trucks, and passenger vehicles on shuttle runs, special, long distance, and overnight trips; Perform maintenance and minor repairs on vehicles that includes but is not limited to changing flat tires and checking vehicle oil; and Assist passengers and loads and/or unload luggage.”

It would seem you have nothint to worry about

And just so you know, I wish no evil on anyone. But the gov has created this mess. The Dems will not do their Constitutionaly demanded budget process and another end of the world government could shut down vote is comeing the end of March

As for any justification, the Fed is doing way more thant the Consttitution says it should be doing. A correction has to be coming

Fyi, that particular job... that was made to sound like an entry level receptionist, is actually as for a GS-11 level assistant to a deputy director... The equivilant of an admininstrative asistant to an top level executive VP of a multinational corporation.

To qualify for the job, you need a security clearance, experience within the organization, and an incredible amount of people skills. this is NOT entry level. Here is the link to the job. if it doesn't work, go to usajobs and search for req number 338114300.

The news is only as good as the source it comes from, and biases are always attached.

https://my.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/338114300

My point was is the gov is still hiring

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[rehmwa 2]

Quote

The Dems will not do their Constitutionaly demanded budget process and another end of the world government could shut down vote is comeing the end of March

As for any justification, the Fed is doing way more thant the Consttitution says it should be doing. A correction has to be coming

you note "the Dems"

to be fair - I can name at least two parties in Congress and one executive branch that I'd put the blame on

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[rushmc 23]

Quote

Quote

The Dems will not do their Constitutionaly demanded budget process and another end of the world government could shut down vote is comeing the end of March

As for any justification, the Fed is doing way more thant the Consttitution says it should be doing. A correction has to be coming

you note "the Dems"

to be fair - I can name at least two parties in Congress and one executive branch that I'd put the blame on

Point noted

And I stand corrected

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[BigMikeH77 0]

Sure, the federal government is a big organization that oversees the most powerful nation on earth and is the home of what... four hundred million something people?

Would you like to see the federal government just STOP everything?

Also, about the driver job.. It's a position with in the department of state, requiring a CDL, responsible for moving large vans and shuttles with people. It tops out at about 50k a year, that's $26 an hour before taxes, benefits, etc. Its not as wasteful as some might lead it to be.

What I'm getting at is that instead of demonizing federal workers, how about being smart about it. Admit and accept that the government is and needs to be big in order to accomplish its mission effectively. It's a big job.

We're not in the 19th century anymore.

[rushmc 23]

Quote

Sure, the federal government is a big organization that oversees the most powerful nation on earth and is the home of what... four hundred million something people?

Would you like to see the federal government just STOP everything? I only want it to do what fits under the powers directly given it under the Constitution. Period. It is WAY past that at this point

Also, about the driver job.. It's a position with in the department of state, requiring a CDL, responsible for moving large vans and shuttles with people. It tops out at about 50k a year, that's $26 an hour before taxes, benefits, etc. Its not as wasteful as some might lead it to be.I have a CDL. I have never seen where I can make that kind of money driving a limo

What I'm getting at is that instead of demonizing federal workers, how about being smart about it. Admit and accept that the government is and needs to be big in order to accomplish its mission effectively. It's a big job. I am not demonizing the workers. I am talking about the government gone wild. And it becoming X rated

We're not in the 19th century anymore.

No, and there are a few older books out there pointing to where we are going

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[BigMikeH77 0]

I almost said that I wish MY office were x-rated, then I remembered that at 35, I'm one of the youngest here. Not a pretty sight.

[rushmc 23]

Quote

I almost said that I wish MY office were x-rated, then I remembered that at 35, I'm one of the youngest here. Not a pretty sight.

Look, I do not wish you bad

But things gotta change

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[BigMikeH77 0]

I agree... Yes, change is good but it CAN'T be done at the peril of the government itself and it CAN'T be done in a revolutionary manner that is the war cry of the hijacked republican party.. It HAS to be done with forethought, intelligence, and compromise. That can't happen in a matter of three days now can it? Not a chance.

We're looking at ANOTHER 11th hour "deal" at best.

[rushmc 23]

Quote

I agree... Yes, change is good but it CAN'T be done at the peril of the government itself and it CAN'T be done in a revolutionary manner that is the war cry of the hijacked republican party.. It HAS to be done with forethought, intelligence, and compromise. That can't happen in a matter of three days now can it? Not a chance.

We're looking at ANOTHER 11th hour "deal" at best.

Stop doing the estreme argument thing
Does not work here as it has been tried by too many

And I hope the deal is not met and Congress finally submits a budget so they can be held accountable

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[lawrocket 3]

Quote

The President has stated that the sequester is bad policy and I agree.

And his signature is on the BCA of 2011 that caused it. He proposed it, I think.

Anyone notice the new thing in politics is to come to some agreement that sets up some prospective disaster. The supposed disaster is a known byproduct of the action, and indeed “disaster” is the very reason for it to be set up. Then disaster looms and as it approaches the doom and gloom take front page over and over.

The result is inevitably some dumbass deal that provides a short term bandaid, thus ensuring that the specter of another doom and gloom horror show will develop in the next three to six months requiring action now to prevent catastrophe.

I’m pretty sick of it, actually.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[NWFlyer 2]

Quote

Quote

The President has stated that the sequester is bad policy and I agree.

And his signature is on the BCA of 2011 that caused it. He proposed it, I think.

Anyone notice the new thing in politics is to come to some agreement that sets up some prospective disaster. The supposed disaster is a known byproduct of the action, and indeed “disaster” is the very reason for it to be set up. Then disaster looms and as it approaches the doom and gloom take front page over and over.

The result is inevitably some dumbass deal that provides a short term bandaid, thus ensuring that the specter of another doom and gloom horror show will develop in the next three to six months requiring action now to prevent catastrophe.

I’m pretty sick of it, actually.

It rewards short-term thinking, that's for sure and absolves lawmakers from any responsibility to the long-term consequences of their actions.

Wait, this is starting to sound kinda familiar...

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[lawrocket 3]

Quote

It rewards short-term thinking, that's for sure and absolves lawmakers from any responsibility to the long-term consequences of their actions.

Used to be that lawmakers passed stuff like Medicare and Social Security – things that were awesome in the short and mid term was predictably unsustainable. So what happens is all the Senators and Reps who pass these laws are dead of old age before the bill comes due.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[NWFlyer 2]

Quote

Quote

It rewards short-term thinking, that's for sure and absolves lawmakers from any responsibility to the long-term consequences of their actions.

Used to be that lawmakers passed stuff like Medicare and Social Security – things that were awesome in the short and mid term was predictably unsustainable. So what happens is all the Senators and Reps who pass these laws are dead of old age before the bill comes due.

Yeah, but we've gone from a one-to-two generations definition of "short term" to a one-to-two month/quarter definition of "short term." Not that either sets us up well for the long term, but it seems to be getting progressively worse.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[BigMikeH77 0]

Quote

Stop doing the estreme argument thing
Does not work here as it has been tried by too many

This coming from someone who just a little while ago inferred that the government has gone wild and has breached the boundaries set forth in the constitution?!? You sound like one of the right wingnuts who are afraid of their blessed guns being taken away, who scream "down with the government" and "cut everything, as long as I still get my medicare, defense contracts, and nuclear missiles."

Don't call me the extreme one here... I'm not trying to make the government so small that I can drown it in a bathtub.

[rehmwa 2]

Quote

"cut everything, as long as I still get my medicare, defense contracts, and nuclear missiles."

please cut medicare, defense contracts, and nuclear missiles - along with the rest as well

and tax me the same too, while we're at it. hell, I'd pay a little more if we can streamline the code and delete all the deductions, exemptions, and penalties - as long as we make real ad tangible changes in spending

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[rushmc 23]

Quote

Quote

Stop doing the estreme argument thing
Does not work here as it has been tried by too many

This coming from someone who just a little while ago inferred that the government has gone wild and has breached the boundaries set forth in the constitution?!? You sound like one of the right wingnuts who are afraid of their blessed guns being taken away, who scream "down with the government" and "cut everything, as long as I still get my medicare, defense contracts, and nuclear missiles."

Don't call me the extreme one here... I'm not trying to make the government so small that I can drown it in a bathtub.

It is points of view like yours here, that so fully demonstrated that lack of what the Constitutional limits put on the Fed gov, by the Constitution, that make it even more imperitive that we shrink the Fed gov

In a bathtub

Now that is funny

Again, the extremes do not work

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[quade 4]

See comments by Rand Paul.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[DiverMike 5]

Quote

Don't call me the extreme one here... I'm not trying to make the government so small that I can drown it in a bathtub.

Nice straw man argument.

Is it your assertation that the US Government is the right size for task it performs? Have you worked in private industry where 20% downsizings are not unusual?

For the same reason I jump off a perfectly good diving board.

[kelpdiver 2]

Quote

Quote

Sorry as some who's worked in IT in the private sector since the mid 1980s, as someone who has worked at more than 25 different organizations (some times it was my choice to leave, sometimes I was told to leave, sometimes leaving was the only logical choice for both parties), I have little sympathy when a government worker whines about a possible job loss. When you are ready, come join us in the real world where layoffs happen all the time, where we learn to adapt to an ever changing job market and where we never feel we are entitled to a "job for life".

I do not in any way feel entitled to anything but time with my children and the medals on my uniform. If someones department deems a job no longer needed, than so be it. Senselessly slashing jobs just for the sake of doing so is no justification for putting people on the dole.

To reiterate, welcome to the world that the rest of us live in. (don't expect too much sympathy)

When a company substantially loses revenues, it often responds with across the board layoffs. This may not be the proper strategy, but aside from being the easiest, it is often better for morale than seeing some departments favored over others. You might also be shocked to hear that terminations may target the more successful (and thus more highly paid) in order to achieve greater savings.

In 2008 I was at a financial that derived most of its revenue based on assets under management (AUM). When the broad indexed plunged 60%, so followed our revenue. In response, there was some serious bloodletting. A lot of talent was let go. The following year the parent company sold us off - not because we were floundering, but because we were still successful and thus marketable in a time where was little buying going on, and a lot of fire sales. This resulted in many more talented people, like myself, getting a termination agreement. It wasn't a terrible event, but it ended nearly 5 years at what was a great place to work, and instead became a pretty terrible place.

Sequestration is the sequel to the "fiscal cliff" which was the stick that was supposed to make the two parties do their job. There's an odd attempt here to say this is Obama's doing along, whereas in reality everyone was happy to agree to talk later after the elections. There's nothing senseless about it. What is senseless is that these 536 people have failed to do their jobs. And yet what will happen? Very likely, the same thing as last time - another stalling agreement.

The truth is that the Defense budget should be well less than half what it is now. (not in one year, but over the next decade it needs to be scaled down 5% per year) We cannot afford to be that sort of super power any more. And if we keep running red ink to maintain that military, we'll definitely perish. After that, few if any departments should claim to be too important to take cuts. Real cuts, not cuts in growth.

[lawrocket 3]

Want to see how governments deal with targeted cuts and what can happen? want to see why the government budgets are in their current states?

http://www.leagle.com/xmlResult.aspx?page=2&xmldoc=In%20CACO%2020120927059.xml&docbase=CSLWAR3-2007-CURR&SizeDisp=7

Quote

Footnoe 5. Michelle Franklin, the supervisor for DSS's investigation and recovery unit, testified to the grand jury that starting in 2006, her department had two recovery technicians designated for foster care because overpayments in that area were "out of control." Prior to that time, group home overpayments, even from the same home, could be handled by multiple recovery technicians. Franklin explained that for the most part, overpayments occurred because children left the home and the provider did not notify the eligibility worker of that occurrence.

Quote

Footnote 6. Cora Dixon, the bureau chief of the Audits Bureau within the Foster Care Audits and Rates Branch, testified that as of May 2010, the audit office had no staff. However, the branch performed about 22 fiscal audits per year (at the time referred to as investigation audits) from 1999 through 2003. At the end of 2003, the audit unit was eliminated due to budget constraints, but was reestablished in fiscal years 2006 to 2009. The unit was eliminated again at the end of June 2009.

Yes, governments will actually seek to control costs by eliminating the audit departments.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[billvon 2,991]

>Yes, governments will actually seek to control costs by eliminating the audit departments.

Hmm. So some cuts are actually bad ideas from the perspective of reducing costs/burdens long term . . .

[lawrocket 3]

Quote

Hmm. So some cuts are actually bad ideas from the perspective of reducing costs/burdens long term . . .

Yes. But a governmental department to control outlays would certainly be part of the chopping block.

My wife is hotter than your wife.