Go to main contentsGo to search barGo to main menu
Monday, August 17, 2026 at 10:01 PM
Ad

Federal Furloughs — Commentary

By Cogitare —

How important is it to remember history?  It can be a guide or a nudge for our behavior.  For seven years during the Revolutionary War, soldiers and officers served and fought and died.  In most cases they had hopes of getting paid, in some they were paid late, and in many cases they were never paid, nor were their widows.  

When we were children in the middle twentieth century, we remember, although most of our memories from then are vague, government employment was kind of a last resort.  If you could not function well in the private sector there was at least some comfort and a sense of security in working for the government.  Admittedly there were then as now, many government employees who were dedicated, talented and very productive people.  The pay was not so good but the satisfaction of public service was a factor.  Others were there for a safe simple life.  

With the astronomical growth of government and the strength of the government employee unions we now have a whole different world.  Government pay is higher in many instances than similar jobs in the private sector.  And mostly you cannot get fired.
So when one quarter of the federal employees are furloughed and not getting paid, although they will eventually, they cry disaster. If those furloughed federal workers are really living paycheck to paycheck they are not very good money managers.  Maybe they have stretched the budget more than they should have to cover the monthly payments on the house, car, pickup truck, boat, skidoo, big screen, maybe the furniture and who knows what else.  Hard to feel sorry for them when they don’t have to work but are going to get paid anyway.  Instead of demonstrating in the streets, if it is that bad maybe they could hustle up a part time job to pay the minimum on the credit cards.   While federal employees are forced into furlough, not producing or performing, their private industry equivalents remain on the job, producing to cover their own responsibilities as well as the taxes that will go to cover the salaries of their federal counterparts. Instead of protesting the government shutdown, disgruntled federal employees could show some gratitude for the blessings of America and for their publicly funded jobs by volunteering to pick up trash around the federal parks.

Share
Rate

Comment

Comments

August 14, 2026 - Community-Wide Reunion Returns A - page 1
August 14, 2026 - Community-Wide Reunion Returns A - page 2
August 14, 2026 - Community-Wide Reunion Returns A - page 3
August 14, 2026 - Community-Wide Reunion Returns A - page 4
August 14, 2026 - Community-Wide Reunion Returns A - page 5
August 14, 2026 - Community-Wide Reunion Returns A - page 6
August 14, 2026 - Community-Wide Reunion Returns A - page 7
August 14, 2026 - Community-Wide Reunion Returns A - page 8
August 14, 2026 - Community-Wide Reunion Returns A - page 9
August 14, 2026 - Community-Wide Reunion Returns A - page 10
August 14, 2026 - Community-Wide Reunion Returns A - page 11
August 14, 2026 - Community-Wide Reunion Returns A - page 12
August 14, 2026 - Community-Wide Reunion Returns A - page 13
August 14, 2026 - Community-Wide Reunion Returns A - page 14
August 14, 2026 - Community-Wide Reunion Returns A - page 15
August 14, 2026 - Community-Wide Reunion Returns A - page 16
August 14, 2026 - Community-Wide Reunion Returns A - page 1 Page no. 1
August 14, 2026 - Community-Wide Reunion Returns A - page 2 Page no. 2
August 14, 2026 - Community-Wide Reunion Returns A - page 3 Page no. 3
August 14, 2026 - Community-Wide Reunion Returns A - page 4 Page no. 4
August 14, 2026 - Community-Wide Reunion Returns A - page 5 Page no. 5
August 14, 2026 - Community-Wide Reunion Returns A - page 6 Page no. 6
August 14, 2026 - Community-Wide Reunion Returns A - page 7 Page no. 7
August 14, 2026 - Community-Wide Reunion Returns A - page 8 Page no. 8
August 14, 2026 - Community-Wide Reunion Returns A - page 9 Page no. 9
August 14, 2026 - Community-Wide Reunion Returns A - page 10 Page no. 10
August 14, 2026 - Community-Wide Reunion Returns A - page 11 Page no. 11
August 14, 2026 - Community-Wide Reunion Returns A - page 12 Page no. 12
August 14, 2026 - Community-Wide Reunion Returns A - page 13 Page no. 13
August 14, 2026 - Community-Wide Reunion Returns A - page 14 Page no. 14
August 14, 2026 - Community-Wide Reunion Returns A - page 15 Page no. 15
August 14, 2026 - Community-Wide Reunion Returns A - page 16 Page no. 16
COMMENTS
Comment author: Patti Cole Comment text: Marie will be forever treasured in memories. The memories remain of a soft-spoken, seemingly unassuming but determined individual who absolutely knew what path she wanted to take in life, and followed it. Her instinctive reactions, which highlighted her steadfast level of love and caring for her family, friends and all living things found in nature, hold lessons for us all. An unexpected splash of her self-deprecating humor, coupled with uncanny timing, will always bring a smile. For me, Marie lives on in the sighting of a Black-crowned night heron in the tules, the bloom of a beautiful spring flower and, most poetically, in the struggle of wildlife photographers handling their very large camera lenses. Comment publication date: 8/15/26, 9:31 AM Comment source: Obituary-Marie Dong Ko Comment author: John Chaney Comment text: I just figured out that Betty was my 1st cousin. Her dad Ted was my dad's brother. I never knew Ted or Betty, but I wish I did. I am 73 and live in IL. I am building my family tree and see where Betty has fit in. Blessings to you Curt and family. Comment publication date: 8/14/26, 11:04 AM Comment source: Obituary - Betty Lou (Chaney) Anderson Comment author: Karen Webb Comment text: I am so sorry to hear this. I loved coming to the carwash to see John! He always made my day. Prayers for all of his family during this difficult time. Comment publication date: 8/11/26, 8:56 PM Comment source: In Memory of John Evans Comment author: Laura Ivey Comment text: I am so very sorry for your loss of John. He always made my day when I went to the car wash. I will miss his joyous personality and that smile. Comment publication date: 8/10/26, 9:52 AM Comment source: In Memory of John Evans
SUPPORT OUR WORK