Government I Have One Word for You--PARITY
What I propose is a class-action suit on behalf of taxpayers to declare unconstitutional any benefit, wage or protection for government workers that is more than the national average of taxpayers in the private sector.
Parity: the state or condition of being the same in power, value, rank, etc.; equality
OK I am not usually one who rants, but there are some issues as a taxpayer that really chap my hide. I apologize ahead of time for the trouble I will be causing just to expose this particularly infuriating issue and to all my civil service friends who are really not happy with the current system either. The wonderful people at Hubpages have given me a forum so hold on to your hats:
First some questions. Have you ever wondered why you don't get certain holidays off (and paid for) but every government employee whose salary you underwrite with your taxes does?
Technically there are no national holidays because the Constitution only allows Congress to make holidays for itself and, you guessed it, government employees. Currently, there are eleven U.S. Federal holidays, most of
which are also state holidays. Every federal employee gets eleven and even every part-time federal employee gets eleven. How many paid, days off holidays do you have?
Government workers also get more paid time off than many other employees. All federal employees receive 13 days of sick leave a year, which accrue indefinitely, according to the DOL. They also earn 13 vacation days each of their first three years of service, 20 vacation days for their next 12 years, and 26 vacation days after their 15th year.
Now let's count that up: 11 paid holidays, 13 paid "sick" days (and you get paid whether you are sick or not,) 13 vacation days (20 after three years,) and more days for paid "leave." That makes 37 to 45 average paid days off per year that you, the overworked taxpayer are earning so the government employee can take it off and spend your money.
Do you get 37 paid days off every year?
And the benefits don't stop at retirement. Those hired after Jan. 1, 1984 can participate in the three-tiered Federal Retirement System.
Have you ever wondered why your employer either can't afford or won't pay for your family's health insurance, but every government employee you subsidize does get coverage?
Unlike most private employees, federal workers can choose from several health plans and life insurance options, according to the Department of Labor's "Career Guide to Industries." The government also helps pick up the tab on the premiums.
Have you ever wondered why your wages have stayed the same or gone down while your taxes make it possible for government employees in the identical job to be paid more and have built in cost of living increases.
Economist
Government average: $89,441
Nationwide average: $80,900
Microbiologist:
Government average: $80,798
Nationwide average:
$63,360
Architect
Government
average: $80,777
Nationwide average: $68,560
Accountant
Government
average: $74,907
Nationwide average: $58,020
Librarian
Government
average: $74,630
Nationwide average: $49,110
Nurse
Government
average: $60,935
Nationwide average: $56,880
Medical
Technician
Government average: $35,526
Nationwide
average: $33,170
Have you ever wondered how you have to worry about keeping your job while taxpayer paid dues for government unions (Nationally, local, state and government workers made up 51.5 percent of union members in 2009.~Bureau of Labor Statistics) allow them to strike and shut down your paid for government services and lobby your other taxpayer funded group--Congress, into guarantees and safeguards that you, the taxpayer cannot have?
I have to take a break here and let myself and all you readers calm down. I do not want to be responsible for veins popping out on necks and righteous indignation caused heart palpitations or heaven forbid, actual seizures. Just breathe deep and count to ten....one...two...That's it, feeling better? Dare I go on? Seriously if this is too much for you right now, it's ok to stop and read one of my humor hubs until you are ready to come back. I'll wait for you.
Back so soon? Ok I guess you can take it so here goes.
What I propose is a class-action suit on behalf of taxpayers to declare unconstitutional any benefit, wage or protection for government workers that is more than the national average of taxpayers in the private sector.
I'm not asking for socialism or redistributing of wealth--all I'm saying is that there be parity in jobs our taxes create so that the government does not add insult to injury.
I'm not asking for the government to reimburse us for the difference, I just want it to stop making us pay for our public servants to have pay and benefits we do not have. If the crazy inequality stops, maybe we can have enough to invest in the economy and then we can all have better pay and benefits.
Can I get a witness?
