Highest Rated Comments


houdin654jeff455 karma

I know senators and representatives are still paid, due to it being laid out in the Constitution, but what groups of government workers are actually going without pay? Is the military still paid? Is NASA, or the Secret Service, or the IRS (I ask that because I typically have a digital W2 by the first of the year and haven't received it yet) going without pay?

Edit: Wow this got a lot of response while I was working. I've had the W2 thing explained to me so I struck it through. Also, based on information gathered, the military is being paid as they were funded back in September through a separate bill, but the Coast Guard, NASA, the IRS are not. Also, air traffic controllers apparently going without pay, which sucks. I haven't heard from any Secret Service members yet... though they are supposed to keep things... well... secret. However, since they're a branch of the Department of Homeland Security, like the Coast Guard, I would assume they're also not getting paid. Thanks to everyone who's responded. If you're working without pay or not even being allowed to work, I'm sorry for your situation. Call your senators and representatives, I know I will be in the morning.

houdin654jeff213 karma

First off all, thank you for your many years of service.

Second, do you think shutdowns contribute to the phenomenon called "brain drain,' where less people seek government positions because they feel they're less stable?

And finally, what do you think can be done to prevent future shutdowns? From my point of view, this is a fundamental flaw in the system that hasn't gotten better without changing some part of the system. Do you think any change could be made that could help us avoid this?

houdin654jeff24 karma

Sorry to hear that. :( Hope you weather the storm and get through this all right.

houdin654jeff2 karma

Huh. Does it rely solely on information they have or does the IRS need to supply some part of it?