Quantcast
Channel: Lepas
Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 8

It's not about DACA or the wall or...

0
0

...whatever your particular issue of concern is. It’s about Congress failing to do the one thing that they are required to do — pass appropriations to fund the basic work of the government. For years now, under both Democratic and Republican control, Congress has failed in this specific task. What they do is try to tack on unrelated items to “must-pass” legislation, that then doesn’t pass. Instead, we have continuing resolution after continuing resolution, and we all operate in a state of uncertainty and confusion. We can’t plan ahead. Sometimes we don’t get resources until midway thought the fiscal year and then have to scramble to spend money before it expires.

My first experience with a government shutdown was in October of 1986. I had been working for the government for just over a year, and didn’t really understand that much about the budget process. One afternoon we were all told we had to leave. We were back the next day. This most recent one was the 4th (or fifth if you count the 1995-1996 shutdowns as separate events) that I’ve experienced. They never accomplish anything and are a huge waste of money.

So here we are again. Congress isn’t even talking about appropriations. They are talking about what things they can try to make the other side accept by attaching them to the appropriations. And because nether side wants to vote for a bill that includes the other side’s stuff, we go from CR to CR, from shutdown threat to shutdown threat.

I’ve been working for the government for over 30 years, and I’ve always been proud of the work that I do. This week, for the first time ever, I wrote a number on the white board in my office. That number is the number of days until I’m eligible to retire. I never thought I would be that kind of person, and I hate that circumstances have led me to this point.


Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 8

Latest Images

Trending Articles





Latest Images