The Senate, the House, the Senate, the House. All we hear about tonight is the passing (or lack thereof) of the federal budget. It affects us all. Come midnight, it might affect us Armstrongs more personally than others. That Spouse o' Mine is a federal employee. If the House and Senate do not get their acts together before midnight, then that Spouse o' Mine will go to work tomorrow for four hours (unpaid), to shut down all the USDA offices and labs. And research. (How does one shut down research on tse tse flies?)
For the scientists who work alongside him in his department, this is...not good. Time is money, and time is what makes research flow.
If he is home tomorrow/this week/whatever, it means we can get some home work done: Let's finish up the house painting! (That's a pro-) Let's take a day trip! (That's a pro-) Let's get some other tasks done around the property! (That's a pro-) Let's take some bike rides! (That's a pro-)
But...wait a minute.
You mean, all the senators and all the representatives are getting paid tomorrow/this week/whatever, despite their inability to knuckle down and put partisan blinders on, and solve the problem at hand? They're getting paid? For what? My husband is doing his job, and doing it well. He works long hours, and sometimes even on weekends and in the wee hours of the mornings and way late at night, if the research calls for it. And this "time off" this week? No, it's not paid time off. It's just time off.
I am disappointed with those folks we voted to go to Washington.
2 comments:
I agree. If the government must shut down, then the first thing that should go is the paychecks of those who can't get their work done.
It's such a demoralizing week. At least you don't have Mike Lee coming out of your state. Ugh.
Post a Comment