Midway during my lengthy newspaper career, the media, with the assistance of skillful politicians and some really stupid media types, hit rock bottom in public opinion polls. Depending on the political persuasion of the accusor, we were either left wing nuts or right wing apologists. Sometimes both at the same time.

I was doing a lot of traveling in those days and if a seat mate asked what I did for a living, I soon learned it was smart to fib. I first tried to pass as a dentist. A friend had told me that most people are afraid of dentists and think you are looking critically at their teeth. So I switched to being a funeral director.

The funeral director ruse bought me silence. For awhile. Then there was that flight to San Diego which paired me with a real, and enthusiastic, funeral director.

Now I just tell people I am recently released from prison which is bad enough, but still not as bad as being a card-carrying reporter. Or worse, a government worker!

Given the media-political spotlight on government workers of late, it occurred to me that many of you may be hiding your professional credentials from people you meet while traveling or at parties. Why risk a punch in the nose for what’s happening in Wisconsin when you can win friends by telling them you are a telemarketer who works nights?

Which brings us to the following letter from a reader in Nevada. He makes a good point:

“Could you do an article on the difference between Federal worker and various STATE & LOCAL worker pensions and benefits? I feel that it is HIGHLY relevant now that we have states in debt and the recent focus on Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, California, etc.

“I’m appalled at the gall of the state worker unions when I found out how little they were paying into their pension & healthcare, and how much they make in retirement! I retired from USPS on an early out 7 years ago. I put in 28 years, paying 7% into CSRS, and took a 15% penalty for retiring under 55. My monthly annuity is only $1,700 a month. Heck, for the first 2.5 years, I only got the money back I put in!

“Please, PLEASE, do an article on us CSRS and FERS people, let the country know that us feds are not on such a big gravy train as the state teachers, firemen & cops.” John Longo

Good point! Compared to many state and local government workers, feds pay a lot more for benefits that are often less generous than state-local government workers.

Today at 10 a.m. on our Your Turn with Mike Causey radio show (10 am EST) Federal Times editor Steve Watkins and senior writer Steve Losey will talk about the perils of being a fed in an anti-government environment. They will also give us an update on the Continuing Resolution and budget battle.

If you have questions or comments for them, or me, you can call in during the show at 202.465.3080 or email your question or comment to: mcausey@federalnewsradio.com

No Refunds For Retirees: Also on our Your Turn radio show today will talk about the federal tax withholding change and the bite it has taken out of the annuity checks of federal /postal /military retirees. David Snell from the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association will explain how it happened and what you can do to restore your annuity check to 2010 levels. To listen at 10 a.m. on your computer, click here.

To reach me: mcausey@federalnewsradio.com

Nearly Useless Factoid
by Suzanne Kubota

According to LifesLittleMysteries.com, “ten percent of the weight of a two-year-old pillow can be composed of dead mites and their droppings.” Let the spring cleaning begin!

MORE FROM FEDERAL NEWS RADIO

Historic federal union election begins today
Other headlines this morning in the Federal Newscast include: Identity theft tops complaints to FTC; Foreign Service over-stretched, under prepared; White House party-crasher booted from ‘Celebrity Rehab’.

Tips for managing morale
Carol Bonosaro of the Senior Executive Service offers advice to federal managers for navigating uncertain budget times and sinking employee morale.

POLL: Has your morale taken a hit from the budget battle?
How has the uncertain budget affected the way you do your job? And is it impacting your morale?

Copyright © 2024 Federal News Network. All rights reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.