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OT: If you could spare

a prayer.

I'm asking you to please ask the good Lord to spare a few moments for the State of Illinois. We're 2 months and counting overdue for a budget for the current fiscal year. Could you please ask the Lord to provide a little wisdom and soften a few hearts at 2nd St and Capitol Ave. As far as I can tell, nothing is happening but name-calling and threats right now.

I work for the State, so this is kind of important to me. It appears as if I might not be getting my next paycheck. But its not just me that will be hurt. Lots of other people who depend on govt. dollars will too. I know I don't send out the checks that most people depend on, but I like to think that my job of enforcing clean air laws is important. And it the State govt. actually shutdowns, mandatory deadlines will be missed, court documents won't be filed, and some bad actors will get off.

Please, please don't say it. I've heard/read in or on the local paper's website that:

a) all you lazy State employees should be grateful because the tax payers are paying your salary (I pay taxes too.) b) everybody at the State has it so good and never do a lick of work anyway (Granted there are some lazy/incompentent people at my Agency but, I've been in plenty of private sector businesses where I can't find anyone to help me because the employees are so busy gossiping with each other they can't be bothered with me. ) c) I'm overpaid and should work in the private sector for awhile (actually, my colleagues in the private sector make a lot more than I do and I chose public service because I was raised to believe in helping people) d) my benefits and paid holidays are way greater than the private sector ( (I'll admit it might be true, but is probably offset by my lower pay) e) no one should be living paycheck to paycheck anyway (I whole heartedly agree, admit that my financial mess is of my own making, but understand a lot of people are in my boat too)

Since a full year budget might be too big a job, I'd settle, Lord willing for another one month budget.

And if I knew it weren't so selfish, I'd ask for a little prayer that all my now ugly fabric will sell at the guild's garage sale next Monday, since those pennies would be a little something to help out.

I know I'm better off than most (I have friend who not only works for the State, but her husband does too, so they will have no income at all and two kids to feed). My parents and David would willing give me whatever I ask for and my debt is my own fault because I'd rather buy fabric (and have bought fabric and a lot of other things) than save. I promise to try and do better.

M aureen

Reply to
Maureen Wozniak
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Hugs and prayers and hugs and prayers to you, Maureen.

Karen, Queen of Squishies

Reply to
Karen, Queen of Squishies

Maureen, you not only have my prayers and sympathy, but you have my admiration and respect as well.

People who make sure the government keeps on working make all our lives so much easier. And better.

I am so glad you chose to do what you do.

Thank you.

Reply to
teleflora

Maureen, you and yours definitely have our prayers here!!!

Pfft. Bull crap. However, chances are, your boss', boss' boss' boss should probably be a bit grateful. The payment "tier" is ridiculous.

Amen, Sister! I used to work for a gov contracting firm where 8 out of

10 employees (contractors supposedly "supporting" the gov agencies) were sitting on the behinds playing Solitaire on their computers.

FTR, my hubby works for the US Gov (military civilian) and he works a

60 hour week during the SLOW period. And usually, gov employees are forbidden to draw overtime even if they've earned it.

Pfft. Contractors are paid way higher than the gov employees they support.

Gov employees are paid by "government scale" - which usually equals about 20% less than their private sector counterparts.

A guy that "supports" my hubby in his contracts (which he really DOESN'T) makes about $15,000 more. For sitting in a chair and asking Eric if he could do it himself. No kidding.

Bull doody, AFAIK. You may get an extra day off and your bennies might be decent, but for most, they don't get overtime. Private sector people often do (the civilian contractors sure as heck do!)

Amen, Sister. Most people do live paycheck to paycheck. The rule of thumb for savings is TWO years salary (so says my SIL the banker - so I'm taking her word on that since I have no clue). How many people have $20,000 - $80,000 laying around???

If it doesn't would you consider eBay? I've done eBay and you'd be surprised how stuff YOU don't like other people will like just fine. :)

Maureen, you have my best wishes and kindest thoughts headed your way!! I really hope for the best for you!! I and mine are praying for you!!

God Bless you!! :)

>
Reply to
Connie

On Tue, 7 Aug 2007 18:49:58 -0500, Karen, Queen of Squishies wrote (in article ):

Thanks Karen. I will be very glad when this is over.

Reply to
Maureen Wozniak

On Tue, 7 Aug 2007 19:08:04 -0500, teleflora wrote (in article ):

Thank you Cindy.

Reply to
Maureen Wozniak

On Tue, 7 Aug 2007 23:52:00 -0500, Connie wrote (in article ):

Thanks for all the support Connnie. I really appreciate it.

Maureen

Reply to
Maureen Wozniak

Prayers are enroute! May the good Lord grant wisdom (AND great amounts of common sense!) to those who most need it! There are lots of communities around (yours isn't the only one, by far) who have decision makers who have buried their heads sooooo deeply in the sand that they lose track of the common folks who they are supposed to be representing.

Here's hoping those "ostriches" will gain their sense of committment and responsibility VERY SOON! ME-Judy

Reply to
ME-Judy

On Thu, 9 Aug 2007 13:00:33 -0500, ME-Judy wrote (in article ):

Prayers must be working a little bit. :-) The legislature passed a full year budget yesterday, and a court order the Comptroller to cut paychecks through the month of August.

OTH, the Governor now has up to 60 days to act on the budget. Just about anyone who has had any experience with this Gov. agrees that he's likely to let the budget sit there for 30 to 60 days before he vetos it.

So looks like we get to go through all the worry again starting on September

  1. This particular Gov. seems determined to force a government shutdown.

And how that's any good for the people of Illinois, I can't fathom.

Maureen

Reply to
Maureen Wozniak

In the sand? I don't think so. I believe lots of those folks suffer from what we call cranio-rectitis.

We really do depend on our Federal, State and local politicos to keep things running on an even keel. When they can't do their jobs, throw the bums out!

Sorry about the rant. You're so right, too, that the percentage of State workers who are lazy and/ or incompetent is no higher than at your local hardware store or grocer.

So prayers, good thoughts, and some common sense on the way (though the good sense comes from MSM, not from me, LOL)

Reply to
Carolyn McCarty

When is he up for re-election? Roberta in D

"Maureen Wozniak" schrieb im Newsbeitrag news: snipped-for-privacy@news.spf.sbcglobal.net...

Reply to
Roberta Zollner

On Sun, 12 Aug 2007 04:52:46 -0500, Roberta Zollner wrote (in article ):

Fortunately, next year. When he failed to show up for the State Fair Parade I bet the Attorney General, Comptroller, and Treasurer (all Democrats and all potential opponents) hustled down there.

I didn't stick around for the parade even though its starts at my office. Too darn hot!

Reply to
Maureen Wozniak

On Sat, 11 Aug 2007 20:14:37 -0500, Carolyn McCarty wrote (in article ):

Thanks. Hoping that common sense will eventually prevail.

Maureen

Reply to
Maureen Wozniak

Great description of a widely-spreading "public" disease! Elections don't seem to come often enough! ME-Judy

Reply to
ME-Judy

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