Santa Obama: Some Fed Workers Get Paid Time Off

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Federal employees, like me, do work their asses off! I worked with the federal government and ARMY for eight long years. I have worked for the VA for almost three years. Some of the military folks I have worked with are some of the laziest people I have EVER worked with. I am so sick and tired of every PRAISING the military, when I did their job when they were deployed. If you don't like the fact that Obama approved a paid day off for federal employees on Christmas Eve, and it's "coming out of your tax dollars, "then get a job with the federal government!!!! We have not received a cost of living raise in the last four years. Prices have gone up, but our pay certainly has NOT! Our retirement is no better than your's is, or WORSE! We contribute to a TSP or "401K Plan," which is the only way most of us will even be able to retire. I get paid no more than any nurse that works on the civilian side. For all you republican people out there, who hate Obama so much, Bush gave us four Christmas Eves off! I pay taxes, just as you do! Our health insurance is very expensive. Life is not always greener on the federal side, so bite your tongues, because I'm tired of hearing you complain about us. I deserve to spend time with my family on Christmas Eve, once in awhile, just as anybody else does. Oh, and by the way, I will be working on Christmas Eve, because some VISN's in the VA are making their employees work on Christmas Eve, even though Obama gave granted it off to most of us.

Angela Rutledge of OK 10:31PM December 21, 2012

I am a Federal Government Employee and have been for 32 years. We do not get exhuberant benefits like some of you seem to think. For every hour I get off I have to work for it. I pay into my retirement plan just like everyone else that would have a similar plan, I pay taxes just like everyone else and I pay for health care, just like everyone else. My pay check isn't enormous, but since I am in the military I love my job because I am proud of protecting my country, I don't stay for the benefits or the pay. We do do more with less and they have been cutting the military down little by little. And no Mike we have not gotten COLA increase or a merit raise in two years and we are not expecting one this year.

katie of PA 12:34PM December 20, 2012

I find it amazing that we, the working class americans are actually fighting against each other over job choices. I think the one thing we have in common is that we all work very hard for every dime we make. For those indviduals who are upset with the perceived benefits of federal employees please remember that any US citizen can apply for those jobs. I'm sure most of us were offered the military as an option when we were in high school. Please don't begrudge the folks that choose to serve their country either in the Military or as a Federal employee their salaries/benefits, afterall government service is one of the few options available to all.
We would probably be bettered served trying to figure out why working class individuals pay more in taxes and big businesses who earn record profits.

Yvette of SC 12:11PM December 22, 2011

How the heck is Obummer going to sign an Exec Order when Mochelle has him all tied up shopping in HI? No way. He hates federal employees, he hates the government and he hates the U.S.A.

Angie Shifman of PA 9:06AM December 19, 2011

I am a Federal employee and I really don't have a feeling one way or the other as to whether we get an extra day off. I do however, believe that Shawn from AL needs to learn how to spell if the Federal government so offends him.

Brenda of IN 1:48PM December 16, 2011

Where are you getting your information from? Sounds like right-wing propaganda. I am a fed and there has been no talk of an extra holiday, though traditionally the president has been known to grant a half-day on Christmas Eve. The only times we are granted full days off is if Christmas day falls on a Tuesday or a Thursday, in which case he might give us Monday or Friday off. But there are no guarantees. Get your facts straight.

Daniel O'Brien of VA 8:03PM December 13, 2011

It is because they are unionized. The unions back this crook and he will do ANYTHING to make sure he does not lose their support. That includes screwing the taxpayer over and over again.

circle8 of WA 3:35PM November 30, 2011

So they did not get a merit raise.
As a county employee I have not received a raise in several years.
I do not get additional days off because I did not receive a raise.
If they do not like the pay they are receiving let then go find another job.
This is one of the ways the federal government waist tax money.

Shawn of AL 3:09PM November 30, 2011

America is practically broke. Federal workers already get enormous retirement, sick pay, accrued leave, etc. They ought to be treated the same as workers in the private sector. They are both lucky not to be laid-off this year, given what a terrible mess Obama has made of economic recovery.

micoz of NC 4:58PM November 29, 2011

How nice of the President to grant extra time off with pay. Sounds like our tax dollars are being spent very wisely. Let's see, 2 million employees x $200 per day, that's only costing us $400 million dollars to give them an extra day off.

mark of GA 2:28PM November 29, 2011