Tightening our belts

Well I guess we’re all “tightening our belts” around America and I’m not immune. At the 10 year anniversary mark of me working at JSC, I got this email:

On Monday, the White House announced a proposal to freeze civil service employee pay schedules in 2011 and 2012 (no cost of living adjustment or “COLA”) and to provide zero locality pay adjustment in 2011.  These proposals are part of a broader budget deficit reduction effort and will need to be approved by Congress.  The cost of living adjustment (COLA) and locality pay increases make up the pay increase civil servants would normally receive in January.  

Translated, it means we won’t receive our usual pay increase which usually covers locality pay increases to cover cost of living increases every year (in Jan). By default it’s usually 2-3%. This year, and next in 2012, it translates to 0%. Wow! Nobody likes not getting a pay raise but let’s face it, our whole country is in a recession and I shouldn’t exactly be exempt, no? I guess most everyone feels this.

 

In fact, if I’ve so far been able to duck the left and right changes that have been made by this White House Administration, (including the massive change in NASA mission) well, I finally got mine. It was just a matter of time (except I think we’ll find out how hard the insurance changes are going to hit Paul next year).

 

Am I mad? No. We are comfortable in our current pay and hadn’t even thought about the pay increase in detail. Everyone around the country is being affected in the same or worse ways with this economy. Changes are everywhere, unemployment high. I’m lucky to have a job that I love and that pays well. But this did make me realize I’m not immune just because I’m a civil servant. In fact, since my boss lives at the White House, it makes me more of a target, doesn’t it?

 

I wasn’t thrilled when the Bush administration sent Americans those fat $800 “stimulus” checks that sent this economy into the economic deficit we’re in now and I’m not thrilled about the lack of a pay increase next year. Not thrilled about the new TSA security regulations and the change in NASA’s mission and I’m not even sure how bad the insurance changes are going to hurt Paul next year, especially as a small business.

 

I do know it seems much is happening fast. Are people pissed because change is scary? Especially when it’s a direct hit? Or were we better off under the Bush Administration: a country stagnant and hearing the same fear-filled messages of terrorism and a lack of any real domestic policy?

 

In politics I always know there’s much more I don’t know and I have to hope that those in charge (the ones America voted for in the first place) are doing their best. You know, in the midst of all of the media, lobby, and greed and power and lies and BS I really would hate to ever be a part of. Let’s face it: All politicians are extremists. And I’m a moderate. So it’s a challenge for me. No matter who’s in office.

 

No, I’m not mad that any of the civil servants in America (not just NASA) aren’t getting a pay raise for the next two years. It doesn’t rub me the wrong way and I really don’t have much more to say on it. I’m lucky to be one that’s comfortable and overall happy at my job. I am sure there are other civil servants that were counting on that raise. But it does make me realize that anything’s possible. Especially as a civil servant. I remember around 15 years ago when Congress and the White House couldn’t come to an agreement on new budgets and so federal employees got delayed paychecks while Congress was out of session. It’s a real scenario. I, as a civil servant, am at the mercy of extreme politics. Sometimes I forget that.