Guess the temperatures not the only things that's freezing....

Obama Calls for 2-year freeze on federal pay

As someone who recently left federal employment, I guess I could give this a 'Simpsons' like Ha-Ha.  Being a government contractor, I would be greatly surprised if it didn't extend into my world also though, STILL costing me money. 

And you know what?  I'm okay with it.  AND it doesn't go far enough. 

First of all, the writing has been on the wall.  Ever since...2 years ago?(TOO lazy to look it up)...when they decided that the Social Security payments wouldn't see a cost of living increase, I have been wondering how they were going to justify giving pay increases to federal employees.  Up 'till now, I guess the justification has been that federal workers are WORKING, vice all the folks collecting social security benefits, some of whom MIGHT have worked at some point.  Hooray for distinctions. 

Finally though, the deficit is reaching a point where strong action is called for.  I don't give Barry credit for much, but I'll give him props for making the unpopular call on this one...not a tough call, not a hard call...just an unpopular call.  It's really the ONLY call that can be made.

At all levels, governments are broke(and broken...hah!)...spending more than they are taking in.  In my opinion, raising taxes IS NOT a viable solution....cutting spending is the only way to do it.  Pay rates are a valid target here(not the only target, just a valid one). 

Now the reality of this brave, bold, totally needed move:  Not nearly enough.

This move does not effect Members of Congress(who already passed a cap on themselves) or their Staff(not capped right now), Postal Workers, Federal Judges or Federal Court employees. 

Why the hell not?  I use the Shipyard as a reference point...and while things might be are inefficiently run, the people in a Shipyard don't work any LESS hard than a postal worker(and certainly not a congressional staffer).   Freeze them all!!!!

Also...this is not a total pay freeze...the only thing REALLY effected here are the annual cost of living increases.  The current interpretation of the freeze is that workers will continue to earn the merit and seniority pay increases that they are entitled to.  Ummm...merit promotions?  Sure.  Pay increases to reach full working level(so my friend Kadi can make what she deserves to make)?  Sure.  An step-increase just because you have managed to keep breathing?  Not so much.

The final bit of reality?  Current estimates are that this pay freeze will save $5,000,000,000(5 billion) dollars over the next 2 years.  That is a HUGE chunk of change.  Why, that saving means that our current national debt, $14,000,000,000,000(14 TRILLION) dollars will be paid off.......ummmm...never.  Not even close to keeping up with the interest. 

Obviously, more cuts are needed, and they are going to have to be deep, and they are going to have to be painful....and they are going to be less popular than anything else a sitting President has ever had to do.  I'm not sure anyone if Congress(or Barry) are man enough to bite the bullet and make that call.