Economy The [Wall / Government Shutdown] Megathread

[phipps66]

Some of those numbers aren't quite right . . . at least as of now and for my specific Agency. Our "exempt" folks have not missed a paycheck. Yet.

He needs to distinguish how some Agencies have access to prior year money and can actually still pay essential folks. I think there is in the neighborhood of 25k employees in my Agency. I'd bet between half and 3/4 are currently able to be paid. If this goes on for another month or more I'm not sure that will still be possible.

Ours have. I missed my Jan. 15 check and tomorrow will be another full pay period in a non pay status. I just logged in to check my LES and it says pay for the 29th will be $0.00. Which will make a full month without any income, while being forced to work, and unable to collect unemployment. I guess I could have a garage sale or cut my neighbors grass or shovel their snow. Hopefully my neighbors know how to hand out 1099s.

 

[Quipling]

Some of those numbers aren't quite right . . . at least as of now and for my specific Agency. Our "exempt" folks have not missed a paycheck. Yet.

He needs to distinguish how some Agencies have access to prior year money and can actually still pay essential folks. I think there is in the neighborhood of 25k employees in my Agency. I'd bet between half and 3/4 are currently able to be paid. If this goes on for another month or more I'm not sure that will still be possible.

Most of my friends in government will start missing paychecks in February. Those in the DoJ are already not getting paid. Same with contractors.

 

[glenwo2]

WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Mark Green announced he will be an original co-sponsor of Rep. Mo Brooks’ Ensuring Lawful Collection of Hidden Assets to Provide Order (EL CHAPO) Act. The bill directs any funds seized from individuals engaged in criminal enterprise along the border to the completion of the border wall. This would include $14 billion in funds seized from El Chapo, the notorious Mexican drug lord recently apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol.

“This simple bill would allow the U.S. to begin building a border wall without costing the American taxpayer a single dime,” said Rep. Green. “Drug lords like El Chapo illegally traffic humans and narcotics across our southern border allowing them to make billion dollar fortunes. Let’s use that money to build a wall and end the trafficking.”

Sen. Ted Cruz introduced a similar bill in the Senate.

El Chapo’s trial began in November and is expected to continue for the next several months as the government prosecutes him based on the 17-count indictment related to narcotics trafficking, money laundering and murder.

>>> Sounds good to me.

Dems and Republicans should all be for this.

Get this through Congress and the Senate and Trump will definitely sign it.

Once that's done, the shutdown will be over.

 

[shockaholic12]

WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Mark Green announced he will be an original co-sponsor of Rep. Mo Brooks’ Ensuring Lawful Collection of Hidden Assets to Provide Order (EL CHAPO) Act. The bill directs any funds seized from individuals engaged in criminal enterprise along the border to the completion of the border wall. This would include $14 billion in funds seized from El Chapo, the notorious Mexican drug lord recently apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol.

“This simple bill would allow the U.S. to begin building a border wall without costing the American taxpayer a single dime,” said Rep. Green. “Drug lords like El Chapo illegally traffic humans and narcotics across our southern border allowing them to make billion dollar fortunes. Let’s use that money to build a wall and end the trafficking.”

Sen. Ted Cruz introduced a similar bill in the Senate.

El Chapo’s trial began in November and is expected to continue for the next several months as the government prosecutes him based on the 17-count indictment related to narcotics trafficking, money laundering and murder.

>>> Sounds good to me.

A bit of a clever idea.

But everything I’ve read/seen on the subject says the cartels are smuggling through regular ports of entry, not packing and sneaking it across the desert. Which ironically highlights why the wall isn’t necessary or worth the costs/land grabbing/destruction of local ecosystems and species.

 

[Rod1]

Reading is fundamental.

Maybe if more Dems actually voted IN FAVOR, this would have at least reached Trump for him to make a "Should I?" or "Shouldn't I" decision.

It did reached his desk back in December, and the others havent reached his desk because they get shot down in the Senate.

 

[glenwo2]

A bit of a clever idea.

But everything I’ve read/seen on the subject says the cartels are smuggling through regular ports of entry, not packing and sneaking it across the desert. Which ironically highlights why the wall isn’t necessary or worth the costs/land grabbing/destruction of local ecosystems and species.

You're right about that but I think the Key point is the $14 billion of drug money here.

The government can use $5.7 billion from that amount to give him his Wall funding without taking one dime from the American people or from the Greedy Politicians' pockets(which is the more important part for them).

I think THIS may be the "event" that leads to the shutdown ending.

 

[Rod1]

You're right about that but I think the Key point is the $14 billion of drug money here.

The government can use $5 billion (or whatever amount Trump is asking for) to give him his Wall funding without taking one dime from the American people or from the Greedy Politicians' pockets(which is the more important part for them).

I think THIS may be the "event" that leads to the shutdown ending.

Do you honestly believe there is a big chunk of drug money laying around somewhere?

 

[glenwo2]

Do you honestly believe there is a big chunk of drug money laying around somewhere?

Did you even read the article I put up?

 

[Rod1]

Did you even read the article I put up?

Yes, and common sense told me before opening that its just a publicity stunt made by a Republican to dupe rubes like you.

Chapo doesnt has $14 billions hidden somewhere you fool, use your brains so that you dont get manipulated by politicians.

https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/u-s-not-found-dollar-el-chapo-money-article-1.3134053

 

[Thrawn33]

They should be looking for new jobs. Why would anyone want to go back to work for the Government after dealing with this shit? We had a shutdown with Trump and a shutdown with Obama why deal with this shit anymore?

For me:
This thing called the Uniform Code of Military Justice....desertion charges, the brig, a dishonorable discharge (aka felony)

Also 16 years of honorable service with 4 more to go for a retirement check.

So yeah, no choice but to keep working for free.

#paythecoastguard

 

[method115]

For me:
This thing called the Uniform Code of Military Justice....desertion charges, the brig, a dishonorable discharge (aka felony)

Also 16 years of honorable service with 4 more to go for a retirement check.

So yeah, no choice but to keep working for free.

#paythecoastguard

That I can at least understand. The security guards down at federal courthouse? I don't understand why they are still there. Well ones a retired cop and does it just cause he can't imagine life without working so I understand his reasoning but not his friends..

 

[spamking]

Ours have. I missed my Jan. 15 check and tomorrow will be another full pay period in a non pay status. I just logged in to check my LES and it says pay for the 29th will be $0.00. Which will make a full month without any income, while being forced to work, and unable to collect unemployment. I guess I could have a garage sale or cut my neighbors grass or shovel their snow. Hopefully my neighbors know how to hand out 1099s.

Sheesh . . . sorry to hear this. I was fully expecting to miss my next paycheck as well.

 

[Quipling]

That I can at least understand. The security guards down at federal courthouse? I don't understand why they are still there. Well ones a retired cop and does it just cause he can't imagine life without working so I understand his reasoning not his friends..

Almost every one of the CSO's that I know are pretty well off because of former careers and pensions. Also the courts are basically closed already, so . . .

 

[spamking]

Most of my friends in government will start missing paychecks in February. Those in the DoJ are already not getting paid. Same with contractors.

We have a few independent contractors but mainly use a pretty large contracting company for the majority of our contract hires. I just found out today that my independent contractor will be able to get paid. He'll be getting a check for almost 180 hours.

 

[method115]

Almost every one of the CSO's that I know are pretty well off because of former careers and pensions. Also the courts are basically closed already, so . . .

Not sure which courts you are talking about. The federal one near me is fully staffed. Just spoke to one of the ladies their Monday and she said everyone is working.

 

[spamking]

Do you honestly believe there is a big chunk of drug money laying around somewhere?

Duh. I've watched Narcos . . .

 

[Quipling]

Not sure which courts you are talking about. The federal one near me is fully staffed. Just spoke to one of the ladies their Monday and she said everyone is working.

They're "staffed" but we've had a big chunk of our federal cases stayed for the duration of the shutdown. That's more on the DoJ than the judiciary, but the judiciary is definitely way less active than normal.

 

[Trotsky]

Yes, and common sense told me before opening that its just a publicity stunt made by a Republican to dupe rubes like you.

Chapo doesnt has $14 billions hidden somewhere you fool, use your brains so that you dont get manipulated by politicians.

https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/u-s-not-found-dollar-el-chapo-money-article-1.3134053

There is currently believed to be $14 billion buried in Chapo's backyard and another $28 billion scattered among the lower rectums of the country's Mexican immigrants. A massive cavity search would easily produce the necessary funds.

 

[method115]

They're "staffed" but we've had a big chunk of our federal cases stayed for the duration of the shutdown. That's more on the DoJ than the judiciary, but the judiciary is definitely way less active than normal.

Oh ok I'm not sure about that. I was helping one of the lawyers and making sure her laptop would work with their system so I know her case was still going ahead. Can't speak for any other case though so that might be what's happening here.

 

[Clippy]

So didn't I hear the military is not getting paid for first time in history - low morale looms

weakened defense systems all over

Starting to believe the Russian take over conspiracy theories at this point