Warning up front, you're going to see some "F" bombs and perphaps some other foul language. I don't like to cuss, but sometimes it's a way of venting. Plus, it's a way of getting a point across. This article will serve as my frustration to the current government shutdown here in the United States. I'll also do some talking about things I have been doing during it.
The U.S. government is funded on a fiscal year cycle. Which begins on the 1st of October and ends on September 30th. Without funding to start the new fiscal year off federal, military and some contractor workers are in no pay status. Some still have to show up to work while some have to be in furlough status, not allowed to come into work. What am I? A bit of both, if we have any airlift missions, I have to come in and work them. With only two military members holding up the shop, it's impossible for them to do this without us.
Who approves this budget every year? Its three fold, has to pass U.S.Congress first, which it has. Then it goes to the U.S. Senate for voting. A 60% passing vote is required for it to move forward. Then the President can sign into law or veto it. Often, every year, this is passed at the last fucking minute. This year it didn't happen and I had a shitty gut feeling it wouldn't. Just too much division in D.C. and no compromising between grown adults who act no better than troublesome children!
I will be completely honest with you. I hate fucking politics and I'm not going to say which party is better or worse. I feel I vote based on the better of two evils. This shutdown is affecting my livelihood and I much feel like a pawn for their agenda. The finger-pointing, straight out lies, and blame game are ridiculous.
In the aftermath of the last government shutdown, the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019 was signed into law. It was set up so government employees could get back pay for being furloughed. It's a good thing because we shouldn't be penalized for things out of our control because a compromise can't be made in our nation's capital. But wait, some of them are saying we don't have to be back paid because there is loop holes that allow it. To add more fuel to the shutdown, we are being used as leverage to persuade the nays to vote yes and blaming them if it happens. Threatening the livelihood of thousands who should have absolutely nothing to do with the shutdown is not right. Granted, it was said some don't deserve back pay, but it's very unclear who that is. Regardless, I feel like someone pissed in my cheerios. A lot of us government employees are former veterans and look to continue serving our country. We have pride in what we do and really want to see our country do well. I hate to say it, but things aren't all that peachy at the moment here.
A government shutdown can affect more than just government entities. In just seven days, I have seen the impact it has on the local economy I live in. Businesses and restaurants close to the military installation are already feeling it. I have had to do deliveries further away from it because not many people are ordering food in the area. I have seen on the news that airports are going to be impacted. Air Traffic Controllers and TSA employees are part of the federal workforce in the United States. It's very important that this shutdown ends soon before it has more of a ripple effect on even more things. I believe it will end on the 14th of October ahead of the next pay day for the military, which is the 15th of October. You heard it from me, my prediction!
Alright, there's my main rant. How am I dealing with all of this? As hard as it is, I don't let it run through my mind all the time. It's something I really have no control over, so why dwell too much over it. Now I do feel fornate about having an opportunity to earn elsewhere. That I do have some control over. It surely isn't what I would make at my full-time job, but it's helping so far keep me a float. I have been working a lot of hours delivery driving because I just don't know how long this shut down will loom.
Last week, I got a head start working both Monday and Tuesday night prior to the shutdown. Wenesday through Sunday I worked much of the day and some of the nights. Ending on Sunday, I worked a total of 46 hours delivering eclipsing just over $1000. Now, that doesn't include fuel expenses, which was around $150. I found out yesterday that I will get a partial check on Friday for the hours I worked in the pay period prior to the shutdown. That is a blessing because we didn't know if we would or not.
So far this week, I have worked 23 hours, yielding around $475. I had a lot of stuff to do on Tuesday and didn't log much time driving. It was a good day to catch up on things because Tuesdays are the slowest of delivery days, in my opinion. I will be hard at it Thursday thru Sunday and should make more than the previous week.
There are some changes with one of the delivery apps I'm using. It's a new system that provides ratings for drivers and placing them into certain tiers, which ultimately can affect earnings. It is flawed and I have found it to be an unfair system for drivers. Many others aren't happy about it either. I won't go on another rant about this because that is certainly another articles worth. I'll just say it is a little frustrating when you get penalized for things out of your control. Maybe some former politicians are behind it, haha.
I hope this October gets a whole lot better fast for me. I am already feeling tired and warn out. I really don't want to keep this pace, but I will, if needed, not much choice.
All pictures in this article are mine and were all taken while I was delivery driving. Some are of low quality due to be taken inside a car through the windshield.
Take care, stay safe and have a great rest of your week. Until next time!