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!
Same issues with all the politicians all over the world. Blame games and pointing fingers to others is the favorite hobby of all the politicians.
I hope you earn more this week.
Thanks. Its not been easy mostly speaking of today. Just not many orders, hope it picks up in the evening
Hopefully it will. Stay Strong.
I never imagined that it goes that far😬. Can only hope that it ends soon🫤
Yes it managed to cause issues. I hope too it ends soon. I'm starting to miss my job.
And working without pay is the most stressful😬
Yes it often leads to individuals calling in sick to save on fuel they cant afford in thier vehicles. This upcoming week some will feel this.
Sounds shit mate, like you i fucking hate politics as well they are all wrong 🤣
Well done for finding sow work to get you through it
Hope it gets sorted soon
@coolmidwestguy
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Thanks I don't know whats in politicians DNA but damn got to get rid of that strand, haha. Yes I'm fortunate to have a fall back, not everyone has one.
No good that those fiscal/gov issues affect so much local economies.... hope all that will be solved soon, and in the meantime you are doing the right thing, at least hope that driving also you can earn some more instead. Have a great week despite all amigo!
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Well driving has kept my mind pretty clear of it. Just buckle up, turn the radio up and make a lot of shorter trips. I have been itching to do other things but my senses are alerting to keep doing what I am. I'm glad I have it as a fall back many don't have one! Thank you Amiga you have a great week as well.
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Sending you Ecency curation votes.😉
Thank you :)
I also don't like these politicians and all politicians stuff, the government should take good action but it doesn't seem so.
Well that skeleton look scary feel like real lol 😆 seems like your delivery job is going so good 💯
Have a happy day Bob 🎈
!PIZZA
Yes politicians are much like used car saleman, cant believe anything the speak. Most are lawyers by trade that probably has a lot to do with it.
Yes a lot of Halloween decorations. Some really cool displays. I should try harder to capture some more. Take care Lesly.
I agree with you that lawyers are by trade but i think we as a nation can't do much with these politicians.....
Try to capture more decorations 😁
It's frustrating when people get burnt over issues that's not their making, it's even worse when you allow it get a better part of you.
Good you have a side hustle to help you keep your head above waters.
I hope the situation is salvaged on time.
I don't like politics, politicians are mostly heartless people.
Thanks throughout history politicians haven't changed much. Your right about heartless some work for just thier gains.
You're welcome! Yeah, that's true.
The shutdown sucks for the federal employees, but politicians are just being stubborn assholes at this point. All they had to do was compromise on a bridge, but nope, not this time.
Glad to hear at least you are picking some income, sure beats a whole lot of nothing. Backpay doesn't help you today, that much is for sure...
According to reports thier lining up Rifs now just to add more stress to thousands. Tired of being in thier bag of tricks! I just put my head down and do what I can control.
Yes had to use some of that driving income already and will need more of it in the coming days. Hope this weekend is more lucrative it has been sort of slow.
!PIZZA
Sorry to hear all the bad stuff happening... As you know from our previous discussions, I'm on your side regarding politicians! It's amazing how they can convert anything that happens (for what, in most cases, is their responsibility) to others' people's fault! And using military, and other people who work for the country as leverage to keep them stealing (sorry, working 🙂) is a very low kick...
I really hope that some of the stuff that blockchain tech has planted will grow, and those crooks will have LESS POWER to do these mind games with ordinary people! They definitely have too much power over us...
All the best, man... I hope the situation will be solved and you will get back to your workplace!
It's a yearly thing that always brings political bags of tricks out. Not the first time its been shutdown , unfornately probably not the last. Makes retirement look sweeter.
Taking a vacation away from the job is good but this is no vacation. I look foward to returning, hopefully that will be soon because driving too much is very tiring. Thanks for the hope.
Not bad for a 23 hours work for a week. But the situation is stressful as I imagine it. I won't let myself work without getting paid, if I were in the case. Hope it will be resolved. Good thing you have side hustles
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It was a good start but now things are slowing down. Thursday and Friday weren't all that great. Hoping Saturday and Sunday is much better.
Most of those working with no pay are military or those that have highly critical jobs. They will receive back pay but it doesn't help with trying to survive now. Yes grateful to have side hustles but never intended for them to be my source of income. Missing my full-time job. To add more stress they are in the process of laying off many permanently, hope my number isn't called!
!HUG
!PIZZA
I feel for you, my friend, that's a challenging situation, but it is good that you're able to generate income outside of your main job. Multiple streams of income, especially passive, is a very good thing indeed. May things shift in a positive direction quickly. 😁🙏💚✨🤙
Politics is the same everywhere, take heart.
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