California Surveyors Forums

Yeah, lets limit what a person or corp can make and if they make too much give it to those who don't.
They do that now, working peoples incomes are stolen to give money and handouts to those who won't work.
Govt budget cuts, right. we give billions to other countries and $87Billion per quarter to the big 5 banks and what do they cut, close parks while buying new ones, close white house tours which are free, close airport control towers while screaming to ban guns for public safety, and the big question is; with all those closings did any govt employees get laid off or fired- I'm betting zero.
Want to contact the CA DMV, min 90 min wait.
Since govt is more interested in other countries welfare and big banks than us we might as well defund govt.

Wages in the private sector continue to fall, while govt keeps getting increases and to cover those increases want the private sector to pay more fees.

Wages in the private sector continue to fall, while govt keeps getting increases and to cover those increases want the private sector to pay more fees.

I know that your comment is probably pointed at the State or local governments (cities, counties). For our little part of the Federal world, there is a different reality.

First, I want to be clear that I am very grateful for my employment. I was unemployed for 18 months (4/2009 to 10/2010) prior to working for the Forest Service. The odds of a non-government employee being hired into this position are extremely low. I consider myself extremely lucky or blessed ... probably both. That being said...

Since starting with the Forest Service, I have not seen a wage increase in nearly 3 years (frozen at 2010 levels). I make 38% LESS than I did doing a similar job (managing survey operations) in the private sector (actually, my current responsibilities are greater). My area is providing the same services, with 40% less funding, than the 2009 funding levels (down to three full-time staff, two part-time). There will be no more contracted surveys in the foreseeable future. That means the private sector surveyors will have zero opportunities.

But we will continue to implement every possible savings, stretching every dollar, and providing the best service we can.

First, I want to be clear that I am very grateful for my employment. I was unemployed for 18 months (4/2009 to 10/2010) prior to working for the Forest Service. The odds of a non-government employee being hired into this position are extremely low. I consider myself extremely lucky or blessed ... probably both. That being said...

I too was surprised but happy for you. My son, an honors graduate and CE with 8 years exp was off for 3 years. Currently works contract for 80% of his previous pay and has to pay all his SS and Medi and no medical ins. He has applied for govt jobs numerous times without success.

We have a friend with the Agricultural dept in DC, lately he's been keeping mum on his salary so we think he is getting increases or a position step up. He gets to carry a gun too, in case the scarecrows attack him. LOL

land butcher wrote:He gets to carry a gun too, in case the scarecrows attack him. LOL

Nevada (rural areas) where we (FS) can occansionaly use hardened Hummers and LE escourt! (j/k)

The CA Div of Hwys cadastrial crew carried 22s with snake shot. Probably can't now, the snakes won that one.

My area is providing the same services, with 40% less funding, than the 2009 funding levels (down to three full-time staff, two part-time). There will be no more contracted surveys in the foreseeable future. That means the private sector surveyors will have zero opportunities.

My son, an honors graduate and CE with 8 years exp was off for 3 years. Currently works contract for 80% of his previous pay and has to pay all his SS and Medi and no medical ins. He has applied for govt jobs numerous times without success.

From reading these posts, it appears that one of the results of defunding government is less work for the private sector, which results in complaints from those in the private sector who continue to champion the cause FOR defunding government. I'm not trying to make light of what is a very difficult situation for a lot of people who are still unemployed or under employed, but there is a certain amount of irony contained therein.

Govt is not defunding, they just send the money to other countries instead of here. The $87billion/quarter of Quantitive easing is going to the big 5 banks whose assets total ~$9Trillion