US shutdown: Flight delays caused by staff shortages • Hacker News Board

Re: US shutdown: Flight delays caused by staff shortages

#271

Post by sokoloff » Fri, Jan 25, 2019, 4:31 PM UTC

flyingpenguin wrote: post #77

tibbon wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've seen too many people say, "Oh, government workers should all know this stuff happens all the time, and if they don't have months or years of savings in the bank then it's just their fault". It's really sad that instead of being compassionate, too many are focusing on what "should" be instead of what is the reality for many people. Like you point out, the reality is that most people don't have savings. They shoul…

The thing that really bothers me about that "They should have savings" logic, is the expectation that they should have to use them. Yes. They should have savings. EVERYONE should have min 3 months of income in savings. No one should be expected to use it.

What's the emergency fund for, if not for loss of income?

If there is no condition under which you're expected to use it, it's just stranded money...

Re: US shutdown: Flight delays caused by staff shortages

#272

Post by MrZongle2 » Fri, Jan 25, 2019, 4:31 PM UTC

bluGill wrote: post #174

resters wrote: post #93

At the risk of introducing a political topic into this supposedly apolitical subject, why shouldn't any president simply make demands and then shut down the government until his/her political opponents cave? Seemingly this strategy will not work ever again for either party if proper steps are taken. It seems like a terrible abuse of executive power.

Don't blame only the president, congress has just as much blame for not passing a budget the president would agree to.

Unfortunately, that logical line of thinking can't fuel the new Two Minutes Hate.

It's a shitty situation and I feel sorry for the government workers affected, but there are clearly multiple parties responsible here. If the plight of these workers were a real concern, if it were considered a real crisis, it wouldn't be happening.

Re: US shutdown: Flight delays caused by staff shortages

#273

Post by cr1895 » Fri, Jan 25, 2019, 4:31 PM UTC

rhexs wrote: post #216

bouncing wrote: post #157

Earlier quoted context omitted.

When I was a kid, my dad was deciding between two engineering jobs; one for the US Department of Commerce and another in the private sector for a big aerospace contractor. The private sector one paid more, I remember, but my mother brought up to my dad something interesting: You're less likely to get laid off, and you'll always have more job security, with the stable paycheck provided by a government job. It's weird…

Holy hyperbole. Call me when layoffs start happening, back-pay isn't actually paid, the pension and generous vacation schedule goes away, etc. If these jobs were so terrible the employees would be clamoring to leave. Instead, the employees realize the benefits are worth it and are still trying to stay. Why are these public jobs considered "god-given rights"? I work in the private sector. If I don't get paid, I have t…

>Instead, the employees realize the benefits are worth it and are still trying to stay.

How about we reevaluate this statement after it's all over?

Re: US shutdown: Flight delays caused by staff shortages

#274

Post by bluGill » Fri, Jan 25, 2019, 4:32 PM UTC

Brakenshire wrote: post #169

usaphp wrote: post #69

As a non US citizen, I don’t understand what’s that shutdown even about, seems like absurd thing to do. Is it all because of Trump or he is not the only one to blame? I remember there was some shutdown when Obama was there too? Or am I mistaken? Edit: downvoted for asking a question?

It seems like in the US the two legislative branches and the executive branch of government have to all agree each year on a budget, or else everything shuts down? It's a curious system, I think in most countries not being able to pass a budget would bring down the government and cause a new election. It seems to rely very strongly on politicians seeking compromise, which is ambitious! A question to American posters:…

The judicial branch probably does not have that much control over the budget. (They can hold up parts, but their power is limited)

Either the executive or legislative branch could though.

Re: US shutdown: Flight delays caused by staff shortages

#275

Post by bdcravens » Fri, Jan 25, 2019, 4:32 PM UTC

saalweachter wrote: post #46

justaguyhere wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

they're explicitly prevented from striking Wow, is this true? Is this even legal (except maybe police and military)?

What's legal is what 5 people on the Supreme Court say is legal.

Unless it was deemed an emergency, how many months does it take a typical case to make it before the USSC?

Re: US shutdown: Flight delays caused by staff shortages

#276

Post by SteveCoast » Fri, Jan 25, 2019, 4:32 PM UTC

Why hasn't the FAA been privatized anyway? It looks like most of Europe's air controllers and even airports were long ago privatized.

Re: US shutdown: Flight delays caused by staff shortages

#277

Post by foobaw » Fri, Jan 25, 2019, 4:32 PM UTC

What an embarrassment as a country.

Re: US shutdown: Flight delays caused by staff shortages

#278

Post by sixothree » Fri, Jan 25, 2019, 4:32 PM UTC

bluGill wrote: post #174

resters wrote: post #93

At the risk of introducing a political topic into this supposedly apolitical subject, why shouldn't any president simply make demands and then shut down the government until his/her political opponents cave? Seemingly this strategy will not work ever again for either party if proper steps are taken. It seems like a terrible abuse of executive power.

Don't blame only the president, congress has just as much blame for not passing a budget the president would agree to.

They passed this last budget unanimously which means they that 60% more votes than were needed for a veto override.

Re: US shutdown: Flight delays caused by staff shortages

#279

Post by samstave » Fri, Jan 25, 2019, 4:33 PM UTC

wonderwonder wrote: post #24

Bearing in mind that ~40% of american's could not come up with $400 to cover emergencies, this is going to become more prevalent in the next few days / weeks as people will simply not be able to afford gas to get to their unpaid work. I read an article today discussing how TSA workers in HI are living in their cars in the airport parking lot as they cannot afford to commute. The FBI just cancelled its internship prog…

Serious questions I have:

* Are senators/house reps being paid? If so - Why?

* If the government is going to shit on people like this - then why are those people required to pay a tax (which is money extracted from the population to pay for services which the government provides - if the government refuses to provide those services, then why would you be obligated to pay a tax - thus the shutdown should be filed as an exemption during tax season)

* How in the fucking world is it that someone can "shutdown" the government in the first place??

* If you had a CEO who was embroiled in this much scandal - wouldn't you question "So, what is it you'd say you actually do around here?"[0] -- What is the actual NORMAL day-to-day expectation of a POTUS which has not been done bythis POTUS in the course of his employment?

* How can you claim to be a country based on rule of law with such shenanigans? Such that it undermines the willingness of the people to follow the rule of law in ever aspect of the spectrum.

https://youtu.be/m4OvQIGDg4I?t=51

Re: US shutdown: Flight delays caused by staff shortages

#280

Post by akhilcacharya » Fri, Jan 25, 2019, 4:33 PM UTC

throwaway5752 wrote: post #20

exogeny wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Very painful? Why not just take out a loan? Wilbur Ross whole-heartedly recommends it!

Oh, no! That wasn't what he meant. The president clarified that he meant to say that grocery stores and banks will work with you and extend you credit.

What sort of grocery stores offer IOUs