SteveR Loc: Michigan

Claims woman must ration her insulin due to the government shutdown. Why? I checked and Type 1 diabetics need about 60 units of insulin a day. 1000 units come in a vial. As a type 2 diabetic, I get a 3 months supply at time and use about a vial per week, but use about 125 units of 70/30. There is nothing to say that she has lost her healthcare. I pay about $125 for a 3 month supply, the same as when we were working. As I've read elsewhere, banks, etc., are making loans to government workers. Certainly, too, she must have credit cards. Also, having grown up in Pontiac, MI, a car making city, every so often, when contract talks would come up, one of the Big Three would shut out their workers during contract talks. The union and the workers knew it was coming and paid into a special fund to help offset the loss of wages. Each year, too, during the fifties and sixties, there was changeover (remember when cars actually looked different each year?). There was a 2 1/2 week period (about the time government employees have been off) when workers were laid off.....every year, so they had to provide for that period.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/federal-worker-forced-ration-insulin-because-government-shutdown-n958066

Frank T Loc: New York, NY

Did you even read the article you posted?

jcboy3

Trump says the shutdown can go on for years. What kind of planning would you do?

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Yes. She claims that she cannot afford the $300 copay. My insulin, for instance, comes from my mail order pharmacy because it is less expensive for my insurance. They have my credit card on file and charge my copay to it. Considering the actual cost of the insulin, the copay is really a deal. My copay is $125. Better insurance I guess.

In my original post I mentioned auto workers who were locked out during contract negotiations and also laid off during changeover (which many actually took advantage of to take vacations). As I said, I grew up in Pontiac, MI in the midst of these auto workers, and they planned ahead for both contingencies. Given the history of government shutdowns, it would behoove government workers to do the same. Put it this way....it would be smart. In fact, I do believe that there are government unions. It was the auto worker's union (UAW-CIO, I believe), that collected money from each worker to be used during contract periods, especially. The old Boy Scout mantra of "Be Prepared" really is something that government workers should consider, just as auto workers did.

On a personal note. My daughter and s-i-l are both deaf. There was a time before my daughter got her Master's in deaf ed that she was teaching in a private school, but making about half what she is now. Her husband was working, and still does, a manual labor type job. Finances were very tight with a child to support. What they couldn't afford they put on credit cards, which they are now finishing paying off. Point being....sometimes when you don't have cash in the bank you just have to put it on the card. My wife and I did the same thing raising three kids. Sometimes you've just gotta use those things.

jcboy3

They shouldn't be in this position. Government shutdown should not be a negotiating position.

thom w Loc: San Jose, CA

Auto workers made a good living back then. Many government workers do not. Not everyone has credit.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Just how good do you think they had it? Being from Pontiac I can tell you. They lived in modest homes and in the fifties most had just one car. Later, many were able to buy a second car. They did not live extravagantly. Some mothers worked but not all. Big concerns were health insurance, job security and retirement. Times were simpler. They just wanted to provide for their families in much the same way that we do today. Many of the benefits that we have and expect were hammered out by the auto unions in the fifties and sixties.

Federal workers get paid well, have good benefits and good retirement plans. I don't know where you got your information that they're not.

hj Loc: Florida

I agree with SteveR .... Federal workers are paid far better than average.

Elaine2025 Loc: Seattle, Wa

Years???? little boy, that is child like thinking. Very child like.

WNC Ralf Loc: Candler NC, in the mountains!

Sounds like an accurate description of mr. tRUMP, acts like a little boy and thinks like a child, right on!

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

So you agree the D’s should build the wall like they voted to.

WNC Ralf Loc: Candler NC, in the mountains!

Of course not, are you an idiot? Why didn’t tRUMP get his wall in the first two years when Republicans controlled both houses? Because he didn’t have enough support among republicants to get it passed, even most republicans know it is a terrible idea. All except ignorant tRumpeteers.

Elaine2025 Loc: Seattle, Wa

So, being ignorant and never having been to the border you make that ridiculous claim? Why not, lib fascist socialist dems never let the truth get in the way of what they "think".

amyinsparta Loc: White county, TN

You didn't answer his question. Why didn't they vote a wall the first two years? Because they didn't want one? Because they know that Spanish immigrants do jobs here that white people won't have ? And indeed, it is difficult to stand hunched over for hours, picking peas by hand in 90+ degree heat with the sun beating on you. And that's the women doing this work. Peas can't be picked by machine-too delicate. Also, much of tobacco prep has to be done by hand. The good old boys won't do those jobs either.
Just saying. I suppose we will see how the farmers feel come the next election.

Elaine2025 Loc: Seattle, Wa

Back it up with facts and someone might listen to you. I don't care what the job is, in order to work the job it is the LAW that you be here legally. Dispute that.