Given the behavior of Repug legislatures in the States....

[annabanana]

Is there any reason that I shouldn't worry that the National budget talks will screw my about-to-retire federal worker husband?

(They have already raided his to-be-hoped-for pension to avoid raising the debt ceiling once.)

Should he put his papers in today? He's been 42 years on the job. I'd hate to see it all turn to shit at the 11th hour.

[HillbillyBob]

1. Better get while there is anything to get. Yes worry.

When your life savings has been wiped out repeatedly you learn that the only thing you can count on is...nothing. I am now on SSD, this no cola for a couple of years on already strained income sux. Now partner is laid off and has been for several months, has some UI and a little help. We can't move to a cheaper place this was about as cheap as we could find and still have running water(it's quite a bit nicer than just running water, but the other places cheaper did not even have working plumbing). We have been 'tightening the belt' for YEARS no there is no more to cut, almost. Slowly taking an on grid house off central power, cutting the power use to the bone, replacing dead appliances and anything that uses power with high efficient ones, adding insulation etc etc. With the power bills this place generated when we moved in we have cut by 3/4s in 4 yrs on a limited budget and learning to do appliance repairs myself and house repairs already know how to do plumbing, elect(retired electrician), partner does the 'farming'. We have gone from city dwellers to country mice and a 75% drop in income since 2000.

[kentuck]

2. I can understand the anxiety.

I am convinced that Democratic timidity has emboldened these Republicans more than we will ever know.

[fredamae]

3. Are some of these Dems Timid or...

just playing the game? I know in my state there are some "people" who script a "D" behind their name and vote like a tea-bagger.