I watched the first two minutes. That was enough for me. Federal employees DO, in fact, contribute to their health plans, and many of the choices available do involve co-payments (including mine, which is an HMO). And while federal pensions were once among the most generous, employees hired from 1984 on must contribute more to thrift savings plans to have a comparible retirement. And neither the "old plan" nor the "new plan" can compare to that of the United Auto Workers, to give just one example.
As to state workers, an increasing number of them must take pension cuts. In New Jersey, it's either that or bankruptcy. I'm not complaining about my benefits as a Federal worker, but the comedy skit is just that, comedy.
I thought it was hilarious. (I'm a former gov't worker) Keep in mind that it is not trying to be a documentary about gov't worker benefits. It's just a joke and it's funny.
Maybe you could concede that:
1. gov't workers get great benefits compared to
the "rest of us".
2. many union contracts contain ridiculous "work parameters"
3. DMV's have earned a reputation for being torturous places to visit for a good reason.
The skit is based on these premises which most unbiased folks would agree with. Hilarity ensures.
I think it's OK if not everyone finds everything funny. For the rest of us though, even a chuckle is a wonderful thing. We need more of it.
If the clip wasn't funny, it's because it's so true-to-life. Especially poignant was the list of things one may not do while waiting in line at the DMV. I do not think anyone thought it was a joke until she said, "no daydreaming…" No iPods, food, etc. seem like typical DMV regulations.
I bet the Greek version would be even less funny, though.
April 26, 2010 at 10:07 pm
Humor. What we would do without it? Awesome blog. Thanks!
April 27, 2010 at 1:59 am
I watched the first two minutes. That was enough for me. Federal employees DO, in fact, contribute to their health plans, and many of the choices available do involve co-payments (including mine, which is an HMO). And while federal pensions were once among the most generous, employees hired from 1984 on must contribute more to thrift savings plans to have a comparible retirement. And neither the "old plan" nor the "new plan" can compare to that of the United Auto Workers, to give just one example.
As to state workers, an increasing number of them must take pension cuts. In New Jersey, it's either that or bankruptcy. I'm not complaining about my benefits as a Federal worker, but the comedy skit is just that, comedy.
And not all that funny, really.
April 27, 2010 at 2:14 am
Actually David, it was slightly more funny than your comment. Of course, that is not saying much.
April 27, 2010 at 11:54 am
It's not saying much because I wasn't trying to be funny.
April 27, 2010 at 3:32 pm
De gustibus non desputandem.
I thought it was hilarious. (I'm a former gov't worker) Keep in mind that it is not trying to be a documentary about gov't worker benefits. It's just a joke and it's funny.
Maybe you could concede that:
1. gov't workers get great benefits compared to
the "rest of us".
2. many union contracts contain ridiculous "work parameters"
3. DMV's have earned a reputation for being torturous places to visit for a good reason.
The skit is based on these premises which most unbiased folks would agree with. Hilarity ensures.
I think it's OK if not everyone finds everything funny. For the rest of us though, even a chuckle is a wonderful thing. We need more of it.
April 27, 2010 at 5:54 pm
If the clip wasn't funny, it's because it's so true-to-life. Especially poignant was the list of things one may not do while waiting in line at the DMV. I do not think anyone thought it was a joke until she said, "no daydreaming…" No iPods, food, etc. seem like typical DMV regulations.
I bet the Greek version would be even less funny, though.