Bush Holds Federal Pay Raise to 2% in 2004
Interesting, isn't it, that Shrub is now crying poverty and the need to fund anti-terrorism efforts? Yet just a few months ago, there was plenty of money for a huge tax cut. Of course, no true American will argue against the war on terror, right? RIGHT??
In a letter to congressional leaders, Bush said the larger increase "would threaten our efforts against terrorism or force deep cuts in discretionary spending or federal employment to stay within budget."
Presidents have routinely used a loophole in the 1990 Federal Employees Pay Comparability Act, which was designed to close a "pay gap" between federal and private sector employees by increasing civil service pay, to recommend a lesser raise. The provision allows the president to avoid the formula-driven increase by citing national emergency or difficult economic conditions.
"It's one of my annual disappointments that they do this," said Colleen M. Kelley, president of the National Treasury Employees Union.
AFL-CIO President John Sweeney said the president's action was "shameful, and makes clear that Bush is making federal employees pay for his own fiscal recklessness."
Instead of creating a responsible, sensible, and coherent economic policy, Shrub is taking money out of the pockets of federal workers, few of whom are getting rich any time soon. Could it be that your tax cut might have been used to fund the war on terror, Mr. President? Or were you too busy buying votes and currying favor among your wealthy benefactors to think things through?
