on government employment

[flea]

Yesterday, among other first-day-at-new-job rigamaroles, mr. flea had to go to a police station and be fingerprinted. He also was informed that he cannot put a presidential campaign bumper sticker on a vehicle he brings to work, since he is employed by the Executive Branch. It appears he may demonstrate partisanship at home and off the clock. I asked if he could display a bumper sticker supporting a senatorial campaign (for example), and he was uncertain. Luckily we are not bumper sticker people.

He also had to swear, aloud, that he was not a terrorist and would support the US government. I had to swear a loyalty oath to the state of Georgia, stating that I would not attempt to overthrow the government (or the federal government for good measure), but I just had to sign a document and get it notarized, not swear aloud. Those federales are hard core.

This week the urgent task is to decide on a health insurance plan. I have 5 choices available to me at work, and mr. flea has at least 8 (some of which are national, and some of which are local.) I have no idea how to decide among them; even eliminating the outliers (high-deductible health savings, boutique packages) it's hard to compare them all. Many seem very much alike, but then the costs are strikingly different, and why?, who knows. Ah, single-payer coverage, how I wish for you!

And then, dental. Ugh.

Comments

[richtermom.livejournal.com]

I'm thinking checking with anyone cool about whatever-sympathetic doctors would be a good thing; also watch out for convenient doctors. We chose D's plan that allowed us to go to our normal doctor, two blocks from our house, and she's cool with delaying shots, knowledgeable about breastfeeding, and they've always cut me slack. OTOH, they only have the one dental policy, and the only dentist who accepted new patients is a psychobitch.

So good luck with that.