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on government employment
Aug. 19th, 2008 12:46 pmYesterday, 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.
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.
