kdonnel - I don't disagree with you. I think a lot of people, both in the public and private sector could do a better job building a safety net that is less reliant on events they have no control over. But recognize that there are some of us here in the government employee world who have less because we work for the government. When I entered government service over 20 years ago, I took a substantial pay cut. I was then moved across the country, requiring my wife to quit her job, which limited our income even further. I can make a lot more money if/when I leave the government. Our pay raises since 2011 total around 6% while the CPI has risen something like 16%. That will only get worse with the 0% raise we are getting in 2019. Even though I've had two promotions, because of the increased costs of things like health care, my take home pay is virtually identical to what it was in 2011. I wish I had more in the bank. I should have more in the bank. But I don't. I have two kids in college. I drive a car that is paid off and over 100k miles. Every suit I own has a hole in it somewhere. We own one TV and discontinued our landline. We work out in our unfinished basement watching videos on the internet so we dont have to pay a gym membership. In short, we are trying to live within our means. At the same time, every morning I put my gun on my belt, get in my car with my bulletproof vest, medic bag, and crime scene kit to go to work. I'm careful to always say something nice to my family in case that day is the day I don't make it home. Last year I attended the funerals of multiple coworkers killed in the line of duty. Right now things really suck for us. The people who used to remind me "I pay your salary" have suddenly dissapeared. We will get through this. We don't need a hug, a "thank you", or a landlord to let us paint in lieu of rent. We just want to be paid for the work we've done. Another thing we don't need right now - a lecture on financial responsibility. My household has a budget, please direct your lecture to the folks representing you in DC who don't.