The Unknown

Have you ever been in a state of total unknown dad? That is where I am today. At least until midnight tonight or when a decision is made in the government. I am a federal employee that works for a sub agency of the USDA. An agency that will be shut down tonight at midnight if the Congress and Administration can not work out a deal. In one way I want the truth and what is right to be brought out through this dilemma even if it mean a shutdown of the government. On the other hand, I must admit that I like my job and just want them to agree.

Prior to this “new” way of working, people would actually sit down and review a budget of departments and see where money was being wasted or where it was be put to good use. Similar to what you and I do on a monthly basis. If you spend $25 on socks this month, you surely would not do it next month and for the rest of the year just because you did this month. You would review the budget for the month and remove that line item or expense and reallocate the money to another need. That is what is needed in our government now. People that will sit down and review what is being spent and if it is being spent useful. However, this would cause a shutdown of the government till a proper review could be done.

Over the past 5 or more years this government has functioned on what they call a continuing resolution so things would continue to move or be funded. In a continuing resolution we don’t account for the money and watch it be thrown out to all programs and agencies that are working well and those that are defunct and should be removed. This would allow my job to continue along without a hitch, but it is wrong. I know of areas in the government where money is wasted and people are hired for favors. The favors are returned with more promises and favors and a nasty cycle begins again. The only problem with the cycle is that it is out of control now and is falling apart. Our nations credit rating is falling, our standing as a superpower is falling and our leadership on both sides is falling.

There are other issues that are being fought against in this battle of government control, however this is the main area of the yearly continuing resolution. So, with that, I am waiting to wake up in the morning and see if I have an email that states that I can go home and enjoy a furlough of undetermined length. I have been told that it should not last more than 30 days however. That will be a good time for this dad to get even more involved in the homeschooling of my kids and teach them about budgeting, saving, and being a bit more appreciative of what we have. So I sign off to you today in the total unknown and put my trust in God for tomorrow. Something that we should do each and every day, but becomes even more important when our life is shook up as it hits close to home. Maybe this is God shaking me up for things to come.