An Important Petition–Please Read

On By Mike U.In Uncategorized

Hey, folks. Something a bit different this time. A petition was brought to my attention tonight by my good buddy Jeff, a retired RN who spent more than twenty-five years in the Public Health Service serving this country. Due to the ongoing reckless and irresponsible republican shutdown of our government here in the US, Jeff and other retired (and current active duty) officers in the PHS and NOAA may be denied their hard-earned pensions and pay. Here’s what the petition has to say:

“Thousands of retired officers from the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Commissioned Officer Corps may not be paid at the end of October — not because they didn’t earn it, but because they don’t have the same pay protections as retirees from the armed services. These retired officers have served alongside those in the armed services. They’ve flown through hurricanes and fought pandemics. They’ve deployed across the globe for missions vital to our national security, and we’ve rewarded them with uncertainty and unfair treatment. All entities of the federal government – lawmakers in both chambers, as well as stakeholders in the executive branch – must ensure retirees of all eight uniformed services receive their service-earned retirement pay during the shutdown.” – Military Officers Association of America

Recently, the Senate voted on a bill that would have paid some federal workers during the shutdown, but not all, and that bill failed. Why? Here’s an excerpt from a statement by Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Delaware): “Democrats proposed two alternatives that would pay all federal employees, not just those the Trump administration deems worthy. It was no surprise that it was shot down by Republicans.”

Please join me in signing this petition on behalf of my friend Jeff–who dedicated his professional career to helping save lives—and his fellow brothers and sisters in the PHS and NOAA, both active and retired. They deserve honor and respect for their selfless service. Let’s make sure they’re treated fairly.

Here’s the link:

https://moaa.quorum.us/campaign/145079/

(You needn’t be a member of the military to sign; this petition is open to US citizens only.)

33 thoughts on “An Important Petition–Please Read”

  1. That is crazy and unfair. I signed it of course and I shared it on my Facebook. I should say I had an issue with the petition at first. The auto-fill-in would not fill in my city and state and I got an unspecified error. It took me a few seconds to realize what was missing. Then I filled it in and it worked.

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    1. Thank you, Thomas. I had a similar issue while attempting to fill in my street address. Took a few tries until the system recognized it. I appreciate your signing and sharing this petition, and I know my friend Jeff appreciates it as well. It’s very kind of you. 😊

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    1. Thanks so much, Beth. You’re right, of course–every day, a new horror, it seems. I admire you so much for taking a stand on behalf of these people and others who are in the crosshairs of this brutal regime.

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  4. There are going to be tons more of petitions. What’s going on is going to seep down into the cracks of many programs and funds that hundreds of thousands of people rely on.

    *Sighs*

    Thank you for sharing this, Mike. I hate that you even have to.

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    1. Thanks, trE. It’s beyond frustrating to see so many people suffering, and for what? So the wealthy can become even more filthy rich? I’m one of those people who will lose a lot (if not most or all) of the programs that keep me alive as I’m on disability and I’m directly affected. Every day for the past nine years I’ve dutifully signed petitions daily (sometimes dozens) and fired off emails to my senators and my congressional representative and various organizations. Given my situation, there’s not a lot I can do as far as activism, but I do all I can not only for myself but for all the other folks who are suffering. My friend Jeff spent decades serving this country, saving lives, but none of that matters to the current regime.

      Thanks for your kindness, trE. We’re all in this together and I hope to see the light again.

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      1. You’re most welcome. My mother is going to be directly affected because of the reductions to SNAP and Medicaid, which means… I’ll have to look out for her more financially than I already do. Just thinking about that is bringing about stress and anxiety I do not want, but… I’ll be damned if I let my mom go hungry or miss out on medical care.

        I’ve been preparing for this, picking up extra hours at work when I can and praying like a madwoman. My brothers won’t be able to help, they still ask me for money when they’re in a bind, so… it’ll be on me; the eldest, to deal with it all.

        I am about to sign this petition. Again, thank you for sharing. 🙏🏽💜

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    1. Thanks so much, Robbie. So many awful things are taking place over here in the States–it’s a daily horror show. I hope this petition makes a difference, as well as all the other petitions circulating currently. We have lost our way and I don’t know if we’ll ever find it again.

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    1. Hi, Liz. Yes, to sign petitions on the MOAA site requires a sign-up, but it’s free. It just makes it possible for your info (name, address) to appear on the various petitions available on the site, and to match your info up with your state’s senators and your district’s congressional representative. Your info is then saved in case you wish to peruse and sign other petitions and emails on the site. 😊

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    2. Thank you so much, Liz. Every bit helps, for sure. Here in Colorado, my two Democratic Senators Mike Bennet and John Hickenlooper are fighting for us, but alas, my 3rd District “representative” Jeff Hurd is full-blown maga, won’t respond to emails and refuses to hold town hall meetings to answer to his constituents. So, two out of three ain’t bad, I suppose (to quote Meat Loaf). 😊

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    1. Hey, Russ. Thanks so much for signing on. Every signature helps, for sure, and I know Jeff will certainly appreciate the support. What’s happening now in our government is an absolute travesty and it’s affecting so many of us. Thank you for caring, good sir. Very much appreciated.

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  8. This is despicable and I must say that as of Nov. 1, according to Politico SNAP benefits will cease and this affects the poorest of the poor. We already know that rural airports are slowing down and will likely eventually be shut down. Retired military who are still working in the federal government are no longer working and on Furlough. They are also not getting paid. Prices for Obama Care with Sky Rocket and Air Traffic Controllers are working without pay. Another very dangerous job.

    They are trying to make the Democrats look badly but if we give in now, we will be hurting long time programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Most people don’t own their homes but live in debt already and take away their Medicare and SSI. According to reports in 2025, 25 percent of Americans have no savings at all, and the rest have enough to live for three months without their income.

    I have signed so many petitions and every time I do, I must admit that I wonder if it is just another way to get an addition contribution. We have given so much already to try and make a difference. I applaud you for standing up for your friend and it is criminal that they are threatening his pension along with so many other federal employees.

    This all coming at a time when Kristi Noem, Head of HomeLand Security got not one but two private jets – cost 200 million dollars. Trump’s ballroom will cost a newly estimated 300 million dollars. (of course this will all be donated by him at private donations)

    Medical research that was doing so much good, much of which has been stopped, rural hospitals – many will be shut – and not paying the military, for those who don’t know – new recruits do not make a lot of money and if they have a family (the military already has food banks and places for assistance for these folks) to help them survive until they get some rank.

    Thank you Mike for speaking up for your friend. He is lucky to have such a good friend and to all those people at there, including our military who are working without pay, along with all the federal employees, I say a heartfelt gratitude and sadness both.

    Nurses work hard and believe me they definitely deserve their pensions. Big hugs and blessings to all those who continue to struggle through and make these terrible injustices soon be lifted.

    Big hugs and lots of fall colors coming your way from VA.

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    1. Thanks, Joni. You’re correct on all counts. This stupid “shock and awe” terror campaign being waged by the fascist GOP and maga cult is intended to destroy hope and sweep the vulnerable away (“culling the herd” has always been the GOP mantra). Democrats must NOT cave in to these political terrorists. Too much is at stake, not only for America, but for the world at large. I don’t know how all of this will play out, but if we give up, capitulate and otherwise surrender to these seditionists and traitors, all will be lost, and not just here at home.

      My buddy Jeff deserves better. I’ve known him for nearly forty years. He worked his tail off saving lives and was deployed all over the country several times during various catastrophes. He and others in the PHS, NOAA and other organizations deserve respect, but respect isn’t part of the fascist playbook.

      Sometimes I find myself so angry I feel like I’m going to explode. I’m just one insignificant person in a nation of 342 million and I’m powerless against these fascists. I do what I can and hope my two Democratic Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper will continue to fight for us; my fascist 3rd district congressman Jeff Hurd is totally worthless.

      I’m exhausted, Joni. I think most of us are at this point, but we can’t quit now. What the good, decent people in this country choose to do at this point in time will determine the future of America and even the world. May we all make the right choices and send these fascists scurrying like the filthy rats they are.

      (Just waiting now for some RWer to come along and accuse me of “projection” or “hysterical whining” again.) 🙄

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    1. Thank you, Diana. You’re right, of course–cruelty is the whole point of the nihilist GOP cult (yeah, I refuse to mince words or sugar-coat the truth). I hope the petition at least raises awareness, but with these seditionists in charge of everything at the moment, it’s unlikely to make much of a difference. I’ve gotta try, though, right? We all must keep trying.

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    1. Thanks, Linda. It’s most definitely cruel how republicans have leveraged the starvation of 42 million Americans (including 20 million children) and stolen healthcare away from more than 17 million (I’m among that group) in order to score political points with their rancid base. This is without question the most corrupt, scandalous and evil administration in America history, and it’ll get much worse before it gets better. The damage the GOP and its monstrous leader has inflicted will take decades to reverse (and much of it is irreversible). The worst part? 77 million Americans voted for this–chose this–knowing full well what kind of crime syndicate this current administration is, and another 90 million people didn’t bother to vote at all. It’s both mind-boggling and terrifying. There will be so much death in the coming years here and abroad because of trump and his cult.

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      1. In Australia voting is compulsory … you don’t get to sit it out (I’m actually confused why you would) … it makes me very sad that there are literally millions of people that want to pull others down rather than help lift others up … it makes me nervous for the future 😔

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  11. I’m so sorry for your friend, Mike! I Hopeful my brother wi be ok. He’s been homeless but finally is staying somewhere for a bit. For how long I don’t know. I keep signing these because it’s so vital but I can’t get through email because the just keep coming now. I’ll head there! It’s all so maddening! 💕🙏

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