tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6897233608659313746.post1161719290105596979..comments2023-10-10T11:23:10.438-04:00Comments on Diplopundit: Since you enjoy your jobs so much, Congress wants you to take a pay cut ....Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6897233608659313746.post-2245190650512552322011-02-28T22:11:12.121-05:002011-02-28T22:11:12.121-05:00I've quoted you and linked to you here: http:...I've quoted you and linked to you here: http://consul-at-arms2.blogspot.com/2011/02/re-since-you-enjoy-your-job-so-much.htmlConsul-At-Armshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04391037582103556978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6897233608659313746.post-26382176315555480192011-02-25T00:13:50.684-05:002011-02-25T00:13:50.684-05:00@Dakota - Thanks for the note. Passing the hat for...@Dakota - Thanks for the note. Passing the hat for an official function - that just is not right. All that money pouring into AFG and there's no money for official visitors' snacks! <br /><br />But even if not doom and gloom, as you say -- at least no one at the State Dept has "psyoped" any congressional delegation. <br /><br />You take care! Still enjoy reading your blog!Domani Sperohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11874984274770314689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6897233608659313746.post-46292015768956280512011-02-24T23:37:12.994-05:002011-02-24T23:37:12.994-05:00Thanks Jen. I personally think that blogs should t...Thanks Jen. I personally think that blogs should tell the FS life story in vivid, true colors. The American public and a good number of members in Congress have no idea what life is like overseas, what sacrifices people make, what trade offs, how they work, etc. etc. The FS is a victim of its own reputation despite the fact that rich guys have long abandoned their careers in diplomacy unless they are pol donors, and almost everyone in the service are middle class Americans -- the public continues to believe that this is a small, exclusive and elitist institution. And State has never been particularly good at telling the real FS story. A happy talk mag and happy talk blog ... well, those only give an unrealistic perception.Domani Sperohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11874984274770314689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6897233608659313746.post-22954199124868236282011-02-24T23:26:39.398-05:002011-02-24T23:26:39.398-05:00There have been instances in the past at the U.S. ...There have been instances in the past at the U.S. Consulate in Herat, Afghanistan, that they've had to pass the hat and have everyone cough up a few bucks to pay for tea and snacks for consulate functions. Even at my PRT, I was told that the traditional Iftar/breaking of the fast meal that I hosted for my Afghan counterparts -- a dinner for over 70 people, 52 of whom were Afghans -- might not get fully reimbursed, as I spent 492 dollars instead of the allotted 400. We as a service are already completely cash-strapped and have to scrape (often out of our own pockets) to make up for it; to add a pay cut on top of that is really adding insult to injury.<br /><br />(State did ultimately cough up the extra money for the Iftar, so maybe it's not all doom and gloom).Dakotahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09167541474708521646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6897233608659313746.post-28891727690039365252011-02-24T15:36:46.894-05:002011-02-24T15:36:46.894-05:00I was employed on the local economy in Iceland. I...I was employed on the local economy in Iceland. I was the first spouse to attempt to work locally and it took 6 months to get a work permit. I then had to willingly fork over about 50% of my pay to the Icelandic tax authorities and the retirement fund. Would I do it all over again for the experience? In a heartbeat, but in no way was I raking it in.<br /><br />With regard to the COLA, it is yanked and/or minimized the minute the exchange rate is remotely in one's favor. Then it takes months of paperwork to return it to where it should be and meanwhile one is expected to just eke it out. <br /><br />I wouldn't trade our experiences for the world, but let's be realistic, this is not an attempt to become wealthy...it's an attempt for our entire family to serve our country. Why should we be shortchanged when we are just asking for equitable treatment?Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14545024934754374573noreply@blogger.com