This morning I was reading The Federal Worker page in the newspaper and there were emails from workers about the pay freeze extension for us. What caught my attention was one person's comment:
"I do understand the public's frustration that federal employees with no more than a high school education earned more than their private sector peers (that statistic even frustrates me); however, by freezing pay across the board, we are giving those employees with very little education reasons to stay in service and those with high education levels reaasons to leave."
So I take this to mean that just because I didn't go to college, if I am doing the exact same work as someone who did go to college that I should get paid LESS than him? Just because he went to college that automatically makes him so much smarter than me and worth more than me and he should get paid more than me? Why??? And that because apparently I'm too stupid I couldn't find another job in the private sector if I wanted so thats why I stay in Federal service. I really really resent that. Because even though I didn't go to college, I am NOT a stupid person and actually know quite a lot of things.
I know a few college people who can't spell worth crap and their grammar sucks big time when they write stuff. And their common sense.....what common sense? And they don't appear all that smart either. I can watch Jeopardy and answer some of those obscure questions that might make you wonder how I knew that....much less WHY do I know that. (Which is something I ask Hector because he is really good at Jeopardy and knows a lot of those obscure things.)
Yes I chose not to go to college because, well, I didn't want to. Once I graduated high school I was done with school. But it didn't mean I was done with learning. I have always read a lot, paid attention to things around me, read the paper, watch tv shows that teach things. I may not have sat in a classroom and taken poetry/painting/clay appreciation, but I still figure I'm a pretty rounded person who has different interests and point of views. I may not be able to hold a conversation about physics, but I'm sure we could find a common subject to discuss intellectually.
My point being is I may not be college-educated, but I AM smart. And I know obviously there are many, many college-educated people who are much more intelligent than me. However, if we are doing the exact same job, then we should be paid the exact same thing.
This subject just really pisses me off (can you tell?). And you can bet I have more to say on the subject, but I'll let it go. For now.
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