I remember reading something, somewhere from one of the founding fathers about the original intent of legislators to NOT be a political class. To serve a term or two and go home so that people from outside could contribute and people inside didn't get too jaded. Though maybe I'm adding a lot of subtext. Is there anything from any of the FF's on this that rings a bell? Do you have a quote or two?
posted by rileyray3000
on May 10, 2013 -
3 answers
I'm seeing reporting that bothers me that my state tax authority is targeting artists for auditing based on what sounds like some specious assertions regarding whether their business models and expenses are appropriate. I realized I don't know what I should do to formally protest these actions.
[more inside]
posted by Luke Skywalker
on Apr 30, 2013 -
10 answers
I am a US citizen living and working overseas until mid-2015. I want to figure out how to make it permanent. Difficulty: I am a federal employee in a sensitive position, and so I can't just pull chocks and do the same work for somebody else. How do I solve this in the next two years?
[more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Apr 9, 2013 -
12 answers
My wife and I are both graduate students living on about $30k a year in southeastern Pennsylvania. We're about to turn 26 and will be losing our health insurance coverage through our parents. Does the state of Pennsylvania or the government offer any sort of subsidies or vouchers to help us purchase our own insurance?
[more inside]
posted by Aanidaani
on Mar 30, 2013 -
13 answers
I recently accepted an offer for a spot in a full time MPP program from a very decent, non-Ivy school. My funding (per an assistantship or researcher position) reduces the total tuition to approximately $3000, and the program provides an allowance for an unpaid or poorly paid summer internship. I have enough money saved to avoid going into debt if I work part time. I want to offset the opportunity costs of two years outside of work by making myself as employable as possible.
[more inside]
posted by pinterecki
on Mar 10, 2013 -
6 answers
How much money is the US government losing, and how much revenues are US exporters losing, due to the US government assessing import custom duties at FOB value instead of landed (CIF) value like the rest of the world does?
[more inside]
posted by Dansaman
on Feb 27, 2013 -
0 answers
I have accepted a job through a contractor and start next week. I have just been sent the SF85P-S and SF85P to fill out and bring with me the first day of my job. I am freaking out. I figure if it was a super huge deal and not just a formality, they would have had me fill out this stuff a while back, right? I had no idea I would be filling this out or that the job was a federal agency, I thought it was just for the state, like civil service.
[more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Feb 20, 2013 -
6 answers
I am in a career ladder position in the Federal government. I'm approaching the end of my first year on the job. I have heard from colleagues/friends in government, that going up to the next GS-level in the ladder is almost automatic (requires sign-off from supervisor). Is this true? How do I request this increase from my supervisor? Also, can you help me find documents online which show that one is eligible to go up a grade after one year?
[more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Feb 8, 2013 -
10 answers
What are best practices for navigating an employment situation that maybe is heading in the direction of filing a complaint with an EEO commission?
[more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Jan 23, 2013 -
5 answers
My state, like many, has referendum on our ballot requesting permission to borrow money. Where does the money come from?
[more inside]
posted by Librarygeek
on Oct 28, 2012 -
10 answers
Got a Government research contract - now everybody needs to start tracking their time with some kind of DCAA compliant time card system. We're a small 10 person start-up and there's a bewildering range of people and companies offering time tracking solutions. So I'm seeking the hive mind's experience. Should I just use a paper time-cards? If so, where can I find a good template or sample? Should I go with a software or web-based solution? We only have one contract and it encompasses almost everything we do so there's not a lot of complexity tracking multiple proposals. Our business is not to be a government contractor - this project is more in the line of a small business incubator grant.
posted by Long Way To Go
on Sep 27, 2012 -
5 answers
Does being treated for anxiety disorder pose a threat to the career of a mid-level Treasury employee?
[more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Aug 19, 2012 -
8 answers
Why is Amtrak not profitable despite massive subsidies? And just how environmentally friendly is Amtrak?
[more inside]
posted by bluelight
on Aug 6, 2012 -
64 answers
Has anyone been hired by a US government agency under the Schedule A Hiring Authority?
[more inside]
posted by daninnj
on Jun 21, 2012 -
2 answers
Please Help Naming a Blog: I work for a government agency that helps other agencies (state and local) with records management issues and public records law. We've been instructed to start a Records Management Blog and are trying to think of a title for the blog.
[more inside]
posted by marxchivist
on Jun 5, 2012 -
15 answers
Which other countries (if any) have a specific, famous office for their heads of government, comparable to the Oval Office for the President of the United States?
[more inside]
posted by aurelian
on May 2, 2012 -
8 answers
How do investment banks, specifically initial public offerings, affect government policy and vice versa?
posted by espada0
on Apr 16, 2012 -
4 answers
How do I obtain newer Foreign Service Institute language learning coursework and education materials?
[more inside]
posted by andendau
on Mar 31, 2012 -
3 answers
What are the main foreign policy problems facing Obama and his administration right now?
posted by espada0
on Mar 6, 2012 -
24 answers
When did the US Government (State/Federal) begin making laws, and or giving benefits to married couples?
[more inside]
posted by SteveFlamingo
on Feb 7, 2012 -
15 answers
In 2010 or 2011 US congress passed some legislation which resulted in a reduction of unemployment benefits. For example, My 2 week unemployment check went from $520 to $476. What was the legislation?
posted by Charlie Lesoine
on Feb 6, 2012 -
7 answers
What large scale, generally peaceful and non-space related projects would be as fun to read about as the Apollo space program? Specific details are below the fold.
[more inside]
posted by Brandon Blatcher
on Feb 1, 2012 -
34 answers
How did the U.S. House of Representatives pass the payroll tax cut extension yesterday when hardly any members were present?
[more inside]
posted by Tin Man
on Dec 24, 2011 -
11 answers
When a drug company is trying to get the FDA to approve a new drug, my understanding is that they have to demonstrate that it's clinically effective and not acutely toxic for a finite period of time (weeks or months). But how long?
[more inside]
posted by toomuchkatherine
on Dec 15, 2011 -
11 answers
Do externalities (political or economic) necessarily constitute a market failure and thereby justify government intervention?
posted by espada0
on Dec 12, 2011 -
12 answers
An aquaintance of mine works for a defense contractor company as has a fairly high security clearance. They also have a serious drinking problem and have admitted that they are an alcoholic. However, they are afraid to go for treatment because they are concerned that they will lose their security clearance as a result.
[more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Nov 30, 2011 -
25 answers
Here is one requiring some detailed knowledge of social security benefits. How many ex-spouses can I make eligible for spousal benefits?
[more inside]
posted by megatherium
on Nov 5, 2011 -
4 answers
I'm curious about careers in financial-sector regulation. What kind of advanced education would help me get work with the U.S. Department of Justice, the FDIC, the SEC, or a state regulator? Is it better to focus on states (which ones?) or the federal government for this kind of stuff? Do some universities graduate more people into this kind of work than others? What kind of dues paying is required before the work gets interesting? What should I consider as I weigh either pursuing legal or finance training?
[more inside]
posted by croutonsupafreak
on Nov 3, 2011 -
14 answers
My organization has 193 Twitter accounts we'd like to organize in lists on our flagship account. I want to copy-and-paste in a flat text list of Twitter handles (one on each line) and then click a button to make a list containing all of those accounts. How can I do this?
posted by Hammerikaner
on Oct 21, 2011 -
2 answers
Anyone have experience with remotely applying to jobs with the State of Oregon? Can it be done and how did you do it?
[more inside]
posted by bobbyno
on Sep 26, 2011 -
1 answer
Where can I find the latest figures and in-depth reports on annual U.S. government subsidies?
[more inside]
posted by glaucon
on Sep 16, 2011 -
4 answers
I'm a young geologist considering long-term career options and life directions. Please tell me about your experiences (as a geologist) in grad school, industry, or government/regulation. Or your experiences working in video/photography, as that is an alternative career path I'm considering.
[more inside]
posted by Strudel
on Sep 11, 2011 -
9 answers
As I watch the outpouring of emotion and this week long remembrance of the Twin Towers tragedy, I can’t help but think that this is a well planned marketing campaign of some sort, rather than, a spontaneous reaction to the anniversary of the event. Do any of our readers have information that would indicate that there is some sort of master plan?
[more inside]
posted by Old Timer
on Sep 10, 2011 -
38 answers
I'm interviewing for a job with the Federal government that is far below the qualifications I have. What to do if I get an offer?
[more inside]
posted by reenum
on Aug 24, 2011 -
25 answers
What is the best way to find out whether publications by a US state, county, or city agency are copyrighted?
[more inside]
posted by kristi
on Jul 28, 2011 -
3 answers
I'm looking for research or advocacy groups that are critical of governments that hire consulting firms such as KPMG for budgetary advice or auditing purposes. Other than The Yes Men, please ;)
[more inside]
posted by copystar
on Jul 28, 2011 -
2 answers
