Who's Looking Out for Federal Employees

"The President’s FY2017 budget request seeks $3,865,000 in appropriations for expenditures for former Presidents, an increase of $588,000 (17.9%) from the FY2016 appropriation level."

I'm not saying this because he is trying to squeeze one in before he leaves, but look at other pay increases along with this budget. Government employees didn't get a 17.9% pay raise. In fact, they haven't had a significant pay raise in a long time. In Dec 2015, he issued an executive order for a 1.3% pay raise for Federal Employees. REALLY! Oh, and 2014 and 2015 pay raises were 1%.

What is inflation right now? About 1.5% in the last 4 years (2015 was actually -0.09 though).  It's currently 1.37%. That means the government employee raise doesn't even cover current inflation rate. And what about the rise in the cost of health care? That was a little over 6% this past year. And according to the Milliman's index, prescription drug prices were expected to increase by 13.6%. Mortgage rates are down, but rental prices are through the roof.

The Federal Times said "the last time federal employees received a pay raise above 3% was in 2009 when the feds got a 3.9 percent pay raise." Keep in mind, this did immediately follow "several years of pay freezes".

So, the President himself knows the pains of "cost of living" and has adjusted his pay accordingly. But what about those who keep the country running? Who's looking out for them?

If they are thinking about shutting down essential organizations to save a dollar or two, start at the top. Does he really need the money? With the consulting fees charged by past President's and their wives, they don't even need the lifetime President's pension let alone more of it.