Washington DC-area workers have had the pleasure of getting a considerable raise. The 2018 Locality Adjustment Rate for the DC locality is 28.22%. This is a raise that goes far beyond what anyone in the rest of the country would even hope for. The paytable makes no sense when it’s compared to every other locality in the United States. It’s hard to explain to the American public that it’s fair when it’s not.
There’s inflation around the world and yet the United States is facing another small pay increase. The average pay increase is 3 percent, which includes the 2 percent inflation rate. The real wage increase, for many, however, is only 1 percent. That’s down from 2017’s rate of 1.9 percent.
It’s Not Fair
Most people hear about the rates but don’t understand. The government isn’t looking to offer explanations, either. Those who are working for the government, in Washington DC, get a 28.22% increase. They won’t see an inflation rate to match that increase, which means that they get an increase that increases their salary dramatically. When it’s 28% more than what other people in the United States are getting, it’s hard to justify.
The Government Deficit
The government deficit is growing and much of it is because of stupid decisions and greed. Congress receives salary increases higher than anyone else. They have no problem placing the military on a furlough when the government shuts down, yet they continue to collect their check.
People shouldn’t get a raise just because they are living in Washington DC. It’s a poor use of money when the U.S. government is already in a considerable deficit.
The average congressman earns a paycheck of $174,000 per year.
Now, what if that same congressman was moved out of Washington DC?
Their salary would be less because they’re not being paid the 28.22% locality adjustment rate for Washington DC. They could be relocated to some of the lower cost of living cities in the United States, such as Phoenix, Arizona or Durham, North Carolina. It could reduce the spending on congressmen by 25 percent.
Moving branches of government out of Washington DC, too, could make an impact on the deficit. The largest branches include the Department of Defense at 611,658, the Department of Justice at 103,479, and the Department of the Treasury at 101,146.
Even if the average government employee earned $50,000, the 28% increase would be a $14,000 increase PER person Calculate this by the 100,000 people who are in Washington DC and you have a cost of $1.4 billion.
Where does the government get off spending an added $1.4 billion in a single department when we’re in a deficit? We’re already spending more than the income brought in by the government.
By moving all of the government department headquarters to other parts of the country, it could end up saving half a trillion dollars. Suddenly, there’s no more deficit.
There are a lot of reasons to move the departments, too. The Department of Agriculture should be located closer to the farmlands. The Treasury should be closer to the financial district of New York City. The Department of Homeland Security should be located closer to the center of the country.
Those moves would result in substantial government savings, too. With a raise to those just because they live in Washington DC, the government chose to spend money it doesn’t technically have. Combine that with the cost of real estate and more – it just doesn’t make fiscal sense.
As an American, you should be outraged at how money is being spent. Trump is putting an end to mindless spending but not everyone feels the same way. It’s all about draining the swamp so that the Capitol District starts using hard facts instead of wallets to make decisions.
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