Federal Workers brace for effect of government shutdown

In Arkansas, National Weather Service meteorologist Dan Koch said he worries about how a shutdown could affect his family, including his two children. He said he'd still report to work for business as usual — but he wouldn't get a paycheck until the shutdown ended. He's putting more into savings to prepare, he said.

"I was actually saving up for a Caribbean cruise, but that money may actually be used to live on. It's certainly more important to make sure we can get the bills paid and provide for our family," he said.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110408/ap_on_re_us/us_spending_showdown_federal_workers

I do feel bad for the Federal workers who will be furloughed if there is a shutdown, however, I am angry at the media coverage this is getting. While these people decide if they should take a Caribbean cruise, at least they know they have a job. If they don't get back-pay when they return, they can collect unemployment insurance. I'm sure the government isn't going to shut down for 99 weeks.

Where is the media to cover the real unemployed Americans, the 99ers who wonder everyday if they can keep a roof over their heads, put food on the table and are constantly rejected for jobs over and over because they are long term unemployed? IMO, this situation is far graver than Federal employees who may be furloughed for a week.

Its too bad everyone can't unite and fight back. Its like the clans in braveheart. Union clan, federal worker clan, unemployed with benefits clan and the bada$$ the 99er clan!

from what I understand the federal workers can collect unemployment - but that will be held up because there will be no personnel available to verify their earnings to the Labor Department which is required to open up a claim. Maybe if the government does shut down, there will be more understanding as to what the 99ers are going thru.