Early Retirement for Injured Federal Employees
We often think in those terms, don’t we? We are “on the verge” of doing something — whether of minor significance, major importance or of negligible impact. All other species of living entities simply act and react; they do not engage in linguistic meanderings by discussing future events of unaccomplished deeds, but simply engage in the act of performance itself. […]
There is self-interest; then, the interest of the third party; or perhaps on behalf of the interests of you, the second person. Whatever the interests involved, for some odd reason, it is the “self-interested party” that raises an ire of suspicion, a pause devolving with a wrinkled eyebrow, a frown or a furtive look of concern. Thus, of the old adage that a person who represents […]
We hear about the various approaches — of “quantitative analysis”; of systems created for a specific outcome-based determination; of numeric, qualitative, cost-benefits balancing, etc.; and all the while, we presume that there is a “methodological” underpinning that girds the analytical viewpoint, thereby systematizing the approach into a coherent consistency in order to limit and restrict human error. […]
We are told from a very early age that we must have one; like winds that carry seasonal warmth and jet streams that bring unseasonable temperatures, we are ingrained to be purposive, teleological and focused upon the goal in mind. Wisdom-filled proverbs echo beyond the history […]
Did we ever have a voice in it? Was there a consensus of voices, a roll call of votes cast, or a participatory democracy in action that allowed for a resolution that resulted in it? Or, as in authoritarian countries (and some would include ours in that category), was there a “Master Planner” who decided that this way we live […]
One often remarks that we live for such days; when energy, motivation, clarity of mind and enthusiasm for life surges through our veins; one’s outlook is positive, the mystery of life is resolved, and no challenge is too onerous to overcome. But then the mundane monotony of repetitive thoughtlessness returns; and life is back to the normalcy of day-to-day living. […]
We like to think in linear prose; that is why, when E. E. Cummings showered the literary world with typographical disarray, a collective groan of discomfort visibly shook the foundations of the art form. In daily life, it is the capacity of seeing a beginning, continuum and conclusion to a segment of a bifurcated visual horizon, which makes for sanity. Closure and a sense of termination allows for satisfaction of an accomplished deed. […]
To whom do we owe our due? What motivates, compels and propels? Is it by way of a sense of indebtedness (a sort of negation attempting to claw back and regain a foothold), or an assertion of one’s rightful ownership of life, land and property? Or perhaps there is a sense of a higher calling, whether by teleological justification, or a whisper of duty? […]
Most things in life require a continuity of care. Yes, projects will often have an inception date, and termination point where, once completed, no further maintenance of effort is required. But other concerns require further and elaborative engagements beyond the linear horizon of attendance, including: teeth, dogs, children, marriages, and Federal Disability Retirement benefits. When a Federal employee or U.S. Postal worker obtains that vaunted and desirable letter of Approval from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, whether the Federal or Postal worker is under FERS, CSRS or CSRS Offset, […]