WASHINGTON, Nov. 30 — Federal workers will get a smaller pay raise next month because President Bush is freezing part of the increase, citing a national emergency because of the fight against terrorism. Bush’s decision is yet another blow to the civilian federal work force, which has been the target of sweeping changes in the government bureaucracy.

IN A LETTER sent Friday to congressional leaders, Bush announced he was using his authority to change workers’ pay structure in times of “national emergency or serious economic conditions” to limit raises to 3.1 percent.

Most federal employees also were to receive a second pay hike based on private-sector wages earned in metropolitan areas. But Bush said that increase would be too expensive and “inappropriate” at this time.

“A national emergency has existed since Sept. 11, 2001,” Bush wrote. “Such cost increases would threaten our efforts against terrorism or force deep cuts in discretionary spending or federal employment to stay within budget. Neither outcome is acceptable.”
(Full Text Here (http://www.msnbc.com/news/841467.asp?0dm=C219N))

Good ol' George is up to it again! In order for us to go to war with Iraq we need to make some cuts. In other words we cant afford to pay governement workers. It seems to me that every chance Bush gets to help the economy (Even a little tiny bit) he passes it over. Am I the only one who thinks this?

Also I dont think that a national emergency has existed since Sept. 11. Are people still that afraid? Or is this just a George Bush excuse?