Money Changes Everything

The most recent in a series of increasingly frequent government shutdowns lasted for over a month. Many government workers still showed up for their jobs, but did not receive paychecks. Other employees were furloughed. It was, to put it mildly, a mess. Some folks out there (who apparently lack even a smidgen of empathy within their soul) chided the workers who were vocal about the strain the lack of pay was having on their life, smugly invoking the virtues of saving for a rainy day. The gridlock in our nation's capitol seemed to reach everyone, even if it was just to offer an opinion.

Something else that the government shutdown brought to the fore was a reality often not spoken of about why we have jobs in the first place. Obviously, many jobs exist because of necessity. We need people to fly our planes, to treat us when we're ill, to stock our grocery shelves, to manage our air traffic control, and a host of other things. But, for better or worse, we live in a monetary society and, in order to exist, we need money. For most of us, a job provides us with said funds. However, we often like to skirt such a direct correlation between working and financial reward.

Much of our society has a narrative surrounding employment. We will ask children, 'What do you want to be when you grow up?' Time spent at college isn't just to obtain a degree, but to earn one in a field of study that (hopefully) interests the individual in some way. When we discuss our jobs, we will most likely talk about how they make us feel (sad, contented, frustrated, accomplished, tired, energized, etc.). We may discuss with our friends, family, and peers how our work may impact others, or even society as a whole (depending on the position). Very few people say, 'I would do this for free!,' or, if they do, one wonders how sincere the sentiment would be if a situation of non-compensation actually arose.

On the whole, government employees are dedicated to their work, show up for their jobs, and perform them well. But what the shutdown laid bare is that they're only human. They need to live and, in a pecuniary society such as ours, that requires an income. For most people, that comes in the form of a job. When that job stops rewarding our efforts with pay, things begin to fall apart. That is the elephant in the room in our society.