Randy Cassingham's Blog

Posted by Darren, Michigan on January 20, 2008:

One comment said: "3 step kids, a dead beat father who is obviously not supporting them financially, a 17 month old baby and he has ANOTHER one on the way?" Instead of a financial
planning class, I suggest he invest in a vasectomy AND a tubal ligation.

Posted by rewinn from Seattle on January 20, 2008:

Like they say on Sesame Street: "Everyone makes mistakes, so why can't you?"

"Bill" made a mistake. Too many of us (and I include myself in "us" ;-) find it too hard to admit it. Thanks Bill and Randy for providing an exception!

Posted by Cheryl, Pennsylvania on January 20, 2008:

I just read the post begging for a free subscription. How sick is that? If you can't afford something be happy with what you have in life it makes the hard times go by so much smoother. I work three jobs go to school and have a husband hurt at work the last 12 years, we just get by. We want, we save; try it.

Posted by Christa / Tulsa, OK on January 21, 2008:

I Certainly can understand the situation Bill is in. We have 5 children (all our own though, so no "dead beat dad" to blame our poverty on). My husband works hard, and earns us a good salary, but when divided between a family of 7, even $49,000 doesn't quite make it (we still qualify for Government assistance programs), so I began working this year at my children's school in the lunch room a few hours a week while they are in school. Now we have a little bit to have a date night now and then, we can take the kids to McD's once a week, maybe even a movie the kids are dying to see. And I don't have to flinch when pushing the final button the calculator after paying the bills.

I have been a premium subscriber in the past and Loved it! AS much as I love premium True though, my kids take priority, 3 are special needs, and require more of our time and resources than average, and it happened that even when I could sacrifice a new pair of sneakers to pay for the premium edition, I found that the time I had available to read it was limited, sometimes not being able to read an issue for 2-3 weeks, so I reluctantly canceled. I have been telling myself that when we get our tax refund this year I may splurge on a new subscription . . .but then I think . . . is it a wise use of our limited resources for something I may not have time for? And well, for the TRUE answer, it is no, at least not for now. I can still enjoy my free True subscription, and am so Happy that Randy makes it available!

So Bill, have patience. All things come to those who wait, even TRUE things!

Posted by Mariano, Buenos Aires, Argentina on January 30, 2008:

Here in Argentina, senior college graduates work for U$S 13K/15K a year; that's the reason why we can't upgrade ... But I can't imagine myself begging for a Premium subscription ... We can't afford it. Period. That's life outside the US. Thanks for the free subscription!

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You're very welcome. I do have quite a few Premium subscribers outside the U.S., especially now that the dollar is weak. But yes, I do understand that things are very different in many places, and US$24 can be quite a bit of money. -rc

Posted by Mary, Redlands, CA on February 15, 2008:

I read all the comments, including Bill's.

He did have guts to respond. I know that I am on a limited income due to an injury at work. I got some of the medical care paid for, but was denied a work related retirement. So, I live on SSI, less than $10K a year and know what it is to have to sacrifice. I am ever so thankful that I have a place to live with a friend and for the generosity of others around me who are friends! Without them, I don't know what I would be doing.

I know people who work for the IRS. It is NOT an easy job. First of all, most people don't like you because you are doing an audit - their job! My one friend was especially stressed out because of a vindictive, mean spirited supervisor. We don't know what "Bill's" circumstances are. I doubt he goes to Starbucks either.

I have heard many comments that that $50K is a lot, with 5 children, I don't think it is that much. It would be tough to rear 5 kids on that, even if you got help. I know in our County, many employees earn so little, they qualify for Medi-Cal and food stamps. It is a constant issue when negotiations comes up.

This hit a chord with me because I was the oldest of 8 and although in my younger years things went well for my father in his business, by the time I was a teenager, things weren't going so well. We had 8 kids and that is a lot of mouths to feed. There were no extras. Due to the financial strains, there was physical abuse at times, for all of us. (I used to be a Social Worker for Children's Services and saw this often.)

Anyway, let's not be so hard on this guy because we don't know all the circumstances. And, even if you think that government employees make a "lot" of money, we are usually paid less than the general public, have some benefits - which seem to lessen with each negotiation and have to deal with the public, which isn't always so kind.

I wish you well Bill.

Posted by Barbara in Utah on February 29, 2008:

Somehow I managed to overlook this little gem of controversy until tonight. As to the wrongness or rightness of the situation, well that's been hashed out pretty well. Bill made some really naive mistakes, and I was less impressed at his nerve (or courage) than I was at how many rules and regulations he violated.

Using government email account for personal purposes is dumb because there's an unmistakable trail leading right to you. Requesting a consideration with a monetary value is pretty much soliciting a bribe and I cannot believe Bill put it writing. I can think of several ways his email could be construed and not in good ways. When you have a Federal job doing anything remotely associated with money, you are being monitored; bet on it. I would not be at all surprised if Bill winds up facing disciplinary action. Federal government agencies are cracking down because taxpayers are outraged at employees on the government payroll doing frivolous non-work stuff on the clock. This particular situation has gone public. As we speak I suspect Bill is walking around with a target painted on his butt. Automation technology is growing exponentially and Big Brother is alive and watching on any number of levels, especially in the workplace. This is doubly true for the Federal workplace.

As I was thinking about the ways Bill erred, I realized I was being a touch hypocritical and thought I'd share it because there's so little humor in this thread.

Sometimes it's okay to ask for freebies and that's at trade shows. Sharing my opinion as a veteran freebie collector and goodie grabber, the best ones are military trade shows. The folks who sell that sort of merchandise want to be remembered so they plaster logos on great stuff and hand it out. Information technology shows are usually pretty good, but anything doing with medicine has great stuff. Dental trade show goodies tend to play a lot on humor. Medical Insurance shows are only good when you're headed into Open Season. Always hit the booths staffed by office supply companies. You can score big points if you share the wealth when you get back to the office.

Posted by Mekhong Kurt, Bangkok, Thailand on March 2, 2008:

I just now read the cogent observations made by Andrew from Scotland and thought I'd reply.

To apologize for lack of clarity -- unforgivable for a long-time teacher of fiction writing AND a long-time online columnist! Andrew, like Randy, I used the military as an example -- though I utterly failed in making that point clear. Heck, I didn't even imply it.

You're completely right. The list of people who serve their countries is a long one indeed, and most of the time, at least in the U.S. -- and right here in Thailand, for that matter -- are underpaid, overworked, and off most people's radars.

I live on the ground floor of my building, and the front of my apartment is actually all glass and faces into the interior, where there's a small car park. Every two or three days the garbage collectors come. But they face two problems. First, the garbage truck is too big to get closer than about 50 meters to where the garbage is stored. Second, even if the truck could drive right in, there isn't a dumpster the truck's lift can get -- we don't have one. We have a "garbage room," literally, a room with a split door; you open the top and toss in your garbage.

Of course, that means the garbage guys have to walk in, with bags, sack the trash up, then drag the bags out to the truck. And I can absolutely guarantee you they get miserable pay -- and no respect. (Just wait until they organize and go on strike!)

I'd faint were I to learn any of them can read English -- but if they do, and if they wanted a premium subscription, I'd consider sponsoring them just as quickly as I would a military person serving on the front lines. They're worthy of every bit as much respect and human dignity as the troops are.

Thanks for pointing out my idiocy. And a salute to you for having served in the military.

Posted by Walter, Hialeah Florida on April 13, 2008:

I don't know if this is old for an answer but it is directed to Bill, the government worker. I am a retired GS7 government worker who has raised 7 children with no mother and I never asked for something free. If you check I even sent a check for a free subscription for a serviceman but could not find one. BTW what is the cost for the entire "This is True". Blog and premium.

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This blog is free. Premium TRUE is $24 per year.