A pandering “bottom up…middle out” pay bump for federal employees celebrated by President Joe Biden was panned as a “slap in the face to ordinary Americans” heading into an election year.

With the swipe of a pen Thursday, the president delivered an early Christmas present to federal workers even larger than the year before in the form of a 5.2% taxpayer-funded raise. While sycophants celebrated the highest increase of its kind since 1980, as in around the last time inflation was soaring, realists doused cold water on the move.

Following the signing of the executive order on adjustments of certain rates of pay, the social media account Biden’s Wins had taken to X on Monday to laud the president’s commitment to his historically devastating ‘build back better’ spiel.

“BREAKING: President Biden just enacted a historic 5.2% pay raise for federal workers. This is the largest pay raise since 1980. This is another example of President Biden’s commitment to building an economy from the bottom up and middle out,” the account touted.

BREAKING: President Biden just enacted a historic 5.2% pay raise for federal workers. This is the largest pay raise since 1980. This is another example of President Biden’s commitment to building an economy from the bottom up and middle out.

— Biden’s Wins (@BidensWins) December 25, 2023

The government’s business news daily, Government Executive, noted that the bump that averaged 5.2%, 0.6% higher than last year, was second only to President Jimmy Carter’s 9.1% raise at the end of his administration, “which itself marked a 20-year high,” and would go into effect with the first full pay period of the new year.

Social media users were ready to add even more clarity as they broke down how taking money from producers straining to make ends meet to give to others, falling short of meeting the cost of living increase and calling it a raise, hardly constituted a victory.

“This isn’t a ‘win,'” wrote one user, calling out the account’s name. “The rest of the US workers — who PAY federal workers salaries — didn’t get 5.2% raises. Many got no raise at all — and were lucky if they kept their jobs.”

Another simply asked, “How is using the federal government to increase wages for its own workers with our tax dollars building from the bottom up?”

This isn’t a “win”.

The rest of the US workers – who PAY federal workers salaries – didn’t get 5.2% raises. Many got no raise at all – and were lucky if they kept their jobs.

— Morgana Le Faye *Patriot *America 1st* (@Keltic_Witch) December 25, 2023

How is using the federal government to increase wages for its own workers with our tax dollars building from the bottom up?

— C. Lane (@mr__blonde_) December 25, 2023

This is a slap in the face to ordinary Americans who work in private business.

The pension system for government workers is far worse. https://t.co/7vjZQZktv5

— FugitiveMama (@fugitivemama) December 26, 2023

Like the promises of loan debt bailouts from Biden that came in closer proximity to the midterm elections, the pay raises precede the 2024 presidential election primaries, for which the incumbent faces challengers in author Marianne Williamson and Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips.

Though not expected to lose the nomination to either, the president’s tanked favorability rating was itself in need of a boost and X users described the raise as “Another term…pandering for votes.”

Another is crooked

— Billy Collins (@collins_bi82952) December 26, 2023

The bribery is strong with this administration.

— Element Green (@ElementGreen1) December 26, 2023

Does anyone else notice that he is literally and legally buying votes?

Military pay increase. Workers pay increase. Hidden fee removal. Education loan discharges. Not even touching commuting sentences and giving rights to illegals.

While these may be all very nice things, he…

— Daniel (@MiamiFarmer) December 25, 2023

“Imagine pumping trillions of dollars into the economy to prop it up..driving up inflation, and then giving federal employees a raise less than the inflation you cause.. then tell them they got a raise lol,” a Texas Senate Republican candidate described on Christmas. “Thanks?!?”

Others pinpointed what would actually provide a boon for the economy, and that would be to slash the majority of the federal government.

Imagine pumping trillions of dollars into the economy to prop it up..driving up inflation, and then giving federal employees a raise less than the inflation you caused..then tell them they got a raise lol. Thanks?!?

— Cody Clark (@ClarkforNTexas) December 25, 2023

at least two thirds should be fired

— Rudolph Troha ️‍ (@RudolphTroha) December 25, 2023

Imagine thinking a pay raise for the federal bureaucrats builds the economy.

— Anodyne (@seanzy25255) December 26, 2023

Live look at the American taxpayer: https://t.co/cLld4ppCci pic.twitter.com/1D08T7G1zR

— From the Land of Sky Blue Waters (@HammsLager) December 26, 2023

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Kevin Haggerty

Staff Writer

Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn't researching current events and their impacts, you'll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.

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