The simple fact that you're more outraged about their pay possibly being held up, (BY THE DEMOCRATS I might add because they won't fund the government without funding the economically suicidal POS that is ObummerCare) than by the fact that the federal government employs that number of people to begin with says volumes.
Do I feel for out people in uniform that are going to get caught up in this, yes, but Look at what's really going on here. They have a chance to completely fund the rest of the govt by taking out one single piece that a LARGE majority of the country doesn't want. Yet they absolutely refuse to do it. And you're mad at Cruz for playing hardball and doing everything he can to make it happen even when it may be a lost cause. You should be mad at the rest of them for not joining him and making a clear stand. They SHOULD force the Dems into pushing it through 100% on their votes and signatures. The Dems are holding the hostage, not Cruz, Should we start giving Terrorists everything they want when they hold people hostage too because it might be painful? It's the same mindset, and it's the same results. You give in, they do it again and again and again. It's because of people like McCain and GOP leadership not having the balls to stand with Cruz that we keep getting fucked over by the Democrats.