Here's a New Oxymoron for You

A "paid volunteer." Ever hear of one? It's a new one to me. However, this is part of the Stimulus Bill that is being debated in the Senate.

Sounds like a "have your cake and eat it, too" situation.

Seriously, how can you be such a person? Either you volunteer or you are employed.

If you're a volunteer, you are a non-compensated (except maybe some reimbursable expenses or mileage), non-employee. You can't be fired, and you can't be compelled to do anything. If you don't like the way you're being treated, you can quit. That's it.

If you're an employee, you are hired and abide by the rules, policies, and regulations of your employer - and you are paid by the hour, by salary, or by commission.

The only thing I can think of here (and I haven't read the bill nor am I interested in reading it) is that the government considers it a wise use of taxpayer money to bribe people to be volunteers by paying them as a non-employee.

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