I just finished my Federal taxes for 2012 .....

[oldhippie]

24. I was a member of the AFGE ....

... although it was a rather strange membership. My job was at a high enough level that I was considered "management." But, because I was also an engineer, I was also represented by the AFGE. I had no choice in the matter. I paid no dues, the union never contacted me, and I had no interaction with it at all, but I was considered "represented" by the union. I never did really figure out how that was supposed to work.

I was under the old Civil Service Retirement System, which the AFGE kept an eye on and made sure they kept up their contacts in Congress. My retirement benefits package didn't change much over the years, so I guess I am happy someone was watching over it.

And no, I am not poor. I grew up in the 60's, and was told that if we worked hard, went to college and learned to do something useful, we could obtain the American Dream. So I worked my way through engineering school, went directly into government service (via the military) and continued studying and improving my skill set. The system worked for me.