Katherine Kersten: Public sector: An anchor as we sink

Minneapolis Star Tribune ^ | February 13, 2010 | KATHERINE KERSTEN

[rhema]

America is awash in deficit spending. President Obama and his allies in Congress are flooding the economy with funny money, but the average American isn't seeing a dime.

In fact, the average American can barely hold on to his job. In the midst of an outpouring of federal dollars intended to spark job creation, unemployment remains stubbornly stuck at almost 10 percent, with underemployment much higher.

So where is this river of federal money going? The Obama administration's $787 billion "stimulus" dollars seem, in good measure, to have disappeared into a black hole.

But in the midst of our jobless misery, one group of workers is truly getting "stimulated."

That's government employees. The federal government has added almost 9,000 jobs a month, and the federal payroll has spiked a whopping 10.5 percent, since the current recession began in December 2007, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

And guess what? Federal employees are also earning higher wages and benefits than private sector workers do. The average federal worker now earns $71,206, compared with $40,331 in the private sector, according to an analysis by USA Today. "Federal employees making salaries of $100,000 or more jumped from 14 percent to 19 percent of civil servants during the recession's first 18 months," the paper reports -- and that's before overtime pay and bonuses are counted.

While the rest of the economy is reeling, government just keeps expanding. Why?

A major factor is the power of public-sector unions. New data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that, for the first time in history, a majority of American union members -- 52 percent -- now work for the government. James Sherk of the Heritage Foundation points out that "three times more union members now work in the Post Office than in the

[rhema]

Today, U.S. total public debt is 53 percent of GDP and rising. By 2018, some forecasts project it will reach 85 percent of GDP, and by 2038, 200 percent of GDP. In the 10th year of Obama's budget, indications are that interest alone will total almost $1 trillion.

Our elected officials have made clear they won't put the brakes on this looming disaster. Only voters and taxpayers can do that.

[La Lydia]

The Red Star admits that “stimulus” dollars seem, in good measure, to have disappeared into a black hole.” How bad has it got to be that even this Democratic party organ has noticed?

[aberaussie]

bttt

[DugwayDuke]

“Federal employees are also earning higher wages and benefits than private sector workers do.”

A meaningless statement without comparing job skills, education, etc. For example, the average engineer makes more than an average wage.

Conservatives should avoid such comparisons since they rest upon marxist foundations. Should everyone make the average wage?

[GlockThe Vote]

Most Fed Gov jobs are grossly overpaid considering the hours, time off, benefits, pension, etc compared to the private sector even in simliar jobs.

Govt jobs are akin to make work by and large and require taking money from the private sector to fund mostly useless endeavors.

The more govt jobs that are “created” the worse the private sector will get. Its at the federal level, state level, city levels, etc.

[slowhandluke]

Conservatives should avoid such comparisons since they rest upon marxist foundations. Should everyone make the average wage?

Get off your high horse. Everybody makes comparisons, you have to before you can make a decision.

The government employs a wide variety of workers, janitors, teachers, doctors, lawyers and up to rocket scientists. It may not be an exact match to the mix of jobs to those in the private sector, but it's close enough. It's certainly close enough to make your 'marxist' comment irrelevant.

[Cacique]

btt

[WOBBLY BOB]

Study: States must fill $1 trillion pension gap

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35448576/ns/us_news-life

HARRISBURG, Pa. - States may be forced to reduce benefits, raise taxes or slash government services to address a $1 trillion funding shortfall in public sector retirement benefits, according to a new study that warns of even more debilitating costs if immediate action isn’t taken.
Another time bomb waiting to go off.

I’ve been reading this for years.

Gubermint unions are bankrupting our country...it’ s us VS. them (private sector against public)

—nowhere is it more true than CA an NY. They are the models of our pending demise. don’t expect in government to take any serious action .

http://www.pensiontsunami.com/public.php