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Living the good life - government jobs

This has already been reported but whenever it is, a counter-report comes out that says that it is not so and there are other mitigating factors. Still, HughS at Wizbang quotes the Wall Street Journal. I am thinking that if the WSJ writes about the disparity -- there is something to this story:

Life Is Good On The Government Payroll; Private Industry, Not So Much
The Wall Street Journal opines today on a subject that I believe will be the next big issue to energize voters. Unfortunately for Democrats it strikes at the core of one the party's largest constituencies: public employee payrolls.

It turns out there really is growing inequality in America. It's the 45% premium in pay and benefits that government workers receive over the poor saps who create wealth in the private economy.

And the gap is growing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), from 1998 to 2008 public employee compensation grew by 28.6%, compared with 19.3% for private workers. In the recession year of 2009, with almost no inflation and record budget deficits, more than half the states awarded pay raises to their employees. Even as deficits in state capitals widen and are forcing cuts in services, few politicians are willing to eliminate the pay inequities that enrich the few who wield political power.

These statistics highlight the growing gulf that separates the private sector and the political class. As I've said before, the private sector creates ALL of the wealth in this country. Every dollar spent by federal, state and local governments is created by the private sector. Every dollar.

Hugh's last paragraph bears remembering. Every Dollar. Posted by DaveH at March 26, 2010 11:43 AM | TrackBack