Largest-ever Federal Payroll to Hit 2.15 Million
While layoffs are hitting the private sector and even city, county and state employees hard, it appears that not only are federal employees exempt, but they are growing at a record pace. Why do we need people doing dumb stuff like making cars and appliances or or working in fields like accounting and marketing while we can have more government employees doing what they don’t do?
But, remember federal employees have it tough:
- Average $71k salary compared to $41k in the private sector
- Virtually no layoffs or cuts in salary and benefits
- Generous retirement benefits
- Holidays that private sector employees don’t get
- Save your unused vacation and sick leave for a big cash bonus
Being a federal employee is a dirty, rotten, thankless job, but someone has to do it; apparently lots of someones:
The era of big government has returned with a vengeance, in the form of the largest federal work force in modern history.
The Obama administration says the government will grow to 2.15 million employees this year, topping 2 million for the first time since President Clinton declared that “the era of big government is over” and joined forces with a Republican-led Congress in the 1990s to pare back the federal work force.
Most of the increases are on the civilian side, which will grow by 153,000 workers, to 1.43 million people, in fiscal 2010.
The expansion could provide more ammunition to those arguing that the government is trying to do too much under President Obama.
Hat tip: Washington Times
[1]
It’s all going to come crashing down sooner or later, hopefully sooner. Nothing, absolutely nothing, about government is sustainable these days.
[2]
Is there a government job where I can download J Haze vids all day???
[3]
Is there a government job where I can download J Haze vids all day???
Probably easier to ask if there is a government job where you can’t download such videos all day.
[4]
Interesting development: Chicago Sheriff tells deputies not to help in foreclosures
Will we start seeing more of this?
[5]
3. good one
[6]
rebel.
[7]
In many ways the election of 2010 and 2012 will not be about the candidates as much as it is a battle between private enterprise and public enterprise. The US cannot remain this rob peter to pay paul where paul makes more than peter. That is an unsustainable platform economically. Many voters are making that connection and they don’t like what they see in the public sector.
[8]
burn it to the ground.
[9]
2 – Err.. Sorry I filed the application first and I have more experience
I have applied for a obama stash funded “research” grant related to this activity as well. I have not heard back yet.
[10]
“That is an unsustainable platform economically.”
–
That’s the nice way of putting it.
“Many voters are making that connection and they don’t like what they see in the public sector.”
—
Some are, but will enough be willing to take a little hit personally to support a real and actual course correction. I fear not.
[11]
This 65+ & dependent crowd who’s pissed at Obama over HC will equally turn against the gop when we start talking about turning off the dependency treadmill.
[12]
KH – for the older americans, HC reform needs to be phased in. Gets the protection the elderly need, lets those younger prepare and brings some fiscal sanity to the situation.
[13]
Some are, but will enough be willing to take a little hit personally to support a real and actual course correction. I fear not. — KH
True enough as it now stands. But a little water cooler talk can wise a lot of people up –
“I don’t think we pay the dog catcher too much.”
“Oh really? He’s making $33.25 an hour. He does not have to worry about layoffs as he has a union. He will retire with a pension that retains 90% of his current income for life. You are paying his salary. You make how much Frank?”
You personalize it and the blinders come off quickly.
[14]
After over 25 years in the private sector I went to work for the federal government 4 years ago. I was a little shocked that it was even worse than I every imagined. Obviously I had never experienced an administration change and maybe if I had I would have been better prepared for the last 12 months. However, what I have witnessed with this change leaves me dumbfounded and ashamed.
[15]
If the government would give me back my money plus interest I would opt out of the SS system in a heart beat. I have no dreams of not working in some capacity till much later in life. The work will just be more fun and won’t be punching a clock. A reason to get up in the morning keeps ya young.
[16]
This 65+ & dependent crowd who’s pissed at Obama over HC will equally turn against the gop when we start talking about turning off the dependency treadmill.
Sadly, very true. It will keep going until it finally comes crashing down under its own weight.
[17]
drdog09 -
No can do. Your SS “investment” has been used for other purposes.
[18]
15 – Same… frankly I’d take just the principal (letting them keep the ‘interest’ to put toward the transition) and agree to do it .
[19]
Can’t link the AP story, but this is obviously Bush’s fault as well: Tough economy spurs shift to cheaper liquor
[20]
There was time frame where a transition to privatization would have worked and only been moderately painful (having to print an extra 2 Trillion for transition with minmal cuts and most > 50 getting current deal those < 40 getting roughly 1/2 what they paid in so far) Cato had a decent plan for this.. if done in 2000-2004 time frame the numbers roughtly worked… every year there after it would get progressively more painful to do though. All that was before trillion dollar deficits were the 'norm' (today) so now I can only imagine the amount of "pain" that will be need to undo the ponzi scheme. There was no will to do it then, think there is political will to do it now…lololololololol
[21]
gotta run I’ll check in later.
[22]
BC,
I know that. But still.
We have the Ft. Worth Stock Show going this week. My wife is an exhibitor. She introduced me to a retired couple down the lane from her. They are in their 70’s. Get this — they sell prepackaged unique mixes for soups and casseroles. They don’t sell anything over $7. They gross about $750/day. Their booth is always busy. Work about 25 shows a year traveling around in their RV. Everything is a business expense almost. What a gig.
[23]
As someone here says-Rut Roh Another untouchable Dem is within reach???
Is Patty Murray Vulnerable?
Posted by Sean Trende —-Real Clear Politics
The latest numbers from the Republican polling firm Moore Information indicate that, like Evan Bayh and Russ Feingold, Senator Patty Murray could be vulnerable if the GOP can find the right challenger. Against two-time gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi, Murray trails 45%-43%.
In 2006, Republicans tried desperately to get Rossi to challenge Maria Cantwell who, like Murray, consistently has tepid support in the Evergreen State. Rossi declined these overtures, citing family concerns, and he didn’t sound to thrilled about making the race in 2010. Still, the larger question is whether Murray’s weakness is only found against a top-tier candidate like Rossi, or whether it extends to second- and third-tier candidates, as is the case with Blanche Lincoln.
[24]
drdog -
If you’re cleaver, you can make a buck regardless of the economy. My primary client is in NJ and most of his business is in NYC. Detroit printers are virtually selling just above cost just to stay alive. I can buy printing at least 30% lower than NYC using non-union printers in the Detroit area. He bills us as the India of marketing (except we’re on the same time and speak the same language – well almost).
[25]
The ditch carp socialists will never “privatize” soc.sec. as it is their ultimate game plan to “nationalize” private retirement plans, in order to save the ponzi scheme . (for awhile)
Trying to extract 9lbs of shit from a 7 lb. sack will ultimately destroy the best laid plans of the doctrinaire collectivists.
[26]
Sorta like Obama – A 10 gallon job trying to be done by a two-pint politician. Just don’t fit.
[27]
All Hat No Cattle
[28]
Sarah Palin cited this very article in her Facebook post today.
http://governorpalin4president.blogspot.com/2010/02/sarah-palin-on-obamas-disaster-freedom.html
Great minds think alike. It’s just a shame Sarah doesn’t have my hot looks and charisma.
[29]
COUGH, COUGH, COUGH!
[30]
Did anyone post this yet?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35203304/ns/business-stocks_and_economy/
Unemployment rises in most metro areas
19 metro areas, 12 in California, report jobless rates of at least 15 percent
[31]
So who are these “economists” that predict +5,000 jobs w/ 10.1% come Friday?
I would like to meet them! LOL
[32]
TLS,
There are a couple of metro areas in CA at 30% unemployment.
[33]
TLS…this Friday they will post the new unemployment numbers. If they are manipulated again it will all too apparent! EVERY major Metro area is experiencing massive unemployment…except D.C. of course.
[34]
i think Friday will be 10.4 (or at least SHOULD be unless it is manipulated down)
[35]
just,
I think the reported number is going to be big time BS. Like+75,000 and 9.6% or something like that
The real number will be around -100,000 and 10.5% though
[36]
I thought it was interesting that this article comes today with Jan numbers coming out on Friday. Notice all the excuses for these Dec numbers like metro unemployment is not seasonally adjusted? huh? If they went up, they went up.
[37]
Like this:
The unemployment rate rose in 306 of 372 metro areas, the Labor Department said Tuesday. The rate fell in 41 and was unchanged in 25. That’s worse than November, when the rate fell in 170 areas, rose in only 154 and was unchanged in 48.
The metro employment numbers aren’t seasonally adjusted and can be volatile. Many of the increases were due to seasonal factors.
[38]
BC,
Shipping costs eat the margin any? Or are the printers eating that cost too for the business?
[39]
With the tax assumptions in Obama’s budget, there is not too much to be cheery about, and business men and women are not stupid. You will see more contraction in the private sector, with jobs added only in the public sector. Small business is going to hunker down and weather this marxist storm.
Zero will also never see 5 – 6% economic growth as is assumed in his budget. To get that, he would have to add 3 million jobs by the end of the year.
Ain’t gonna happen.
Ain’t gonna happen.
Ain’t gonna happen.
+40 in the House, and +6 in the Senate is beginning to look like the floor.