Biggest Government Ever

In 2008, there were 1.2 million federal government employees (not including military personnel).   Today there are in excess of 2.1 million.  This is the largest federal payroll ever!  Since Obama has taken office, the size of the federal government, in terms of the number of people comprising it's payroll, has almost doubled.  Meanwhile, the private sector is experiencing one of the worst job markets in many decades.

I have no axe to grind with people who work for the federal government.  It is the elected officials - the president, namely - that are the problem.  Every person that is taken from the private sector and placed in government employment reduces the productivity of our country.

Think about it - people who work for the private sector, in doctor's offices, auto factories, bakeries, drycleaners, Wal-Mart, etc., all produce something of value for our country.  They create value and are paid according to how much value they produce.  The more the private sector grows, the more value our country produces.  Increases in private sector employment greatly benefit our economy.

In contrast, when the government employs more people, it is a drag on our economy.  Government workers don't create value in our economy - they process government beauracracy and receive paychecks comprised of tax dollars - money taken out of the economy, from the paychecks of those in the private sector.

When private sector employment drops and government employment increases, it is a recipe for economic ruin.

Chart:  Increase in Number of Federal Government Employees, through 2006