Goods Producing vs. Government Payrolls

[katoa]

For the first time ever, government employees now outnumber workers who produce goods. When you consider how much of the service economy (not shown on the chart) is indirectly related to government (the entire tax-preparation industry, for example), this becomes even more staggering.




As the dollar begins its inevitable decline (if not crash) because of our unsustainable debt, we won't have many goods to export, regardless of the currency differentials. It takes years to rebuild a manufacturing base, and even then, imported raw goods and materials will skyrocket in price. For a long time, we'll really only have cheap labor to export. Prepare for significant decreases in standard of living in the years ahead.



Edit: Found this as well - it is not just the number of jobs (and this data doesn't include Pension benefits, which are significant):

Data from Cato Institute comparing Federal Pay Vs Private shows federal pay and benefits in 2008 of $119,982 vs. $59,909 private industry. Twice as high! And, the gap is widening fast. A decade ago, the average federal civilian employee earned 66% more in wages and benefits than the average private taxpayer. Today, it is double. In 2009 Federal Government budget for wages is up 3%, while private employees are losing their jobs and pay is being reduced. And, state and local town employees are paid about 35% more than private taxpayers.

Edit 2: US News and World Report in its Nov 9/09 issue reported that 58% of the US population is dependent on government for major parts of their income.