W C Augustine
Atlas Rising
President Obama recently committed what was widely described as a gaffe when he said “the private sector is doing fine”.
Gaffes can range from a strategic error of judgment to an inadvertent slip of the tongue (57 states). However, when he continued his statement urging congress to send more federal aid to boost state and local government hiring, the alleged gaffe fit the context of the narrative.
Additionally, his remarks fit sediments he has previously expressed:
From “Dreams of My Father” his description of his brief private sector employment as “like a spy behind enemy lines.”
The President and first lady’s frequent extolling of the value of public service careers at commencement addresses.
According to the census bureau in 2010 the numbers of government workers in various sectors were:
Federal (civilian) employees – 3,007,938
State Employees – 4,377,777
Local Employees – 12,203,840
Total non-military Public Employees – 19,589,555
Analysis of federal data finds Federal employees earn higher average salaries than private-sector workers in more than eight out of 10 occupations. Average compensation of workers in different sectors in 2009 before many private sector workers had their wages cut:
Without doubt, teachers, police, etc are instrumental in a civilized society; many government workers are dedicated, hard-working employees. But when one attends a family dinner is not the one who pays the bill important?
What is the public employee burden on private sector employees? How many private sector workers does it take to support a government employee?
FEDERAL EMPLOYEE
$123,049
Total Compensation – includes 81,258 Salary and 41,791 benefits*
$13,194
FED TAX – one dependant , std deduction, married filing separately
$2,040
STATE TAX – Assumption – 3% of Taxable income
$3,000
PROPERTY TAX – Estimated tax on 1/2 of home
$2,800
SALES TAX – 7% on 40,000 taxable spending
$21,034
Total Reimbursement to government
$102,015
Net Cost of FEDERAL GOVERNMENT employee
*****
STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT WORKER
$69,913
INCOME – includes 53,056 salary and 16,857 benefits*
$10,444
FED TAX – one dependant , std deduction, married filing separately
$1,710
STATE TAX – Assumption 3% of Taxable income
$2,500
PROPERTY TAX – Estimated tax on 1/2 of home
$2,450
SALES TAX – 7% on 35,000 taxable spending
$17,104
Total Reimbursement to government
$52,809
Net Cost of STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT employee
*****
PRIVATE SECTOR WORKER
$61,051
INCOME – includes 50,462 salary or wages and 10,589 benefits*
$8,194
FED TAX – one dependant , std deduction, married filing separately
$1,440
STATE TAX – Assumption 3% of Taxable income
$2,000
PROPERTY TAX – Estimated tax on 1/2 of home
$2,100
SALES TAX – 7% on 30,000 taxable spending
$8,194
WORKER CONTRIBUTION TO FEDERAL EMPLOYEES
$5,540
WORKER CONTRIBUTION TO STATE AND LOCAL EMPLOYEES
$13,734
TOTAL CONTRIBUTION TO GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES
*Source: USA Today
Number of Private workers needed to support one federal public employee:
$102,015 /$8,194 equals
12.45 workers
Number of Private workers need to support one state or local public employee:
$52,809 / $5,540 equals
9.53 workers
Given that the private sector pays the bill for the existence of the public sector, if the President’s priority is improvement of the economy, it would seem allowing the bill payers to prosper would take precedence.
Have a fulfilling and profitable day,
W. C. (Bill) Augustine
A unique insight into what could happen if man responded to his duty, Atlas Rising portrays a world where, amid a stifled life, the contrast of hope shines even brighter. Discover the difference one man can make in W. C. Augustine’s eye-opening novel, Atlas Rising.
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