Corrupt Government
See other Corrupt Government Articles
Title: Nation of Takers, Not Makers~more work for govt. than manufacturing, farming, fishing, forestry, mining & utilities combined
Source:
WSJ
URL Source: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB100 ... 4050204576219073867182108.html
Published: Apr 1, 2011
Author: STEPHEN MOORE
Post Date: 2011-04-01 09:06:01 by Happy Quanzaa
Keywords: Obama-doma-ding-dong
Views: 192803
Comments: 226
If you want to understand better why so many states—from New York to Wisconsin to California—are teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, consider this depressing statistic: Today in America there are nearly twice as many people working for the government (22.5 million) than in all of manufacturing (11.5 million). This is an almost exact reversal of the situation in 1960, when there were 15 million workers in manufacturing and 8.7 million collecting a paycheck from the government. It gets worse. More Americans work for the government than work in construction, farming, fishing, forestry, manufacturing, mining and utilities combined. We have moved decisively from a nation of makers to a nation of takers. Nearly half of the $2.2 trillion cost of state and local governments is the $1 trillion-a-year tab for pay and benefits of state and local employees. Is it any wonder that so many states and cities cannot pay their bills? Every state in America today except for two—Indiana and Wisconsin—has more government workers on the payroll than people manufacturing industrial goods. Consider California, which has the highest budget deficit in the history of the states. The not-so Golden State now has an incredible 2.4 million government employees—twice as many as people at work in manufacturing. New Jersey has just under two-and-a-half as many government employees as manufacturers. Florida's ratio is more than 3 to 1. So is New York's. Even Michigan, at one time the auto capital of the world, and Pennsylvania, once the steel capital, have more government bureaucrats than people making things. The leaders in government hiring are Wyoming and New Mexico, which have hired more than six government workers for every manufacturing worker. Now it is certainly true that many states have not typically been home to traditional manufacturing operations. Iowa and Nebraska are farm states, for example. But in those states, there are at least five times more government workers than farmers. West Virginia is the mining capital of the world, yet it has at least three times more government workers than miners. New York is the financial capital of the world—at least for now. That sector employs roughly 670,000 New Yorkers. That's less than half of the state's 1.48 million government employees. Don't expect a reversal of this trend anytime soon. Surveys of college graduates are finding that more and more of our top minds want to work for the government. Why? Because in recent years only government agencies have been hiring, and because the offer of near lifetime security is highly valued in these times of economic turbulence. When 23-year-olds aren't willing to take career risks, we have a real problem on our hands. Sadly, we could end up with a generation of Americans who want to work at the Department of Motor Vehicles. The employment trends described here are explained in part by hugely beneficial productivity improvements in such traditional industries as farming, manufacturing, financial services and telecommunications. These produce far more output per worker than in the past. The typical farmer, for example, is today at least three times more productive than in 1950. Where are the productivity gains in government? Consider a core function of state and local governments: schools. Over the period 1970-2005, school spending per pupil, adjusted for inflation, doubled, while standardized achievement test scores were flat. Over roughly that same time period, public-school employment doubled per student, according to a study by researchers at the University of Washington. That is what economists call negative productivity. But education is an industry where we measure performance backwards: We gauge school performance not by outputs, but by inputs. If quality falls, we say we didn't pay teachers enough or we need smaller class sizes or newer schools. If education had undergone the same productivity revolution that manufacturing has, we would have half as many educators, smaller school budgets, and higher graduation rates and test scores. The same is true of almost all other government services. Mass transit spends more and more every year and yet a much smaller share of Americans use trains and buses today than in past decades. One way that private companies spur productivity is by firing underperforming employees and rewarding excellence. In government employment, tenure for teachers and near lifetime employment for other civil servants shields workers from this basic system of reward and punishment. It is a system that breeds mediocrity, which is what we've gotten. Most reasonable steps to restrain public-sector employment costs are smothered by the unions. Study after study has shown that states and cities could shave 20% to 40% off the cost of many services—fire fighting, public transportation, garbage collection, administrative functions, even prison operations—through competitive contracting to private providers. But unions have blocked many of those efforts. Public employees maintain that they are underpaid relative to equally qualified private-sector workers, yet they are deathly afraid of competitive bidding for government services. President Obama says we have to retool our economy to "win the future." The only way to do that is to grow the economy that makes things, not the sector that takes things.
We've Become a Nation of Takers, Not Makers
More Americans work for the government than in manufacturing, farming, fishing, forestry, mining and utilities combined.
Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
Comments (1-170) not displayed.
.
.
.
#171. To: Godwinson, We The People (#167)
LOL - you mean your imaginary version of capitalism that only ever existed in a text book and not in the real world. Ironic, the term "capitalism" was coined by Marx.
You have the courage to tell the masses what no politician told them: you are inferior and all the improvements in your conditions which you simply take for granted you owe to the efforts of men who are better than you. Ludwig von Mises in a letter to Ayn Rand
Wow, that must be why everyone over 65 in this country dies.
I see you need a set of rules to define things; I prefer to be free to think outside the box.
You have the courage to tell the masses what no politician told them: you are inferior and all the improvements in your conditions which you simply take for granted you owe to the efforts of men who are better than you. Ludwig von Mises in a letter to Ayn Rand
The creator of socialism? Oh, you mean Jesus Christ.
"Keep Your Goddamn Government Hands Off My Medicare!" - Various Tea Party signs.
Wasn't he the one who said teach a man to fish rather than give him a fish?
***Naturally perfect and humble by default.***
lol- that is one of the most uneducated things I have read. Funny- but totally uneducated.
No, it's a Chinese proverb.
You must not read much of your stuff.
Thanks; I got curious after writing that and looked it up on Bing and that was the first hit. Further down was suggestion that Marx was quoted as saying somehting similar but debunked. The one I liked however was: ***Naturally perfect and humble by default.***
Only if you one can charge for the fishing lessons. Why should teachers always be the one's to give away the product of their labor? This is a capitalist nation. Yee Haw!!! Pay up or starve.
"http://first-draft-blog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c5ced53ef0148c7a28c4b970c-320wi"
Feed a man a fish and he eats it; teach a man to fish and he sits in a boat all day drinking beer. The Chinese never came up with that one. That sounds All-American to me.
Wasn't he the one who said teach a man to fish rather than give him a fish? I find it funny Republicans, who advocate offshoring to China mix up Chinese sayings with those of Jesus Christ. Here is what the Lord of hosts had to say: Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Matthew 6:26 Also So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:31-33 Man, Jesus was not into giving stuff away and no mention of toiling away at working at worldy things. I mean Jesus made men walk away from working good paying jobs! And said pay all your taxes without complaint!!!
"Keep Your Goddamn Government Hands Off My Medicare!" - Various Tea Party signs.
Jesus had men who already knew how to fish for a living leave their jobs,,,,,,
"Keep Your Goddamn Government Hands Off My Medicare!" - Various Tea Party signs.
It is an unfortunate truth, but a truth nonetheless, that the Bible is not a book for unbelievers. Until you are born again, the Bible's lessons are not for you. That is why it is completely silly that unbelievers hold the Bible out as an explanation for anything. You may as well cite a speed law in Virgina, in a discussion on the topic of the price of tea in China.
He seems to know it better than you do, dingbat.
I'd mention that Jesus didn't have a bad word to say about slavery either, but I'm not into discussing the Civil War tonight.
"http://first-draft-blog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c5ced53ef0148c7a28c4b970c-320wi"
That makes no sense. How do you become born again if you haven't read the Bible?
"http://first-draft-blog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c5ced53ef0148c7a28c4b970c-320wi"
Thank you. This is why I call her dingbat.
There are plenty of people who are born again, and haven't read the Bible. Being born again happens when a person surrenders to the Holy Spirit. Most people I know are born again- and THEN start to take the Bible seriously. Most people, (in my experience), go to church at some point, or have a friend or family member lead them to Christ , and then confess their sins and ask for the Holy Spirit to lead them out of some painful situation. THEN they are transformed (born again), and then learn about the lessons in the Bible and how to apply those lessons to their life. I can not imagine the lessons make much sense without the Holy Spirit. I became a Christ follower when I was very young, and I didn't really read the Bible until about three years ago. It makes perfect sense to me now- but that is after a lifetime of walking with God ,in my personal life. I teach the Bible to kids- it is very complex. Without seeing those people and stories thru the filter of spiritual re-birth, it is impossible to understand.
Oops.
"Keep Your Goddamn Government Hands Off My Medicare!" - Various Tea Party signs.
Most people, (in my experience), go to church at some point, or have a friend or family member lead them to Christ , and then confess their sins and ask for the Holy Spirit to lead them out of some painful situation. THEN they are transformed (born again), and then learn about the lessons in the Bible and how to apply those lessons to their life. Since being born again is a conscious decision, not something they were born into and learned by osmosis, they are really being ill informed if they haven't read at least the New Testament before making the biggest decision of their lives. I can definitely see why they make good Koch bait.
"http://first-draft-blog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c5ced53ef0148c7a28c4b970c-320wi"
It makes perfect sense to me now- but that is after a lifetime of walking with God ,in my personal life. I suppose your 'personal life' and internet life are separate and one has nothing to do with the other. In your walks with God, did He ever mention Exodus 20, or did it just slip your mind? "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour" I've been watching you start the same rumor mongoring about a friend of ours all over again on this board, you just don't know when to quit. You slander and smear mel_living every chance you get, attempting to build yourself up, while tearing this lady down. You don't know squat about her. She never mentions you, I never mention you when we speak, you are not that important enough to dwell upon, her life is full and rewarding, she stays busy and happy, and here you are talking about this woman like you actually know her. The next time you discuss her, do everyone here a favor, in your accusations and the shit you drop about her, post proof of what you speak of, show these people here you of what you speak...or STFU! Living a Christian life, walking with God and heeding his teachings doesn't end when you sit down at your keyboard! I was raised a Christian too, but that does not make me one, I don't live the way I should, so I don't claim to be something I am not. jmho!
The general knowledge of the Bible permeates our world and our society. Almost everyone knows what the Bible is about. People have a general idea of the teachings, but you were talking about reading the Bible. My answer speaks directly to your statement. It is not necessary to have read the Bible to make a conscious decision to follow the teachings of Christ, and to walk out of the darkness and pain - and into an abundant life of riches and peace. For some people the peace of the Holy Spirit is all they need to know ,to make the choice to learn the deeper mysteries of the Bible. I have seen people transform their lives from crime, substance abuse, violence, rage, greed, illness of all kinds-by accepting Christ. Most of them didn't have a working knowledge of the Bible at the time they surrendered and chose a new life for themselves. That is just how it happens. I am just trying to help you understand.
I don't know much about mel living. I enjoyed her posts when she posted here though. Murron none of us are perfect. We all do wrong. If you ask for forgiveness when you do wrong. And you sincerely believe what Christ taught. I think that makes you a christian.
What about the men who died with Christ on the cross? They didn't read the Bible. What did Jesus say about them?
Mel is a wonderful person, she very active and still doing great things with minutemen project when she has time. DBR has, for several day now, slammed this woman again, hell, her and buck have even dropped attempted murder accusations about her at 4um, and her and buck both stabbed mel in the back again here again, think, yesterday, they just won't let it go. It makes all the difference in the world when you know the person being slandered...
The key word there is false. (False witness is not what you are talking about anyway.) I have never lied. I am good to let God judge my every word and deed. Again, an unbeliever tries to condemn and judge with the Bible ,and it is just silly. Anyway- I stand by everything I have said. I have offered nothing that has been false. You also don't understand gossip. Gossip is a triangulation. I took it all to her first- and I did not get her to cease her stalking or harassment. I am then free to talk about my experiences, where I want to, and with the motivation that my story helps someone else, who finds themselves in the same circumstances. Since my story is true, I am free to warn others of the danger. So yea, anything else?
Oh yeah! One of the reasons mel stopped posting was the stalking, DBR just never gave it a rest, at LP, Sally wouldn't even step in and stop it, mel came here and so did buck and DBR and continued the stalking...you lost a good poster and fantastic lady. I've had my say, so I'll just leave it at that, thank you.
Tell me where Jesus said you should not pay taxes to the govt.....
"Keep Your Goddamn Government Hands Off My Medicare!" - Various Tea Party signs.
See Murron- that post of yours is perfect false testimony and gossip. I never said anything about her murdering anyone- other than I doubted that she murdered anyone. When you lie and attribute something to someone they never said- in order to discredit them in public- THAT is bearing false witness and gossip. Hope that clears that up. :)
Anyone seen mudboy lately?
That is more gossip, slander, and false witness, murron. I like how that worked out. Perfect way to illustrate the lesson.
No I have not seen him in a long time. I hope he is well.
I think a great way for anyone, including adults to learn about the Bible, is to read a children's Bible. It is just so much easier to start there. That is what I did when I really wanted to get into my Bible. I learned children's lessons for a year- first. But there are the A,B,C's of salvation. (Which is offered to every single person) Admit sin in is your life, Believe that Christ,( the son of God), died on the cross, Choose to follow Nothing in there about understanding the Bible, right?
I heard that Mudboy managed to get back on FreeRepublic again. Maybe that's the reason Doug From Upland decided to get back into the song parody business himself (Mainly on YouTube though) I'm thinking about getting back into it too.
But what about Bites?
Or if not bites. How about "Coral Snakes Venom"? That has a nice ring to it.
Sorry but the info I had on FR and Mudboy is wrong unless he is posting under another name. His last post there was in 2005, the year of his banning there.
What? Jesus never said that I should not pay taxes, that I owe, to the US government. He said give God what is God's and Ceaser what is Ceaser's. God doesn't care about money. I am told to store my treasures in Heaven- meaning, money does not feed my spirit and is not eternal. I am told to accept the authority over me, if that authority is placed by God. God cares about obedience, not taxes. Knowing that we can not be perfectly obedient, he gives us salvation- so we can keep trying. He rewards the diligent. Diligently trying.
I'm thinking of giving the "Progressive" donkey award (the replacement for the bites) to Goldi-Lox this week for the rediculous performance she put on at LibertyPost in order to make it a yukon GAYstapo only "progressive" Neo-CON site. and for the blank payee line check Faro bankathon. I think she probably picked up the idea from Jim Rob. He is also having his Faro Bankathon running. By the way some of Goldi's yukon GAYstapo people are here and I'm going to send you a list of them over LFmail soon. I think these SPIES are greatly responsible for the run of bannings that have occured at LP. (By spying on this site, Robin's Site and 4um for anti Goldi and anti El Pee posters that also post at El Pee.
Take heart, there is the fishing pole, and line to buy along with reel, hooks, weights, and tackle box.
You have the courage to tell the masses what no politician told them: you are inferior and all the improvements in your conditions which you simply take for granted you owe to the efforts of men who are better than you. Ludwig von Mises in a letter to Ayn Rand
Comments (212 - 226) not displayed.
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/LatestI prefer capitalism.
#172. To: diva betsy ross (#170)
Only the people who lack even the smallest amounts of courage , are the ones who line up for their "death by government protection".
#173. To: CZ82 (#169)
Libtard rule #11). I don’t want to know the truth, it’s inconvenient....
#174. To: diva betsy ross, Happy Quanzaa, lucysmom, Skip Intro (#170)
Not even the creator of socialism thought it was a really good idea for reality
#175. To: Godwinson (#174)
The creator of socialism? Oh, you mean Jesus Christ.
#176. To: Godwinson (#174)
#177. To: harrowup (#175)
Wasn't he the one who said teach a man to fish rather than give him a fish?
#178. To: diva betsy ross (#176)
lol- that is one of the most uneducated things I have read.
#179. To: Skip Intro (#177)
No, it's a Chinese proverb.
Feed a man a fish and he eats it; teach a man to fish and he sits in a boat all day drinking beer.
#180. To: harrowup (#175)
(Edited)
Wasn't he the one who said teach a man to fish rather than give him a fish?
#181. To: harrowup (#179)
The one I liked however was:
#182. To: harrowup, diva betsy ross, Skip Intro, lucysmom (#175)
The creator of socialism? Oh, you mean Jesus Christ.
#183. To: Rek, harrowup (#180)
Only if you one can charge for the fishing lessons. Why should teachers always be the one's to give away the product of their labor? This is a capitalist nation. Yee Haw!!! Pay up or starve.
#184. To: Godwinson (#182)
(Edited)
#185. To: diva betsy ross (#184)
#186. To: Godwinson (#183)
Jesus had men who already knew how to fish for a living leave their jobs,,,,,,
#187. To: diva betsy ross (#184)
It is an unfortunate truth, but a truth nonetheless, that the Bible is not a book for unbelievers. Until you are born again, the Bible's lessons are not for you.
#188. To: Rek (#187)
That makes no sense. How do you become born again if you haven't read the Bible?
#189. To: Rek (#187)
(Edited)
#190. To: Rek (#186)
I'd mention that Jesus didn't have a bad word to say about slavery either, but I'm not into discussing the Civil War tonight.
#191. To: diva betsy ross (#189)
There are plenty of people who are born again, and haven't read the Bible. Being born again happens when a person surrenders to the Holy Spirit. Most people I know are born again- and THEN start to take the Bible seriously.
#192. To: diva betsy ross, Rek, A K A Stone (#189)
I became a Christ follower when I was very young, and I didn't really read the Bible until about three years ago.
#193. To: Rek (#191)
#194. To: Murron (#192)
#195. To: Rek (#187)
That makes no sense. How do you become born again if you haven't read the Bible?
#196. To: A K A Stone (#194)
#197. To: Murron (#192)
#198. To: A K A Stone (#196)
#199. To: diva betsy ross (#184)
#200. To: Murron (#196)
#201. To: diva betsy ross (#200)
#202. To: Murron (#198)
#203. To: A K A Stone (#201)
#204. To: A K A Stone (#194)
#205. To: A K A Stone (#201)
The Fed EXPOSED!!! The FARO RESERVE BANK!!!
#206. To: Coral Snake (#205)
#207. To: All (#206)
#208. To: A K A Stone (#201)
The Fed EXPOSED!!! The FARO RESERVE BANK!!!
#209. To: Godwinson (#199)
(Edited)
#210. To: A K A Stone (#207)
The Fed EXPOSED!!! The FARO RESERVE BANK!!!
#211. To: Rek (#180)
Only if you one can charge for the fishing lessons. Why should teachers always be the one's to give away the product of their labor? This is a capitalist nation. Yee Haw!!! Pay up or starve.
.
.
.
[Home] [Headlines] [Latest Articles] [Latest Comments] [Post] [Mail] [Sign-in] [Setup] [Help] [Register]