Washington's Parasitic Economy

[Chris]

Government, when it grows beyond the necessary evil, is a parasite.

[Peter1469]

Good video.

However, you can't honestly compare federal salaries in DC with the average private sector salary in the US.

[MMC]

Well at least their Unions will be at odds with each other for a bit.....at least until this election is over.

[Chris]

Good video.

However, you can't honestly compare federal salaries in DC with the average private sector salary in the US.

Why, those salaries don't go to generating wealth whereas private sector jobs do. The amounts may not be comparable, effects on the economy are.

[Peter1469]

Why, those salaries don't go to generating wealth whereas private sector jobs do. The amounts may not be comparable, effects on the economy are.

You seem to be rolling two things into one argument. You can claim that salaries for federal employees are a waste of money (regardless of where they work). But you can't say that because the average federal employee in DC makes X% more than the average private sector worker in the US that your comparison has any valid meaning whatsoever. DC has a very high cost of living, and I imagine that the average private sector worker in DC makes more than the average federal worker. Someone must be paying the outrageous real estate prices within the beltway. Your average federal employee can't afford to do so, regardless of claims about their salaries.

[Chris]

You're right. DC makes more for no useful purpose. Cost of living is like pharmaceutical costs, higher where people have more to spend. It's called regional pricing.

I don't think the OP article is about the average fed employee, but the ruling class.

[waltky]

Small businesses still slightly down on economy...

Small businesses remain pessimistic about economy
11/13/12 - Small businesses became slightly optimistic last month, but still remain largely down on the state of the economy, an industry index said Tuesday.

The National Federation of Independent Business’ optimism index ticked up to 93.1 in October, an increase of 0.3 points. But the index also found that small-business owners are as uncertain as they’ve ever been about what the future holds, and Bill Dunkelberg, the federation’s chief economist, said "the index still remains in solidly pessimistic—and recessionary territory."

Small-business owners, like many in Washington, are particularly concerned about the looming “fiscal cliff,” the slew of spending cuts and tax hikes set to go into effect at the beginning of next year. NFIB surveyed owners before November’s election, but Dunkelberg suggested that the results of that election would do little to assuage concerns that a reelected President Obama and Congress can find a solution to the cliff.

“The election is over and Washington looks much like it did on November 5th,” Dunkelberg said in a statement. “The fear of stalemate among the small-business community is palpable, as the looming fiscal cliff and the threat of higher costs and more taxes are very real possibilities come January.” “Until then,” he added, “not knowing the direction of the economy will always have a dampening impact on spending and hiring.”

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