- George Washington

$106,579 dollars a year compensation. Is that the compensation of an experienced CPA, a Chemical Engineer, maybe a Computer Scientist or Physicist? No, that's the "average" compensation earned by a federal civilian worker. How does that figure compare with the ones who pay it--taxpayers? It is exactly double the amount, private sector workers make.

Is this the way things should be? Who votes such favorable salaries to these recipients? Your elected representatives, of course.

The Cato Institute's Chris Edwards tracks government compensation, and he finds that in 1950 the average federal bureaucrat received $1.19 for every dollar that a private employee earned. By 1990 that ratio had risen to $1.51, it is now --$2, for every dollar earned by a private employee.

In 2005 federal wages rose 5.8% compared to 3.3% in the private sector. Federal pay has risen by 38%, from 2000-2005, two and one half times the 15% pay increase in private pay. While it's true, that many federal jobs, call for above average skills, the rewards are still proportionately higher than in the private sector. Federal workers are virtually guaranteed a lifetime job no matter what the economy is doing.

And how much skill, competency and dedication is demanded by superiors? 1 of every 5000 employees is fired for cause each year. And, believe it or not--public-employee unions (a very powerful force in America) continue to say their members are underpaid.

What were George Washington's words about government "a dangerous servant and a fearful master"? These Unions want the Federal Aristocracy to grow ever more powerful. Mr. Edwards related the following:

"One federal manager recently told us of an administrative assistant who missed work "about half the time" thanks to an assortment of ailments, sick children and funerals for a mother who died on three separate occasions. When the agency heads finally fired her, they were slapped with an anti-discrimination lawsuit and the half-time worker pulling down a full-time salary was reinstated."

Wealth is created in the private sector. There is no direct wealth created by government or government workers. So do we in the private sector, want to say, "we are hiring you and paying your salary, so you deserve more compensation than we do. Not just more compensation, twice as much."

There are 93 million workers who at the end of each year pay a "net" tax. If the Federal Aristocracy was paid the same as private sector workers each of the 93 million workers could have their taxes reduced by an average of $1100.00.

And momentum for higher wages and benefits for the Federal Aristocracy is growing. One of the biggest challenges facing the nation is bringing the federal government under control. We need to start finding 25 year olds to run for the House of Representatives, who will accept smaller salaries, reduce congressional staffs, bring pensions in line with the private sector and deal with lobbyists in a way to benefit constituents. They should also set a goal of reducing federal spending as a percentage of GDP over the next 5 years by a realistic, but bold amount.

Study Of Federal Civilian Workers