Government Employment At Lowest Level Since 1968

[mikekohr]

?

More than 680,000 Federal, State and Local government jobs have been eliminated since 2009, the biggest 3 year decline on record. If these jobs still existed it would lower the unemployment rate by 1%.

But take a closer look at the two steepest increases in government employment since 1968. Those "fat times" occurred during the early 1970's (Nixon) and the 1980's (Reagan and Bush I). Isn't it precious that Republicans paint Democrats as the party of big government and big spending?

http://bureaucountydems.blogspot.com/2012/08/government-employment-at-lowest-level.html

[elleng]

1. Funny! I got my Fed job (D.C.) in '78,

under Carter, and his deregulation, airlines etc. I did railroads, and big deregulatory legislation signed in 1980. Then came reagan.

My agency 'sunset' in '96, resulting in numerous of my colleagues (including me) to lose our Fed government jobs.

Thanks for opportunity to do a little history!

[LiberalFighter]

2. Now if it was compared to the population it would be even more substantial.

[LiberalFighter]

3. I'm hoping it was mostly Republicans that decided to leave.

[elleng]

4. It was non-denominational;

got us all.

[Cato987]

5. Overall employment has increased.

[link:http://www.opm.gov/feddata/historicaltables/totalgovernmentsince1962.asp|

[DURHAM D]

7. Thank you for that out-dated chart.

Do you work at the institute?

[mikekohr]

8. No. It hasn't. And not even by the chart that you supplied

The original post is ALL government sector jobs, Federal, State and local. Your chart is Federal only, but is handy because it backs up my original post in that the greatest government employment occurred under Nixon and Reagan. Thanks.
Say hello to the Koch Brothers for me.

[Comrade_McKenzie]

6. And with the DHS still intact, that's frightening. nt