Labor Dept. Data: Only 1.75 Full-Time Private Sector Workers Per Social Security Reci

[Pete]

Labor Dept. Data: Only 1.75 Full-Time Private Sector Workers Per Social Security Recipient

http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/...rity-recipient

This story covers a number of interesting points about who funds government. It breaks down the private sector and public sector workers. While Yes government workers pay taxes - their whole paycheck is funded by taxes, fees and tariffs the government collects.

"..........According to BLS, there were 111.714 million full-time workers in the United States last year. Of these, 18.073 million worked for local, state or federal government, and 93.641 million worked in the private sector.

The 93.641 million full-time private sector workers last year worked out to 1.75 for each person receiving Social Security benefits.

These 93.641 million full-time private sector workers were the foundation of the tax base that supported both government at large and Social Security in particular..........."

[Hand]

I've heard that the Social Security 'lock box' has long been empty. I've never seen anyone admit to it though. The verbiage taken from the report that this article references states that the current years Social Security income is about 33 billion dollars short of its payments. When the lock box is empty, and the country is running into 40% deficit spending, and the anointed one is looking for funding for his new 'paid for' jobs plan, and the Super Committee is looking for ways to cut 1.3 trillion dollars from the budget by November, where does the 33 billion dollars come?

[PedOncoDoc]

Perhaps someone can help explain this to me. The numbers in the OP state that government workers account for approximately 1/6 of the US workforce (16.2%). This equates to 1 government worker for every 5 non-government workers. Does this seem a bit high/off to others on here?

[Pete]

Originally Posted by PedOncoDoc

Perhaps someone can help explain this to me. The numbers in the OP state that government workers account for approximately 1/6 of the US workforce (16.2%). This equates to 1 government worker for every 5 non-government workers. Does this seem a bit high/off to others on here?

Yes - as I've said before - not everybody can work for the government. Somebody has to be out in the private sector creating a dollar.

[mojaveman]

I often run scenarios through my mind of what it's going to be like in 20 years when I try to collect Social Security and retire.

I keep coming to the conclusion that there isn't going to be any.

[1stindoor]

Originally Posted by Pete

Yes - as I've said before - not everybody can work for the government. Somebody has to be out in the private sector creating a dollar.

Therein lies part of the viscious cycle. While Joe Civilian is working in the private sector, my disposable income is buying his product, which keeps him working and provides for his family....which pays the taxes...which funds my salary...which allows me to buy stuff...etc, etc, etc.

[PedOncoDoc]

I think we're all in agreement that if the numbers are correct that the ratio is way off of where it should be.

I was also asking if people believed the numbers were accurate.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by 1stindoor

Therein lies part of the viscious cycle. While Joe Civilian is working in the private sector, my disposable income is buying his product, which keeps him working and provides for his family....which pays the taxes...which funds my salary...which allows me to buy stuff...etc, etc, etc.

And if 100% of the people worked for the government the tax rate would have to be what to give everyone a paycheck?

[1stindoor]

Originally Posted by PedOncoDoc

I think we're all in agreement that if the numbers are correct that the ratio is way off of where it should be.

I was also asking if people believed the numbers were accurate.

I think if they are including local, state, government, and military it's probably pretty accurate. But to include your local government workers, i.e. trash haulers, police, etc...is misleading. In your local area it's easy to see where your taxes are going and whether or not your locally elected officials are being good stewards. When you factor in state and national level it's a lot harder to see where your money is going and how it's helping or hurting your wallet.

[1stindoor]

Originally Posted by Pete

And if 100% of the people worked for the government the tax rate would have to be what to give everyone a paycheck?

100%...

Did I win? I think instead all tax revenues should just be sent to my house...I'll dole 'em out from there.
1 for you...1 for me
2 for you...and 1, 2 for me
3 for you...and 1, 2, 3 for me

[Pete]

Originally Posted by 1stindoor

100%.......

And that is the difference.

In a nutshell - The private sector creates wealth by taking a $1 item combining it with another $1 item and selling it for $3. The extra $1 is profit to be used to either make more wealth, pay debts or hire new workers.

Government removes money from the private sector and spends it on what government thinks is important. It does not create wealth just moved it around.

There is a need for government services at all level - everybody agrees on that. The debate is on how large government should be.

Taxes can not kill government - but it can kill the private sector.

If taxes get too high and the government workers feel the pinch they give themselves a pay raise and raise taxes to pay for it. So the private sector worker sees no pay raise, his taxes go up and his take home pay get smaller.

Look how well the concept is working for Greece.

[mojaveman]

Originally Posted by Pete

Taxes can not kill government - but it can kill the private sector.

If taxes get too high and the government workers feel the pinch they give themselves a pay raise and raise taxes to pay for it. So the private sector worker sees no pay raise, his taxes go up and his take home pay get smaller.

Look how well the concept is working for Greece.

Kalifornia too...

[greenberetTFS]

Originally Posted by 1stindoor

I think if they are including local, state, government, and military it's probably pretty accurate. But to include your local government workers, i.e. trash haulers, police, etc...is misleading. In your local area it's easy to see where your taxes are going and whether or not your locally elected officials are being good stewards. When you factor in state and national level it's a lot harder to see where your money is going and how it's helping or hurting your wallet.

It's rather funny the first couple of workers that came to mind......

Big Teddy

[GratefulCitizen]

Only two ways this ends.
Shortages, or the private sector workers end up with all the money.

Recipients will be bidding against each other for the limited goods and service provided by the private sector.
The prices will go up, which results in greater compensation to the private sector.

If the government attempts to re-confiscate from the private sector, they will produce less.
This results in shortages.

Money isn't real.
Goods and services are real.

[1stindoor]

Originally Posted by greenberetTFS

It's rather funny the first couple of workers that came to mind......

Big Teddy

Only because I have a city cop living in my area and yesterday I saw the sanitation trucks out and about.