Jul 01, 2011
Growing up, some children have imaginary friends. Today, many politicians seem to live in a world of imaginary workers.
Or at least they think they're imaginary: To most people, school teachers, police officers, librarians and other public servants are very real. The public sees them every day, and knows that the majority work hard, care about what they do, and bring a paycheck home to their families.
But today, many Republicans -- and some Democrats, too -- say these workers aren't "real;" indeed, in their world, nobody who works in the public sector has a "real job."
This week, Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) told viewers of Glenn Beck's TV show that "Government doesn't create any jobs," which is news to anyone on the public payroll (like Perry's staff). In North Carolina, state Republicans recently responded to charges that their deep budget cuts would result in layoffs for nearly 30,000 employees by arguing those weren't "real jobs."
The idea that public sector work isn't "real" has been central to the attack on state budgets and government spending in general. Last year, then-House Minority Whip Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA) said that President Obama's stimulus plan proved that "obviously, government spending money doesn't create jobs."
Rep. Cantor should tell that to his follow Virginia Rep. Scott Rigell (R). Rep. Rigell -- who earlier this year was one of the "Lucky 13" Republicans honored at a fundraiser hosted by defense contractors -- is fighting to keep a government-backed nuclear submarine project in his home district, in large part because it would create 6,000 jobs.
Indeed, as New York Times columnist Paul Krugman has pointed out, about 75% of the growth in federal government jobs in 2008 came in defense, homeland security and veteran's affairs. Does that government backing make them any less "real?"
If the claim seems ideologically flawed, it's also empirically wrong. During the Great Depression, when private investment had seized up, the Works Progress Administration put 8 million people to work making buildings, roads, dams and schools -- all quite real, and many used to this very day.
If the argument is that public spending somehow crowds out private investment, the evidence doesn't support that, either.
A recent analysis by the Center for American Progress Action Fund found that states which have cut their budgets the most since 2007 have suffered worse economic performance than states where budgets have increased.
This wasn't just public jobs: Overall, cuts in state budgets also correlated with less private sector jobs. Here's a chart from the study:
The short version: In the 25 states where spending increased between 2007 and 2010, there was, on average, a .2 percent decrease in unemployment, a 1.4 percent increase in private employment, and .5 percent increase in real economic growth since the recession started.
On the other hand, the 24 states that slashed their budgets saw unemployment rise by 1 percent, a 2.1 percent decline in private employment, and 2.9 percent contraction of the economy compared to the national average.
It seems the idea that government spending can't create jobs -- public or private -- is, well, imaginary.
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
© 2023 Institute for Southern Studies
Chris Kromm
Chris Kromm is Executive Director of Facing South and Publisher of Southern Exposure at the Institute for Southern Studies.
Growing up, some children have imaginary friends. Today, many politicians seem to live in a world of imaginary workers.
Or at least they think they're imaginary: To most people, school teachers, police officers, librarians and other public servants are very real. The public sees them every day, and knows that the majority work hard, care about what they do, and bring a paycheck home to their families.
But today, many Republicans -- and some Democrats, too -- say these workers aren't "real;" indeed, in their world, nobody who works in the public sector has a "real job."
This week, Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) told viewers of Glenn Beck's TV show that "Government doesn't create any jobs," which is news to anyone on the public payroll (like Perry's staff). In North Carolina, state Republicans recently responded to charges that their deep budget cuts would result in layoffs for nearly 30,000 employees by arguing those weren't "real jobs."
The idea that public sector work isn't "real" has been central to the attack on state budgets and government spending in general. Last year, then-House Minority Whip Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA) said that President Obama's stimulus plan proved that "obviously, government spending money doesn't create jobs."
Rep. Cantor should tell that to his follow Virginia Rep. Scott Rigell (R). Rep. Rigell -- who earlier this year was one of the "Lucky 13" Republicans honored at a fundraiser hosted by defense contractors -- is fighting to keep a government-backed nuclear submarine project in his home district, in large part because it would create 6,000 jobs.
Indeed, as New York Times columnist Paul Krugman has pointed out, about 75% of the growth in federal government jobs in 2008 came in defense, homeland security and veteran's affairs. Does that government backing make them any less "real?"
If the claim seems ideologically flawed, it's also empirically wrong. During the Great Depression, when private investment had seized up, the Works Progress Administration put 8 million people to work making buildings, roads, dams and schools -- all quite real, and many used to this very day.
If the argument is that public spending somehow crowds out private investment, the evidence doesn't support that, either.
A recent analysis by the Center for American Progress Action Fund found that states which have cut their budgets the most since 2007 have suffered worse economic performance than states where budgets have increased.
This wasn't just public jobs: Overall, cuts in state budgets also correlated with less private sector jobs. Here's a chart from the study:
The short version: In the 25 states where spending increased between 2007 and 2010, there was, on average, a .2 percent decrease in unemployment, a 1.4 percent increase in private employment, and .5 percent increase in real economic growth since the recession started.
On the other hand, the 24 states that slashed their budgets saw unemployment rise by 1 percent, a 2.1 percent decline in private employment, and 2.9 percent contraction of the economy compared to the national average.
It seems the idea that government spending can't create jobs -- public or private -- is, well, imaginary.
Chris Kromm
Chris Kromm is Executive Director of Facing South and Publisher of Southern Exposure at the Institute for Southern Studies.
Growing up, some children have imaginary friends. Today, many politicians seem to live in a world of imaginary workers.
Or at least they think they're imaginary: To most people, school teachers, police officers, librarians and other public servants are very real. The public sees them every day, and knows that the majority work hard, care about what they do, and bring a paycheck home to their families.
But today, many Republicans -- and some Democrats, too -- say these workers aren't "real;" indeed, in their world, nobody who works in the public sector has a "real job."
This week, Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) told viewers of Glenn Beck's TV show that "Government doesn't create any jobs," which is news to anyone on the public payroll (like Perry's staff). In North Carolina, state Republicans recently responded to charges that their deep budget cuts would result in layoffs for nearly 30,000 employees by arguing those weren't "real jobs."
The idea that public sector work isn't "real" has been central to the attack on state budgets and government spending in general. Last year, then-House Minority Whip Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA) said that President Obama's stimulus plan proved that "obviously, government spending money doesn't create jobs."
Rep. Cantor should tell that to his follow Virginia Rep. Scott Rigell (R). Rep. Rigell -- who earlier this year was one of the "Lucky 13" Republicans honored at a fundraiser hosted by defense contractors -- is fighting to keep a government-backed nuclear submarine project in his home district, in large part because it would create 6,000 jobs.
Indeed, as New York Times columnist Paul Krugman has pointed out, about 75% of the growth in federal government jobs in 2008 came in defense, homeland security and veteran's affairs. Does that government backing make them any less "real?"
If the claim seems ideologically flawed, it's also empirically wrong. During the Great Depression, when private investment had seized up, the Works Progress Administration put 8 million people to work making buildings, roads, dams and schools -- all quite real, and many used to this very day.
If the argument is that public spending somehow crowds out private investment, the evidence doesn't support that, either.
A recent analysis by the Center for American Progress Action Fund found that states which have cut their budgets the most since 2007 have suffered worse economic performance than states where budgets have increased.
This wasn't just public jobs: Overall, cuts in state budgets also correlated with less private sector jobs. Here's a chart from the study:
The short version: In the 25 states where spending increased between 2007 and 2010, there was, on average, a .2 percent decrease in unemployment, a 1.4 percent increase in private employment, and .5 percent increase in real economic growth since the recession started.
On the other hand, the 24 states that slashed their budgets saw unemployment rise by 1 percent, a 2.1 percent decline in private employment, and 2.9 percent contraction of the economy compared to the national average.
It seems the idea that government spending can't create jobs -- public or private -- is, well, imaginary.
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.