One of the tricks of politicians is to entrench government employees so they will vote for, at the very least, the status quo.
If you happen to work for the Federal government, the status quo is pretty darn comfortable.
Consider this…
In 2005, the number of Federal government workers making more than $150k/year was 7,420
Today, that number is 82,034
In 2005, the number of Federal government workers making more than $160k/year was 2,852
Today, that number is 44,898
In 2005, the number of Federal government workers making more than $170k/year was 1,322
Today, that number is 27,845
In 2005, the number of Federal government workers making more than $180k/year was 805
Today that number is a mind boggling 16,912
If you ever wondered why government employees fight tooth and nail against any kind of austerity, the answer lies within the figures above.
In order for a government employee to vote for a spending cut, it means they will be voting against their families self interest.
Government bureaucrats know this. Why do you think the proposed “pay freeze” by the President last December wasn’t really a freeze at all but rather a temporary moratorium on “cost of living” adjustments. It does not stop the (almost automatic) “step increases” from continually adding to their salaries.
But then again, why would you need COLA when you are making $180k a year with great benefits and no chance of being fired.
You can expect these numbers to go up again this year because entrenched government employees equates to votes for entrenched tax and spend politicians.
The figures above came from an analysis by USA Today from data from the Office of Personnel Management (or OPM).
In business, the acronym OPM means “other people’s money” which is fitting because it’s not their money…it’s taxpayers money!
People need to see this information. Please forward this page to everyone you know!
Blaise Ingoglia
Producer, Government Gone Wild!
