
Originally Posted by
Melonie
^^^ and by the classic definition, they ARE ! There are extremely few public sector worker positions in the USA where worker efforts result in a net increase in revenue ( such as a researcher at a gov't run institution being responsible for a patent which in turn accrues royalty payments to a gov't entity, or a technician at a gov't owned hydroelectric plant producing electricity which can be sold at a profit, or the universally despised public road / bridge / tunnel toll collectors ).
However, the vast majority of public sector workers draw 100% of their paychecks from the public treasury, their work product contributes zero additional dollars back into that public treasury, and the net tax money collected back from said public sector workers ( via income taxes, sales taxes etc. ) is by definition smaller than the tax money comprising their paycheck . Outside of the handful of exceptions noted above, some portion of their paycheck dollars must be continuously taxed away from private sector businesses and individuals ... a fact which constitutes a financial drain.
Are some public sector jobs absolutely necessary ? ... yes - military, police and arguably emergency services. Are many public sector jobs done equally well or better by the private sector ? ... yes - teaching, mail ( package ) delivery, health care, prisons, and a long list of other occupations ...
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