Still pays to work for the government

Macy's, Motorola, United, Microsoft, Bank of America are cutting thousands of jobs. Circuit City and others are closing. The list goes on. Recent headlines in the Daily Herald stated, "Shoppers close wallets," "Can't afford to be ill," "Bleak" economy, and so on.

Hold on everyone, not all jobs are in peril. The number of federal workers is actually on the rise. And if you do work for the government, you may receive one of the 642,233 government-issued autos, which cost taxpayers $3.4 billion last year. Other recent articles include the Warren High School superintendent getting 6 percent raises for the next three years, an average 4 percent raise for Wheaton Warrenville District 200 teachers, 3.5 percent raises for Naperville police sergeants. Let me clarify, I am not saying these raises are not deserved. My point is simply, every business, unlike government, is cutting back. That may be in the form of no raises, or worse yet, layoffs. Unemployment is at record highs, except for government.

Not only is there extremely high job security, but the benefits are phenomenal. How many businesses in the private sector have pensions? How many vacation, sick and personal days are allowed? Compare something as straightforward as the state/federal holidays. In the private sector, for example, there are typically six paid holidays. But working for the government, employees will receive 10 holidays. This is simply the tip of the iceberg.

In the private sector many are thankful to simply have a job. With downsizing, private sector employees are expected to work longer hours for less pay. And who is going to support all these government jobs? It is you and I, the taxpayer. Maybe it is time the government learns to operate like the private sector.

Carolyn Palash

Winfield