611,000 gov't jobs slashed since 8/2008 - July was the 9th consecutive month, and the 29th out of the last 35, in which total gov't employment shrank

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Defense, Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, unemployment comp, disability, food stamps = Big Government

So, what developing or emerging country should the US morph into? Clearly, without universal health care and some degree of food and income security, in the club of developed countries, we'd no longer have any place. Even the Heritage foundation admits that in terms of economic freedom, we've got nothing on Canada or even Denmark. Aside from not wasting hundreds of billions of dollars on defense, these countries have significantly bigger governments than the US. What's so desirable about countries that don't give a ** about the old, sick and poor? I've been to such places and I'd rather not see the US look like those.

[mawilson 2,133]

What's so desirable about countries that don't give a ** about the old, sick and poor?

You're assuming that the old and the sick are poor, which is the greatest lie ever sold to Americans by the likes of the AARP.

Believe it or not, most old people are loaded and can take care of themselves. I'm all for supporting those who cannot.

Food security? You've got to be kidding me.

[웃 910]

it is a good start.

This is a good start?

The job cuts have been widespread. Since state and local employment peaked in August 2008, payrolls have shrunk by 611,000 jobs:

• Local school districts have cut 229,000 positions.
• Cities, counties, and other local governments have cut 237,000 positions.
• State governments have cut 145,000 positions.

July’s employment report included more bad news from states and localities: job losses are continuing. Since August 2008, state and local governments have slashed 611,000 positions, and the cuts have been getting worse — 340,000 of those jobs were lost in the last 12 months. July was the ninth consecutive month, and the 29^th out of the last 35, in which total state and local employment shrank.

The news comes on top of many states’ recent enactment of deep spending cuts for the new fiscal year that will lead to even more job losses for public employees, even as the recession and its aftermath continue to place increased pressure on public services. Economic recovery and quality of life will both suffer as a result.

[mawilson 2,133]

This is a good start?

Damn right.