There are many more, but these five never seem to go away. Let's try once more.
So much misinformation has been written about our government in recent years, it is obviously redundant to keep trying to correct and inform those who perpetuate a variety of myths. Never the less, it must be done, because these terribly inaccurate claims and fictions keep coming up, like a bad meal – and they have ramifications all the way from unfairly demonizing government to decisions in the voting booth. So here goes: some fresh and accurate information (again) on the five of the most widely circulated myths about our government.
1. Exploding size and growth of the Federal government
Not true at all. In fact the Federal government has not grown in decades. It is a myth. In 1962 there were 2,485,000 civilian employees working for the Federal government. In 2011, there were 2,756,000 civilian employees – hardly an explosion of personnel. However, if you factor in population growth, the number of folks working for the government per 1000 has actually decreased. Add to this the number of military for total Federal employment (5,354,000 in 1962 vs. 4,403,000 in 2011) and there are lots less people on the government payroll today.
2. Massive budget/deficits
Some like to use budget for the “terrible growth of our government”. Again, not so. As a percent of GDP, Federal spending has been pretty much constant for decades – about 20-24 percent under all presidents. Among the higher years were during the hallowed Reagan administration, when the budget as a percent of GDP was about 22% -- about the same as today. The idea that the government size is exploding, by this criteria is...a myth.
3. Congressional Retirement
Like most of us, I have no love for Congress today, but the myth about their retirement benefits keeps returning – like even today while I was writing this. Someone sent me an email claiming Nancy Pelosi would get a pension something north of $800,000 per year when she retires. The facts: As it is for all other federal employees, congressional retirement is funded through taxes and the participants' contributions. Members of Congress under FERS contribute 1.3 percent of their salary into the FERS retirement plan and pay 6.2 percent of their salary in Social Security taxes. Some have the different retirement plan called CSRS.
Members of Congress are not eligible for a pension until they reach the age of 50, but only if they've completed 20 years of service. Members are eligible at any age after completing 25 years of service or after they reach the age of 62. Members of Congress have to serve at least 5 years to even receive a pension. The amount depends on the years of service and the average of the highest 3 years of his or her salary. By law, the starting amount of a Member's retirement annuity may not exceed 80% of his or her final salary.
According to the Congressional Research Service, in 2012, 527 retired Members of Congress were receiving federal pensions based fully or in part on their congressional service. Of this number, 312 had retired under CSRS and were receiving an average annual pension of $71,472. A total of 215 Members had retired under FERS with average annual pension of $40,560.
4. Government employees earn more than private sector ones do
Actually partially true. At the lowest pay levels, the government does pay more “fairly” However, when you get to highly skilled, professional, and up to those with PhD’s, they can earn substantially more (with lots more upside) in the private sector. What bothers me most about this claim is that there are those who seem to demonize government employees. And that is immeasurably unfair. Most experiences with those who work in government show they are as courteous, effective, and energetic as those you find in the private sector.
5. Americans hate government
Well, to say Americans have a healthy suspicion of government is historically true. However, when you parse out those parts of government that are pretty much sacrosanct with a majority of Americans, it is not true. Mention our military…Social Security…Medicare…and numerous other programs that affect the health, well being, education, and especially safety, of our citizens, and government comes out quite well. What the recent shutdown of government demonstrated was two things: first, there was an indication of how much we do rely on government; and secondly, it made a distinction between government and governance (i.e. our political leaders).
So why do these myths persist? A primary reason is the wing nut talking heads, and opinion cable shows that broadcast junk under the guise of “news”. That offers easy sound bites to those who wish to argue points without ever checking their veracity. But, also culpable is the internet; a vehicle that lends itself to mischief, misinformation, and easy transmission of such “junk.” In fact, to make matters worse, often this “junk” is embellished, edited, and made even more unreliable as it travels around the ether. Years ago I solved this by returning inaccurate emails with this comment: “are you stupid, or just too lazy to check this out?” Note I give them a choice.