Will Grigg?s Liberty Minute

During the first quarter of 2008, the private sector ? that is, the productive element of the economy ? shed nearly 300,000 jobs. At the same time, the federal, state and local governments ? that is, the parasite class ? added nearly 77,000 jobs.

USA Today reported that this is ?the biggest jump in first-quarter hiring [by government] since a boom in 2002? following the 9-11 attacks. That boom began last July 1, when government economic forecasts -- called for a healthy and growing economy. With the economy in a steep and severe decline, this expansion of government payrolls will inflict even greater hardships on already cash-strapped taxpayers.

Our country is afflicted with roughly 88,000 government units that employ in excess of 22 million people. Government is, by a considerable margin, our country?s largest employer. This wouldn?t be the case if our country were a constitutional republic organized around a free market, as our Founders intended.

Government must be ruthlessly pruned back if we are to take back the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free.