As the economy continues to shrug off the Billions of dollars in economic spending, it raises the question -- just what exactly is the answer? Well, that depends on who you poise that question to. A least a few patriots of the Right believe that President Obama has a grand plan to absorb the multitude of unemployed under the Federal umbrella as Federal employees.

So is there any data to support the position of the Right or simply more political rhetoric? Well, apparently the average salary of a Federal employee is $71,206 compared to $40,331 in the private sector. Additionally, purportedly, those earning the coveted six figure salary -- $100,000-- has increased from 14.4% to 19% during the recession! Moreover, there are more than 10,000 Federal employees earning $150,000 or more. Stunning stats huh. Maybe - maybe not, it's necessary to look at the entire picture before making that determination. A simple math calculation of the stated figures illustrates Federal salary spending increases amount to under $2 Billion annually. Even if you want to round it up to a nice even $5 Billion in Federal salary increases that is lunch money in comparison to the national GDP -- as well as the Federal budget for salaries. So does that advocate increased Federal salary spending during a recession? Well you would have to compare that the private sector, too, in order to make that determination. So what exactly has the private sector done in terms of reviving the economy since the recession began? ...well the votes are in and it's not looking good for the private sector. The fact of the matter is that the private sector hasn't done much. Well that's not entirely true...wages have decreased to a 30 year low, we are experiencing unprecedented long term unemployment, layoffs and job eliminations continue to rise albeit workplace production output continues to increase as well.

Making a case against the Feds stepping up for American workers during the Great Recession while the private sector reaps production output gains at the expense of job eliminations is a hard sell. Moreover, for those on the Right that have amnesia, maybe, perhaps they should be reminded of the untold Billions expended under the leadership of former President Bush. What's the difference in the scenarios? Well under the Bush era the Billions in Federal spending were directed to the elite such as former Vice President Cheney and the no bid contract awards to Halliburton. How about the Oil Bigwigs who still have their feet on the table with the back door deals under the Bush era? Conversely, the Obama administration appears to favor the average Joe Federal employee and working class individual.

The bottom line is that there is no free lunch and someone has to do something about the ailing economy. The President appears to be sending the message that if the private sector wants to exploit the economic situation than payment is going to made on the back in versus  on the front. In other word, you pay now or you pay later...and judging by the way the credit industry works the private sector is better off paying up front versus paying later. In essence that means the private sector can pick up hiring and keep taxes at status quo and maybe even get a tax cut or continue with the exploitation charade and pay higher taxes on the back end. Decisions, decision, decisions. So maybe you can complain that Federal salaries increase while the economy drags it's feet, but hey somebody has to do something. Moreover, it's a fundamental principal that the Government should do what's best for the nation as a whole versus the single sided view of the private sector. So, to make a case against Federal spending on salaries -- to the private sector, the well over 15 million unemployed say -- show me the money or better stated show me the jobs.

If you have been drinking the Kool-aid, for the past few months, then you probably are under the impression that job market is on the up tick. Unfortunately, the data suggests otherwise...so much for the job market improvement projections huh. This seems especially disappointing considering all the hoopla around the job market report for November, which was purported as the lowest decline in jobless claims since the recession began. If you recall, the job seeker blog cautioned at getting on-board that train, since typically hiring or better stated - firing and layoffs are delayed until after the New Year. Why? Well perhaps it's a little hard to enjoy the Thanksgiving and/or Christmas Day dinner when you just got a pink slip. So let's chalk that up as the job market expressing a little compassion --- even if just for a hot minute.

So what's on the horizon for job seekers in the very near future. Well that's the million dollar question. Most likely anyone that can answer that would like get stampeded by the barrage of job seekers looking to get in the know as far as concrete job leads are concerned. Anyway, there is the President's Green Jobs Initiative which has a big bucket of cash behind it. What else? Then there are construction related jobs i.e. infrastructure upgrades to roads, bridges and highways as well as new development of roads, bridges and highways. What else? Well from there that's where things start to get a little hazy. At one point, it looked like the healthcare industry was poised to provide an economic boost with the President's Universal HealthCare Initiative. Unfortunately, that now isn't looking too good with the loss of Senator Kennedy's seat in Massachusetts to a virtually unknown Senator, Brown, who is promising to make a name for himself by blocking the President's healthcare agenda. Oh well, so much for job market improvement projections. Of course, you could apply for a job at SAS in Raleigh. SAS is listed as one of the top 100 employers. Everyone working for SAS is head over heals with their job and oblivious to the job market woes. If you're one of the lucky ones to land a job at SAS you won't likely have to deal with this job market mess for many years to come if ever at all. Go for it.

Since the current recession began there have been a flurry of back to school sales pitches but the reality is that the job outlook is dim for new graduates. As companies large and small grapple with staying afloat during this season of tight purse strings, that means hiring new graduates is more of a luxury versus a necessity. As such mid size companies are expected to hire 11% less new graduates with bachelors degrees, while large corporations are expected to hire 4% less new graduates with bachelors degrees. So what this essentially means is that promise of opportunity via education is more of an opportunity for school systems to generate revenue via selling degrees than it is for students that obtain degrees these days. In short, a college degree is essentially more or less a hope ticket synonymous to purchasing a lottery ticket. You know, you put a buck in and hope you win. Except with a degree you put a whole bunch of bucks in and hope you can get a job. I would hate to have the job of explaining to hard working graduates that have done everything right and can't find a job with exception of flipping burgers and ringing up orders as cashier somewhere. Those jobs are readily obtained without a college degree so why shell out the bucks?

On the brighter side for college graduates, if you are on a PHD or MBA track things are looking good for you. New PHD graduates can expect a hiring increase near the tune of 20%, while MBA graduates can expect a hiring increase around 11%. If you are on a masters degree track other than in Business Administration the jury is still out on your job prospects. So why the spike in interest with PHD and MBA graduates? Generally speaking these type of economic times call for more focus on theory and/or research and development, which lends nicely to PHD tracks. The knowledge acquired via R&D is then transferred over to corporations to derive creative business strategies to develop and market new products and services which of course lends nicely to MBA graduates. So a college degree can certainly be beneficial if you are on a PHD or MBA track especially if you attend a tier one college or university. Then again, since scholarships are always limited you will have to weight the benefits to cost. In the end the job outlook for new graduates is somewhat dim especially for bachelors degree new graduates but for advanced degrees such as a PHD or MBA things are looking a lot better. Just be sure to pick the right college or university to maximize your opportunities.