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.

We may be off and running into the 2010 but so far the new year brings with it last years same job search dilemma. So far the big hiring frenzy has yet to manifest although there are some industries such as transportation and construction that are poised to take off, thanks to Obama's renewed interest and commitment with dollars towards green energy and the sheer number of green jobs that will be created.

So what exactly does construction and transportation have to do with green jobs? Well for starters construction demand will increase as a result of the focus on weatherizing homes, commercial properties and government facilities. Needless to say, since the Feds are leading the way with the cash infusion you can expect most of the initial weatherizing projects to be focused on government facilities. From there you can expect to see a spike in the areas of commercial property and personal homes. With regards to transportation, look for the Big Three to line up for some more Fed cash as the automakers will hurriedly sign up build more fuel efficient vehicles with a focus on renewable and alternative energy -- hint hint more hybrid vehicle. Moreover, in a decade hybrid vehicles will be the standard for personal automobiles with commercial vehicles lagging behind but not by much.

With Obama's renewed commitment to green energy and more importantly, green jobs, you can expect the Feds to lead the way with projects that will promote massive hiring. So sure we are into a new year with pretty much the same job search dilemma but that is positioned to change. The only questions are when will the hiring start and how many of the 5 million new green jobs projected over the next decade will actually commence in 2010? We will see but at least we know the hiring is on the way considering Uncle Sam has plenty of cash (credit anyway) and more importantly is putting some of that cash back into America in the form of jobs. Tax credits are good, jobs are better.

If you are one of the many job seekers looking for solid ground, a teaching job equals job stability plus reduced student loan debt. With the demand for teachers holding steady, job seekers looking for a career change benefit from a salary, excellent benefits and student loan vouchers that can be applied towards existing student loan debt. Now that's what i call stepping the game up to attract qualified teachers.

Teach for America is one the big players in recruiting teachers mostly for those looking for a career change. Apparently, what a lot of teacher recruits are doing is working for a few years in communities dubbed as "high need" in exchange for a student loan debt reduction voucher along with a salary, benefits and summers off from work. Sweet huh. Well of course teachers on average earn a salary around $36,000, which isn't a great deal, but when you factor in having two months off work with pay and receiving a voucher of $4,100 to apply to any existing Federal Student Loans, than the picture look a little brighter.

So who makes for a "good fit" as a teacher? Well according to Teach for America, those with "leadership" capabilities, likely, fit the mold quite well. Since, leadership is such a subjective term, you might just need to apply for yourself and see how your background meshes with the full scope of teaching requirements. For the most part, the teacher recruiting process shouldn't be a great deal of hoop jumping as most of the teachers in the program are career change individuals or those who don't, otherwise, have a background in education. So if job stability is your focus, teaching equals job stability along with reduced student loan debt via vouchers up to $4,100. Give it a go. As they say, what may be lacking in pay is offset by job satisfaction.