If you include the number of people indirectly tied to govt spending, I bet the number is close to 80-90%. Suppliers, contractors, those supporting contractors, etc.
Good point. For example, I am employed by a hospital chain. About half of the income of the hospitals consists of Medicare payments. About 20% consists of Medicaid payments. So about 70% of my paycheck comes from government spending.
The government has their tentacles into many areas of the economy, no doubt about it.