Sure, there was growth in government too, but there was NO WAY that the private sector (in the 30's & 40's) was going to get it's rear in gear until Uncle Sam started buying war materials like a drunken sailor...
In California, they are spending money on making a better life for beaurcrats and their ilk. Sounds just like the old Soviet Union. Well, worst than the old Soviet Union --at least the USSR spent some of the government money on tanks, planes, ships... you know, those things that employ "the worker;" that make use of "labor." (The "little" people...)
Too bad the USSR didn't know about outsourcing, they could have gotten all those tanks and planes made in China for a lot less money, and the old commie's would still be around today! (Oh wait, they are still around...nevermind...)
Actually, government employee's making killer tax paid wages, benefits, and pensions are not limited to California. This crap is going on in every single state, while most of the American workers are cutting back, pinching pennys, and making do with less.