[Hildy]

That is true...but in the old days government jobs were lower paying, but the benefits were thought to make up for it. That’s no longer the case. Like a failing business, the entire model must be reevaluated.

[Bluegrass Conservative]

Really just depends on where you are, I guess. In Kentucky, the merit jobs (read: "non-political") still do not pay that great compared to the private sector. Benefits are good though.

The merit (read "political appointed") jobs pay better, but it's well-known that they are "at-will" and typically do not last longer than one administration.