a good point. Also the computer advances
The BLS numbers are employee/payroll lists, suppliers/contractors would be on other lists. My take is we're seeing a lot of downsizing/outsourcing like everywhere else. Years ago I could call someone at the IRS for questions, later it was an offshore 'tech support', and now it's all FAQ's online. What would be nice would be if the savings went to lower taxes, but instead we get tax hikes w/ gov't growth.
That is what makes me suspect that a lot of the government payroll deduction is actually being shifted to contractors and perhaps at a higher price.