http://www.urban.org/publications/1001075.html
http://dpi.wi.gov/pld/econimpact.html

just to link to a couple of sites. Good public education–which, again contrary to the stereotype, is not normally an oxymoron–from the preschool to the graduate-school level, has contributed hugely to the human capital that has historically been among our society’s greatest resources. Public goods like roads and transit systems make all the far-flung network of commerce possible, and I suspect that few entrepreneurs would care to have to recruit private contractors to protect their enterprises against crime, save the warehouse if it catches fire, or hear and adjudicate a disputed contract.

To address one more stereotype, the great majority of us hated parasites in the public sector recognize that we are just part of a healthy economy and a healthy society, work as hard and as creatively as most people in private business, and (when we take the time to step back for a wider perspective, which probably most of us in any area of endeavor don’t do often enough) see our work as supporting the equally-vital sectors of private business, nonprofit institutions, and family.

One more peeve, a friendly one as I feel I know you well enough not to suspect malice: The noun is Democrat. The adjective is Democratic. As someone who makes a living partly through the written word, you know the power and importance of language, and to those of us who happen to belong to the party in question, it’s a matter of courtesy. (For the record, Bill Buckley hated the Democrat-as-adjective construction too.)

Well, there ya go, rant over and time for that second cup of coffee. Hope I’m not coming off too harsh–I have to admit you did push a couple of buttons, which is not necessarily a bad thing.

–Rich