‘There’s no way we can justify this’

USA Today reports that next year many large firms plan to restore some of the employee benefits they cut in 2009 -- pay raises and 401(k) matches, for instance.

That's great news for private-sector workers, and it's one indication we may be slowly easing out of the economic doldrums.

But one class of employee probably wonders what all fuss is about.

While the recession has forced even most state and local governments -- including those in Nevada -- to take a look at public-sector compensation and benefits, those employed by Uncle Sam continue to rake it in despite the economy. "Federal workers are enjoying an extraordinary boom time -- in pay and hiring -- during a recession that has cost 7.3 million jobs in the private sector," USA Today noted Friday.

During the recession's first 18 months, the newspaper reported, the percentage of federal workers making at least $100,000 a year rose to 19 percent from 14 percent. The average federal worker now makes more than $70,000 a year, 76 percent higher than the average private-sector worker.

Yet while many Americans were struggling to make ends meet, federal workers were enjoying regular raises, a new pay system that handed out thousands of "merit" increases, and the removal of mandated pay caps.

"There's no way we can justify this to the American people," said Rep. Jason Chaffetz, a Utah Republican. "It's ridiculous."

Unfortunately, the word "ridiculous" sums up Washington on a number of fronts these days. But is it too much to ask that our elected officials ensure beltway bureaucrats share in the sacrifice when those who pay their salaries are dodging layoffs and pay cuts?

Good god, this is getting obscene.