How Many People Work for the Government?

George Will's column today digs up this great nugget from a January interview with the new Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack:

Vilsack . . . learned that his new workplace contains a post office, fitness centers, cafeterias and 6,900 employees. But he remained uncertain about exactly how many employees he supervises nationwide. 'I asked how many employees work at USDA, and nobody really knows,' he said."

Granted, this was on Vilsack's first day. But I doubt any corporate head in the private sector would admit not only that he didn't know how many people worked for him, but that nobody really knows.

To be even more fair to Vilsack, the USDA is a sprawling beast.

As a federal employee, my paycheck actually was processed by the USDA-run National Finance Center, in New Orleans. They also manage most of the government employee health benefits. When you get your first check from the USDA, it seems strange. Then you get used to it. Go figure.

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