Servicing the public service

Public service is often regarded as noble work — thankless jobs for minimal pay. But perhaps the stereotypes are being turned upside down. According to recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, salaries for government workers are beginning to outpace those of private industry employees, at least as an aggregate.

Countless Brown students enter the public workforce annually — for altruistic ideals, for hopes of someday ruling the world, for the promise of loan paybacks. And obviously, we are not alone in our interest. So here's the question: Is this a good thing, because it means that public service is being adequately rewarded? Or does this explain why so many states and municipalities are drowning in debt? Are we being too generous in an attempt to reinforce the public labor force?