Yesterday for the second time I read a letter in the Star Tribune that claimed the lower traffic on certain Federal holidays proved that there were too many government employees.
First, is traffic in the Twin Cities noticeably lower on Federal holidays, and if so, what is the actual percentage of any reduction in traffic?
Second, other people besides government employees have certain Federal holidays off. Employees of banks and other financial institutions have the same holidays off as government employees. As the largest of these institutions are located in downtown areas, traffic into downtown areas would be reduced by their employees staying home, or at least not traveling at rush hour.
Third, schools and colleges often are closed on these holidays. Therefore the students will be staying home. College students won't be driving during rush hour. Parents who do not have the holiday off may take a vacation day to be with their children.
Fourth, many government employees and others who get certain Federal holidays off often do not have double holidays like many employees in other lines of work. For example, your local bank and City Hall are open for business the day after Thanksgiving.
The true test of "too many government employees" is do we really have more employees than needed to do the government work that most citizens want done. In some cases probably yes; in many other case probably no.
