HAS GOVERNMENT EMPLOYMENT INCREASED?

NOTE: I initially posted links to the BLS graphs and now I've replaced 2 of them with uploaded images.

The wingers (e.g., Limbaugh, Hannity, Beck, Levin) like to claim that the stimulus bill and other Democratic efforts have only increased the number of government jobs. This graph of all government jobs (federal, state, local) shows that overall, that claim is false. All data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Employment, Hours, and Earnings from the Current Employment Statistics survey (National)

Series Id:     CES9000000001
Seasonally Adjusted
Super Sector:  Government
Industry:      Government
NAICS Code:    -
Data Type:     ALL EMPLOYEES, THOUSANDS

The number of Federal employees, including the Post Office and DoD, has increased a bit.

Employment, Hours, and Earnings from the Current Employment Statistics survey (National)

Series Id:     CES9091000001
Seasonally Adjusted
Super Sector:  Government
Industry:      Federal
NAICS Code:    -
Data Type:     ALL EMPLOYEES, THOUSANDS

The State governments have seen a decline in employment:

Employment, Hours, and Earnings from the Current Employment Statistics survey (National)

Series Id:     CES9092000001
Seasonally Adjusted
Super Sector:  Government
Industry:      State government
NAICS Code:    -
Data Type:     ALL EMPLOYEES, THOUSANDS