Dear editor:

There has been a lot of discussion and soul searching around the August primary. Many factors were in play, which all together, gave the establishment and left Republicans victory across the state up and down the ballot. One factor worth exploring is the nature of government, and the balance of the government-private sector relationship in Wyoming.  

Across the United States, government employees (federal, state, county and local) make up 14%-15% of the workforce. It is the same for California, New Jersey, Idaho and Utah.  Montana is slightly higher at 18%. Wyoming is a whopping 25%. According to the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, Wyoming ranks #50 (1 being the best) in Government Employment and #49 in Government Consumption. See freedominthe50states.org/gov-employment/wyoming. In fact, the federal government is the top contributor to Wyoming's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

It becomes even more pronounced when one considers private sector dependence on government contracts and largess. Industries such as construction and infrastructure, civil engineering, tourism and outdoor recreation, and education are highly dependent on local, county and state contracts, influence and monies. As a result, many of these businesses, owners and managers represent a powerful voting block with money and influence.

Proper limited government, public sector employees and contractors play a key role in administration of government. In Wyoming, the question is one of balance and proportion. Far too many jobs and industries are dependent on local, county and state government, and there are not enough businesses in Wyoming (as a percentage of our economy) that are operating to exclusively serve private economic needs. And the way the Wyoming Business Council operates, it won’t likely change anytime soon.  

It doesn’t need to be this way. So many other “Red” states have robust, dynamic, diverse economies, neighboring Utah and Idaho in particular. There are models out there for how to develop a healthy, balanced economy while maintaining culture and other priorities.

In the end, the August primary is not all that surprising. Many government dependent interests rallied resources to elect politicians who represent Big Government across Wyoming to keep the contracts, influence and monies flowing. We have a great heritage of rugged individualism; however, it has devolved over time in many ways into outsized government, special interests, crony capitalism and dependency. Is this really what we want Wyoming to be? We have another chance in November to change course.

Jim Vetter

Cody