this is not an answer or argument to your question Fairweather, but I have had several opportunities to take a "state job" that would promised "job security" or "good benefits"....but always at a lower rate than what the private sector had to offer. I have always taken the "risk" associated with the private sector jobs, because I enjoy the faster pace and higher pay associated.
its really more of an observation: in my experience state jobs afford more job security, but lower pay. some people seem to like that sort of job, and gravitate to the slower paced but perhaps more "guaranteed" state positions.
this is not an argument for or against either, nor do i know if it has anything to do with what prole and you were discussing.