Data from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis say that Maine's personal income has grown 2.3% over the past year.

That's good for those who need it. However, a closer look at how that income growth occurred in Maine tells an interesting story:

• Income for people with jobs increased by .7% (seven tenths of one percent) after paying their government social insurance costs
• Income for those receiving government payments increased by 9.6% (This component of personal income consists of payments to individuals a....