Special Report: Is America the sick man of the globe? - Yahoo! News

Special Report: Is America the sick man of the globe? - Yahoo! News: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

This article should be recommended reading for every American who wonders about federal deficits and unemployment issues.  The forecast is not very pretty. 

I would really like to have your comments after reading the article.


Life, Liberty, & the Pursuit of Happiness

Tax Receipts are a function of Tax Rates

As the rates rise the receipts fall. I am sure there is a correlcation.

clipped from www.forbes.com Why The Tax Rate Debate Is Irrelevant In a 1924 speech before the National Republican Club, President Calvin Coolidge observed "that when the taxation of large incomes is excessive, they tend to disappear." Coolidge found that in 1916, 206 people had incomes of $1,000,000 or more, but once a higher tax rate on million-dollar incomes was passed, the number dwindled--falling all the way to 21 in 1921. In his book, The View From No. 11, Nigel Lawson, Margaret Thatcher's former chancellor of the exchequer, answered the above riddle with great ease. The Thatcher government inherited nosebleed rates of taxation, but as Lawson quickly found, the "higher rates we inherited were frequently not paid. The well-heeled and well-advised took great pains to avoid liability through the perfectly legal use of tax shelters of one kind or another; and the tax avoidance industry flourished as never before." Translated: When politicians target income for tax purposes, incomes change.

Temperament at Core of Personality

A person's temperament is at the core of his or her personality -- and understanding that temperament can help motivate employees to peak efficiency. Here are four distinct temperaments identified by psychologists, with suggestions on motivating each kind:

1. Preservers. These employees are driven by responsibility, obligation, and duty. They impose order in their lives, and will typically carry out the organizations policies and projects single-mindedly. Rewards: Recognize preservers for adherence to rules and policies, and for following through on projects. Reward them for their loyalty and dedication to the organization.
2. Strategists. These employees are visionaries. Typically, they are creative and imaginative, and are often the catalyst for change at the company. They will question day-to-day chores that are not in line with the overall mission and vision. Rewards: Strategists consider being able to work on their own with little supervision a reward. They also appreciate the chance to learn -- whether it is by assigning them a challenging new project, signing them up for additional training, or helping them pay for classes outside of work.
3. Mavericks. These employees are doers. They respond will to crises and are pragmatic. They seek constant challenges, preferring to take risks rather than cultivate security. Rewards: Mavericks appreciate the opportunity to negotiate different reward systems. Set nearly impossible goals for Mavericks, with high rewards and sit back and watch them work!
4. Energizers. These employees are big picture people. They are concerned with ideas rather than tasks, and are not big fans of strict policies and procedures. They are idealistic, and often enthusiastically champion new causes. They are concerned with people and relationship issues. Rewards: Energizers thrive on personal recognition for their unique contributions. A personal note from a senior manager for a job well done goes a long way with these employees.

--- Adapted from HRM Magazine

Focus on Building Honest Relationships

Motivation by manipulation does not work. If you want to take a positive approach to the you way you encourage your employees to do their jobs, you need to build a foundation that emphasizes the connections between employee's home and work lives. Here are four ways to accomplish this:

1. Build high opinions of each other's skills and strengths. Encourage your staff to compliment their colleagues at meetings with like, "Who helped you out this week?" Public praise from peers instead of the boss helps employees focus on their relationship to each other, which reinforces team spirit.
2. Treat each individual as if his or her effort is the most important factor in team success. Pay attention to what people actually do and how their activities affect the bottom line.
3. Reward teamwork. During performance reviews, be sure to note contributions to team goals along with individual effort. Employees will quickly realize the benefits of working toward team goals, and put less emphasis on standing out individually.
4. Let people know you care about them as individuals. If you express interest only in their progress at work, workers will feel manipulated and become cynical. Show them that you are committed to their personal and professional development.