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lesjoel's comments:
on Finding Work
Newshound - read the original comment " Not that I'm trying too hard to sell myself back into voluntary servitude. Working for others isn't as fun as it used to be" and "Too little pay for a huge amount of responsibility. I prefer a diet free of anti-acids." As a potential employer, why would I want to hire this attitude? In addition, you know NOTHING about how I treat my employees, yet critique my "mindset".
posted 2 years, 1 month ago
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on Finding Work
As an active employer, we tend to hire most permanent employees after a trial "temp" period. Production workers are trialed through a "Labor Ready" type organization and Office Staff through a "Express Personnel" type organization. This provides both employee and employer a low risk method to determine if the "fit" is right.
posted 2 years, 1 month ago
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on Finding Work
As an employer, I truly hope your attitude is not representative of those looking for work!
posted 2 years, 1 month ago
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on Creating Sustainable Jobs
Without going into case details, the bar is MUCH lower than you might expect. We had one employee destroy company property and threaten a supervisor - the administrative law judge stated the employee was under non-work related stress and unable to work. He received unemployment. Another employee missed 2 straight weeks due to her "inability to find child care". Again, the adminstrative law judge granted full unemployment, stating that it was not "her fault". (I thought there were many families able to find child care, and still show up at work!)
It's to the point that we question the cost and efffort to even appeal these cases!
posted 2 years, 3 months ago
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on Creating Sustainable Jobs
I manager a 50+ employee company in the Salem area that has added employees over the last 3 years. Here are the factors that have led to this increase:
- Domestic demand for services provided
- Export demand for products created
- Quality of service and products
- Financial stability of customer base
These are very simple, yet indispensible factors for a sustainable company!
That said, there is one factor that make me leery about adding more employees - Expanding government regulations, particularly in the HR arena:
- I support family leave in concept, but the application is becoming increasingly burdensome. I have had employees basically stop coming to work and claim Family Leave. It is extremly difficult to challenge such claims.
- Ease of receiving Unemployment - I have had employees work for a short period of time, then quit and file for unemployment. I have lost every single appeal of benefits.
Unfortunately, the long list of proposed bills coming out of the current Oregon Legislature contains expansion of these very types of regulations!
posted 2 years, 3 months ago
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on The Congressional Races
Registered Independent in the 1st House District - David Wu has been non-existent, thus someone else deserves a chance - going with Cornilles. I pitch all print ads into the recycling bin and mute all TV ads - They either promise the world, or slam the opponent. Although, they are a great income redistribution mechanism! (From Special Interest Groups to ad agencies, media outlets, actors, printers, etc.)
posted 2 years, 6 months ago
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on Philosophy of Taxes & Spending
It's entertaining to debate the taxing side of the equation, as it becomes an exercise in class warfare. It's also easy, since it is an issue of mechanics. However, it is the wrong discussion! Our society needs thoughtful discussion of what services government should provide. I'd surmise if you put 50 people in a room, of various economic and political backgrounds, they would reach consensus on the most desired 10-15 tasks that government should perform. The problem is our government has grown to provide many times more tasks. (Mission Creep)
If our elected leaders could stick to the 10-15 important tasks, our taxing system could become much simpler, and much less onerous!
posted 2 years, 6 months ago
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on Multnomah County Elections
I'd like a "Transit World" where the management and union spend our money wisely. If they can not make reasonable, hard choices, then they do not deserve more of our money! 150%+ benefits and trains/trams with very little ridership is not sustainable.
posted 2 years, 6 months ago
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on Multnomah County Elections
The Tri-Met vote is an easy NO Vote - their management and union has reached the point of zero creditability. Other tax votes are more difficult, but my recent property tax bill has made them easier. Once again, the amount due has increased! The automatic increase, regardless of market conditions, economic conditions, employment rates, etc NEEDS TO STOP! I'm voting NO on all measures that will increase property taxes.
posted 2 years, 6 months ago
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on What Are Workers Worth?
After reading many comments, and at the risk of sounding too harsh, I still think points are being missed:
* All employees, private or public, have the right to select their profession and employer. If the total compensation package is not adequate, they can leave. A little research can reveal expected compensation for almost any career - stop complaining and start acting.
* The State of Oregon has a budget imbalance - period - all employees compensated by the State need to understand that either temporary compensation reductions are required, or coworkers will be let go - I see no other realistic solution.
All my employees would love to have 50% more compensation, and twice as many co-workers. However, this would drive my company out of business!
posted 2 years, 10 months ago
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on What Wind Means for the Gorge
After reading the previous posts, I see that Wind, Oil, Coal, Nuclear, and Hydro are "out" and "Sci-Fi" power sources are "in". This should work well!
posted 2 years, 11 months ago
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on Primary Conversations: Superintendent of Public Instruction
Oregon failed miserably in the first round of Race to the Top funding, and did not even apply for the second round. With this track record, why would anyone consider the incumbent?
posted 3 years ago
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on RX: Health Care Costs
As reported numerous times on NPR, a well respected public polling firm found, that across all socioeconomic divisions, the American Public wants:
* Everyone to have Healthcare Coverage
* Little to no restrictions on services provided
* Someone else to pay
Most of the comments posted today support these results - our elected leaders have an almost impossible job!
posted 3 years, 2 months ago
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on Kicking the Kicker?
My understanding of the Kicker is that the State Economist must project revenue for the next budget cycle. If revenue exceeds the projection by a certain percentage, some revenue is returned to the taxpayers. If revenue falls below the projection, no additional revenue is garnered from the taxpayers.
As a small business manager, I have pondered how I would run a business under the same revenue system. It would be very difficult! Let's consider how a business operates - if revenue exceeds projection, the excess is invested, or held to cover times of lower revenue.
Thus, if we were convinced the legislature could "hold" excess funds for a "rainy day", modifying the kicker should have the support of the business community. Let's push this special session to craft a well written reform of the Kicker!
(Intersting that PERS reform should follow the same logic - reduce payout in good times to cover the inevitable bad times)
posted 3 years, 3 months ago
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on Your State of the Union
Don't forget the UAW, AFL-CIO, ACLU, trial lawyers, etc - every politician is swayed by "special interests" - in general, if people agree with the special interest they call them "advocates fighting for the right cause". If people disagree with the special interest they call them "evil special interest groups". It is the way government has functioned since the caveman days!
posted 3 years, 3 months ago
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on Your State of the Union
Interesting how President Obama's praise of small business, and those that take the risk to form, is so diametrically opposed to most of the Pro Measure 66 & 67 posts on the OPB blogs!
posted 3 years, 3 months ago
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on 66 and 67 Have Passed. Now What?
Modify Kicker - instead of returning the excess, divert into a secure rainy day fund
Initiative System - raise the bar to get measures on the ballot. Require any measure that adds services to include a funding mechanism
PERS - convert to defined contribution, not defined benefit. Place any investment gains over guaranteed percentage into a holding fund to cover periods of lower investment gains
THESE ARE ALL DIFFICULT IDEAS THAT MIGHT ANNOY MANY PEOPLE - DOES OUR LEGISLATURE HAVE THE GUTS TO TACKLE?
posted 3 years, 3 months ago
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on 66 and 67 Have Passed. Now What?
I have little faith that our legislature will address the deeper problems affecting Oregon's revenue and spending; the kicker and the ballot initiative system for starters. When more budget problems arise in the next 6 months, 12 months, or 18 months, citizens will be loath to open up their wallets again!
posted 3 years, 3 months ago
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on Facebook Comes to Prineville
Posting "Anti-Corporation" drool is easy - creating family wage jobs is hard - will each "drool poster" please provide concrete examples of the family wage jobs they have created?
posted 3 years, 3 months ago
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on Tax Measures
I glad that rjbphoto has all the answers to any legitimate concern about these measures - perhaps I'll forward him the weekly influx of resumes I receive and he can find these people jobs in government.
posted 3 years, 3 months ago
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