Unemployment Rate

As of December 2011, the number 2 state for lowest unemployment rate would be Nebraska, who has a Right-To-Work law.  So, if a state that can boast an unemployment rate of just 4.1%, has a Right-to Work law, and 6 of the Top 10 States with the lowest unemployment rate are right-to-work, why not Indiana?  It’s not as detrimental to the economy as opponents would like you to believe.  At the same time, Indiana has twice the unemployment, setting at 9%, but can this be attributed even in part to a lack of right-to-work law?

Free Rider

Opponents to the Right-To-Work law insist that it will create a free rider problem, allowing employees to benefit from the unions negotiations, without contributing.  Such arguments even go so far as to insist that work conditions are lowered and a worker becomes endangered.  Unfortunately no statistics could be found that indicate such an accusation, which is prohibitive in any kind of intellectual conversation.  Perhaps this is a factor holding unions back from properly expressing their problems with passing a right-to-work law.

Factually speaking, one study did find that there are some negative effects to income levels and benefits in states that do not have a right-to-work law.  For example, the think tank Economic Policy Institute found that wages are on average 3.2% lower for full time employees.  In addition, there is a 2.6% lower chance that employers will offer health insurance benefits.  These are measurable figures, taken from 2009 and 2010 census reports, that can be found in a February 2011 EPI publication.

Higher Wages or Lower Unemployment

I argue that the decision to pass a Right-to-Work Law in Indiana should focus on whether it is more important for residents to have  slightly higher wages or a drastically lower unemployment rate?  Shouldn’t considerable time be spent educating the importance of a lower unemployment rate, rather than slightly improving our average salaries for full time employees?  In regards to benefits, doesn’t higher competition in the work force, through lower unemployment, stress that employers offer benefits to compete for jobs?

In closing, I stress and encourage the House to pass the Right-To-Work Bill in Indiana.  We all benefit from lowered unemployment and the proof can be found in any of the other 22 States that already have this protection in place.  Let’s not let the opposition hang their hat on uncertainties and accusations that cannot be proven.

My problem, is that if they are going to enforce a ban on the city, it should encompass ALL businesses.  There should be no favors, no exemptions, everyone should be included, and  that means Aztar would have to deal.  That said, I can’t and do not support any kind of smoking ban.

Yes, I’m one of those people who feels that this is another intrusion upon our personal rights as US citizens.  No, I don’t plan on smoking in restaurants or around other people, but the fact remains that it’s up to the business owners discretion.

Imagine if you just launched your life long dream, you finally own your own bar and want to run it your way.  However, the city steps in and says, nope, sorry no smoking allowed.  Shouldn’t that be your decision to make?  After all, people can make their own decision to patronize your bar or simply drive another 15 mins to another county and enjoy a beer and cigarette there.  Is doing what’s best for our health, best for our business, right now?

Who exactly is pushing this smoking ban?  They can’t be local businesses owners, because I have yet to meet a business that supports it.  As a matter of fact, restaurants/bars falling outside of city limits, yet under the Vanderburgh County ban are feeling the pinch.

People have habits, some people have bad habits, and when enough of them get together, they want to enjoy their habits in peace.  This doesn’t mean they will intrude on others, but if a business supports their habit and respects their rights, why can the city intervene?

Can the Evansville economy really support a smoking ban?

The real problem with the bill they are passing is that it gives too much power to the government, in their ability to censor what’s online.  Essentially it allows them to hold websites responsible for what their web visitors post.  Think Facebook, the entire website could be shut down, because just one person posted something illegal.  Sound fair?

If passed, this law could force companies like Google to completely remove websites from search results and force website hosts to delete a sites content.  Further bastardizing this entire ordeal is the fact that there is no level of due process.  It’s scarily similar to what China is already doing, to keep information under lock and key and not a step toward innovation.

Online websites create jobs, jobs that exist right here in Evansville.  How does your website interact with local customers, are you using social media to reach new clients?  These are the very things that would not be safe under SOPA and would risk being shut down.  Remember, it’s not just big companies like eBay, Google, and AOL that risk being affected by SOPA, it’s real people and local businesses as well.

Find out more about SOPA and PIPA.

So, I have to ask, why is it ok for a UPS driver to assume he’s the center of the business universe and drop packages at the most convenient place for them?  99% of the UPS drivers I encounter are bent on interrupting my business to sign for a package, that may or may not even be within seeing distance.  I’ve been interrupted on the phone, while talking with another customer, even bothered when on my way to the bathroom.

NOTICE – UPS Driver, you are not the most important person in my day to day dealings, wait your turn and do your job.

I am paying for a service, which includes picking up packages in a designated area in my business and delivering packages to my recipient.  Delivery does not mean what’s easiest for the driver.  Delivery should mean they are handed either to the individual receiving or dropped off in a designated area for receiving items.  I will no longer sign, nor tolerate receiving packages that are out of my eye sight, nor will I walk through my warehouse searching for where they were dropped off.  UPS drivers be warned, you will be wasting yours and my time if you fail to do your job properly.

Happy New Year!  Sorry for the anger filled post so early in the season.  Hopefully I’ll have more fun things to report on after Star Wars night at the Icemen game tomorrow night.

Text to win an Icemen VIP package tomorrow night.

First theme park in the world, predating Disney, and still setting industry firsts.  Holiday World is also the first amusement park to create a blog, for use to communicate with guests and strengthen their relationship with their customers.  It’s not just corporate drivel found on the many HoliPosts, but real world information and behind the scenes pictures that help tell a HoliStory.  For example, the latest blog post features a punny title and features pictures of the construction on the new water slide, The Mammoth.  This blog is designed to connect with customers, keep us interested in the off season, and ultimately bring us through the turn styles.  It works because I don’t feel like I’m being sold to, I’m being introduced to what the company is proud of.

Holiday World doesn’t stop at blog posts, they also are active on Twitter and Facebook.  This theme park does an amazing job at keeping all channels updated and interact directly with the public.  New media allows for easy two-way interaction, that benefits the company and the customer.  Again, Holiday World does an amazing job at this by sticking around after a tweet, responding to wall posts, and making sure blog comments are addressed.

I’m excited to share that Paula Werne will be speaking at the next Social Media Club of Evansville meeting on November 21st.  From 6:00 to 8:00 PM Paula will talk about how Holiday World has navigated the peaks and valleys of mastering the new media frontier.  Everyone is invited, so please sign up today.

Have a question to ask Holiday World about social media?  Fill out the ‘Ask Holiday Word Form‘ and we’ll make sure Paula sees your question.

Stuff:

• Holiday World on Facebook
• Holiday World on Twitter
• HoliBlog
• Social Media Club of Evansville Event Signup
• Ask Holiday World Form

Get your shit together!?  I am tired of hearing local businesses pitch the ‘buy local’, ‘support small business’, and ‘family owned’, only to have them turn around and purchase B2B (business to business) type items off the internet or from out of state.  Again, I know who you are, I deal with you every day whether you know it or not and it makes me sick.  Hey you big time movie man in Evansville, think those jerks you purchased that equipment from in New York will come down and buy a soda and popcorn?  NO!?  If it’s available local and even marginally close on price you should be spending locally.

It’s not just the big guys, it’s the little guys who rely on the normal you and me coming in to buy sandwiches, buy beer, or just use your services, whatever you may offer.  Tired of losing business to internet competitors or out of state contractors, how about spending money with your own local businesses and contractors where possible.  Ignorance is no longer an excuse.  If it’s good for the goose it’s good for the gander.

I’ve watched multiple businesses purchase product from an out of state vendor to save $10.  I’ve stood by while profits erode for everyone and then the business owner speaks out the side of their mouth.  I have officially STOPPED patronizing local businesses that refuse to purchase locally where applicable.  It’s no different expecting your business purchases to be kept local, than to expect your end users to use your products and services locally.

I would encourage everyone to do the same, speak up if someone insists on making purchasing decisions for a very marginal savings.  I’m not against saving money, but I am at the cost of giving business away to the lowest bidder, despite future costs and local support.  Post on Twitter, make a facebook update, create a blog post, tell someone about bad purchasing decisions.  Shame on you and you know who you are.

Insight Deception

Looks like Insight is wasting no time in 2011 doing the same thing.  Yesterday I received an official, red marked envelope, with official lettering stating ‘Do Not Bend’.  Did I miss a payment, will there be interruption in my service, is this a court summons?  Nope, just some spam informing me that I can get a deal on a phone line for the same price I could get it at the last 2 years.  This is not breaking news and as far as I’m concerned, should be illegal to market this way.

Insight Deception Phone Offer

Keep it up Insightbb, I’ve already talked with WOW cable and internet provider and I’m ready to make the switch.  Put another stack of this crap in my mailbox and I’ll be cancelling immediately.