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This & That With Kovacs

Steve Kovacs (4,119)
Steve Kovacs
The Kovacs Perspective

Jobs in the US, New Manufacturing Employment Areas, Realistic Wages and Innovation

Posted Saturday, November 14, 2009 (6 days 9 hours ago.) Viewed 815 times.

I am surprised I hear so little about the lack of manufacturing in the US and its effect on our economy. Sure, I hear people say what a shame it is we don't build as many cars as we used to or that we do not make steel anymore. I hear people mention we do not manufacture shirts, pants, shoes, televisions, vacuum cleaners and computers much anymore. However, not many people seem to talk about its devastating effect on the US .

I also hear some people say unions ruined auto manufacturers in America and had its hands in the downfall of much of America's manufacturing. They say unions allowed shoddy production practices to continue and pushed for outrageous pay for employees.

I am not a union expert, but I feel they have done much good for many years. However, I also believe they have caused a mess with pushing for too much in too many areas. We are beyond the time of debating if unions are a cause in our manufacturing problems. The bottom line is we have an enormous problem that needs to be changed. One of the reasons the US is in trouble, whatever caused it, is because we build very little. The time of debate is over and the time for bold innovative action is upon us.

We purchase shirts, shoes, TV's, etc. from other countries because they are cheaper and they are cheaper because of labor costs. In many cases, their labor costs are a fraction of what ours is in the US . Many say, well, there is nothing we can do. They say we simply cannot compete with many of these countries labor rates. Some countries work rates are around two dollars an hour where here, we would have to quadruple that pay.

The fact of the matter is we have to do something. We have to start manufacturing in this country and paying a realistic, competitive, worldwide work rate. It is time for realism to be addressed and then accepted by workers. Smart business leaders are realizing that outlandish profits are not the mainstream anymore and workers and management both have to acquiesce in a win-win business model.

Still others feel it is impossible to start up vibrant manufacturing in the US again. I disagree. Here are some new manufacturing ideas in start up phases across the nation:

  • A number of solar-panel factories are coming online in the United States . Let us work to be a world leader here!
  • Wind turbines are apparently not the complete answer to our energy needs however; they probably will have a place in our market. Makers of these huge turbines are establishing factories in the US heartland. These factories closeness to wind farms on the Plains cuts the cost of shipping these huge machines from abroad.
  • In the Midwest , Myers Motors is taking deposits on a two-seater electric vehicle they are getting ready to manufacture.

There are other examples, such as in areas of technology. I recommend if we see these or similar American innovative ideas we support them in any way we can. The United States has traditionally been an innovative country. We have been world leaders for generations in many areas. Now is unquestionably the time to be bold and innovative again! America has such a varied mix of nationalities and cultures that can bring so much to the table in this challenging time. Let us all get together, pick great leaders to guide us and move forward.


        Comments (14)

A Simple Thanksgiving Dinner Tip That Will Keep You Slim, Trim, and Guilt Free…Maybe

Posted Sunday, November 08, 2009 (13 days ago.) Viewed 1,050 times.

If you are fortunate to be a part of a fantastic Thanksgiving dinner this year, how in the world can you enjoy it and yet not get fat! There are many ways. Some ways take planning and assessing exactly what is available at your feast and then only eating the healthy stuff. Doesn't sound very Thanskgivingish does it? Others tell us to eat a breakfast and a light lunch before the big dinner. Makes sense; fill up before the good stuff. Yet others say to drink lots and lots of water before you eat. Drinking loads of water may certainly fill you up to the point of not overeating but this one seems like a sure way to ruin a fine meal. I say; unless you have a health issue and you need to watch your diet closely, don't do any of these things.

If you are one of the lucky ones in the United States who will be eating an opulent Thanksgiving dinner this year, take thanks and enjoy it. You can drink tons of water anytime. You also can eat "only healthy" some other day. Gluttony is never a good thing but enjoying every lit bit of what your Thanksgiving bounty has to offer IS a good thing.

One of the best ways to keep at a healthy weight, no matter what some complicated diet programs say is to eat in moderation and utilize portion control. This is simple yet not so easy for many of us. I have always had problems with portion control. I often struggle at it but it works for me and I keep at a pretty good weight. The good news with portion control is that on those occasions where there is plenty of great food on the table I can have a little of it all. Sounds selfish and I suppose it is but what can I say; I love food. Again, I remind myself not to go overboard and I usually do not.

I read where a nutritionist said an average Thanksgiving dinner eaten in moderation is around 2,000 calories. That number makes sense to me and for a holiday dinner that comes around once a year it is not excessive. However, for me, if I did not remind myself to practice portion control, I could easily quadruple that caloric intake. It is so easy to just eat and eat and eat.

Many of us will be fortunate to have plenty of great food in front of us this year. If you want to enjoy the dinner and keep a handle on your weight and health eat everything your heart desires, just do not eat too much of it.

What if you overeat? Join the club, who hasn't. If you happen to eat an extra serving of turkey smothered with gravy, walk around the block after dinner. If you happen to lose your self-control and eat an extra piece of everything, walk around the block and keep walking until daylight. Who knows it may be one of those holidays where I lose portion control too, and if that's the case, you may see me walking right next to you. Happy Thanksgiving!


        Comments (10)

Six Dead Bodies Found In Home--Manhunt Leads to Arrest of Convicted Sex Offender

Posted Sunday, November 01, 2009 (19 days 23 hours ago.) Viewed 897 times.

Police originally went to convicted rapist and registered sex offender Anthony Sowell's home to serve a warrant for rape and felonious assault. They did not find Sowell but they did find two dead bodies. The next day, they found a third body in a freshly dug grave in the basement and the remains of two more people in an upper floor of the home. Sex crime investigators also dug up a shallow grave in the backyard of the home, revealing the remains of a sixth body.

The police immediately started an intensive manhunt for Sowell, now a suspected serial killer. Thankfully, a tip to police that said he was walking near a police station paid off. The police quickly located and arrested Sowell.

Sowell, 50, is a registered sex offender who served 15 years in an Ohio penitentiary for rape. He was released from prison in 2005. He reportedly lived in the house with his uncle and aunt but no one has seen the relatives in awhile. According to local news reports one neighbor described him as being crazy and that, "Sometimes he would just go off if he didn't have his way".

Police say two of the bodies were those of women. Neighbors who have missing friends or relatives are worrying if the bodies are those of loved ones. The county coroner's office will compare medical and personal records from locals who have gone missing to those of the bodies found.

The area of Cleveland where the bodies were discovered has been hit hard by a harsh economy, challenging employment possibilities, and high crime rates. This tragedy adds to the woes to an area that has been swimming upstream for quite a while.

Questions linger in this case. First, is Sowell the man responsible for the six bodies in the home? Everyone is innocent until proven guilty. Second, if he turns out to be the one responsible should he have been released from prison? Should he have been monitored more closely after his release from incarceration?

Outrageous crimes occur much too often and similar questions are asked repeatedly. I suppose there are no cookie cutter answers as every case is a little different. However, what about the terror of the people who were most likely killed in that home. And how about the fear, anxiety, and desperation of the friends and relatives of those who have gone missing while they wait to hear about the identification of the bodies?

Moreover, what about the people who worry about the next crazy crime that may hit them, their parents, children or friends? All these folks deserve answers to these questions. We should never give up trying to find them.


        Comments (13)

Adults and Halloween Bring Costumes, Ghosts, Goblins, Fun, and the Economy a Boost

Posted Tuesday, October 27, 2009 (24 days 22 hours ago.) Viewed 1,570 times.

Everyone knows kids love Halloween. However, so do many adults. Approximately 50 percent of adults I know are going to some sort of Halloween party this year. They rent or make their own costumes ranging from the scary monster types to the sexy ones many women wear. It is a great night of diversion for many grown ups and the economy takes a healthy boost as well.

Experts estimate 50 percent of costume sales go to adults and many restaurants and clubs are hosting adult Halloween events not to mention the many private parties all across the US . The real big money maker for many establishments and retailers are alcohol sales and they go strong this time of year. Halloween will account over 5 billion dollars in general retail sales this year with a bulk of that going for adults.

I am not a Halloween lover, probably because I wore a uniform for twenty years and the last thing I want to do is wear a uniform or any thing resembling one for even one night. However, I get a kick out of adults getting into this holiday. There is something surreal about adults dressing up like a pirate or a sexy vampire. So much of life is, "so real" nowadays that it's nice to get away from it every now and then. Escapism and diversions are good sometimes.

If there is such a thing as ghosts or goblins, they have to be laughing their butts off watching millions of adults getting silly this time of year. I'll also be laughing as I watch a giant pumpkin, pirate, or monster drive their cars through traffic getting to their parties. There is nothing much funnier then seeing a giant pumpkin speeding through traffic, I'm serious!

As long as people do not drink too much and get behind a wheel, they should enjoy being a kid again for a day. Tomorrow will come soon enough, so I say enjoy!


        Comments (12)

  


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