Made in the USA
Apr 07
There has been much buzz about government mandated regulatory compliance over the last few years resulting in volumes of overly confusing and ominously threatening regulations. Businesses are told they must control access to data, specifying and providing justification for who may access what types of information. There must also be testing and documented proof that [...] [...more]
Posted: under Business, Economy.
Tags: compliance, regulatory, small business
There has been much buzz about government mandated regulatory compliance over the last few years resulting in volumes of overly confusing and ominously threatening regulations. Businesses are told they must control access to data, specifying and providing justification for who may access what types of information. There must also be testing and documented proof that data cannot be accessed by unauthorized personnel. Yet to my knowledge there are no official documents specifying or recommending how this is to be done. It seems to be up to the Information Systems Administrators of each company or organization to figure out how. But then an audit or a court order could determine whether their procedures were adequate or worthy of fines or penalties.
There are also ambiguous data retention requirements that seem to automatically put many small businesses at risk simply for not having the resources in place to bear the burden of long-term data retention. In addition to retention, there also must be a means of rapid data discovery. This becomes extremely problematic when business management system software is developed by third party vendors. Periodically, new versions of the software are released that are unable to directly access the data retained by earlier versions of the software. You would think then that it would be up to those software vendors to provide a means for data discovery, but they might be inclined to charge outrageous fees for doing so. Or there may be a conversion process that could call into question the integrity and authenticity or historical purity of the data.
Another issue that affects data retention is the technological changes and advancements in the materials and methodologies of data retention. For example, data may have been stored consistently on tape for years, but then the tape drives fail and have to be replaced with newer, technologically different drives that are unable to read the old tapes. Of course a full backup of existing data is performed on the new media and everything is fine until there is a request for the data as it existed on a date well prior to the conversion, or involving files that had been erased before that date and can be found only on tape backups that can not be read by the existing equipment.
Data encryption presents another dilemma in terms of data discovery. The encryption algorithms and keys are not always managed by the Information Technologies staff. Individuals can password protect their own documents and encrypt their own e-mails, making attempts at data discovery extremely difficult.
Small businesses will have a hard time complying with the regulations, and may be forced out of business rather than spending the resources and effort to implement them. So at a time when the economy is suffering, jobs are few, unemployment is high, and both large and small businesses are struggling, along comes government regulations to close more small businesses and put more people out of work.
On the other side of that coin, though, new businesses have arisen offering to help other businesses sift through the regulatory compliance issues. And that’s fine for some large to mid-sized companies and even a few small companies. But there are still a lot of small and struggling businesses that just cannot justify the expense of something they might never really need. Of course you could say that about insurance, too. And this could be viewed as a type of insurance. But at some point you have to draw the line on some business expenses just so you can stay viable.
There’s a big difference between encouraging responsible data governance with recommendations for successful implementation, and imposing regulations and requirements with severe penalties for non-compliance. I’ve been informed that there are such regulations, but I’ve been hard pressed to find a basic do-it-yourself kit for small businesses to bring themselves into compliance, or at least get a better feel for what should be done.
I sometimes wonder whether those writing and defining the regulations actually want the businesses to fail compliance audits so that the regulators can profit from the fines they impose.
Tracy Henness
Aug 13
I’ve heard a lot of people arguing against photovoltaic (solar) power, wind generated electricity, alternative automotive fuels, etc. They all have the right to have and voice their own opinions. And they may well be right in their perceptions. It is undeniable that many of these new technologies are inefficient, costly, and possibly potentially hazardous.
But [...] [...more]
Posted: under Economy, Going Green.
Tags: ideas, photovoltaic, solar, wind energy
I’ve heard a lot of people arguing against photovoltaic (solar) power, wind generated electricity, alternative automotive fuels, etc. They all have the right to have and voice their own opinions. And they may well be right in their perceptions. It is undeniable that many of these new technologies are inefficient, costly, and possibly potentially hazardous.
But we live in an age where, aside from the idea that we may run out of the resources we currently so readily consume, we have such a high rate of unemployment and a downwardly sliding economy. These technologies have the potential for decreasing unemployment and improving our economy. If you are against decreasing unemployment and/or against improving our nation’s economy, you don’t need to waste your time reading further.
Many of these technologies attempt to harness immaterial or intangible natural forces such as solar energy, wind, and magnetism in ways that supplement the ways we currently generate electricity and mechanical motion. The problem is that we have not found ways to make these technologies truly economical and efficient. But to draw a parallel here, think back to the 1980’s when desktop computers were just coming on the scene. Most people, and some major corporations such as IBM, scoffed at the idea of having computers in the homes and occupying valuable desk space in the offices. They couldn’t possibly be really all that useful, and one certainly couldn’t justify the cost factor. This was something for the hobbyist and for those who had money to burn on expensive toys. But as technological advances improved speed, made better use of current flow, reduced the gaps between components, reduced the size of components, streamlined instruction sets, improved multimedia capabilities, improved storage capacities and portability, the price of hardware was drastically reduced. Additionally, software applications and operating systems became more user friendly, more efficient, more interesting, more flexible. And the overall general acceptance of the personal computer became overwhelming. Very few homes are completely without desktop or laptop computers or other portable computing devices of some sort. The same goes for mobile or cellular phones, and many other recent technological wonders.
Each of these technologies saw surges in research and development and in production during periods when many people were still skeptical of the devices. Unfortunately, in order to meet demand for these devices at prices the masses were willing to pay, the developers and producers outsourced production to foreign soil. Can I get an AMEN when I say we should have kept American jobs in America as much as possible?
Well the sun shines here and the wind blows here just as much as the rest of the world. Lets put people to work finding new and better ways to harness these resources not just because we “might someday” run out of oil, coal, and natural gas, but because we can’t imagine right now what breakthroughs we could develop in the near future. Yes, it takes an investment that may or may not see an immediate return, but in the long run we will be better off with people employed rather than seeking handouts. God put so much potential in the brains of so many people who are currently being discouraged by the scoffers. Shame on us for holding them back. And shame on us for letting ourselves be held back.
Tracy Henness
Jun 23
Government imposes regulations on the way companies do business, keep records, affect environment, and compensate employees. These regulations add expense to business activities which must be offset by raising the price of products and services. The additional cost causes a decrease in sales, resulting in decreased profit. So companies compensate by finding ways to reduce [...] [...more]
Posted: under Economy.
Tags: Economy, government, proposal
Government imposes regulations on the way companies do business, keep records, affect environment, and compensate employees. These regulations add expense to business activities which must be offset by raising the price of products and services. The additional cost causes a decrease in sales, resulting in decreased profit. So companies compensate by finding ways to reduce costs, usually resulting in decreased quality, which lowers customer satisfaction and consumer confidence, which again reduces sales, decreasing income and profits; and as a side effect gives government more incentive to impose additional regulations. So the workforce is reduced due to the decreased demand for goods and services because the cost of those goods and services cause consumers to more stringently evaluate the cost versus its necessity. Decreasing the workforce causes a drastic reduction in consumer spending across the board. Companies become unable to profit from sales of goods and services, prompting the decision to shut down rather than continue to operate at a loss, leaving more of the labor force unemployed and unable to afford to buy goods and services that were once considered necessities. Loss of jobs and loss of income reduce the number of citizens from which the government can collect income tax, causing government to either operate at a deficit or find ways to increase taxes. Taxes on businesses get passed along to consumers in the form of price increases. Consumers think twice before making a purchase, leading to lost sales, reduced demand, decreased production, diminished profits, reduced workforce, higher unemployment, failing economy, government intervention, higher production cost, price increase, fewer sales, reduced demand, decreased production, diminished profits, reduced workforce, higher unemployment, failing economy.
So what can be done about this downward spiral? This is an unpopular proposal, but one that should be considered before the US economy becomes too unstable to prevent disaster. Reduce minimum wage for new hires and limit automatic wage increases. There are many who will refuse to work for such low wages, but those who really want to work will be more likely to show their worth to the company. And with the lower initial wages, companies will be less likely to ship US jobs off to foreign soil. Having more US workers on the payrolls will increase spending, strengthening the economy.
Wage increases should be rewards for valuable service to the employer, for innovation, and for improvements to the processes and procedures. There should not be rewards for laziness. If all workers are given the incentive to find innovative way to improve production, introduce new product, find better ways to provide service, to improve customer satisfaction and loyalty, business will have an extended resource base from which to draw. Better products and services will improve consumer confidence, customer satisfaction and loyalty, and have a positive effect on the nation’s economy.
But contrary to my proposal, the state of Illinois is raising the minimum wage in July of this year. I know several people who have waited through years of wage freeze wishing they could at least get caught up with the rising cost of living, while people who have more recently been hired may be getting a mandatory wage increase. Some of those who’ve worked faithfully for years may soon feel they’ve just been slapped in the face by the company. Companies that are struggling and trying desperately not to cut staff are once again faced with the dilemma. Do they increase prices, reduce quality, just ride out the storm and hope things turn around soon?
I don’t have all the answers. Pray that God will bless this country with technologies or resources that have global market value, restore our economy, and bring prosperity back to this land.
Tracy Henness
Mar 09
The unending drumbeat decrying the salaries and perks paid to executives of stock held companies and financial institutions is not only infuriating but it is sinful. Corporate leaders are paid commensurate to the performance of the company’s business and increased value of its stock. The owners of the company (shareholders) determine the amount of profits [...] [...more]
Posted: under Economy.
The unending drumbeat decrying the salaries and perks paid to executives of stock held companies and financial institutions is not only infuriating but it is sinful. Corporate leaders are paid commensurate to the performance of the company’s business and increased value of its stock. The owners of the company (shareholders) determine the amount of profits which are paid to those who run the business on their behalf. If they do not perform, they are replaced by someone who will make decisions and issue directive which will reduce cost while increasing productivity, increase market share, introduce new products, remove obstacles to growth in order for the company to generate as much profit as possible. If a corporation makes an after tax profit of $100 million on sales of $3 billion (3000 million); this represents only a 3 % profit. If the owners of the company paid the CEO $3 million in annual salary (which is already accounted for in the pretax expenses of the company) and decide to give the person an additional $1 million in bonus (1% of the profits) this leaves 99% of the profit for those who never made a decision, never negotiated any contracts, never made a sale, never cut any cost. Jesus addresses the issue of compensation in Matt. 20. He tells a story about a farmer who needed laborers to harvest his crop. The farmer hired men at 6:00AM, 9:00AM, 12:00PM, 3:00PM and 6:00PM. He offered to pay the men hired at 6:00AM, a days wages (one denarius) and to each of the other groups he offered to pay ‘whatever is right’. At the close of the day, he told the foreman to pay the men beginning with last group to the first. He gave each group the same amount – 1 denarius. The men who worked from the first grumbled that they received the same as the rest although working through the heat of the day. The owner replied to one of them (they had a bargaining agent and sent him to complain), ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius? (14) ‘Take what is yours and go, but I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. (15) ‘Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with what is my own? Or is your eye envious because I am generous?’ In this story Jesus gives an example of class envy and He is against it. When a board of directors of a corporation choose to be generous to the executives for working hard to create wealth for the owner(s); IT IS NO ONE’S BUSINESS how much they pay them. The money belongs to the owners and it is theirs to do with as they please. Envy (covetousness) is a sin wherever and whenever it occurs. Socialism deceives those who do not have into thinking that if they are resentful and bitter to those who do have, that their lives will be better. By tearing down the wealthy, not one more dollar is added to the poor. In fact as the rich lose their wealth, jobs disappear, charities are penniless, and the truly needy are bereft of help!
Feb 27
We are constantly hearing about greed from the liberal media and corrupt politicians. The Bible does speak of greed as a personal sin, but greed defined as the LOVE of money, cannot be used to describe the activities of a corporation or financial institution. The rationale for this argument is this: an individual, corporation or [...] [...more]
Posted: under Economy.
We are constantly hearing about greed from the liberal media and corrupt politicians. The Bible does speak of greed as a personal sin, but greed defined as the LOVE of money, cannot be used to describe the activities of a corporation or financial institution. The rationale for this argument is this: an individual, corporation or financial institution has a fiduciary and moral requirement to make as much money as possible. These business entities (made up of individuals) have entrusted funds of their own or of others which are given for the express purpose of growth and dividend and received with a promised fulfillment of the same. Jesus tells a story of a wealthy man who entrusts 3 servants with unequal sums of money (God is not a socialist). When called into account, the two servants who made 100% PROFIT, were commended, ‘Well done good and faithful slave’ and the liberal who thought profits were evil and made 0% PROFIT (a non profit organization) was condemned ‘You wicked and lazy slave’. What was given to him was taken away and given to those WHO MADE A PROFIT. This is what is referred to by liberal socialists as WINDFALL PROFITS. Jesus is advocating taking from the unproductive and giving it to the productive. Mat 25:29 “For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away.” This is real Christian Capitalism. Our country would solve our economic problems in less than one year if we would put into practice these Biblical principles. If tomorrow, we stopped giving to those who refuse to work [2Th 3:10 ‘For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either.’] and returned those tax dollars to the individuals who earned them, we would see our nation rise once again to the greatness that God has for us.
God is the one who gives us the power to create wealth. Deu 8:17-18 “Otherwise, you may say in your heart, ‘My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth.’ (18) “But you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” Since God gives the power to make (create) wealth, then wealth is from GOD and is good. To decry and denigrate corporations and financial institutions for making profits is to accuse God of incompetence and collusion and is libelous. It is time that we Christians return to BIBLICAL and common sense approaches to solving our economic problems.
Feb 03
Capitalism is under a full fledged assault. The government under the direction of liberal socialists is running head first to destroy our Christian Capitalistic system. The attack is 3 fold. First, there is a media attack which is completely sold out to the liberal agenda. Our news rooms of every venue are filled with socialists/Marxists, [...] [...more]
Posted: under Economy.
Capitalism is under a full fledged assault. The government under the direction of liberal socialists is running head first to destroy our Christian Capitalistic system. The attack is 3 fold. First, there is a media attack which is completely sold out to the liberal agenda. Our news rooms of every venue are filled with socialists/Marxists, who are bent on convincing all the soft headed that corporations are evil and greedy and capitalism has failed. In spite of the stark socialist failures of history, these individuals write stories which depict any profits as evil and windfall. They denigrate the corporate scions as rotten selfish overpaid persons who deserve to be paid only what the lowest paid employee in the company is paid. You never hear these hypocrites talk about the overpaid and truly rotten athletes who produce nothing and add nothing to the culture or the profits made by newspapers, movie studios, producers, Hollywood actors, TV personalities and musicians. These individuals are truly a danger to our moral future and financial prosperity. Secondly, the attack is by bureaucrats who have life time employment and guaranteed raises and pensions paid by the tax payer. The majority of these individuals work for the government because they cannot cut it in the private sector or have an agenda to change the world (destroy our nation). So they are either incompetent or divisive both characteristics making government the enemy of the citizen. I find it instructive that each time there is a breach of national security in our government it is always at the hands of a career bureaucrat. I cannot think of one instance in my life time where an average citizen sold out his or her country to our enemies. Third, the attack is from minority, fringe groups who the government listens to and writes legislation for. These groups range from environmental to social and every area in between. All these groups need is a letterhead, a few well placed names, a fax machine and the liberal press. Their willing accomplices in the press will dutifully cover every crazy and outrageous allegation as though the world is coming to an end. The politicians will act as though these ‘crises’ are the most important and significant events in the world. They will pass legislation which ruins the lives of normal, productive citizens and corporations to placate these insane groups.
Without a return to common sense living our nation will go the way of all great civilizations which murdered its children by abortion, promoted sodomy, provided welfare to the unproductive and plundered the productive by confiscatory taxes. God help us!
Nov 17
At the heart of the capitalistic system is personal integrity. Webster defines integrity as, adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty. Moral and ethical principles deal with right and wrong in an absolute sense. Lying is always wrong, stealing is always wrong, cheating is always wrong. Truth is always right, keeping what [...] [...more]
Posted: under Business, Economy.
At the heart of the capitalistic system is personal integrity. Webster defines integrity as, adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty. Moral and ethical principles deal with right and wrong in an absolute sense. Lying is always wrong, stealing is always wrong, cheating is always wrong. Truth is always right, keeping what is yours is always right and honesty is always right. We know this is correct because if we are on the receiving end of a lie, theft or cheating we demand justice or a righting of the wrong. Companies don’t lie, steal or cheat, individuals do. When we speak of companies, we are not talking about impersonal entities, rather of people just like us, with hopes, dreams and goals. They want to have enough to provide for their aspirations and the well being of society. As long as these persons (the company) are meeting the customer’s expectations by profitably providing a quality service or product at a price that the market will bear, everyone benefits. The customer is happy because his requirements are met, the producer is happy because he made a profit and can meet his obligations, the government should be happy because by taxation they can continue to serve the people by securing our safety and enforcing the contracts so essential to a free market.
When a person working for a company lacks integrity, whether an executive or machine operator, everyone suffers because profits suffer. If the executive is calloused to the interests of his investors, customers, employees and community, because of hubris (selfishness), the self regulating aspect of capitalism will begin. Customers will complain and look for competing products or services, competitors will gain market share, profits will decline, investors divest, employees find more fulfilling employment and ultimately the company will either find a new executive with personal integrity to change the corporate culture or close. If the machine operator lacks personal integrity and works as little as possible, he reduces the productivity of the plant, increasing the cost of goods sold and reducing profitability. When this cycle is repeated many times in a plant, the company loses its competitive edge and ultimately closes.
The problem comes when government (also made up of individuals) uses its power to regulate a self regulating economic system (capitalism). These regulations cause innumerable unintended consequences. Regulations that dictate product specifications such as CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) standards on automobiles has brought the industry to it knees. Instead of the market regulating what models are produced, bureaucrats set standards based upon some fictitious depletion of oil supply, make believe environmental concerns or liberal ideology. In order to meet the standards, car makers resort to smaller, less powerful, less profitable cars. This leads to loss of market share and ultimately fewer car companies.
Profits are the fuel of our lives and economy. Without profits there are no paychecks issued, no groceries purchased, no retirement savings, no funds for government to do anything, etc. As long as there are honest individuals, the capitalistic free enterprise system will flourish and meet the demands of the market.
Dave Coke
Nov 07
Our great nation was founded upon the principles of liberty, personal integrity and trust in God which are necessary foundations for capitalism. Capitalism is the economic engine which drives the abundance that we enjoy. Capitalism provides the incentive for men and women to get up, go to work and do a good job without force [...] [...more]
Posted: under Economy.
Our great nation was founded upon the principles of liberty, personal integrity and trust in God which are necessary foundations for capitalism. Capitalism is the economic engine which drives the abundance that we enjoy. Capitalism provides the incentive for men and women to get up, go to work and do a good job without force or coercion. One of the most important aspects of capitalism is free markets and dynamic or intelligent purchasing. We have seen a great example of this in the last year in the price of fuel. The market brought about a swift and large price increase due to world wide demand for fuel. Two things occurred 1) suppliers increased production to take advantage of the higher price paid to them. and 2) the habits of individuals in our country changed in regard to day to day and discretionary travel. This trend was repeated in every country of the world. The resulting change in the supply/demand equation brought the price down as swiftly as it went up. What a wonderful self regulating system.
The world market for CRTs has been diminishing for the last 15 years. That change resulted in the closing of monochrome CRT manufacturers around the world. These closings are the necessary result of progress in technology and markets. No one came to the officers of these companies and demanded they close. The incentive for continuing operation – making a profit became smaller and smaller. Responsible management found more profitable products to produce with the same facilities and resources. Clinton displays hopes to benefit from these closings by continuing the manufacturing of high quality monochrome CRTs for its customers. As long as there is a demand for CRT based monitors, and we can obtain reasonably priced raw materials and keep our manufacturing costs low, there will be reason for us to manufacture.
The recent attack upon capitalism by the left in our country is astounding. History has proved that socialism (government control of the means of production by regulation and taxation) does not produce prosperity and wealth like capitalism.
Dave Coke
Oct 17
I attend the Linux User’s Group which meets once a month. Once the meeting got started this month we went around the room telling how the current economy is affecting our employment status. That is, “Do you still have a job?”; “If so, is your employer hiring?”; “Are you looking for a different job?”; etc. [...] [...more]
Posted: under Economy.
Tags: Economy, niche market
I attend the Linux User’s Group which meets once a month. Once the meeting got started this month we went around the room telling how the current economy is affecting our employment status. That is, “Do you still have a job?”; “If so, is your employer hiring?”; “Are you looking for a different job?”; etc. Although I could not offer any positions, I was glad to report that our company’s business health is currently on the upswing, while many of the others are being adversely affected by this current economy.
Even though it seems that every time I mention that our main product is monochrome CRTs someone at least implies that that has to be a dying niche, there is still a need. Clinton Displays is committed to fulfilling that need as long as we can maintain a profit margin that allows us to stay in business.
Of course, we have to stay alert to any possibility of new products or processes that can help us maintain a reasonable profit margin even long after the niche market for CRTs has ceased.
We welcome suggestions not only from within the company, but from our customers, from people that just stumble across our site looking for something that may or may not be related to what we do, or even from our competitors that might be struggling to justify continuing to manufacture similar product.
Tracy Henness
