Monday, August 23, 2010

End Pre-Employment Credit Checks

No Credit CheckThere are very few jobs in today's society that really require a credit check to screen people to do the job.  Yet, many companies will run a credit check as routine pre-employment screening.  There is no empirical evidence that shows people with better credit ratings make better employees.

This is not a personal rant in case you are wondering.  My credit is better than OK, but is no one's business, unless maybe I am working say in a Bank or related field.  The government even runs credit checks on people to see if they may be a "security risk."  Once again, they have no evidence to this (just like running a lie detector test) that shows a poor credit rating constitutes a security risk.  They simply base this on "logic" that if you have bad credit you are more susceptible to a bribe. Once again, no evidence exists.

I am all for banning credit checks for pre-employment screening, as it knocks honest hard working people out of the running for jobs which credit is no factor.  When unemployment has been at 10% for so long - a lot of folks will start showing poor credit scores.

If anyone knows of any evidence to the contrary let me know- so far what I have found is non-existent.

Whatever you do- Stay Safe!

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Roadkill Special?

I saw this Jeep in the DQ parking lot in Riviera, Texas.  I just could not help myself thinking how awesome it is this guy recycles roadkill with the BBQ Pit on his Bumper.

We are in tough times, so what the heck, right?

Friday, August 6, 2010

How to Make Real Economic Reform

I have a novel Idea as to how to bring about economic reform in the US.  Maybe it has been thought of before, but it is so simple, that it can really work.  It all has to do with Congress, I don't care who is president, Congress would make it happen.

First, all congressmen (that is the official term don't go politically correct on me) should earn while in Congress the average salary of those in their district.  This may seem unfair, but really, you are a representative of your district, not a Party and you are not any sort of elite politician.  As far as campaign contributions, anything left over after the campaign must be turned in to the US treasury towards ending the national debt.  No more using it as a "nest egg" for politicians.

The Senators would not be immune either, they will earn the average salary of workers in their state.  Some people say, paying such a low wage encourages corruption.  I disagree.   All you have to do is make it a minimum 20 year prison sentence for accepting a bribe.  It would be a minimum 30 year prison sentence for offering a bribe.  Any company that had an employee offer a bribe to a Senator or Congressman would be immediately ineligible for any government contracts for the same 30 years.

There should be no such thing as "retirement"  for members of Congress.  If they want to stay and serve, great, but this should be incentive for voluntary term limits.  There should be no such thing as a professional politician.

This is just the beginning, but if Congress truly had a vested interest in improving the economy, and making things better for the people they allegedly serve, then we may actually see real progress in building a real strong economy.  This isn't about party, it isn't about ideals, it is plain and practical.

Just as an unrelated bonus, there should be a minimum 15 year prison sentence for any member of Congress that votes for or against any bill they have not read.  Random tests could be given for this easily.

Remember to Stay Safe!