America's most crime-ridden cities

The 11 Most Dangerous CitiesCrime rates in the United States have dropped significantly in the last two decades and continue to be on a steady downward trajectory, according to FBI figures. In 1991, there were 758 violent crimes per 100,000 Americans, compared to 2009's figure of 429. Property crime has diminished similarly, and is down to 3,036 per 100,000 people from 5,140 in 1991. Total crime

Harford County Teachers Cry Foul

Teachers in Harford County Maryland are crying foul to a plan to reduce the budget for salaries by 2%. The Harford County government is facing a $12 million budget shortfall and cuts need to be made somewhere.

Teachers reacted with outrage saying that a cut in pay would be demoralizing. However, I find it difficult to have any sympathy for them. Here at American Amalgamated Corrugated Conglomerates of America, we went through an 8% reduction in staff last year. 8%!!!! Several hundred people were laid off. When private companies do not have enough revenue to support the staff levels, then staff must be reduced. It's a fact of life. No one wants to fire employees. But in order to save everyone else's job, some people must be terminated.

I have been laid off twice in my life and don't get me wrong - I was angrier than an ugly TV reporter whose romantic advances were rejected by a Maryland governor. It sucks. And I hated those companies. But I know they had to do it. And I'm better off for it now.

Unfortunately, when dealing with unions or public sector jobs, or in this case both, there is no understanding, just outrage when the budget must be balanced. And the best part is that I'm pretty sure that Harford County will not be able to get rid of the teachers that suck. Union rules probably prevent that. Instead they will have to get rid of young teachers - regardless if they are awesome teachers or not. Merit does not matter in a union. Good luck!

Huh???

You know how it is sometimes when work is really really busy and you're working a lot of overtime and you're really tired when you get home, but you still have a family to manage and by the time you get the kids to bed you're really tired, too tired to do anything, but think you can write a post for a blog, but then you fall asleep and think that you can write one at work, but work is so busy and the stock market being what it is and companies cutting back and you're afraid to slack the least bit at work for fear that they'll be searching for people to lay off and you can't afford for that to be you, so you continue to bust you butt, but feel like it's not really getting you anywhere because you know you're pay raise will only be about 3% but you're wife doesn't make much money and you can't afford to quit your job and be the low man on the totem poll at another company and risk not having health insurance so you keep chugging along and here you are?