Comparing US States vs Country

Which countries match the GDP and population of America's states? READ MORE
IT HAS long been true that California on its own would rank as one of the biggest economies of the world. These days, it would rank eighth, falling between Italy and Brazil on a nominal exchange-rate basis. But how do other American states compare with other countries? Taking the nearest equivalent country from 2009 data reveals some surprises. Who would have thought that, despite years of auto-industry hardship, the economy of Michigan is still the same size as Taiwan's?

Texas, California, and the Tale of the Coyote

READ HERE for a good laugh ....

Best health care political pull can buy

When President Obama signed his health care plan into law, he promised it would foster "choice and competition." Nine months later, Americans can count this as another Big Lie. Obamacare has instead reduced competition in the marketplace for health services.
The New York Times recently reported that Obamacare has spurred a wave of mergers among doctors, hospitals and other providers "eager to share costs and savings, and cash in on the incentives." The Wall Street Journal noted a growing trend of hospitals merging into large regional networks and purchasing physician practices to lock up guaranteed sources of patients. Physicians are increasingly choosing to merge into large groups (or become salaried hospital employees) to lessen the costs of complying with the sweeping new law, such as requirements to adopt expensive electronic medical-record systems.....READ MORE

So Few Pay SOOO Much

Fleeced: The upper 1% earned 19.6% of total income before tax, and paid 41% of the individual federal income tax. "No other major country is so dependent on so few taxpayers"  (click to read more)

Kiev, Ukraine

In September, we had an HR workshop in Kiev, Ukraine. We took a couple of extra days to explore the city. See more on Kiev HERE

KZ - Winter Finally Arrived

Home today alone, missing my BF (best friend Lauri - in States planning Bek's wedding and prepping for Christmas).  So I decided it was time for a "jail break".  Given that I have no wheels (car), this must happen by hoofing it.  Winter arrived yesterday about noon as a light snow started.  It finished this morning after leaving about 6 inches of snow.  High today, maybe, reached 14 F.  Tonite, it's supposed to reach 0 F.  Yes, a bit cold.  You will see evidence of my jail break in the pictures.  All of them taken within about 1.5 miles of the house.  It was nice to get out for 'bout a 4 mile walk.  Enjoy ...

Becka and Cody are ENGAGED!

Cody popped the question on October 21st ... Bec said YES.