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Jobs Report is Dismal
Utah economist Jeff Thredgold’s Tea Leaf economic update this week notes the weak U.S. jobs growth for August, but he expects the economy to avoid recession. “U.S. employment data for the month of August can only be described as dismal. Such weaker employment data may be on tap for awhile before the economy regains its sea legs, presumably as 2008 unfolds.
“Is recession now likely? It certainly depends on who you listen to. A handful of Wall Street and regional economists are actively voicing their views that recession is already, or will soon be, underway. These same forecasters have been calling for imminent recession almost without hesitation during the past five years, always loud and always wrong. Even a broken clock is right twice a day. “We continue to expect the U.S. economy to avoid recession, with odds of recession now approaching 40%. Aside from employment and housing, auto sales have improved in recent weeks. Retail sales have also come in stronger than expected. A recent survey of manufacturing also noted continuing growth. In addition, global economic growth remains impressive.”
UTA, UDOT Want Feedback
The Utah Transit Authority and Utah Department of Transportation are seeking feedback from residents of south Davis County on the future of transit in their county. The input residents share will help guide the South Davis Transit Study in determining what transit mode and alignment are best suited to the needs of south Davis County. A new questionnaire and comment form have been posted on the South Davis Transit Study website. The questionnaire seeks comment on the different potential modes of transportation and different alignments for the area (see press release).
Democratic Party Newsletter
The Utah State Democratic Party has released the September edition of its newsletter, The Message, which criticizes Sen. Orrin Hatch's response to the Crandall Canyon Mine tragedy and looks at Utah's voucher fight.
Washington Watch
Hatch: Pass Voting Rights Act
In op-ed, Sens. Orrin Hatch and Joe Lieberman and Reps. Tom Davis and Eleanor Holmes Norton urge the Senate to pass the D.C. Voting Rights Act, which would add a fourth congressional seat for Utah (Washington Post); Hatch speaks on the Senate floor in support of Gen. David Petraeus' Iraq testimony and denounces attacks against Petraeus by MoveOn.org (see press release).
Bennett's Health Care Advocacy
Columnist Jonathan Cohn takes an in-depth look at Sen. Bob Bennett's “surprising” support for universal health care (The New Republic); the Senate approves $120.3 million requested by Bennett to improve Utah’s roads, airports, and public transportation systems, including construction of commuter rail along the Wasatch Front (see press release); the Senate approves legislation funding the Department of Defense for the next fiscal year, including $93.5 million for key military projects requested by Bennett (press release).
Matheson Wants New Iraq Strategy
Rep. Jim Matheson says of Gen. Petraeus' Iraq report: "Our troops have, as always, performed heroically. However, I am worried about the wear and tear on our military, particularly our ground forces. ... The growing body of evidence suggests that our government needs a strategy to begin moving U.S. resources from a combat role in Iraq to meet other pressing demands with regard to counter-terrorism and training of the Iraqi military" (see press release).
Today in Political History
Sept. 13, 1948: Republican Margaret Chase Smith of Maine is elected to the U.S. Senate, becoming the first woman to serve in both houses of Congress. (Source: NBC5)
Sept. 13, 1960: Medicare program established. (Source: Perspicuity)
Sept. 13, 1993: At the White House, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO chairman Yasser Arafat shake hands after signing an accord granting limited Palestinian autonomy. (New York Times)
Wise Words
“Success without honor is an unseasoned dish; it will satisfy your hunger, but it won't taste good.”
-- Joe Paterno (Source: Quote Garden)
Leadership Tip
Keys to Effective Leadership
A Hays study examined over 75 key components of employee satisfaction. They found that:
-- Trust and confidence in top leadership was the single most reliable predictor of employee satisfaction in an organization.
-- Effective communication by leadership in three critical areas was the key to winning organizational trust and confidence:
- Helping employees understand the company's overall business strategy.
- Helping employees understand how they contribute to achieving key business objectives.
- Sharing information with employees on both how the company is doing and how an employee's own division is doing -- relative to strategic business objectives. (Source: nwlink)
National Politics
Best Stories From …
-- Los Angeles Times: HHS Secretary and former Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt says the U.S. can’t ensure the safety of imports through inspections at trade gateways and border crossings alone.
-- Washington Post: "For four Democratic presidential candidates, [Tuesday's] Iraq hearings offered a high-profile platform to challenge President Bush on Iraq. For the lone Senate Republican seeking the White House, the hearings were an opportunity to boost his struggling candidacy by embracing what the top two U.S. officials in Iraq said were signs of progress."
-- Los Angeles Times: As Fred Thompson pours on his Southern charm at campaign stops, one thing is becoming clear: "Personality is what his White House run is all about."
-- Washington Times: "Newt Gingrich is moving closer to a presidential nomination bid in a severely divided Republican Party. 'I will decide based on whether I have about $30 million in committed campaign contributions and whether I think it is possible to run a campaign based on ideas rather than 30-second sound bites,' the former House speaker [said]."
-- New York Times: Senate Democrats "are feeling bullish these days about expanding [their Senate] majority in 2008 -- and with good reason."
Lighter Side
Best of Late Night Humor
David Letterman: “Top Signs Your Neighbor is Hiding Osama bin Laden”: He’s turned backyard jungle gym into Taliban training camp; You call over there and someone answers, “Death to America... I mean, Yello”; There’s a large “No Infidels” sign on the front porch; In latest video, behind Osama is you mowing the lawn; Neighborhood suddenly reeks of figs and sheep; Got invited to summer block party—this years theme: “Sun, Fun and Jihad”; Mailbox now reads, “Rutherford/bin Laden”; Car in the driveway has a hilarious “Martyrdom or Bust” bumper sticker.
Jay Leno: In his latest video, Osama bin Laden urges all Americans to reject democracy and convert to Islam. Well, I can see that happening! Is this guy living in a cave? ... No, bin Laden said he wants Americans to convert to Islam because there are no taxes in his world. Which is true. There’s also no music, no ice, no books... And from the looks of bin Laden, no toothpaste or deodorant either. ... Newsweek has a big cover story on Fred Thompson’s presidential campaign. You learn a lot about him. For example, he used to work at NBC, so apparently he knows how to deal with disasters. ... In Idaho, restroom enthusiast Senator Larry Craig said he will resign. He said he enjoyed being in Washington and he’ll miss his colleagues on both sides of the stall. First he’s going to resign, now he’s not going. Why can’t the guy just be straight with us? Even John Kerry’s going, “make up your mind.” (Patriot Post) |
