"Merit Increase for Harry?"

How many of you worked for places that used the "merit increase system"? Those are "dirty words", in most "union shops". Unions like across-the-board raises for everybody, regardless of performance on the job. I understand the merit system can be abused if it is unfairly implemented; favoritism can leak into the system, and the purposeful policy of holding down wages are also a possibility. I worked in both environments, so I've had the pleasure of seeing abuse in two different systems. When raises were given to everyone, the prevailing attitude was one of "why work harder when I will get the same raise as the guy who does nearly nothing"; I totally understand this mindset, as I have seen people who are bordering on useless cruise along while others pick up their slack. The result of this is a workforce that is either lazy, or resentful. I have also seen a merit system which had an unspoken policy of "never give the top raise" to anyone. The psychology behind this is to cause the hard worker to work even harder to "attain the unattainable". Oddly the results of a badly run merit system is the same as the badly run "across-the-board raise system"; you end up with those who will settle for "middle of the road" and do nothing to improve, or a group of resentful hard workers, who give up on trying harder as they see no reward. If we only rewarded people for actual "good job performance" and CANNED FOR BAD JOB PERFORMANCE; I'll bet we would see some real changes in our businesses, government and educational system!

One of the most prestigious positions in Washington is Senate Majority Leader. This position is currently held by Senator Harry Reid (D-NV). This position is usually given to a senior senator of the majority party, who has exhibited great service to his constituents and done a good job for his state. If this is the prevailing ideal for a Senate Majority Leader, I think we should take a look at the kind of job Harry Reid has done for Nevada.

Let's start with violent crime in Nevada, in relation to the rest of the United States; the national average is 4.5 per thousand of population; Nevada violent crime rate is 7.5 per thousand of population. Property crime in the United States is 32.1 and in Nevada it is 35.7 per thousand of population. Crimes committed per square mile of area in the United States are 41.8 per square mile; in Nevada it is 94 per square mile! It looks like Harry isn't doing such a great job on crime in his home state! How about home and business foreclosures, well not too good for Harry again! Nevada leads the nation in home and business foreclosures with over a million in 2010; and guess what: Nevada has been the leader in foreclosures for 52 MONTHS IN A ROW!! Once again it doesn't look too good Harry! Finally, let's look at unemployment; once again Harry, it doesn't look too good. Since last year's "summer of recovery" Nevada has an unemployment level of 12.4%, while the national average is 9.2%. Are you folks in Nevada still happy about Harry's re-election last November? Sorry folks, but the numbers don't lie; it seems that Harry is a dismal failure, and is not serving the people of Nevada very well; and he's not doing such a "hot job" as Majority Leader either; the whole country is choking on Obamacare; thanks Harry!

I don't know if Harry deserves a "merit increase" this year. Perhaps he needs to seek employment elsewhere. I hope there are people in Nevada who will read this, and check out my facts. Harry isn't getting YOUR JOB DONE!!