Page 12 - August 09, 2012 knew the business, products, and people. The shopping mall revolution in the last third of the 20th century significantly changed the way we shop.

Nome and Paul Van Middlesworth thecomputerfactoryltd.com The Computer Factory Why Big Businesses Don’t Provide Real Customer Service Part 1 Customer Care, Customer Relations, Customer Support, Customer Service, and even Bedside Manner, are words that relate to the human element in a business relationship. When you buy a product or service you’d like to believe the person representing the business is also interested in helping you to make the best decisions. Unfortunately, all too often these days, that’s not the case. Traditionally, Americans bought trusted American products and local services. Even in big cities we shopped for products and services in our suburbs or neighborhoods. Town or country, we shopped confidently where we

Today we shop in superstores where we don’t know the owners or employees. Indeed we may shop the mall all day and never see a familiar face. Many of the iconic “American” products we buy are no longer American. Ben and Jerry’s, Budweiser, Gerber, Brooks Brother’s, Ray-ban, Lens Crafters, Chrysler, Firestone, Purina, Alka-Seltzer and Vaseline are among hundreds of foreign owned “American” companies. Even our once local “Mom and Pop” convenience stores, are typically foreign franchises often owned and operated by first generation Asian and middle-eastern immigrants.

Don’t we care about honesty any more? Most of us realize that information on the WWW, TV, radio and in print is often agenda driven, not factual and that businesses, governments and politicians use these vehicles not to inform but to influence. We know that multi-national companies are mainly interested in snagging our dollars and that an anonymous salesperson may be much more interested in his commission than our needs. Having to rely on strangers for help in making decisions is stressful. We try to avoid that kind of

stress by dealing with people and businesses that we know and trust when we can. We treasure our relationship with trusted providers like our auto mechanic, car dealer, family doctor, plumber, hairdresser, dentist, baby sitter, cleaning lady, landscaper, computer sales and repair, and mortician. We enjoy contact with people who treat us openly and honestly, like friends rather than commodities. We find it in our service clubs, churches and recreational activities and seek it in our commercial relationships as well. Why can’t big companies provide the kind of friendly trustworthy customer relations most of us want? That’s next week’s topic.

While older generations can wax nostalgic about the way things used to be, younger generations never knew it any other way. “Globalization” has changed traditional America forever; “diversity,” like it or not, is here to stay. Diversity, globalization, and urbanization have combined to dilute America’s traditional Judeo-Christian based culture. Ethics and morality have become situational. Justice is no longer an ideal, it’s a commodity that can be purchased for a price, a hand-

Misplaced Priorities

these businesses, the legislature would add to the long list of California’s unemployed need unnecessary policies that impede more jobs, but the majority our economic recovery. party is proposing legislation that would further discourage California has already lost thousands of jobs to other states economic investment. because our laws and regulations Legislation is being amended to make doing business here prohibit the state from contract- impractical. ing with out-of-state businesses that elect one tax formula The misplaced priorities must instead of another. California stop. Jobs and economic growth currently provides more than are paramount, and any effort to one tax option to out-of-state raise taxes on businesses will businesses to encourage their only block economic progress for California. commerce and job creation. Many businesses have operations throughout California, but are headquartered in other states. The bill’s proposal would punish these companies if they choose the tax calculation they are legally entitled to claim that is most favorable for the company, instead of the one that taxes them the most. By prohibiting the state from contracting with

shake is just a handshake and a man’s word is no longer his bond. In a land that once could not abide a liar, an ex-president who cheated on his wife and lied before a jury can become a revered elder statesman.

Senator Mark Wyland represents the people of the 38th Senate District, which includes San Diego (Rancho Bernardo, 4S Ranch, Rancho Penasquitos, Carmel Valley) and Solana Beach, Encinitas, Carlsbad, Rancho Santa Fe, San Marcos, Escondido, Vista the south Orange County cities of San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano.

Getting to the Medal Stand Can Be Expensive During the Olympic Games, dozens of American athletes celebrate after capturing prized medals in swimming, gymnastics, judo and many other competitions. Unfortunately, the celebration ends when medal winning athletes return home and have a surprise waiting for them– the Internal Revenue Service. According to a report issued by the Americans for Tax Reform Foundation, medal winning athletes face prize taxes ranging from $8,986 for gold to $3,502 for bronze. While it is true that many athletes come home to lucrative endorsement deals and other economic opportunities, there are still many that go back to school or their

nine to five jobs. For every Michael Phelps and Lebron James there is a teenage gymnast, archer or diver that doesn’t employ an army of accountants to help them navigate the tax code. I believe that we should celebrate the accomplishments of our athletes who dedicate countless hours to their respective sports and represent their country on the world’s biggest stage. Fortunately, federal legislation changing this tax penalty has already been introduced by Senator Marco Rubio (RFLA) and Rep. Mary BonoMack (R-CA) and will likely be heard before Congress adjourns later this year. I encourage you to call your local Congressional representative and offer your support for our Olympians.

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