| Are We a Civil Nation?
The results of the National Civility Survey were released June 22. This survey, conducted by KRC Research, asked more than 1,000 adults all over the age of 18 questions in mid-April.
The results of the civility survey show that the majority of respondents (66 percent) believe that lack of civility is a major problem, and 75 percent believe that it has gotten worse over the last few years.
Observations about the lack of civility are wide ranging. Seventy-two percent of the survey group believe that the tone and level of civility in the country right now is much worse than it was a few years ago, and the majority (71 percent) blame the current fiscal crisis and recession for lessening civility significantly.
Only 26 percent say they expect things to get better, while 30 percent think it will get worse. People who spend a large amount of time online tend to be more pessimistic, and 47 percent of them think that civility will continue to nosedive.
Respondents were asked to rank the places or activities that demonstrate the least civility. The top five results were not surprising.
- Government and politics - 72 percent
- Traffic on roads-highways - 69 percent
- American public - 61 percent
- Talk radio - 59 percent
- High schools - 59 percent
One area where both Democrats and Republicans agree is that government and politics in America are uncivil. As expected, Democrats think Republicans are uncivil and Republicans think Democrats are uncivil. The Republicans are hardest on themselves: 44 percent believe Republicans are uncivil, while 20 percent of Democrats see themselves as lacking in civility. Independents are much closer, seeing the major parties near the 50 percent mark for uncivil behavior.
The most active social media users clearly see blogs as uncivil. Most people believe their workplaces are civil, but their big bosses are not, and the majority are willing to punish big business for its lack of civility as well.
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Nearly half of the respondents reported they have changed their interactions and purchasing practices and frequently shared these views with others upon encountering uncivil behavior in the marketplace.
As a result of the lack of civility on display on a regular basis, people are tuning out of advertising (55 percent), government and politics (49 percent) and opinion pieces or editorials (46 percent). Many believe that it is the responsibility of the American public (87 percent) to improve civility in the country. Closely following the public, 83 percent believe that political leaders have a responsibility, and 81 percent believe that the news media should play a role in restoring civility. Finally, 85 percent who identify with both major political parties believe that people should not vote for politicians or candidates who demonstrate uncivil behavior.
We welcome you to view the National Civility Survey at webersandwick.com.
NACO 7/19/10
Service sector growth underscores
recovery
New York - The U.S. service sector grew in March at its fastest pace in more than two years, suggesting the economic recovery is expanding from the nation's factories to its shops, restaurants, hospitals and other big source of jobs.
The Institute for Supply Management, a trade group, said Monday its service index rose to 55.4 in March from 53 in February.
Economists surveyed by Thomson Reuters has expected a reading of 54. Any reading above 50 signals expansion.
It is the strongest pace of growth since ISM revised how it meassured the service sector in January 2008.
The service sector is important as it accounts for about 80 percent of U.S. jobs excluding farmworkers. It includes jobs in areas like health care, retail and financial services. The sector is highly dependent on consumer spending, which powers about 70 percent of the economy.
The recovery in services has been bumpy, lagging a resurgence in manufacturing amid high unemployment, slow wage growth and a rocky real estate market.
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WELCOME to new member Bill Martin, President of Barrington Homes, Inc., 9030 Cabriolet Ave., Concord Township 44060.
SELLING TO UNCLE SAM
The Northeast Ohio Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) provides assistance to companies desiring to sell products or services to the federal government. PTAC retains and creates jobs in the five-county region of Lake, Geauga, Ashtabula, Lorain, and Cuyahoga counties. The program was formed in the mid 90's and since 1997 has awarded $323,000,000 in contracts to local companies dealing with the federal government. To find out how to become involved in the program call PTAC at 440-357-2294 or e-mail
.
The program is housed in the Port Authority offices in Painesville. The Development Council was involved in the early stages of the program with Ashtabula and Geauga counties. It has to be considered one of our area's great success stories in economic development.
Ohio wine and grape industry contributes
millions to state's economy
The Ohio wine and grape industry released its 2008 Economic Impact report, which finds that Ohio's grape and wine industry has a significant impact of more than $580 million on the state's economy.
Highlights of the report include the following:
- In 2008, the Ohio wine and grape industry had an economic impact of $582.8 million.
- The Ohio grape and wine industry employed more than 4,000 people in 2008, providing a payroll of $124.2 million.
- The Ohio grape and wine industry contributed an estimated $62 million back in state, local and federal tax revenue.
"With 65 percent of Ohio wineries established in the past decade, the Ohio wine and grape industry is thriving," said Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Robert Boggs, chairman of the Ohio Grape Industries Committee. "Its continued growth and success helps to provide jobs and revenue for Oho's agriculture industry."
The number of Ohio wineries has grown from 124 in 2008 to 143 in 2010, and wine production increased nearly 50,000 gallons from 2006 to 2008.
The Economic Impact report was commissioned and funded by the Ohio Grape Industries Committee. The committee was created in 1982 and operates in part through the Ohio Department of Agriculture, providing marketing and research opportunities to Ohio's wineries and vineyards.
Business Leader 6/10
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