US Workers Increased Their Productivity --

Link here.

Over the summer, consumers increased their spending at triple the rate seen in the spring. That helped the economy expand, which likely boosted worker productivity.

When demand rises and productivity is low, it's usually a sign that businesses have reached the limit on the amount of work they can squeeze out of their work forces. That often leads some to hire more workers, if they want to grow. 

Does anyone see the fallacy in that analysis? No, businesses don't have to hire more workers. There are at least three more options: a) add technology; b) increase efficiency; and/or c) out-source non-core competencies.

What do those three options have in common? A couple of things: a) no pensions; b) no health care premiums.

Speaking of which, remember all the waivers the Department of Health and Human Services has given to states and businesses that cannot afford ObamaCare? It turns out DHHS is fairly selective to whom they will give those waivers. Red states need not apply.

By the way, there is a fourth option which my nephew is experiencing at the truck manufacturing plant in Portland, Oregon, where he works: mandatory overtime. Initially, overtime was offered to the senior union workers, but now, with so much work, overtime is being offered to all, and if there is still more work to be done, they are being "offered" mandatory overtime.

Companies will be doing everything they can to forgo hiring new employees, at least until after the 2012 election.