Elizabeth Ross-Harrison - Business

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I am willing to patronize local retailers if their prices are higher than those at large chains. I do as much shopping as I can at small local retailers.

AIG should not be forced to reveal the names of executives that received bonuses. Would have said "yes" on this one, if it wasn't for the possibility of people going after them. Sorry, but I don't think anyone should have to be left with the guilt if the names were released and any of those executives ended up with someone doing them harm.

Insider trading should not be legalized. Deregulation and SEC failure to enforce various rules got us where we are, and there are idiots out there suggesting that we do this???? Let's try to make cheating illegal, ok children?

High-speed rail should be the top priority in President Obama's transportation agenda. High speed rail will radically improve transportation, at least on the East Coast. I am biased on this issue because current plans have the system running right near my home, so it would make it much easier for me to travel, and would likely help our local economy.

Starbucks should not serve wine and beer. Coffee shops don't serve alcohol, at least not in the U.S.

I smoke cigarettes. My last vice, and I typically light one when anyone complains about the fact that I haven't quit.

Race and ethnicity should not be a factor in hiring and promotion. However, Affirmative Action is not a good way to ensure this.

Inflation represents a greater threat to U.S. economic recovery than deflation. Bottom line is that no matter how much I'd like to put more money aside right now, I can't. Necessities like food, utility bills, etc. have been costing more here. Conversely, I'm seeing lower prices on luxury items, particularly in the tech sector - like TV's, computers, and video game systems. If I didn't know better, I'd say we're suffering from inflation (necessities) and deflation (luxuries) at the same time. As for which is the bigger threat, obviously it's not good when people can't afford to buy what they absolutely need. Can't recover if we can't afford to feed ourselves and maintain basic creature comforts, like housing.

The economic stimulus plan should not include a 'Buy American' provision. There are other ways to promote jobs in the U.S. Simplistically, "Buy American" sounds good, but repercussions could be devastating when it comes to making future trade agreements.

Lehman Brothers should not have been bailed out by the federal government. "Too big to fail" shouldn't be considered justification to spend public money to save private business interests. It should be a wake-up call. The government still hasn't managed to fix the problems it created in our financial sector. The problem is that there are companies out there that are so large that failure of one can cause so many problems for our financial sector. Deregulation has gotten us here. Bluntly, Wall St. had its time as a child in a candy store - it's time to close the store.

Capitalism is the most effective economic system.

Legalization of marijuana would have a positive effect on the economy. Anything moved out of the underground economy is an improvement. We're not going to stop it, so we may as well benefit from it.

The U.S. should allow farmers to grow industrial hemp. Increasing industry is increasing industry.

The U.S. should build more oil refineries. However, they should be built with the understanding that they would eventually be converted to another sort of energy facility. We need to get off our addiction to oil.

Companies should not receive tax breaks for offering telecommuting-only employment. Knee-jerk reaction was to say "yes", purely for the savings, and promoting telecommuting to cut back on overhead. However, any such incentive could also encourage more outsourcing overseas. So, no, unless there are tax penalties for hiring telecommuters from outside the U.S.

Congress should not increase the federal minimum wage. Not now, at least. It does need increased, but doing so now is not a good idea. Our economy is far too unstable, and increasing now will only increase the probability that more businesses will lay-off workers, or worse, close their doors. Never increase overhead for businesses during an economic downturn.

I prefer to live in a suburban area. That's where I am, and although I long for the city life from time to time, I know I'd tire of it quickly.

I prefer liquor to beer and wine. Still love the occasional Martini, and am happiest when I know I have a good bottle of scotch in my cabinet.

Congress should not have passed the $787 billion stimulus bill. Yes, they should have done "something", but the stimulus bill was probably not the most effective way to do it. It boils down to questionable priorities - in the bill itself, and in the government.

General Motors (GM) will not become a successful company again. Should say "highly unlikely" on this one. There is a slim chance of a comeback, but it isn't something that is entirely in the hands of the company, and never was.

Organic farmers should receive additional federal subsidies. In probably about 40 years or so, there will be studies about various cancers and immune problems resulting from the chemicals used in agriculture today. If we don't move away from those chemicals now, the headlines will be about billions or trillions of dollars in medical treatments. There may also be headlines about another dust bowl like the one during the Great Depression, due to corporate agriculture. It's not a popular expenditure that will have immediate returns, but it is necessary for our future.

Cleanliness is the most important accommodation factor when traveling as a tourist. Cleanliness is always first. Everything else is icing.

Bed & Breakfasts offer tourists the best opportunity to experience the local lifestyle. Either that, or housing rentals. Depends on how much the traveler wants to do as far as taking care of daily needs. Call me silly, but I don't consider it a vacation if I still have to do all the cooking and cleaning!

The U.S. unemployment rate will reach double digits in 2009. We're not out of the woods yet. It seems that job loss rates are leveling off, but there are still job losses each month.

Businesses have a social responsibility. Whether they like it or not, it's a matter of self-preservation. Companies can't run around willy nilly raping the public for every last dime they can anymore. They must start managing themselves with the public and their own sustainability in mind.

Facebook is not worth the $15 billion valuation implied by Microsoft's investment. It will not pay off as an investment. The question remains "how to monetize social media" including FB. The business model just isn't there.

Communities should not be allowed to print their own currency for use at local businesses. Not legal tender, but this sounds like an excellent idea for community redevelopment projects - as in "play money" that consumers purchase and use to get discounts, as in an item might be $5 but if purchased with community bucks, it would be $4.

It is not appropriate to market VitaminWater as a healthy alternative to soft drinks. Too many calories/sugar. Better to get the vitamins in a pill.

Congress should not enact the Employee Free Choice Act. Some of it is good, but... Well, back to the drawing board.

Corporations should pay heavier taxes on windfall profits. The people do, don't they?

The United Auto Workers (UAW) union should agree to cut wages. I'm still trying to justify their wage rubric, and can't. Sorry folks.

Microsoft retail stores will not effectively compete with Apple. I'm still trying to figure out why they're doing this to begin with. The money would be better spent on fixing Win so that people actually want it more than they do.

Labor contracts are most responsible for the U.S. auto industry's financial problems. But this is a hair's breadth lead. Would rather state that it is equal between the labor contracts and (mis)management.

Obese travelers should pay more for airline tickets. But I'm biased. My ex might actually fit in this category.

The federal government should not allow General Motors (GM) to file for bankruptcy. That is admittedly a knee jerk reaction to the issue. Bluntly, this is yet another of the "too big to fail" situations, and bankruptcy laws as they stand would do little to help with what really needs done. GM needs to dramatically change the way it does business. Quit calling these things "bailouts" and start calling them "investments." That makes it possible to demand the changes needed, until the laws can be caught up with the situation.

It was appropriate for the Obama Administration to force GM's CEO Rick Wagoner to resign. Bailout=investment and that means the U.S. Government paid for the right to have input on the management of a given company. Or did I miss something when the public started screaming about the government's hands being tied on the AIG thing?

Congress should not grant the Treasury Department authority to take over non-bank financial institutions that pose a systemic risk. Congress should worry about fixing loopholes in the current laws so that non-bank financial institutions don't have the chance to cause issues. Should also go on their knees to SCOTUS to request special treatment on laws pertaining to our financial institutions for the foreseeable future, because some of the "solutions" probably won't hold up against the Constitution under normal circumstances.

Congress should tax AIG bonuses. It's an obvious CYA move for members who actually want to keep their seats. Sadly, AIG could become a make or break issue at the polls, and taxation after the fact is the easiest (cheapest) way for them to fix their mistake.

Southwest Airlines is the low-cost U.S. airline I prefer to fly with. Deferring to my Fiancee's choice here, since I don't typically fly, and he went to flight school in the Air Force.

The New Deal prolonged the Great Depression. Only saying that it prolonged it because there wasn't a "choice c - no impact", and I can't in good conscience say it helped. The war definitely pulled us out of the Great Depression, at least according to my family members who lived through it.