Job satisfaction levels have improved significantly compared to this time last year as employers step up employee retention efforts in the face of an increasingly competitive labor market. However, nearly three-in-ten workers still say they plan to look for new opportunities in 2006 and 41 percent plan to leave the companies by the end of 2007.

We attribute the drop in satisfaction to the challenges that time-pressured shoppers face as they turn to the Web for last-minute shopping needs, only to be disappointed and frustrated with their inability to find what they're looking for. Reasons can range from merchandise that is out of stock online, or they aren't using the correct description.

Fifty-four percent of hiring managers surveyed by CareerBuilder.com say they will increase their staffs in the coming year while only 9 percent will decrease them. After creating over 2 million jobs in 2005, the U.S. is expected to add 2 million more in 2006, according to economist estimates.

We're not saying we should never have another tax cut anywhere or anytime. (But) passing this is nothing short of economic suicide.

I believe giving businesses a massive tax break without considering our state's most vulnerable residents is an immoral action.

It's so easy to get carried away with it, especially when people are responding. It's a rush.