Economy is growing

One indicator of a growing economy is the health of the transportation sector, especially freight. Apparently it's doing well.

Big rigs and big raises

Swift ups some wages 31% to retain drivers At a time when many employees are fortunate to receive a cost-of-living raise, Swift Transportation Co. Inc. is offering large raises. The Phoenix-based long-haul trucker has increased wages 31 percent since last July for drivers with at least five years of experience. That's 10 times the 3.1 percent U.S. inflation rate. "We think they are worth it," said Dave Berry, a Swift vice president. "It's part of our culture in changing what we are doing at Swift. . . .

Perfect Competition Indicator

Ranchers required to pay for government beef ads

WASHINGTON - The government can make cattle ranchers pay for ads proclaiming "Beef: It's what's for dinner," the Supreme Court ruled Monday. Some ranchers object to paying for the ad campaigns because they don't like the generic message that all beef, American or foreign, is good. But the court ruled in a 6-3 decision that the beef program amounts to government speech that is shielded from First Amendment challenge.

One indicator of perfect competition is advertising. Firms in perfect competition don't advertise because they would bear the entire cost but reap little of the benefit. The exception is when the government or other trade group does the advertising for the industry.