The pattern began in the 1950s, when hugely expensive mainframe computers were first used to save correspondingly huge sums in information-intensive functions in the financial-services industry, then in accounting, payroll and inventory-control tasks in other big organisations.

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Most conservatives, and Republicans, would like to reform Social Security so that workers could put a portion of their 12.4 percent Social Security payroll tax into a personal account that they own and control (under certain restrictions).

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But the second you consent to a recorded interview that is going to be edited, you lose a tremendous amount of control unless the people who are doing the editing are on your payroll.

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The bill for payroll and pensions has risen far faster than inflation in recent years, with the task of keeping inflation under control left entirely to monetary policy.

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Since taking control of the company in 2009, according to The Wall Street Journal, Flanders has cut the payroll by 75% and sold off some its older media businesses.

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