Remember Joe the Plumber? We met him four years ago when he asked then-candidate Barack Obama about taxing small businesses.

New for 2012: Meet Joe the Builder. He's got something to say, too, but he's talking to voters.

Joe Scott, a successful Massachusetts general contractor, is the author of The Joe Dial (www.friendesha.com), a book that boils down observations gleaned from hundreds of thousands of business deals, negotiations and other interpersonal transactions into a simple rule for human analysis. It's easily applied to every person in the world and it's "a tried-and-true compass for navigating many a sticky social and family situation," Scott says.

Apply his Joe Dial to the election process and making a decision couldn't be easier.

Here's how it works:

"Every person falls into one of three basic categories," he says. "They're either a taker, a giver or a take-and-giver. Figuring out which category a person - or company, community, organization - falls under tells you what your basic approach for dealing with them should be."

Most people fall somewhere in the middle of the dial. But there are small clusters at both extremes.

• The pure taker: The person who thinks only of himself and what he can get out of another person or a situation. He's willing to do just about anything to get what he wants. The first signs of a taker are arrogance, lying, exaggerating, bullying and manipulating.

• The pure giver: The generous, empathetic, self-sacrificing person. Pure givers think only of others and will give everything they have, emotionally, physically and financially, to fill a perceived need.

• The giver-takers: They care about themselves and other people, to greater or lesser extents depending where they fall on the spectrum. They may be basically takers with an occasional giving impulse, or people who tend to be empathetic and sharing with a definite streak of selfishness. The most balanced, are people who bob back and forth between the least extreme qualities on the give and take scales: sharing, tolerant and helpful, but not necessarily self-sacrificing, or selfish, expectant and happy to receive but not bullies or thieves.

Scott says once you decide where on the scale a person falls, you know how to deal with them because you can anticipate how they'll respond.

Scott applied the Joe Dial to politics and found the takers are easily identified: They're voters who want something for nothing and the politicians willing to say and do anything to get votes.

"Don't vote for the politician whose message is basically, 'Vote for me, I'll give you free,' " Scott says. "They're the candidates who offer lots of freebies, promises they know they can't deliver. But, because they're takers, they don't think twice about lying to get what they want."

There may also be some extreme givers who believe everyone deserves to have certain things, whether or not they work for them.

"Unfortunately, politicians learned a long time ago that the easiest way to win votes is to promise people free stuff. Not only do they satisfy the existing takers, they create new ones, which means more votes," Scott says.

Giving more and more freebies -- housing, food, medical care -- is financially unsustainable, he says. Taxing the rich to feed the power ultimately saps the economy of investors and job creators.

Listen for the giver-takers, Scott says. They're the politicians who may see a need for government intervention but they recognize it must be paid for - by all who benefit. And they have a feasible plan for that.

"I don't advocate for a particular candidate or even a particular party," Scott says. "I'm just using the basic rule of human analysis that's helped me thrive as a builder and a real estate developer."

About Joe Scott

Joe Scott owns a multi-million-dollar construction and development company, Scott Construction, in Haverhill, Mass. He's a master carpenter, master mason and real estate developer who's also a boat captain, licensed jet pilot, lobsterman and father of five. Catch the popular "The Joe Dial Show" on YouTube.

Bettendorf – With a week off from school, area parents and kids are looking for fun and exciting activities during spring break. From March 11 - March 17 the Family Museum is offering seven days of just that: programs ranging from live music, live animals, science, and performance art. Events and performances are included with paid admission or Family Museum membership.

SUNDAY, MARCH 11

Jim Gill

Performance at 2:00 PM

Jim Gill, an award-winning musician and author, offers more than a show - each concert is an opportunity for family play! In concert, Jim strums energetic rhythms on his banjo while everyone claps, sings, dances and even sneezes along to silly and inspiring musical games!

MONDAY, MARCH 12

Comedy Sportz

Performance at 10:00 AM

Get ready for some laughs! The Comedy Sportz team from right here in the Quad Cities will take the stage at the Family Museum! The act-letes' hilarious audience-involved improvisation skits will have kids giggling!

Instrument Petting Zoo

Stop by anytime 1:00 - 3:00 PM

Get ready to roll up your sleeves and pet some instruments! Our friends from West Music are bringing along a sampling of instruments kids can try for themselves. It's a great way to pique a musical interest in young children.

TUESDAY, MARCH 13

Chasing4Life

Presentation at 10:00 AM

Are you and your family prepared in case a disaster strikes?  What do you do if a tornado is headed your way? How do your prepare your children without scaring them?  Experts in storm chasing get to the facts to educate you about disaster preparedness.

Niabi Zoo

Presentation at 2:00 PM

Meet some friendly critters from the Niabi Zoo!  A Zookeeper will bring a variety of animals for you to see, and they will share with us the zoo's role in animal conservation.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14 and THURSDAY, MARCH 15

Insect Zoo

Thursday: Zoo is open from noon - 2:00 PM with a presentation at 1:00 PM

Friday: Zoo is open from 10:00 AM - noon with a presentation at 11:00 AM

Do you love bugs? Come see, touch, and learn about all kinds of awesome insects with the Iowa State University Department of Entomology Insect Zoo! You'll meet insects found in Iowa and throughout the world.

FRIDAY, MARCH 16

Bubble Wonders: Anything Is Possible!

Performance at 10:00 AM

You won't want to miss this fun, inspiring, sticky, and educational show! Bubble Wonders is full of amazing tricks like the Bubble Caterpillar, the Bubble Volcano, the Dancing Bubble, a Bubble Merry-Go-Round, and much more!

SATURDAY, MARCH 17

Grossology!

Performances at 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM

Boogers, vomit, urine, sweat, pimples...nothing is off limits with Sylvia! Come prepared for a little bit of gross-out with a lot of education as to why this icky stuff is crucial to human health and well-being.

Sponsored by the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs

MOLINE, ILLINOIS - WQPT, Quad Cities PBS is pleased to offer a $500 Broadcast Scholarship to students pursuing a career in broadcasting.

Last year's recipient Paul Strater said "As a nontraditional student, the financial realities of later life such as mortgages and car payments and the challenges of funding a college education without parental help or the loans available to parents are quite a challenge.  This scholarship will be a great help as I finish my degree at Western."

Interested students may log on to http://wqpt.org/scholarship for an application or by calling (309) 764-2400.  The criteria for the scholarship is:

v  Overall 2.5 GPA

v  Broadcast Classes 3.0 GPA (not applicable to incoming college freshmen)

v  Preference given to full-time students although part-time students may apply.                        

Applications will be accepted through May 18, 2012for this scholarship.  New and continuing students in any broadcast curriculum may apply.  WQPT will select the recipient prior to the fall semester.

WQPT General Manager, Rick Best said "The scholarship is just one of the ways that WQPT endeavors to be a community partner."

WQPT is a media service of Western Illinois University Quad Cities located in Moline, Illinois.

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Not-for-profit membership organization also reports more than $175 million given to communities in 2011

MINNEAPOLIS (Feb. 23, 2012) - Thrivent Financial for Lutherans announced today that its 2011 results led to the third-consecutive year of financial growth for the not-for-profit, Fortune 500 membership organization. Sales, revenue, assets under management, and total adjusted surplus all rose in 2011 and have continued to rise since 2008 despite turbulent economic and market conditions. Thrivent Financial's statutory revenue climbed to $7.9 billion, up six percent over 2010, and assets under management rose to $75.8 billion, up almost four percent from the previous year.

"For the third consecutive year, Thrivent Financial produced outstanding results," said Brad Hewitt, president and CEO of Thrivent Financial. "We continue to grow while offering the ongoing strength and stability our members expect from us. Solid business performance and strong investment results are two of the drivers that helped us meet and exceed our target goals."

Life, health and annuity sales continued to be a major factor in helping Thrivent Financial attain strong results, rising five percent from 2010. Thrivent Financial's life insurance in force now stands at $170.2 billion, two percent higher than in 2010.

Ongoing strength and stability

Thrivent Financial continues to be one of the strongest and most stable financial services organizations in the industry. The total adjusted surplus of the organization grew seven percent to $5.4 billion in 2011. In addition, Fitch Ratings recently affirmed Thrivent Financial for Lutherans' AA (Very Strong) rating, the third-highest of Fitch's 19 categories, and gave the organization a stable outlook. Earlier in 2011, A.M. Best gave Thrivent Financial for Lutherans an A++ (Superior) rating with a stable outlook. A++ (Superior) is the highest of A.M. Best's 16 ratings categories.

Community giving and outreach

Thrivent Financial, its members and employees continue to strengthen communities nationwide. In 2011, Thrivent Financial and its members gave $175.5 million in direct support to charitable organizations, schools, congregations and individuals in need. In addition, the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation recently announced that it awarded $15.1 million in grants to Lutheran institutions nationwide and nonprofits in Minneapolis/St. Paul and the Fox Cities (Wis.) area.

Thrivent Financial members and other non-members volunteered more than 10.8 million hours in the communities in which they live and work in support of Thrivent Financial projects in 2011. The 3,000 employees of Thrivent Financial also gave more than 71,000 volunteer hours in support of nonprofit organizations in the Twin Cities (Minn.) and Fox Cities (Wis.). Through the Thrivent Gift Multiplier program, employees' and financial representatives' donations were matched by the Foundation for a total of $4,646,222. In addition, through the employee giving campaign employees generated an additional $759,000 for nonprofits, which was matched by the Foundation for a total of $1,518,000.

Thrivent Choice

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans distributed more than $62 million through its Thrivent Choice Dollars program in 2011. More than 20,000 Lutheran congregations and organizations received funding as a result of 259,000 eligible Thrivent Financial members recommending where to distribute a portion of the organization's charitable funds.

Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity

Through its unique partnership, Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans will contribute $9.2 million to fund the construction and rehabilitation of 142 Habitat for Humanity homes in 32 U.S. states and an additional $1 million to support teams building homes around the world in 2012. With this contribution, Thrivent Financial will have contributed $160 million since the program began in 2005, constructing more than 2,600 homes in the U.S. and around the world.

"Our purpose is to help our members be wise with money and to inspire them to live generously," continued Hewitt. "For more than 100 years, Thrivent Financial has helped its members achieve financial security and give back to their communities. Our ongoing strength and stability will allow us to be there for them for another 100 years."

About Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a not-for-profit, Fortune 500 financial services membership organization helping approximately 2.5 million members achieve financial security and give back to their communities. Thrivent Financial and its affiliates offer a broad range of financial products and services including life insurance, annuities, mutual funds, disability income insurance, bank products and more. As a not-for-profit organization, Thrivent Financial creates and supports national outreach programs and activities that help congregations, schools, charitable organizations and individuals in need. For more information, visit Thrivent.com. Also, you can find us on Facebook and Twitter.

Insurance products issued or offered by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Appleton, WI.  Not all products are available in all states.  Securities and investment advisory services are offered through Thrivent Investment Management Inc., 625 Fourth Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55415, 800-847-4836, a FINRA and SIPC member and a wholly owned subsidiary of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Thrivent Financial representatives are registered representatives of Thrivent Investment Management Inc.  They are also licensed insurance agents of Thrivent Financial.