The Denver Post Al Lewis Column.

Byline: Al Lewis

Nov. 16--Chief executive officers can no longer use accounting tricks to boost their performance. And for most of them, sales aren't exactly magic, either.

So, how do these wizards satisfy Wall Street's lust for profits, not to mention their own ceaseless appetites for perks and pay?

Increasingly, they must turn to their dedicated employees ... and ask them to disappear.

Americans suffered nearly 2 million layoffs last year and more than 1.1 million so far this year, according to Chicago-based Challenger, Gray and Christmas, which tallies job-cut announcements, not actual layoffs.

"These are two of the worst years …