Half Past the Month: Happy Alternatives?
For the use of the membership only (498 words) AT A CERTAIN AGE, it becomes difficult to tell whether people are kidding you. The other day I heard someone say that government troops were prepared to confront seemingly law-abiding American families — something about objecting to foreign nationals being forced into their communities. I mistook Read the full article…
Bohanon: Religious Witness and Public Policy
by Cecil Bohanon, Ph.D. Long before anyone had heard of the “religious right,” there was a “religious left” using its resources, influence and prestige to lobby the public sector to promote so-called progressive public policies. And it continues to influence; I saw it in full force on a visit to Rhode Island last month when Read the full article…
Outstater: The Soccer-Football Dust-Up
Has the World Cup got you down? The United States isn’t the big guy on the block there. And if you are a football fan (mostly conservatives), you are being dragged into unflattering debates with irritatingly informed soccer fans (mostly liberals). And although of global import, it all seems depressingly petty considering the real problems Read the full article…
Schansberg: Overlooking the Working Poor
By Eric Schansberg, Ph.D. The Pence administration is calling for a review of the Indiana tax code. The top goals are to simplify the code and to promote economic development. But another worthy goal, one that would boost the Indiana economy, is missing. First, if the government is going to take our money, then it Read the full article…
King: The Hobby Lobby Decision Demystified
By Stephen M. King, Ph.D. The much-awaited Supreme Court decision in Burwell vs. Hobby Lobby came down this week. The Court ruled in a 5-4 decision that the 1993 Religious Freedom and Restoration Act (RFRA) does cover “closely held” corporations, even if those corporations are for profit. At the center of the controversy was Hobby Read the full article…
Polarization Part III
Editors: This is the third and last in a series on political polarization. For immediate release (674 words). By Stephen M. King, Ph.D. Do the recent Supreme Court decisions in Citizens’ United and McCutcheon, both regarding campaign-finance reform, contribute to political polarization? Or do they enhance the opportunity for greater political speech and thus encourage Read the full article…
