The Indiana GOP’s ‘Issue Problem’
Many years ago, when the Indiana Republican Party was something, when it had a voter-turnout apparatus on which even the bland candidate could depend, I was let in on the secret. Over lunch, a legendary outstate county chairman told me he never raised the Big Issue* if he could help it, that serious idea capable Read the full article…
Christmas Trees and Crony Capitalism
For immediate release (595 words). by RYAN CUMMINS I’ve been involved in selling fresh Christmas trees for as long as I can remember. Our family vacations often consisted of walking grower’s fields with my dad, tagging the trees that he wanted for the upcoming season. So my interest was piqued when word got out that Read the full article…
Please Vote — Or Don’t
Editors: The column is being distributed early to accommodate election-week news budgets. (506 words). Now that the election is over, many of my academic colleagues may decry that turnout was too low. In their view, voter turnout is a measure of “civic health” and they will call for satellite locations for voting, same-day registration and Read the full article…
Are Superintendents Greedy or Just Over Regulated?
For immediate release (581 words). Public school superintendents are greedy, selfish, over-paid, a big waste of taxpayer dollars, etc. — or so popular thought goes. Such perceptions are fueled by news reports of superintendent compensation packages, retirement packages and contract buyouts. The Philadelphia School District this fall bought out its superintendent’s contract for $905,000. And Read the full article…
Indiana Election Fraud: Is Corruption Contagious?
For release Nov. 2 and thereafter (680 words) In St. Joseph County, the prosecutor is investigating claims that hundreds of signatures were forged on petitions to qualify Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton for the state presidential primary ballot in 2008. In Jennings County, a grand jury last month indicted three Democratic Party campaign workers on Read the full article…
Teaching Cats to Bark: A Do-Nothing Legislature
For immediate release (751 words) Of all the things you have to worry about in these serious times, don’t worry about the Indiana Legislature, GOP majority or not, doing anything substantive to improve Indiana’s budgetary, fiscal or economic position. With Organization Day around the corner, Nov. 22, and a governing class marking time until the Read the full article…
