by Leo Morris It is my right to say whatever I wish to you. I’m privileged to have this forum in which to do it. Get the difference? A lot of people don’t get the difference and, unfortunately, many of them are legislators. Understanding the difference between rights and privileges is critical for citizens trying to live under the law in a free society, and far too many lawmakers spend most of their energy trying…

by Maryann O. Keating, Ph.D. “Tragedy of the Commons” refers to the ruin of resources, such as land, water, or the environment in general, available for use by any resident. Lacking legal ownership, commonly held resources become extinct, over-used, congested or polluted. Such resources are considered public goods in which free-riders take personal advantage. When the stock of these resources degrades, society as whole experiences a decline in total well-being. Garrett Hardin’s essay, “The Tragedy…

by Craig Ladwig There hasn’t been anything like this since the New Deal — a policy position so popular, so appealing in every way, and so utterly untenable. It is targeted economic development or eco-devo, a collection of schemes that would make FDR blush. Local and state governments are spending $70 billion a year nationally on such targeted incentives. Given that level of investment it is surprising there is a city anywhere in the U.S.…

by Leo Morris Republicans have such a strong grip on Indiana – holding the governor’s office and super majorities in both legislative chambers – that it is difficult to see beyond the fact. It sometimes feels as though it must have always been so and always will be so. A reminder: It’s true that the Indiana Senate has been virtually an impregnable GOP fortress – Democrats last controlled it in the late 1970s. But the…

THE REPUBLICANS on my city council are starting to scare me. Accused of prejudice by a new group of Alyinsky Democrats, they folded, at least to the degree they were left mumbling apologies into their shoes. That, of course, is not unusual. What struck some of us, though, was the absurdity of the Democrat demands, i.e., that the GOP majority give the minority a preference in committee assignments and council offices. Two of the new…

by Maryann O. Keating, Ph.D. Over the Christmas holidays while entertaining house guests, our 20-year-old stove malfunctioned destroying the main circuit breaker and plunging the house into cold and darkness. Replacing our Sears Kenmore stove is no longer an option, and, to avoid remodeling kitchen space, we realized that we would have to pay a fairly high price for a non-standard size range. Unfortunately, we found that an American-made replacement exceeded what we were willing…

by Leo Morris Forget for a moment, if you can, what you think about the dangers of tobacco and the wisdom or folly of government trying to regulate its use. Consider, instead, how you think the laws dictating your conduct should be enacted. Three examples to ponder: The Fort Wayne City Council enacted two ordinances regulating public smoking, one in the late 1990s and a much more restrictive one in 2007. In both cases, there…

PETE BUTTIGIEG, the pluperfect modern avatar-like demographically fashioned hero, is making a credible run for president of the United States partly on his frequent mention of the courage and character needed in a combat zone. There is a strong inference of combat experience. Fortunately for those interested in the facts, the South Bend mayor’s military service is reviewed in this week’s Wall Street Journal under the headline, “Buttigieg’s War and ‘The Shortest Way Home.’” Let’s…

by Leo Morris Another year gone, another reset of the calendar, which means it is time to take stock of where we’ve been and where we’re going. The usual changeover rituals are too limited in one way or another. “Top 10” lists usually consider only the best or worst of the 12 months just gone by. New-year’s-resolution exercises consider only the personal failings we hope to correct in the coming 12 months. We need to…

by Steve Williams, J.D., CPA While other sports provide seedings and other advantages to favored participants (e.g. NFL playoffs, NCAA tournament), the Indianapolis 500 has demanded equality of opportunity, not crony capitalism. With few exceptions since 1911, the 33 fastest qualifiers start the race in the order of their qualifying times, no starting positions having been guaranteed to drivers, teams or sponsors despite their pedigree or connections. This month, Roger Penske will finalize his purchase…