by Jason Arp What does it mean to be a community leader or a business leader in your town? In the city where I serve on the council it can mean something different than what the casual observer might think. Sadly, it can mean someone who uses the power of government to further their business interests by either extracting cash or tax subsidies or by having the state impose regulations that impede competition and consumer choice. Often both definitions…

CARMEL IS A MODERN real estate phenomenon with a per capita income twice the national average. This was largely the result of middle-class families in the 1960s fleeing crime and the Indianapolis School District. Indeed, its population growth exemplifies “white flight,” going from about 1,500 in 1960 to 18,000 two decades later. In recent years, though, it also has become a diorama for a new ruling elite, complete with creepy, lifelike statues of “citizens” scattered about the city in demographically ideal…

by Mark Franke Having spent Constitution Day on Sept. 17 talking about it to anyone who would listen, I realized that it (the Constitution) bears more reflection on my part. But first, a digression. I was in the dean of students office at a local seminary when a Nigerian student came in and asked if he could have a copy of the U.S. Constitution. The dean’s assistant pointed to a display in the office. He then asked if…

by Leo Morris Complacent, entitled establishment’s hair on fire, Part 1: “We must replace Thurgood Marshall with another African American justice.” “Agreed. Meet Clarence Thomas.” “Aiiiii!” Complacent, entitled establishment’s hair on fire, Part 2: “We must replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg with another female justice.” “Agreed. Meet Amy Comey Barrett.” “Aiiiii!” I’m probably jumping the gun a little here. As I write, Barrett is said to be the front-runner on President Trump’s short list of Supreme…

IS ERIC HOLCOMB IN TROUBLE? No, not in danger of losing re-election in what is expected to be a presidential-year GOP romp in Indiana. Rather, in trouble as in falling so far behind the ticket that his political clout and that of his senior staff is suspect. There is an opinion survey that shows Holcomb dropping 16 points since April. We haven’t put much stock in political polls since the invention of the hard-to-profile cell phone. Moreover, in an age of identity politics,…

“WE ARE TOLD that riots are a result of black poverty and white racism. But in fact — for those who still have some respect for facts — black poverty was far worse, and white racism was far worse, prior to 1960, but violent crime within black ghettos was far less,” says Dr. Thomas Sowell. What if the man is right? What if the driving social force of our time, the increasingly violent struggle against “systemic” racism, turns…

by Leo Morris I have wholeheartedly embraced the Kindle experience. It’s been years since I read an actual bound-between-two covers, ink-on-paper book. I like everything about e-reading, not the least of which is the sheer volume of material. I have downloaded more than 1,000 titles, and millions of others are but a click away. No more devoting an entire vacation suitcase to a few volumes of reading pleasure. I carry a library in my hip…

With Election Day approaching, political conversations are heating up in high school classrooms and on college campuses. Conservative students may feel uncomfortable sharing their views, fearing repercussions from liberal instructors, especially if they support the re-election of Donald Trump. A recent Cato Institute survey found that 77 percent of Republicans feel less free to say what they think; nearly half of Republican college students report hearing professors go on anti-Trump rants in class, according to…

by Richard Moss, M.D. George Floyd met his fate, as the entire world knows, on May 25, 2020, in Minneapolis when police were called because they say he attempted to pass a counterfeit bill. The initial disturbing video of the encounter with law enforcement showed officer Derek Chauvin holding his knee against the back of Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes. He was face down on the ground and handcuffed as he said that he could not breathe. Floyd, indeed,…

John F. Gaski, Ph.D. A common impression has it that Donald Trump’s political handlers wage a non-stop battle to save the inept re-election candidate from himself.  In view of the weak messaging performance of the Trump campaign’s professional marketers, it becomes plausible that the primary fault may not lie with Mr. Trump.  What weakness?  Following is a prescriptive selection of absolute knockout punches the flat-footed Trump campaign could be launching but, curiously, does not use. …