“People of the same trade seldom meet together, even for merriment and diversion, but the conversation ends in a conspiracy against the public, or in some contrivance to raise prices. But though the law cannot hinder people of the same trade from sometimes assembling together, it ought to do nothing to facilitate such assemblies, much less to render them necessary.” — Adam Smith, 1776 by Craig Ladwig Beginning this year, only those construction projects valued…

“A Tea Party that devotes the next two years to promoting conservative candidates and removing moderates or non-ideologues is one that is well-positioned to expand its influence in the next round of elections.” — Jamelle Bouie in the Nov. 23, 2012, Washington Post. by Jason Arp There was commentary in the wake of the November election predicting that a new wave of conservatives would be the winning factor in 2014. Hopes were fed, toasts were…

by Stephen M. King, Ph.D. The recent U.S. Supreme Court arguments on same-sex marriage — e.g., the federal government’s Defense of Marriage Act and California’s Proposition 8  — have generated intense interest and speculation in what already was a controversial cultural issue. Even after listening to the Court’s justices ask questions of the lead attorneys, experienced Court watchers were unsure how it would decide when it rules on the cases in late June. What is…

by MARYANN O. KEATING, Ph.D. Charlie Rose of the Public Broadcasting Network gathered a group of majors around his oak table to discuss the state of U.S. municipalities. A dominant theme emerged — the need for a mayor to be able to implement his or her own personal vision. Yes, with respect for administrative discretion, we should attract competent, honest officials and expect them to use their bully pulpits to express themselves, but only about…

For release April 17 and thereafter (675 words) by Andrea Neal Only three months into his term, Gov. Mike Pence has taken a beating for failing to lead. Opinion writers, Democrats, even fellow Republicans, have offered all manner of conflicting counsel. His own legislative leaders have balked at his proposed 10 percent income tax cut, which should have been a shoo-in with Republicans in charge of both chambers. They say it’s not prudent to cut…

by Eric Schansberg, Ph.D. This year, we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 16th Amendment’s income tax, passed in the last days of the Taft Administration in February 1913. It was the first change in the Constitution since 1870, giving Congress “the power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever sources derived.” In 1913, there were only seven tax brackets with marginal tax rates ranging up to 7 percent on income earned about…

by Cecil Bohanon, Ph.D.  As Congress and the Obama Administration negotiate a deal over immigration reform, I am cautiously optimistic that Washington might finally enact some useful legislation. Many things could wreck the deal, but I am hopeful the final provisions will 1) allow for more immigrants to legally reside and work in the United States, and 2) place significant restrictions on immigrants’ access to non-emergency government-funded social benefits. Although well-crafted legislation may empower a…

by STEPHEN M. KING, Ph.D. Matthew Tully, political reporter for the Indianapolis Star, recently wrote of “conflicts of interest” that regularly occur in the General Assembly, including influential lawmakers who indirectly benefit from various legislation, or when legislators are feted by influential and powerful lobbyists. Mr. Tully is not the first to be concerned about these issues. The Founding Fathers regularly and vociferously engaged the topic. The columnist derisively refers to this arrangement as a…

by Cecil Bohanon, Ph.D. Economists convinced of the virtues of a free market instinctively support open immigration. If goods should be allowed to cross borders freely, then people should, too. Of course, terrorists, criminals and indigents are exceptions to the rule, just as are toxic and adulterated goods. Those of us lucky enough to be citizens of the United States should be aware that all our forebears were one-time immigrants. That even goes for my…

by Judge Stanley Levine First of all, let me say that I do not think that the whole world hates America. I also do not think that the most ardent Anti-American beliefs are focused on us as individual citizens of America. Rather, they are focused on the size of America, the fact that it may now be the only global superpower, on its military history and the enviable success of its economy and its culture.…