For immediate release (792 words) As want-to-be hippies of the Baby Boom now leaning toward a classical liberal persuasion, my generation has its weak moments. There are times we look to government for an answer. On hurried grocery trips, for instance, I have found useful the federally mandated “total carbohydrates” line item on food labels. And watching college bowl games, it has occurred to me that inanity alone justifies imprisoning those who interview coaches or…

“Hoosiers might never see an automatic taxpayer refund that is unexpectedly near its trigger under a bill filed by the Senate’s fiscal leader (Republican Luke Kenley).” — Jan. 6, 2012, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette I fight it, but more and more I think of my public officials, elected or not, as mandarins. The comparison has become disturbingly apt. They simply don’t behave in ways that bring to mind the brave men and women who founded…

For immediate release (579 words) As the 2012 Indiana Legislative Assembly convenes, January will represent a tipping point for all Hoosiers’ individual freedoms as politicians and big-labor bosses draw battle lines to determine if Indiana will become the 23rd right-to-work state. Common sense should make the outcome of such a battle obvious, as right-to-work ensures that every employee has freedom of choice against compulsory unionism and the right to one’s own property — his or…

For release Jan. 4 and thereafter (670 words) A mile down the street from my home, construction is set to begin on a $15-million parking garage and retail center. Its purpose is to relieve congestion in a trendy Indianapolis bar district called Broad Ripple. Citizens are subsidizing the 350-space garage with $6.3 million in parking-meter revenues. Despite taxpayer questions about using public dollars on a purely commercial endeavor, the city says the project is justified…

For immediate release (679 words). When I teach the economic elements of competitiveness, I use the case of a professional athlete like Albert Pujols, long-time slugging first baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals who will be playing for the Los Angeles Angels next year. The skills that make Pujols such a tremendous baseball player — upper and lower body strength, eye-hand coordination and quickness — would undoubtedly make him a phenomenal mower of lawns. Indeed,…

(Jan. 1, 2011) — The thinking here about what is wrong with this Legislature has centered on gambling. That is gambling not in the gestalt but in the specific — state sanctioned, licensed and taxed. And no, this is not a sermon. Moral concerns are only part of it. A citizenry putting its faith in numbers, the flip of cards or the roll of a dice makes for a weak economic, social and political base.…

For immediate release (446 words). Every day each of us makes choices that influence our own health: what we eat, how much we exercise, whether we take our medications. These are by nature private choices and private responsibilities. Some health choices, however, are collective. Outdoor air quality compromised by industrial pollution or mosquito control are good examples of health issues that are by nature public choices and public responsibilities. Where does smoking in bars lie?…

Editors:  Next week’s column is released early to accomodate holiday publication schedules (546 words) Light is a central component of the religious holidays that we celebrate this time of year. As the days shorten and the cold weather comes upon us, our faith traditions pay homage to the divine light that affirms our highest hopes. On a secular note, worldly sources of lighting have become a political football. On one hand, environmentalist and progressives tout…

For release Dec. 21 and thereafter (670 words) Changing the selection process for the Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) board is no silver bullet, but it is an essential step toward transformation of the state’s largest school system. The elected board has had decades to shake things up and failed. It’s time to give the mayor and City-County Council a chance to find people of courage to lead a bone-deep restructuring of IPS, as urged Sunday…