For release at noon Tuesday Nov. 25 and thereafter (765 words)The implementation of the recent bailout legislation included a provision allowing the Treasury Department to invest up to $250 billion taxpayer dollars into bank equities in Indiana and throughout the country. This partial nationalization of our banks creates the potential for much mischief, calling up the old saying, “Taxing capital is like taxing seed corn.” For example, the act provides restrictions on dividend policy, share…

For release Nov. 19 and thereafter (700 words)If you were one of the citizens who took to the streets last year, demanding relief from out-of-control property taxes, pay close attention to the upcoming session of the Indiana General Assembly. Future tax cuts are in danger.   Local governments, schools, some legislators and others are trying to put the kibosh on a constitutional property tax cap proposal supported by Gov. Daniels and Senate Republicans. House Speaker B.…

For release noon Tuesday Nov. 11 and thereafter (662 words) Some of us spent Veteran’s Day this week restoring the word “courage” to its proper meaning. It took a beating in Indiana’s political campaigns. Starting with the military definition makes sense. But that is not as simple as you might think. Even on the battlefield, let alone in the political salon, there is disagreement as to what qualifies as “courage.” In the Vietnam War, for…

(Note to editors: Two leads appear below, one for Election Day publication, the other for Nov. 5 and thereafter.)    (Nov. 4) If you plan to vote for change at the polls today, here’s news that may surprise you. The Bush administration has done more to change the role of government and its relationship with citizens than any president since the New Deal. (Nov. 5 and thereafter) If you voted for change in Tuesday’s election, here’s…

For release noon Tuesday Oct. 28 (653 words)IN DEFERENCE to “the profligate, soak-the–rich, redistributionist economic philosophy” that seems to be taking the country by storm, and in keeping with my university’s emphasis on immersive education, I have undertaken an experiment applying current popular wisdom to the academic environment.*    For those who may be unaware, introductory economics courses have  historically been quite rigorous and demanding. They are the Achilles Heel for many would-be business majors, the…

For release Oct. 22 and thereafter (680 words) My 21-year-old son will vote for the first time Nov. 4 in what is expected to be a record turnout of first-time voters. Recently he said he planned to stick to the presidential election because he didn’t know enough about other races to make a fully informed decision. Immediately I objected to his reasoning. “I know who the best candidates are.” I said. “Just ask me.” I…

For release Wednesday Oct. 15 and thereafter (545 words)The economically minded among us, understanding how the Chris Dodds and the Barney Franks debased our financial system, make the argument that a state of corruption exists whenever a government grows too large to be monitored by democratic processes. A wise observation, but the corruption that worries my lunch table is of a different sort following this month’s “rescue” of Wall Street. Economic corruption means only the…

For release Oct. 8 and thereafter (710 words) by Andrea Neal If voters needed any more reason to be disgruntled when they head to the polls next month, Congress gave it to them in passing a financial services bailout loaded with unnecessary earmarks.    It’s quite stunning really that politicians so readily admitted to behavior that in any other context would be considered bribery.    The word congressmen use for these earmarks is “sweeteners.” The bailout bill…

For release Oct. 1 and thereafter (702 words) A trusting relationship between private and public leaders is a requirement if Indiana is to deal with its immediate challenges, let alone emerge as a state known for its quality of life and economic prosperity That is why several in my business community were overwhelmingly supportive when their mayor approached them with the idea of a public-safety training facility organized around a private-public partnership. This partnership would…