WAGNER: When bad things happen, criticizing doesn’t help
I’d just like it if people took a deep breath before they jumped into the debate. These are difficult situations.
Jennifer Wagner Chartier/ Special to IBJ
Articles
WAGNER: It’s time to turn our anger into everyday action
Go do something that actually matters. Volunteer at a food bank or clean up a neighborhood or read to kids at a local school. Make a difference, and make that difference away from the partisan sideshow.
Wagner: Gun Range Barbie conquers her fear
There is something awesome—the actual definition of the word, not 1990s’ teen vernacular—about holding that power in the palm of your hand.
Wagner: Becoming a more thoughtful protester
It’s easy to see how things can get out of control. When you’re in the heat of the moment, you don’t necessarily feel the intensity. When you’re on the receiving end, the ebb and flow of the crowd is more apparent.
Wagner: Increased polarization breaks down trust
Political officials in the middle either give up or move farther left or right to mitigate the sting of criticism.
WAGNER: Thank goodness for government close to the people
States are sometimes called the "laboratories of Democracy."
WAGNER: The frightening erosion of respect for the media
The process of unearthing and sharing information can be as uncomfortable as it is critical to our democracy.
WAGNER: Ensuring the darkness always gets some light
It was a relief last month when Gov. Eric Holcomb got out his veto pen for the very first time to strike down a proposed law that would have permitted units of government to charge up to $20 an hour to produce public records.
WAGNER: How about less mindless finger-pointing?
Let’s stop referring to stories of bipartisan collaboration as “refreshing” and “uplifting” and start expecting that kind of behavior as the norm.
WAGNER: Mentoring women to be Democratic leaders
Our focus should be on electing women, who are woefully underrepresented in office, as well as nurturing women who already are on a professional career track but who might be looking to give back in other ways—perhaps a year or two in public service or fundraising for a candidate or taking on a leadership role in the community.
WAGNER: Democrats must capture the nation’s energy
It’s going to be a long four years, but we’ve got to get through it—and make sure our democracy comes out alive.
WAGNER: Democratic Party has chance to rise from ashes
We can make excuses and say Democrats lost in 2016 because it was a wave. It was undetectable anger, a populist outcry that didn’t show up in the polls. Or we could recognize it as an opportunity.
WAGNER: Turning a painful loss into a teachable moment
Make no mistake: This was a loss but not a failure. Secretary Clinton didn’t win, but she was on the ballot as the first major-party female presidential candidate in American history.
WAGNER: Indiana is lucky to have nonpartisan debate commission
The commission, which is the oldest incorporated and independent state-level debate group in the nation, has hosted televised debates in contested primary and general election races since its birth. All of the debates are broadcast by a live statewide feed as they happen and then archived on the commission’s website.
WAGNER: Young’s attempts to rebrand Bayh ring hollow
Bayh swept into office in his early 30s eager to solve problems and work across the aisle. Not only did he balance the budget, but he turned it into a surplus.
WAGNER: Yes, we can—again
A star named Barack Obama was born at the Democratic National Convention in 2008. John Kerry would go on to lose that election, but out of that loss would begin a new era for the Democratic Party.
WAGNER: Gregg-Pence outcome to set stage for fascinating 2020
The do-over battle between John Gregg and Mike Pence will either lead to the second term of a governor who’s proven unable to resist wading into divisive social issues or the first term of a governor whose main campaign message was not being the other guy.
WAGNER: Hogsett’s ethics reforms should be just first step
Revamped ethics rules approved by the City-County Council build on an ordinance signed by former Mayor Greg Ballard in his first term. Ironically, one of the most glaring omissions in the ordinance is that it doesn’t apply to those who approved it.
WAGNER: State, federal candidates need suburban moms
If Democrat John Gregg can define himself as a worthy alternative, someone who can actually govern, the moderate moms so important in the 2012 election, might rally to his side in the governor’s race.