They went home without passing a budget. They will return. They are the members of the Indiana General Assembly, 150 citizens but just a few individuals. Adherence to party discipline is their major concern; neither good policy nor the welfare of the people is even a tangential consideration. I had written these lines when Myrtle […]
Which group should make the spending decisions? Consumers or elected officials?
I am having coffee with Herman Hardhed, chief tax analyst for the Independent caucus of the Indiana General Assembly. I want his take on the departure of that august body without passing a budget for the coming biennium. “Herman,” I say, “the highest annual rate of inflation since the end of World War II was […]
There are four main points I want to cover directly and simply: oil prices, the obsession with homeownership, the usual desire
for more, and the need to understand economic history.
EYE ON THE PIE Author’s work may go unfinished “How is your unwritten book coming along?” Myra Mariachi asks. “How do you know I have an unwritten book?” I respond. “Because you’re the type of person who might write a book but not the type who is writing a book,” Myra says. “A genuine author […]
“How is your unwritten book coming along?” Myra Mariachi asks. “How do you know I have an unwritten book?” I respond. “Because you’re the type of person who might write a book but not the type who is writing a book,” Myra says. “A genuine author is secluded for hours at a time, doesn’t answer […]
Last week the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis released its estimates of county personal income and all the detail comprising
those data.
Last week the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis released its estimates of county personal income and all the detail comprising those data. These data are important because they provide a consistent view over a long period of time. It’s easy to focus on the immediate problems of our economy. However, we do ourselves a disservice […]
Hoosiers identify many factors contributing to our state’s long-term economic difficulties. It is fashionable to blame our
workers. It is easy to decry a lack of natural amenities: no mountains, no coral reefs. Our public schools are inferior and
perhaps our higher education is overrated. Our taxes are too high but we have substandard government services. We ain’t got
no culture. Rarely do we hear anyone say that our problem is management.
Hoosiers identify many factors contributing to our state’s long-term economic difficulties. It is fashionable to blame our workers. It is easy to decry a lack of natural amenities: no mountains, no coral reefs. Our public schools are inferior and perhaps our higher education is overrated. Our taxes are too high but we have substandard government […]
When we read that all the Democrats in the House voted against all the Republicans in the House on a given issue, we know independence has been cruelly killed by the leadership of each party. The same applies to the Senate.
Most of the 150 men and women who sit in the Indiana General Assembly are fine people. This column, however, is too short to detail how they become a collective disgrace. They continue to vote along strict party lines. Virtually every Democrat and Republican is in lock step with the caucus leadership. Even their Web […]
If an honest case for the general good cannot be made (as in the case of most education services, and, sports, entertainment and tourist facilities), government revenue streams should not be used to support private enterprises.
I accidentally knocked her onto the airport floor. “I’m terribly sorry,” I said. “Are you hurt? Let me help you up.” “I’m fine,” she said, rising by herself. “It’s just another of life’s insults.” “I’m so sorry,” I said with true contrition. “Could I get you a coffee or something?” “Something,” she said, “but stronger […]
Fully 40 of Indiana’s 92 counties derived more than half of their earnings from commuters bringing back their compensation from somewhere else.
My excitement must have been evident to everyone on the street. I was being pulled in a rickshaw though the Indianapolis streets that Mayor Ballard had designated as the local Chinatown. There was a bicyclist providing the muscle power. He was about my age, an older fellow who needed the job, probably to supplement his […]
Beyond a sincere effort to improve high school education, we require massive retraining of our
business leaders and managers.
A frequent reader of these columns protests my persistent attention to Indiana’s long-term economic problems. He wants to hear about my recommended solutions. His will be done in Crothersville and Chesterton, as in Portland and Princeton. To start, I confess my faith in infrastructure. Build Interstate 69. Convert interstates to toll roads. Upgrade water and […]
Difficult economic conditions have been faced before and we have both the tools and will to overcome our problems.
The jokesters in the Indiana General Assembly once again have shown their incredible ability to play the fools. True, it only takes a committee to commit laughable acts beyond the dreams of circus clowns. The entire Legislature need not be involved. This time, a selection of our representatives rejected efforts to rid the state of […]
