tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80072862011-09-26T12:13:36.602-04:00A libertarian viewpoint on the news of the day.Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.comBlogger1551100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-22111551063059329542010-12-13T01:23:00.004-05:002010-12-13T01:42:53.492-05:00

Wow, has this much time really gone by since I last wrote? Apparently it has, a lot has changed. I'm not in the restaurant biz anymore, got a truck, and the Tea Party movement has grown from a loosely connected coalition to a major force in American politics, leading up to the 2010 midterms.With that said, the current (lame-duck) Congress is attempting to get two bites of the apple on the

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-60168618263075414452009-03-19T01:25:00.002-04:002009-03-19T01:33:19.610-04:00

I've been busy, now working two jobs (70 hrs/wk combined) in an attempt to whittle away debt, as well as trying to be an activist. I was recently featured on Mike Kole's podcast about a pub crawl I recently organized in support of businesses against a comprehensive smoking ban in Marion County.I believe that a comprehensive ban, coupled with a modified ban (the current one in Marion County [18+

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-55253495121527144372009-02-17T00:07:00.002-05:002009-02-17T00:12:32.432-05:00

Tonight was the first of three town hall meetings being held in support of a comprehensive smoking ban in Marion County. Anyone who knows me knows I abhor the loss of property rights. I was planning on making the meeting, but had to work. Sounds like more fireworks are in store, it's not my place to say, but the LPMC is adding someone...

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-38979361207822515332009-02-11T00:55:00.002-05:002009-02-11T01:28:27.995-05:00

Are also the laws of unintended consequences. Smoking bans are just that....although noble in principle, the consequences are unintended, and usually severe. In a time of economic uncertainty, to put it best, some Indianapolis City-County Councillors think it's best to further control the free market.Proponents say it's for the health of the workers. As a worker in the hospitality industry, the

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-63434628531896575692009-01-24T12:48:00.002-05:002009-01-24T13:46:14.798-05:00

Hope means that millions of lives will never get a chance to come to fruition. Change means the voices of the voiceless will remain that, voiceless. Economic stimulus comes at the expense of good-paying jobs. So help you God, my ass!Not even a week into his administration, President Obama has reversed the policy of allocating funds for international pro-abortion groups. That's right, your

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-15196619848473556662009-01-12T10:26:00.002-05:002009-01-12T10:43:47.750-05:00

Hope everyone had a great holiday season, whatever the holiday, from Christmas presents to the Festivus airing of grievances, the ball drop on New Year's Eve, and everything in between. The General Assembly is back, and it seems the airing of grievances will continue until April. I took a personal respite, appearing on WFNI (1070 the Fan)'s Voice of the Fan program for two hours yesterday, and

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-79089461383952197542008-12-18T09:21:00.003-05:002008-12-18T09:27:50.444-05:00

Looks like Greg Ballard has a Greg Bowes-esque view on liberty. Business owners can't make choices on their properties, now weapons owners have to get licensed with the city?? Doesn't the state already mandate a weapons license?? Isn't it already illegal to bring a gun across state lines without AG approval? I mean come one, talk about a law of unintended consequences.When Plaxico Burress shot

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-48723206735871337262008-11-24T01:03:00.002-05:002008-11-24T01:15:25.354-05:00

Some people may not like what I'm about to say, but we need to move away from the township level of government in Indiana, COMPLETELY. After the whole debacle in Washington Township here in Marion County, I've seen the light.The township has NO fire department (it merged into Indianapolis Fire in the past couple of years), thus cutting its needs by over half. How can you piss on the taxpayers'

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-16143851999922957592008-11-15T02:04:00.002-05:002008-11-15T02:15:04.447-05:00

After all of this election hullabaloo, I'm wondering how sincere President-elect Obama is about governing from the center. I think he's going to try some out-there policy shifts, and people will scream bloody murder. Soon afterwards, the test balloons will stop, and he will truly run the country from the center. He knows that it's a two year audition, which makes for an awfully short

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-37219472558433353852008-11-11T23:00:00.002-05:002008-11-11T23:18:29.808-05:00

Lawrence Mayor Paul Ricketts is at it again. First, a 17% raise after ten months on the job, now trying to get funding for holiday decorations??Mayor Ricketts is a good, decent man, he and I don't agree on everything, granted. I know this from conversations on the campaign trail. However, that being said, his priorities are very skewed. I haven't seen any additional police cars or fire stations.

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-51177235679913075142008-11-11T01:07:00.002-05:002008-11-11T01:18:45.315-05:00

My friends, Mark Rutherford wrote on his blog recently about how Libertarians need to work the mail room before becoming the CEO. I whole-heartedly agree. We need to look at the smaller races (Township Trustee, countywide offices, with strong State Rep and State Senate candidates) before we look at the Governor's Mansion. With that said, 2010 is our ballot access race for Secretary of State (Any

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-233646009900361252008-11-04T22:30:00.003-05:002008-11-04T22:33:59.721-05:00

I'm flipping around and WISH says that Bob Barr is the difference. Jim Shella says that Barr's 25K votes is the difference in the state race with 88% in. Keep in mind Lake County as well as NW Indiana and Evansville are coming in. McCain is 6K up, but where are the last votes coming in??

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-63797218771804250812008-11-04T21:29:00.001-05:002008-11-04T21:30:47.693-05:00

I'm watching the Mitch victory speech on WRTV, and heard something slip over the national feed saying that McCain lost Ohio, may as well call the whole race....fair and balanced??? You be the judge!

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-44672706987586895692008-11-03T23:11:00.003-05:002008-11-03T23:21:56.208-05:00

OK, it's not Jimmy the Greek or the Great Carnac, but here are my predictions for tomorrow's election. Abdul put his predictions up and I commented there, here are my guesses (all they are, I have no scientific basis to claim expertise here)Presidential - Obama 303-238…53%Indiana Prez Vote - McCain 52-47Gubernatorial - Daniels with 55% of the vote…JLT gets some straight ticket, not enough to

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-53878756013776304632008-11-01T11:10:00.004-04:002008-11-01T11:44:03.542-04:00

Those should be the initials of IPS. My wife is an IPS teacher who found out her school is closing at the end of the academic year. Her school was one of the ones improving, actually on a path to make National Blue Ribbon status. Her school is on the list for Phase III. My friend Ed Angleton knows what that means...Bonding.Her school was part of the referendum for $273 million in capital

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-86117978080887661012008-10-27T11:18:00.003-04:002008-10-27T11:32:52.555-04:00

Now most of us know the time honored situation of good cop, bad cop. One is friendly, one is not. The campaign is turning not into good cop, bad cop, but rather bad cop, worse cop.McCain would only vote for the bailout if it had no pork (Bad Cop). He voted for it after $140 billion was added to motivate certain holdouts (Worse Cop).Obama seems only to talk in rallies, or carefully crafted

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-5226341438210086292008-10-20T02:55:00.002-04:002008-10-20T03:06:25.829-04:00

It seems a lot of people I know are going to pull the Obama lever. First of all, it's heartbreaking. Second, of all, buyer beware!!In the ebb and flow of the American political scene, it's been center-right or center-left, not moving to far to one end of the pendulum or the other. As far as I can remember, there hasn't been an extreme shift one way or the other. Voting Obama would be an outright

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-74821733516947005192008-10-13T23:33:00.003-04:002008-10-14T00:02:39.379-04:00

-So the stock market gained 11% on Monday, putting it at 9300 and change...bailout trickle down, or has everyone returned from their Chicken Little paranoia??-GM and Chrysler have talked about a merger or swapping of assets, should it be looked at as a preclude to the American automotive manufacturing collapse, or as two failing companies joining forces to return to glory??-Bart Peterson endorsed

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-56973356116117720972008-10-09T14:43:00.002-04:002008-10-09T14:52:57.743-04:00

It appears that 105% of the voting population is registered in Marion County. Beth White has some more explaining than just vote early and get preferential seating for an Obama campaign stop. She needs to nip this in the bud immediately and rationally. She's on the hot seat for 2010, and can't afford many more Keystone Cop routines in the Clerk's office.Hat tip to Advance Indiana and Ogden on

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-22093634625844669562008-10-08T14:57:00.003-04:002008-10-08T15:06:45.530-04:00

"SPLIT THE TICKET"...What do I mean...I mean Libertarian, Republican, and Democrat candidates are invited to Monument Circle on October 17th at 5:10PM for a press conference. Eliminating township government and repealing property taxes are among the issues to be discussed.More details as they become available....

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-54536440001432099812008-10-08T12:50:00.003-04:002008-10-08T13:01:15.270-04:00

First came socialism, now comes Marxism...Senator Obama is in town today, and talks proposing cutting insurance premiums and giving the uninsured Congressional insurance...how does he plan on paying for this? We went away from the gold standard because of the Great Society, what would this plan be, the Next Society...Lenin is smiling somewhere.With the economic crisis continuing, and the Dow down

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-45474467648870931512008-10-08T00:36:00.002-04:002008-10-08T00:42:33.430-04:00

Are Senators McBama the Pied Pipers or what...don't worry about the economy, the government will take care of you. That is the gist of what they're saying in regards to the bailout (don't call it a rescue plan). McCain offered a plan that would authorize the Treasury Department to spend $300 billion to buy bad mortgages. Republicans advocating socialism...Reagan's spinning in his grave. Obama

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-74130613091597907802008-10-08T00:26:00.001-04:002008-10-08T00:30:51.300-04:00

The losers are all of us taxpayers in the City of Lawrence. On Monday, five Republicans approved a salary increase of $11,000 to Mayor Paul Ricketts. Unfortunately, the Mayor went back on a pledge of cutting the budget five percent in non-public safety in order to fatten his wallet at taxpayers' expense.This obvious abuse of power is just another reason why Deb's Democrats and Ricketts'

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-20775283496948495272008-09-22T00:41:00.002-04:002008-09-22T00:46:59.665-04:00

I was reading Charles Krauthammer's column online via the Detroit News, and he brought up an interesting, albeit slanted, thought. Is George W. Bush the next Harry S. Truman? I say perhaps in time, but only if he's eventually vindicated on Iraq. If not, he could be the GOP's two-term Jimmy Carter.What do you think??

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-63390038909533345242008-09-21T13:29:00.002-04:002008-09-21T13:55:15.594-04:00

I'm sitting here watching the Chicago/Tampa Bay game with my wife, checking my fantasy football scores, and if I wasn't working tonight, I'd probably enjoy a couple of cold ones over the course of the day. I don't want to go to a restaurant or tavern to do it, I want to just kick back at home and have a frosty beverage. It's unfortunate that I would have had to gone out last night to get my

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-79543876126402588122008-09-20T12:03:00.002-04:002008-09-20T12:33:52.946-04:00

Yesterday in Coral Gables, FL at a rally, Democratic presidential nominee, Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) was chanted against by protesters holding signs that read "Blacks Against Obama" or "Obama for Abortions." Another sign mentioned his candidacy was supported by the Ku Klux Klan.My thing is that the Democratic party uses minorities the same way they used the immigrants a century ago. They would

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-8175834681322405192008-09-19T11:08:00.002-04:002008-09-19T11:31:47.272-04:00

In the wake of an unprecedented bailout by the Fed, I am now convinced that there is NO difference between Republicans and Democrats on the fiscal level. Socially, there is a dichotomy, but when it comes to matters of economics, there truly isn't a dime's difference anymore, and that's a shame. I thought deep-down that the GOP would return to its small-government roots not be a player in the

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-41613665031019872012008-09-18T11:39:00.002-04:002008-09-18T11:51:06.952-04:00

I know a lot of people love the new Lucas Oil Stadium. It's state of the art, has a retractable roof, it got Indianapolis a Super Bowl...so on and so forth. The Kenny Chesney concert over the weekend was atrocious from people I've personally talked to, poor acoustics, no leg room, and lack of toiletries were the primary complaints from the concert-goers.Now Brendan O'Shaughnessy from the Star

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-91837110791294358872008-09-05T12:32:00.002-04:002008-09-05T12:49:01.986-04:00

Last year, I was the Libertarian nominee for Mayor of Lawrence. The winner, Republican Paul Ricketts ran on a platform of reform and responsibility. I ran on fiscal discipline and transparency. At the candidates' forum, I spoke of a cut of five to ten percent on all non-public safety departments. A week later, a mailer went out by Ricketts saying he was for a flat five percent cut. Ricketts won

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-51083494417558595032008-08-18T01:23:00.002-04:002008-08-18T01:34:00.931-04:00

On Saturday, the two major party presumptive nominees got together and talked. Both spoke their pieces, and made their points, for the most part. When it came to the issue of abortion (no fence sitting here), Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) went over like a lead balloon. Claiming to not know the "specificities" of when life begins, he said that went beyond his pay grade.Nationalizing health care,

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-47790447358967126152008-07-14T17:47:00.002-04:002008-07-14T17:55:07.343-04:00

Sounds like people are starting to come to their senses...in 1999, I could remember seventy cents a gallon gas...now it's hovering around four dollars...an almost sixfold increase in a decade. President Bush signed an order ending to the ban on offshore drilling...I'm only hoping that Congress will follow suit and allow for drilling for the relief in our pockets and the small businessmen that run

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-59027185127430654262008-07-08T23:40:00.002-04:002008-07-08T23:48:35.099-04:00

I know, I know, people are grumbling of a corrupt police force and pointing fingers at Mayor Ballard. Now, Mayor Ballard took office in January, and took control of the police force shortly thereafter. When it comes to the recent rash of police improprieties and homicides, I'm of the turn the other cheek mode. Mayor Ballard is a decent man trying to pick up the pieces left by the Peterson

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-45920016639721002342008-07-01T16:22:00.001-04:002008-07-01T16:22:37.376-04:00

I heard of some of the rumblings of those hit hardest by the flooding in southwest-central Indiana. They got "only" $1,000 or $2,000 from a charitable trust run by their employer. The thought they "deserved" more was appalling to me. If I were in that situation, I wouldn't be saying give me money because I "deserve" it. I'd be saying, "OK, I'm up a creek (no pun intended), now what can I do to

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-30745873155121287482008-07-01T15:59:00.001-04:002008-07-01T15:59:53.884-04:00

The Star is reporting that several drug cases are going out the window because of the arrests of two Narcotics officers gone bad. Proof that throwing more money at the problem only grows the problem, it doesn't solve it…now if we can only get on that whole property tax and health care situation…

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-30275593530835408982008-06-24T15:45:00.002-04:002008-06-24T15:59:47.667-04:00

Everyone knows now that Doris Minton-McNeill (D), a City-County Councillor, was arrested for assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest. She replaced Andre Carson, who was elected toCongress. He replaced Patrice Abduallah, who served one district, yet lived in another, in violation of the law. Do you see the common thread?The Democrat precinct captains, in my opinion, are not thoroughly

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-52252830617367550902008-06-20T09:33:00.002-04:002008-06-20T09:46:32.824-04:00

Jon Elrod is either a smart guy or a pansy, depending on your thought process. He lost a special election in March to Andre Carson for the late Rep. Julia Carson's seat, won the primary in May, now with only a few days before the filing deadline, he withdraws his name for the congressional race. He now wants to retain his Statehouse seat which was not contested in the GOP primary.What this tells

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-81207717583537047532008-06-14T00:41:00.002-04:002008-06-14T01:01:26.503-04:00

Meet the Press moderator Tim Russert passed away yesterday of an apparent heart attack at the age of 58. It really shocked me and reminded me dearly of my parents who are of the same age. Russert, like my father an Irish Catholic, wrote the bestsellers Big Russ and Me and Wisdom of Our Fathers: Lessons and Letters from Daughters and Sons.The book's talk of fathers (the first by Russert on his

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-85487287226057859152008-06-13T11:21:00.002-04:002008-06-13T11:50:37.036-04:00

Last year, Andy Horning helped make headlines for his property tax rally on the Fourth of July in front of the Governor's Mansion. That was only the beginning. This year, if you want a government that applies the Constitution as it is written, not as it's "interpreted"...join Andy and other like-minded individuals on Independence Day at the Governor's Mansion to hold our elected officials

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-81811877029792899472008-06-07T13:17:00.002-04:002008-06-07T14:04:07.252-04:00

The Toll Road lease has been one of the most polarizing projects in the state of Indiana. All of northern Indiana reviles the governor for "selling out." The governor counters with the billions of dollars brought into the state's coffers. It's been this way for a few years now.In government, sometimes legislators are offered perks. Maybe a dinner here, a game there. It's called lobbying. The

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-91793988190623481922008-06-04T12:30:00.002-04:002008-06-04T14:35:22.742-04:00

Finally can mean many things. Finally, the Stanley Cup finals (Go Pens). Finally, it stopped raining. In this case, finally means we have our prizefight contenders from the R's and D's. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) has been the presumptive GOP nominee for some time now, laying back and quietly going about his business. Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) has enough delegates and convention superdelegates to

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-59692994593058418332008-06-01T12:21:00.002-04:002008-06-01T12:48:53.730-04:00

The primary season is almost over. We have the Democrats and Republicans...let's size them up.Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY)'s campaign is on life support waiting for the universal health care to cut it off. Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) disowns a man he says he could disown no more than he could his racist white grandmother, then says Rev. Wright wasn't really a spiritual adviser.Sen. John McCain (R-AZ)

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-38093339958058373342008-05-31T15:33:00.003-04:002008-05-31T15:46:04.194-04:00

It's been a week now and I've heard people both for and against the ticket chosen by the national convention state why it's either a good or bad idea. Proponents say this brings national name recognition and a "balanced" ticket (Rep. Barr from Georgia, Root from Vegas), as well as giving true conservatives one more legitimate reason to not vote for Senator McCain. Opponents say it's a move to

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-44859506796424875792008-03-04T20:38:00.002-05:002008-03-04T20:49:07.291-05:00

Over the past few years, I regularly write about politics, but there is more to life. Growing up a Chicago Bears fan, Brett Favre was the thorn in the side of my team for the better part of two decades. His gunslinging, throw caution to the wind, freewheeling style of football enamored fans and won many games for his Packers, including Super Bowl XXXI against the Patriots. He retired today, and

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-33376497237827588212008-02-24T15:13:00.002-05:002008-02-24T15:33:47.533-05:00

Yes, I am alive and well...surprise! Anyway, my hopes for a new and improved Lawrence were put on hold one month into Mayor Ricketts' term when there was the proposal of a $15,000 raise. Mr. Mayor did the right thing only after there was an uproar from the citizenry. Then this past week, in the midst of a winter weather advisory, his office issued a statement urging citizens to stay off the roads

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-89157447679376597562007-11-15T23:59:00.000-05:002007-11-16T00:19:01.432-05:00

Who isn't a candidate for the 7th Congressional District next year? Aside from those outside the district, the field appears to be wide open. Republican State Rep. Jon Elrod threw his name in this week, forgoing a second term in the State House for a chance at an opportunity to ride the GOP wave for another year (he hopes). Former Congressman, and current Rep. Julia Carson's mentor, Andy Jacobs (

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-57188914324529537702007-11-12T22:58:00.000-05:002007-11-12T23:07:06.224-05:00

I was listening to Steve Simpson (WIBC-AM) tonight and he said that Sen. Luke Kenley (R-Noblesville), the point man on taxes in the Senate, has devised a plan as part of the blue ribbon panel for permanent property tax reform. The plan, to be tomorrow, will cut the taxes by 50%, even more than the 1/3 decrease stated by Gov. Daniels. What are your thoughts??

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-626795338445991712007-11-12T13:18:00.000-05:002007-11-12T14:02:33.447-05:00

Outgoing CCC President Monroe Gray is out of touch and out of his mind. Following the stinging defeat of the Democrat majority, mostly attributed to Gray's ongoing ethical inquiries, Sweet Pea has announced he wants to be Minority Leader in the next Council. The CCC's VP, Joanne Sanders, the only Democrat to win an at-large seat, wants the same position.The Marion County Democrats are a fractured

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-1850473196061402862007-11-07T14:03:00.000-05:002007-11-07T14:34:36.858-05:00

It's been a long time overdue on this place...way overdue. As we all know there was a bit of a Republican Revolution in Marion County. Both Indianapolis and Lawrence elected GOP mayors, and the CCC went from 15 D-14 R to 17 R-12 D. I was involved as the Libertarian candidate for Lawrence mayor, so I had front-row seats to all of the drama involved, quite literally.With four candidates running, I

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-7503591609906898522007-05-17T11:28:00.000-04:002007-05-17T11:39:16.814-04:00

Sounds like the Town Council in Fishers wants to create their utopian downtown and at any cost. 125 properties would be razed and new shoppes, housing, and offices would be built. Bye Bye Nickel Plate, hello strip mall. Those little independent small businesses and offices would be out like a fat kid in dodgeball.The Council even would go so far as using eminent domain to force people out of

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-72691074954193866332007-04-30T14:42:00.000-04:002007-04-30T15:45:30.376-04:00

I'm back in the saddle...for now. Having been in Florida the past month has kept me out of the loop unfortunately. It was more of skimming the Star online and peeking at a blog here and there.The budget passed late last night, beating the midnight deadline as required by law. The budget, to be signed by Governor Daniels does almost nothing to shrink the size and scope of the state government. The

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-74315751667768298852007-03-28T14:29:00.001-04:002007-03-28T14:35:19.742-04:00

Council President Monroe Gray (D) is using and abusing his "juice." Instead of being transparent (like a higher-profile politician should be), he's hiding behind administrative and bureaucratic BS designed to keep his sorry patoot in office, and unaccountable. Republicans introduced a proposal for an inquiry into his business dealings, and if there was a conflict of interest. The problem was the

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-33060067976537746432007-03-28T14:22:00.000-04:002007-03-28T14:29:15.395-04:00

A lot of hullabaloo is over SJR-7, and the voices are getting louder on both sides of the issue. Eric Miller, former Republican gubernatorial candidate and executive director of Advance America, led a rally in support of the amendment. On the other hand, businesses like Cummins and Lilly, two of Indiana's more prominent employers, are against the amendment because of the potential loss of

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-73570732297673646992007-03-27T00:22:00.000-04:002007-03-27T00:25:46.251-04:00

They're for governors, too. Not My Man has done it again. He now states that there may not be enough money to pay for the I69 extension from Crane Naval Warfare Center south of Bloomington to Indianapolis. He says there may be tolls on it to cover costs. Only a year ago he stated that I69 would be toll-free from Indianapolis to Evansville due to the cash influx courtesy of Major Moves.My friends,

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-91684716096234466242007-03-22T12:14:00.000-04:002007-03-22T12:49:26.393-04:00

Sorry for not posting that often, work has had me pick up some extra slack this past month. Here's what I've been able to see since then.Driving While EntitledProof again that a little bit of celebrity will get you a lenient sentence. Citing "lack of evidence" (They forgot the .09 Breathalyzer), former Colt running back Dominic Rhodes got a suspended sentence and no probation on a plea deal from

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-61267547965163181092007-03-05T23:19:00.000-05:002007-03-05T23:38:21.184-05:00

That was the way ESPN used to end their SportsCenter, comparing an athletic feat from the night before to something equally impressive, if not relatively obscure. My brother-in-law sent me an email today, and here is the meat and potatoes of it:Tax his land,Tax his bed,Tax the tableAt which he's fed.Tax his tractor,Tax his mule,Teach him taxesAre the rule.Tax his cow,Tax his goat,Tax his pants,

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-17700286632447817102007-02-27T21:40:00.000-05:002007-02-27T23:33:29.887-05:00

The Indiana House shot down a proposal for a 25 cent per pack increase to the state's cigarette tax. The monies collected would go towards paying for insurance for low-income Hoosiers, also known as subsidized health care, but Democrats and Republicans don't want you to know that. The measure, defeated 52-44, had to pass by the end of the week because of legislative rules regarding outstanding

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-26103777824834789152007-02-20T14:40:00.000-05:002007-02-20T18:24:45.151-05:00

Apparently, the Indiana General Assembly knows no limits. Again, using "the children" as the reason this time for more legislation, the State Senate is making it illegal to sell rated "M" and "AO" to minors. Straight out of the "DUH" files, the legislature is now taking action where the private sector was handling the situation. The game ratings are similiar to movies, with the M rating equal to

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-64503692684655058662007-02-16T02:14:00.000-05:002007-02-16T02:21:11.384-05:00

That's what Rep. Peggy Welch (D-Bloomington) wants you to believe when she brought a bill to the Legislature requiring seat belts be worn in pickup trucks. According to the Indy Star, Rep. Bill Ruppel, (R-North Manchester) made an amendment to the bill, banning passengers in the bed of a pickup.This is nothing more than another attempt to grow the nanny state and Big Brother. Individuals are

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-19149471119963685382007-02-15T14:17:00.000-05:002007-02-15T14:29:01.083-05:00

Yesterday, former NBA star Tim Hardaway was on Miami radio, and the topic turned to John Amaechi, another former NBA player who just recently came out as a homosexual. Hardaway took no time to open mouth and insert foot. Admitting he's homophobic and hates gay people, Hardaway is a bigot and a hypocrite! If his remarks were about blacks, Jews, etc., he'd be taken behind the barn. The even sadder

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-58373077292822373772007-02-14T00:25:00.000-05:002007-02-14T00:57:41.324-05:00

I can't remember I saw this much snow in Indy, and I've lived here since '88. Having previously lived in South Bend, I was used to lake-effects as a kid, and it was commonplace for a fresh 6''-12'' daily in winter. 125 miles south, and the city's at a halt...interesting. Anyway, for those that are reading today were careful outdoors, or just stayed in.Today was good because I made it to and from

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-86036117492377574522007-02-10T14:08:00.000-05:002007-02-06T22:52:16.924-05:00

One could insert anything and get a response. It's just a massage parlor, it's a high-stakes poker game, it's just this, it's just that. Sen. Glenn Howard (D-Indianapolis) is on the hot seat for comments made when a pea shake house was raided in his district. From the original police report, Howard said the illegal operation "don't hurt nobody, it's just a pea shake. I know it's illegal, but they

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-20263704676435311472007-02-05T19:00:00.000-05:002007-02-05T19:16:11.213-05:00

As the die-hard Bears fan that I am (self-admittedly), I was proud to wear the navy and orange watching the game. Watching Devin Hester run the opening kickoff back gave me an early level of comfort, albeit mostly silent due to being the only Bears fan watching the game with friends and family. I reasoned, that since the Colts were a dome team, the Bears would have the upper hand in the inclement

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-27103034045217976742007-02-02T16:48:00.000-05:002007-02-02T16:57:31.283-05:00

As many remember, the 1985 Chicago Bears shuffled their way to a 15-1 record and to Super Bowl XX, handling the New England Patriots 46-10. That team was written into NFL lore as one of the best of all times, only behind the 1972 Miami Dolphins.This year, they're facing the Indianapolis Colts, and everyone's asking me where I stand. I stood with the Bears in 2004, when they were slaughtered 41-9

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-35770541447166190472007-02-02T00:30:00.000-05:002007-02-02T00:49:13.760-05:00

Today, Lawrence Mayor Sarah Cantwell delivered her State of the City address to the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce. Among the topics were pushing for a private takeover of the city's water utility, which in theory would save $200 annually for a household. In theory, it's a good idea, letting private sector do something that is not a function of government. She also brought up renaming Pendleton

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-53981495824711119922007-02-01T01:38:00.000-05:002007-02-01T01:59:24.313-05:00

Those words are part of most any marital vows. I know, I took them just over nine months ago, and they still ring in my head everyday. I married Beth of my own choice, and vice versa. Everyone who wants to be married should be, as long as there is a minister, priest, rabbi, imam, etc. who will officiate the ceremony. The reason I'm talking about this is because our big government Republican led

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-83293876985869637102007-02-01T01:32:00.000-05:002007-02-01T01:38:56.015-05:00

The Indiana House passed a new minimum wage, higher than the one currently in the U.S. Congress. The $7.50 per hour is another way the D's and R's are trying to force their wills on the people of this state. Some say it's an inflation adjustment. I say it's government telling business how to pay its employees. Government is not a player in business, it's a referee, if anything!!I wrote a letter

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-10693255030388766302007-01-31T02:15:00.000-05:002007-01-31T02:22:41.708-05:00

IPS Superintendent Dr. Eugene White recently stated that on the whole his schools are failing, mostly at the middle and high school levels. I would agree with that statement. The reasons though are not that of the teachers. More and more often, children of these schools are products of single mothers or raised by other relatives (ie: grandparents, aunts/uncles, etc.)Dr. White should not be

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-5266983917219772832007-01-28T11:48:00.000-05:002007-01-28T13:06:18.875-05:00

Those famous words were uttered by City-County Council President Monroe Gray when Prosecutor Carl Brizzi was shunned by Gray for more funding for jail space. Nowadays, it appears that President Gray is losing his juice. According to the Indy Star, Gray's concrete business is in some deep stuff. Unable to pay his workers or his suppliers properly, he's been found in court to owe over $300,000.

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-51861245306748045372007-01-24T00:36:00.000-05:002007-01-24T01:24:05.845-05:00

Last night was the annual speech by the President to Congress regarding the state of the Union. President Bush had, for the first time, a "hostile" audience, with Democrats in the majority of both Houses of Congress. Bush, the "compassionate conservative" talked like a bleeding hearted liberal hawk. Talked of funding health care yet balancing the budget, ending earmarks but staying in Iraq, how

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-974288947374500622007-01-20T21:12:00.000-05:002007-01-20T21:38:42.790-05:00

It was announced recently that the city of Indianapolis will be giving up to $48.5 million in tax abatements and credits to White Lodging, the parent company of the new JW Marriott Hotel going up with the expanded Convention Center. $48.5 million to a private corporation at a time when the city struggles with an increase in crime, particularly homicides and carjackings.How can a mayor (in an

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-1169015900944291992007-01-17T01:20:00.000-05:002007-01-17T01:38:20.953-05:00

The Indianapolis Colts are on the brink of the Super Bowl with the Patriots being their only obstacle (again). On a more serious note, Mayor Peterson has more problems than Peyton Manning right now. Da Mayor has a crime rate in the city that is doing nothing but going up. What did he do? He merged the police and sheriff's department, citing a savings to the taxpayers. Now, he's asking the state

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-1169014120000757542007-01-17T00:54:00.000-05:002007-01-17T01:08:40.010-05:00

My place of business is a restaurant in Fishers, IN, one of the last bastions of property rights, or so I thought. For those unaware, Fishers is one of the more affluent, faster growing suburbs of Indianapolis, and one of the more socially controlled as well. Signage has to meet strict standards, so strict that retailers have decided to go to other surrounding 'burbs in order to be able to do

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-1169013257099639482007-01-17T00:32:00.000-05:002007-01-17T00:54:17.110-05:00

Long time, no post...man you'd think I was a candidate as much as I was out of my own home in the past eight months. My job has really taken off and taken me many places (with more to go), and I couldn't be happier with what has happened to me. I am still happily married to Beth, I'm still a Libertarian and proud of it, and I'm still upset with the fact that Republicans are turning into Democrats

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-1148746275636275052006-05-27T12:06:00.000-04:002006-05-27T12:11:15.646-04:00

Sorry for the lag in posts, I was sent to Kansas City for two weeks on work. Looks like I came home at the right time. Time for Click It or Ticket. Of course, I wasn't too happy that the Star told us to buckle up or else, so of course, I wrote back..."The Star's editorial regarding Click It or Ticket is a bit too Big Brother for some tastes. Seatbelt laws are a waste of taxpayer money.Instead of

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-1146758019510766452006-05-04T11:36:00.000-04:002006-05-04T11:53:39.570-04:00

The Left wants you think the oil companies are gouging citizens at the pump. The Right is pandering to the Left. It's bad when one party is demagoguing, it's exponentially worse when both parties demagogue.It's quite simple folks, the reason oil profits are at record highs is because the cost of doing business is at a record high. Neal Boortz explained it best (I'm paraphrasing here)...when you

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-1146756960763097002006-05-04T11:33:00.000-04:002006-05-04T11:36:00.776-04:00

NUVO columnist Steve Hammer takes Indianapolis Star columnist to task for his less than glowing article regarding the Libertarian Party of Indiana. Hammer states Tully is upset because he has something to do besides read Republican press releases. The full article is here.

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-1146633351066471922006-05-03T00:11:00.000-04:002006-05-03T01:15:51.133-04:00

Yesterday was the taxpayer-subsidized nominating conventions...err...primaries. The time for me to walk into the Lawrence Fire Station and hear "Republican slate??" and "Democrat slate??" I kindly declined each and walked in and signed in with ID, really not that big of a problem as Marion County Democrat Chair Ed Treacy would like people to think, it's common sense really. I'm upset at the fact

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-1146628699812240632006-05-02T23:47:00.000-04:002006-05-02T23:58:19.866-04:00

Matt Tully, the Indianapolis Star political reporter, wrote an article about how since it's primary time, it's Libertarian Whine time. How we complain about inadequate coverage, and the like. I wrote a letter last week that was published today. Here's the text:"I have to disagree with Matthew Tully's assessment of Libertarians ("Libertarians whining? It must be election time," April 28).When he

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-1146628038210132202006-05-02T23:42:00.000-04:002006-05-02T23:47:18.223-04:00

A week and a half ago...I finally tied the knot!!! Thank you Beth for loving me and being willing to put up with my crap for the rest of your life. Now it's time to turn it up into high gear now that the taxpayer-subsidized conventions...errrr....primaries are done.

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-1138293437283234052006-01-26T11:20:00.000-05:002006-01-26T11:37:18.223-05:00

It was reported by the Indianapolis Star that the proposed cigarette tax failed to get out of committee, 6-2. The governor's ill-fated attempt to pick and choose his idea of the "unhealthiest" Hoosiers was not a good idea. Last time, I checked he's 0-for-2 in proposed tax increases at his State of the State. There are so many other problems right now, such as cutting the size and scope of

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-1138217366644177742006-01-25T14:08:00.000-05:002006-01-25T14:29:26.743-05:00

Marion County has outdone itself once again. The 1% food and beverage tax enacted to subsidize the new Indiana Stadium is failing to claim the projected revenues. According to Abdul in the Morning, Marion County is short about $800,000. According to projections, the county will be a couple of million of dollars short towards its share of the stadium funding. No worries yet, but if people aren't

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-1137695893787740772006-01-19T13:11:00.000-05:002006-01-19T13:38:13.833-05:00

Click here for a link to my letter to the editor about NK Hurst and the editorial written by Sen. Luke Kenley (R-Noblesville) and Rep. Jeff Espich (R-Uniondale). Property rights are non-negotiable.

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-1137657525709888882006-01-19T01:39:00.000-05:002006-01-19T02:58:45.766-05:00

House Speaker Brian Bosma is finally taking the first steps towards being a fiscal conservative. In a plan proposed this week, the Speaker is eliminating the health benefits received by any representative elected or re-elected in the upcoming 2006 elections. Instead they will pay into the state health plan, like any other public servant.Some representatives agree with this while Vanessa Summers (

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-1137138320254520262006-01-13T02:34:00.000-05:002006-01-13T02:45:20.266-05:00

It has been announced that Indiana GOP chair Jim Kittle will be resigning from his post after four years on the job. Kittle, the chairman/CEO of Kittle's Furnishings, is stepping down two days after Governor Daniels' State of the State address, where the governor promoted a plan of consolidating township government to the county level, shrinking the size of government, and eliminating elected

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-1137137633145121472006-01-13T02:23:00.000-05:002006-01-13T02:33:53.160-05:00

Governor Daniels gave his second State of the State address on Wednesday, and again the Republican asked the legislature for a tax increase. Instead of punishing those that make six figures, he goes after smokers.Now I understand that smoking is a problem, and is not a good habit all. However, I believe that he is punishing those that make a personal choice. Daniels said that Hoosiers weigh too

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-1137002061732516442006-01-11T12:53:00.000-05:002006-01-11T13:05:42.563-05:00

Respected George Will wrote a column picked up by the Indianapolis Star on January 5, discussing the NCAA nickname rules, and how the University of Illinois is barred from using the name Fighting Illini in postseason play (ie: college football bowls, March Madness, etc.)Very simply put, I believe former Oklahoma linebacker Brian Bosworth was right when he wore a shirt calling the NCAA "National

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-1136833455571624602006-01-09T13:51:00.000-05:002006-01-09T14:04:15.610-05:00

I realize I post as often as a turtle, however the General Assembly is back, and that means more news than I know what to do with :)...with that said, here's what I want to see accomplished in the short session.-Eminent Domain Restrictions. The House Judiciary Committee passed the bill (HB 1010, I believe) unanimously, protecting private property (Like the NK Hurst company) from the reach of our

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-1132345304082395752005-11-18T15:14:00.000-05:002005-11-18T15:21:44.096-05:00

Sherron Franklin is a marked woman now. In 2007, she has the biggest bullseye on the City-County Council. Not from Republicans, but her own party. Standing up for what you believe in can be a big pain sometimes, but that's the price of integrity. She voted for her job, not her party. Have to respect one with principles, I say. Her victory in 2003 was only by a handful of votes, and you have to

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-1130601046713541182005-10-29T10:44:00.000-05:002005-10-29T10:50:46.760-05:00

The Democrats are trying to fix the federal budget woes. The Democrat Leadership Council (DLC) is proposing ways of cutting excessive spending from the Republican-controlled budget. Now I didn't think it was possible as the Republican Party is the party is that of "small government." Fiscal conservatives have been suffering through tax and spend policies similar to the ones the Democrats have

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-1129614732056407822005-10-18T00:22:00.000-05:002005-10-18T00:57:31.183-05:00

The first report of the food and beverage taxes from the doughnut counties came in yesterday. According to the Indy Star article, about half of the expected $300,000 came in since the taxes were enacted over the summer. Johnson County had the highest number, bringing in nearly $70,000, with Hamilton County disclosing $50,000 in collections. The state thinks that businesses aren't paying their

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-1129360547498377352005-10-15T02:09:00.000-05:002005-10-15T02:15:47.506-05:00

My friends, everyone talks about what Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity have to say, yet those words are similar to what Hannity calls "Clinton Kool-Aid drinkers." Republicans simply are long on rhetoric, short on delivery. That sounds eerily similar to the Democrats of the past.In 1994, Newt Gingrich offered citizens the Contract with America, a simple way to limit government. The Republican

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-1129275267923480182005-10-14T12:49:00.000-05:002005-10-14T12:49:42.896-05:00

More and more, President Bush has talked liked a conservative, acted like a conservative, yet he hasn't delivered like a conservative. He enacted tax cuts, which is a GREAT thing, yet he hasn't delivered the spending cuts that are requisite. He talked of bringing the government under control, then bloated the domestic (non-military) budget 7-10% annually, with now Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-1128974064502400202005-10-10T14:35:00.000-05:002005-10-10T14:54:24.563-05:00

Governor Daniels is at it again. Another liberal tax and spend policy from a "fiscal conservative." Click here for the story on how he wants to give cities and towns the ability to levy income, sales, and food/beverage taxes on individuals. Now he says he's for the idea if property taxes truly go down, but that's like giving an alcoholic a case of beer. It's been my experience that people in

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-1128609294144917942005-10-06T09:19:00.000-05:002005-10-06T09:34:54.196-05:00

I know that big government is taking over the country, much to my chagrin. But the most blatant example has unfolded over the week. State Sen. Pat Miller (R-Indianapolis) suggested a ban on medical assistance to unmarried couples. What's she really meant was "Keep the gays and single folks from having babies!!" I realize that there are some who think that child-rearing should be in the "

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-1128537188177646302005-10-05T13:03:00.000-05:002005-10-05T13:33:08.230-05:00

Greenfield is trying to mimic Indianapolis. Sprawling commercial sites right off the interstate. A Wal-Mart Supercenter and Home Depot within walking distance of each other. A Starbucks, an Applebee's, and a smoking ban. Wait a second, did you say loss of property rights??It looks like the Greenfield City Council is proposing a smoking ban on par with that of the one introduced by the

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-1128535329256398232005-10-05T12:55:00.000-05:002005-10-05T13:02:09.260-05:00

To the relief of myself and Beth, hockey's back!! I was tempted to drive north to see my Blackhawks take on the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, but I have to work Dine for America night, which is definitely worth it. Goto http://www.dineforamerica.org and find a list of participating restaurants that are donating their profits tonight to charities benefiting hurricane victims. Beth will be watching her

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-1128291066690567292005-10-02T16:46:00.000-05:002005-10-02T17:11:10.306-05:00

Many ask me why I'm not a "moderate Republican"....here's why.Why I became a Libertarian...good question. I was raised "politically homeless" and split my ticket for several years. Growing up in the Clinton era, I was a big proponent of social issues, protecting civil rights, etc. My mother is very liberal (self-admitted, I'll have you know) and instilled that in me. But at the same time, I

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-1128016047141524022005-09-29T12:25:00.000-05:002005-09-29T12:47:27.193-05:00

This week, Gov. Daniels proposed the Major Moves program. He wants to make the I-69 extension from Indy to Evansville a toll road, raise the rates of the Indiana Toll Road and privatize interstates.I like the privatizing interstates, but if we're raising rates of the Toll Road and making I-69 a toll road, where are the reciprocating spending cuts? To me, it sounds like more of the same rhetoric

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-1127279879384815322005-09-20T23:19:00.000-05:002005-09-21T00:17:59.436-05:00

Now I could rant and rave as to why one should vote for a Libertarian candidate, but there isn't enough tea in China for that post. What I do have to offer are very compelling statements as to why one would check the "L" instead of the "D" or "R".-In one party counties, Lake and Hamilton counties come to mind quickly, the other "major" party doesn't have a real voice, leaving Libertarians as the

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007286.post-1127025765585434732005-09-18T01:32:00.000-05:002005-09-18T01:42:45.590-05:00

President Bush said basically the buck stops here, but whose buck is it that he's spending? Right now, the estimates are $100-$200 billion, depending on what "expert" you talk to. $200 billion for new homesteading and rebuilding "infrastructure." The spending could reach the trillions if you let the government do it for you!! I understand we help those who can't help themselves, but $200 billion

Chris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10343530497265931120noreply@blogger.com0