Seventh Heaven

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 (D), supports Carson's grandson, current CCC member Andre Carson, who has all of a summer of public service. Then there's other Dems looking at the jump to DC. Outgoing Mayor Peterson could make the jump (Hudnut did it in the 70's), State Rep. Carolene Mays, or even former Deputy Mayor and Marion County Prosecutor candidate Melina Kennedy, heck Rep. Carson could say she's better and run for another term.

Point blank, keep your eyes and ears open for announcements in the next couple of months, maybe even an outsider with inner circle ties could throw his or her hat in the ring, and make things really interesting!!!

Property Tax Plans

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??

Shades of Gray

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 machine at best. When Rozelle Boyd, a Councillor from pre-Unigov, is defeated soundly, there is no hope for them it sounds like other than being in the minority for a while. Yes, politics is cyclical, but when the machine that produced so many elected officials (Congresswoman Carson, Senator Bayh, Mayor Peterson, Councillor Gray) is now responsible for the downfalls of many of them as well (pushing through a 65% county income tax increase in an election year, going negative in an airtight mayoral race against an underfunded candidate with a better message), the people operating the machine need to step back and evaluate the situation.

The Marion County GOP worked the big-tent angle to perfection, and with the presidential, congressional, and gubernatorial races, not to mention state legislators up for election next year, will the Dems look at the errors made this election, and correct them for the next time? The Democratic Party used to stand for equal opportunity and social justice, but do those principles only apply to those that have the juice??

It's Finally Over

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 knew this would be an interesting race from the get-go. The incumbent Deb Cantwell (D), former township assessor Paul Ricketts (R), independent Ron Ryker, and myself. I wanted smaller government, free of partisan bickering and moving forward for Lawrence. Cantwell alienated the police and fire departments (the latter her former employer), then pulled a shady waterworks deal only Tom Schneider could appreciate three weeks from the election. She made her bed, now she's sleeping in it.

As far as the rest of the county goes, what genius thinks that they can pass a 65% income tax increase and get away with it?? Apparently that genius was Mike O'Connor, and he got bit in the butt for it. Losing both the CCC and the Mayor's office is something that only pure arrogance does. O'Connor was purely arrogant, looking past Council President Monroe Gray's ethical problems, the income tax increase, and a demoralized police force, running ads painting Indianapolis as a worry-free city. Too bad it was false advertising.

The next four years will be very interesting. I want to see what Ballard and a relatively green CCC will do, and, more importantly, I'm interested in what Lawrence will become in the next four years; will it be a return to the old guard, a continuation of business as usual, or will the city keep moving forward? Only time will tell.

Redevelop This!

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 their homes to achieve this beautiful monument to their egos and arrogance. There is a way to stop this besides hardballing the negotiating for "fair market value"...this is an election year in Fishers, all Councillors are up for re-election in an at-large setting. Choosing a Libertarian that respects property rights and taxpayers is the only way these councillors will get a clue.

Statehouse Shenanigans

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 only thing guaranteed by the new budget is that the nanny state is strengthened and that individuality is shrank.

The budget passes a law increasing the cigarette tax by 44 cents per pack, in order to fund health insurance for those that can't afford it. While the idealist in me says it's ok...but it's nothing more than robbing Peter to pay Paul.

Who wants slots?? The horse tracks did, and they got them this time. 2,000 slot machines will go in to the two tracks in Shelbyville and Anderson, respectively. This bill was usually a hot-button issue, but with the gay marriage amendment on the table, the slot bill slid under the noses of most social conservatives.

Property tax relief?? Relief to me means cutting the tax or eliminating it...not raising it only to decrease it later, because it's still a net increase. The slots at the tracks will offset the increase in property taxes, so instead of a 24 percent increase, it will be ONLY eight percent or so.

Even seatbelts get on this, it's now required for all passengers to wear seatbelts in cars. Common sense if you ask me, but you can't teach stupid. I digress.

On a lighter note, the legislature passed one important measure: the official beverage of the state is now water.

You Thought the City-County Council Was Bad Before...

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 R's are the minority, and the vote failed on party lines. The matter was furthered on to an Ethics Board, which is stacked with Democrats.

Enter a new variable: Gray's personal attorney is also the Council's counsel, further intertwining the two.

Solution: Stealing a page from Abdul, there should be an inquiry board comprised of one or two of each party (R and D), and then a mutually agreed upon member (Mark Rutherford, where are you?). The board could come to a conclusion and then make recommendations to the Council as to how to proceed.

Truth or Consequences??

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 employees due to the amendment.

The business aspect is that Cummins and Lilly both offer domestic partner benefits to gay couples, like married couples. If SJR-7 passes, those benefits could end, and those employees may choose to work somewhere else out of state with friendlier legislatures. Neither Cummins or Lilly want to lose their employees because of an unfriendly or "closed-minded" government.

Now that the private sector is voicing its opinion, the government should re-examine what the potential loss of revenue (ie: taxes) from people moving out of state because of SJR-7. The more Lillys that speak out about the amendment, citing loss of employees and taxes, the harder it would be for a smart goverment to pass it.

Flip-Flops Are for More Than Feet

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, is this what you want to hear from your "conservative, smaller government" Republican governor??

A Touch of This, A Dash of That

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 Entitled

Proof 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 DUI to reckless driving. People I know who were pulled over on DUI for .09 are still doing probation four years later.

SJR-7 Update

Yesterday, Libertarian Mike Kole, along with City-County Councillors Scott Keller and JoAnne Sanders (R and D, respectively), held a press conference on the Statehouse steps protesting SJR-7, the gay marriage amendment. The General Assembly held hearings for several hours yesterday regarding the potential amendment that selectively removes individual choice for certain Hoosiers.

Dungy's Folly??

Recently, Colts coach Tony Dungy has been King Midas. However, he might have a little bit of tarnish on his hands after comments made at an Indiana Family Institute supporting SJR-7. Dungy risks being known as a hypocritical bigot, embracing being the first African American coach to lift the Lombardi Trophy, yet deny another minority their right to happiness. It is similar to the ban on interracial marriages because it's not "the Lord's will" (those are Dungy's words in support of SJR-7.)

Dungy's statements, Rhodes' pseudo-DUI, and an unpopular stadium plan at the expense of much-needed public safety might derail the city's hopes of hosting Super Bowl XLV.

Did You Know??

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 table
At which he's fed.

Tax his tractor,
Tax his mule,
Teach him taxes
Are the rule.

Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.

Tax his ties,
Tax his shirt,
Tax his work,
Tax his dirt.

Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he
Tries to think.

Tax his cigars,
Tax his beers,
If he cries, then
Tax his tears.

Tax his car,
Tax his gas,
Find other ways
To tax his ass

Tax all he has
Then let him know
That you won't be done
Till he has no dough.

When he screams and hollers,
Then tax him some more,
Tax him tillHe's good and sore.

Then tax his coffin,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in
Which he's laid.

Put these words
Upon his tomb,
"Taxes drove me
To my doom..."

When he's gone,
Do not relax,
Its time to apply
The inheritance tax.

Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL license Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel permit tax
Gasoline Tax (42 cents per gallon)
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Interest expense
Inventory tax
Revenue Canada Interest Charges Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Taxes
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service charge taxes
Social Security Tax
Road usage taxes
Sales Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
School Tax
Provincial Income Tax
Prov. Unemployment Tax
Telephone federal excise tax
Telephone federal universal service fee tax
Telephone federal, state and local surcharge taxes
Telephone minimum usage surcharge tax
Telephone recurring and non-recurring charges tax
Telephone Prov. and local tax
Telephone usage charge tax
Utility TaxesVehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax


COMMENTS: Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago!And our nation was the most prosperous in the world.We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world,and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.What happened?

Point is, government has grown that much in the past century and no one really noticed. How much more money can government take from its citizenry??

Individual vs. The Greater Good, Round 2

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 bills moving to the other chamber for passage.

Once again, predatory legislative practices have come back to bite that government in the butt. Attempting to pick on one vice over another is no way to write laws. Let the individuals make their choices, and let them own up to them. It's not the role of government to make the choices for the individual.

BOHICA

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 R, etc. Retailers are prompted for the higher rated games, asking for ID. I know, I've been carded buying a rated-M game.

The author of the bill is a "defender of the First Amendment," Sen. Vi Simpson (D-Elletsville). She's trying to legislate morality on a statewide scale the same way Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson, also a Democrat, tried to do back in 2000. Peterson's law was deemed unconstitutional, and similar legislation from other states are not meeting the constitutionality test. This is nothing more than another extension of the nanny state by liberal Democrats and liberal Republicans.

It's For Your Own Good

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 responsible for themselves, and should make appropriate choices. Not only that, the bill shouldn't even exist. The solution is very simple. When one signs up for auto insurance, they must agree to wear a seat belt. This agreement is made by two private groups, no government involvement. If there is an accident, and there is not a seat belt worn, then there will be no basis for a claim as the agreement was violated. End of story, end of drama.

I just wish that the liberal Democrats and equally liberal Republican parties will get a grip on their own thirst for power over people's lives and pocketbooks. Without changes, there will be nothing left to give them as they will have taken everything, and left nothing to the individual.

Double Standard

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 part, is that Dan Le Batard (the Miami host), told Hardaway that the remarks were bigoted, and Hardaway agreed.

Fortunately, not everyone in the NBA is as short-sighted as Hardaway. Shaquille O'Neal and Mark Cuban applaud Amaechi. David Stern has even pulled from Hardaway from all NBA-sponsored appearances, and will no longer be a goodwill ambassador/spokesman. Hardaway sounds like George Wallace, and he doesn't even know it.

Snow Survival: The Good, The Bad, and The Very Ugly

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 Fishers safely with no incidents. Beth's a teacher, and she enjoyed a snow day like the rest of her students. Today was bad because I had to run to Wal-Mart and became stuck on 56th Street at a stop light. Thanks to the two Good Samaritans who helped me very much, you were my guardian angels tonight. The very ugly is the plow that came through my neighborhood and decided to rip off my mailbox with its blade, along with several others, upsetting me and my neighbors alike.

I was watching the news tonight, and I found out that my neighborhood in Lawrence isn't the only one to suffer that fate. It also happened in Carmel, the situation is solved with the city paying for damages to an individual's property (a new mailbox). Beth called the City of Lawrence, as well as our homeowner's association, and all we get is, "We'll get back to you." If someone had deliberately removed my mailbox, that's vandalism, and that's criminal activity. Let's see if the City of Lawrence commits a crime and gets away with it, or owns up to its mistake.

It's Just a .... It Don't Hurt Nobody

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 don't hurt nobody."

Sen. Howard is the Assistant Caucus Chair in the State Senate, and ranking Democrat on several committees. How can a man who assists in writing the laws of the land pick and choose which ones he obeys? This is nothing more than using his influence to try and get his constituents off the hook. If my State Senator, Jim Merritt (R-Indianapolis) tried pulling this stunt, he'd be facing intimidation charges, and people calling for his resignation.

Simply put, the People's Republic of Indianapolis turns a blind eye, rewrites reports removing any potential improprieties, and maintains the status quo of failure to truly serve and protect its citizenry.

Rain of Terror

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 weather.

Then Rex took the field.

Grossman had a few good plays, like the TD to Muhsin Muhammad. The other good play was handing off to Thomas Jones on the 52-yard run. Beyond that, he handled the ball worse than Garo Yepremian. What right-minded football player fumbles the ball then runs AWAY from it?? Yes, it was raining. Hunter Smith dropped the PAT, then wore gloves the rest of the game...do you think Rex could take a freaking clue??

Grossman was so putrid because if he didn't turn the ball over, it was three-and-out, and back on defense. Yes, Da Bears had the #1 defense in the NFC, but when they're on the field for forty-plus minutes, there's a problem; it's called lack of offense.

Enough about the Bears, the Colts took a quarter to figure it out, then took it to the Bears in every aspect. Squibbing to avoid Hester, the two-headed monster at running back, the precision passing of Peyton Manning, a tenacious, opportunistic defense, and the overall confidence of Tony Dungy led the Colts to lift the Lombardi Trophy in Miami.

Super Bowl Shuffle, Part Deux

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 at Soldier Field by the Colts, and I'll stand again wearing my Brian Urlacher jersey.

I predict it will come down to a field goal, this time Adam Vinatieri isn't involved in the final kick. Robbie Gould puts it through the uprights for a 24-21 Bears win. Even Sweetness will be shuffling somewhere :).

Pendleton Pike Parkway

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 Pike to the Lawrence Parkway. That made me laugh a bit, to be perfectly honest.

When one hears of a parkway, such as Fall Creek, I think of distinguished, upper-income housing, nice neighborhoods, and nice scenery. When I drive down Pendleton Pike (from 465 to Mitthoeffer), I see numerous strip clubs, a license branch, trailer parks, check cashing businesses, and various vacant properties. Not to mention potholes that could break an axle if one wasn't too careful.

Mayor Cantwell has in the past talked about the growth of Lawrence post-Ft. Ben. It's true that a lot of development has come in and taken over a lot of the former Army base (Ivy Tech, various banks, fast-food, CVS, and other small businesses). It's also true that there has been a explosion of development along Pendleton Pike from 56th Street east to Carroll Road. Most of that development came when she wasn't even the Mayor though.

Frankly, Mayor Cantwell is playing a game of three-card monty with the citizens of Lawrence, and I think is using a feel-good story to get her re-elected. That, or to get the Justice Department "thing" out of the limelight for a while.