From the "What the..." Files

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 to
Congress. 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 vetting their candidates. It's more about keeping the seat (which Republicans rarely contest). More often than not, no matter what part of the political spectrum, if you knowingly select and elect undesirable candidates, you get what you pay for in the end. As if Mike O'Connor needed anymore headaches.

Grand Old Goofup

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 me is that, as much as I don't want to admit it, Greg Garrison is right. As long as the district is drawn as it is, Democrats will win the congressional races here. That's a given, as many credible Republicans have come and gone against the Carson machine. I just never thought that one of them would throw up the white flag before it even started.

Remembering Russert

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 father) resonates with many (including this blogger) of a father who did whatever it took to support and raise his family. I, personally, did not always appreciate as a younger person what my dad did, but it shaped me into who I am today, and I couldn't be happier. My dad is a great man who gave of himself freely for his family, and that is something I will never forget.

Tim Russert will be missed in many political circles, but the stories of father and son will live on for generations. If that is his legacy, then Tim Russert is a better man. May the angels say to him upon his arrival to Heaven, "Cead Mile Failte."

The Revolution Will Be Recognized

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 accountable for themselves and their actions!

Dodging Common Sense

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 latest perk is a bit much and arrogant. According to the Indianapolis Star, Cintar-Macquarie, the Spanish-Australian consortium responsible for the operation of the Toll Road, gave the iZoom transponders to all legislators in northern Indiana, then offered them to all legislators. The transponders charge vehicles at the original rate, whereas the rates at toll booths have gone up considerably.

In the spirit of equity, most legislators rejected the perk, saying they're no better than their constituents, especially with gas at $4/gallon. I said most legislators. Reps. Dick Dodge (R-Pleasant Lake) and Chet Dobis (D-Merrillville) have gone on record saying they will use their transponders, basically telling their constituents to go fly a kite.

How out of touch are these fellas...jobs are leaving the region (I know, I lived in South Bend as a child, until my dad got a better job in Indy. His old job in SB was gone in two years), gas is going up, and nothing new is going there. Voters up there should give both of these guys the boot in the fall.

Finally...

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 clinch the nomination.

The question I'm asking now is, who's number two? No not the quiet man with an eyepatch who runs the legitimate side of things, but the VP slot? Sen. Clinton (D-NY) seems to be eyeing the veep position, but I ask my liberal friends how can you support a candidate who is running on a platform of change then have a running mate who ran her campaign on experience?? Not only that, but the thought of having four more years of President Bill Clinton around the White House is a bit unsettling, for more than one reason.

As for the GOP side, I'm betting either former Gov. Mitt Romney (R-MA), or current Gov. Bobby Jindal (R-LA) get the spot for the Republicans. McCain is more known as a maverick, not what the "conservative" GOP might really want. Either Romney or Jindal bring those credentials to the convention, but Jindal would be better served because he would balance the ticket in the South, and honestly, if I were Romney, I'd lay low for four years, knowing that McCain probably won't win, and he can run in 2012 as the "true conservative."

Since there are no concrete running mates, where do you weigh in?

Presidential Prospects

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) was a "foot soldier" for President Reagan, then was considered a maverick on the Hill, now he tries to carry the conservative mantle for the GOP. I never met a conservative that is for global warming legislation, campaign finance reform, and forced cooperation from the private sector.

Neither party really has a candidate that is for freedom and liberty, both personal or economically. One side wants to take away your opportunity to choose your own doctors, double your taxes, and remove your individuality. The other side wants to limit your speech, monitor your lives, and tell you who you can and can't be with.

Libertarians believe in a smaller, friendlier, more efficient government. If you want sole dominion of your life and your wallet, the Libertarian Party may be for you!!

Barr/Root for President, and Other Thoughts

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 become GOP lite or a more socially conservative LP, selling out the idealist soul of the party for a higher vote total.

I think that while we have the "north pole" libertarians, we have to be willing to accept the people that want liberty and freedom that come from other parties. Not everyone is a Libertarian at birth, Lord knows I wasn't. I came from a family of a fairly liberal mother, and a conservative-leaning father. I was a Democrat through the Clinton years, then when I went on my own, I realized that taxes were just insane, etc. I didn't vote Republican because of the Religious Right hypocrisy on the death penalty. I became a Libertarian because I agree 90% of the time, only one real issue I have, which I won't discuss in this forum.

I think Rep. Barr is still very socially conservative, but he's realized that government can't legislate morality (my big thing), and that Root, for the Reagan Republican he was raised, is bent on getting government out of the lives and laptops of people.

All in all, Mary Ruwart was a good candidate, but some of her past statements could marginalize the party in November. Rep. Barr has a gravitas and name recognition that resonates with conservatives and libertarians alike. As for Root, anyone that listens to sports radio knows his voice as well. I like the ticket overall, and I think those that want to be a freer society, this ticket is their best bet.

Favre and Away

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 twenty one starting quarterbacks later, Chicago fans have a reason to smile.

Congressional Controversy

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 unless necessary because the city DPW is almost out of salt. Grr....but I digress.

Now onto the issue of the day. March 11 presents Indiana voters with an intriguing opportunity for an election. No straight ticket, just pick one of three. It's local Libertarian activist Sean Shepard against City-County Councillor Andre Carson (D) and State Representative Jon Elrod (R).

Shepard is the only pro-family, pro-business, pro-FairTax candidate I can see. He's the most well-spoken, and provides many solutions facing the country. Now Elrod is seen as an electable Republican in a Democrat stronghold. I think he may be too liberal for most conservatives, and doesn't come across as very communicative, especially when talking about foreclosure. However, he's won elections in heavily Democrat districts, and is renowned for hitting the pavement. Carson is running in his first contested election. The grandson of the late Congresswoman, Carson is painting himself as tough on national security and as a tolerant man. However, with ties to the Nation of Islam, and a former job as an Excise Officer (88th of 89 in his class), his rhetoric and accusations of nepotism may be his undoing. That, or the fact he can't take heat from constituents.

This will be an interesting race, and then the primary is six weeks after that...then the real fun begins!

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.