Enjoy a selection of my commentaries below. To see the full listing of commentaries, please click here.
Sparing the rod, reaping the pain
Michael Fay is learning that actions have consequences. Fay is the 18 year-old kid from Ohio who was sentenced to six whacks of a cane on his butt as punishment for defacing expensive cars in Singapore. I was reminded of this last week as I listened to a moving speech by Supreme Court Justice Clarence…
Let’s not forget the Misery Index
Remember the “Misery Index”? The Misery Index is a good example of how the economy influences politicians. The Misery Index was used first by President Reagan in presidential election campaigns. It is equal to the sum of inflation and unemployment rates. Applied to presidential elections of the 1950’s, the index was under 6 and under…
Grazing fees are federal smokescreen
The initiative to raise grazing fees on federal lands may be decided in Congress this week. Unfortunately, grazing fees are simply a smokescreen for three hidden agendas ruthlessly pursued by Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt: First, Babbitt would eliminate marginal ranchers in favor of West coast developers. If marginal ranchers can be denied access to public…