Fill-In on WXNT

For the second time, Libertarian Party of Indiana Executive Director Brad Klopfenstein filled in for Abdul on the Abdul in the Morning show on Newstalk 1430, WXNT-am. Brad invited me to be his in-studio guest.

The show was quite a success, as we talked about the food & beverage taxes being voted on later in the day in Hamilton, Hendricks, and Morgan Counties. Reagan Assistant Doug Bandow, now a Senior Fellow of the Cato Institute, spoke about the folly of publicly funded stadiums as economic engines.

Brad Klopfenstein on WXNT

Yours Truly

Brad also had restaurant owners Bill Smythe of Claude & Annie's, and Pete Watson of BW3s. Each gave his perspective of the impact the food & beverage taxes would have on their businesses, employees, and patrons. Sam Goldstein is leading a remonstrance against a multi-million dollar bond issue the Washington Township (Marion County) schools are considering for high end athletic facilities.

I think we gave perspectives that needed to be voiced, and were entertaining in the process.

Votes Monday and Tuesday

The first votes on the 1% food & beverage taxes are right around the corner. It is not too late to take action, to try to prevent passage. Keep in mind that if the County Council fails to pass the measure Monday evening, the Noblesville Common Council cannot pass their measure on Tuesday evening. Helping defeat one measure Monday is like defeating five tax measures in all, since Noblesville, Carmel, Fishers, and Westfield would then be thwarted.

The first thing to do is to contact your representatives on the Hamilton County Council. You will have one District Representative, and three At-Large reps. Contact all four of these reps!

It is very important that they hear from constituents who are opposed to higher taxes. If they do not hear from you, they can and will assume that they are voting correctly when they vote in favor of higher taxes. It also puts more at stake for them if you let them know that you intend to vote Libertarian because they have moved towards more and more taxes. If they think you will continue to vote Republican, they learn that they can take you for gratned. Be friendly always, even if letting them know that you are upset or even angry about the direction local government is taking. It's human nature to listen more openly and carefully to friendly voices.

Meredith Carter – Carmel – mlc1@co.hamilton.in.us
John Hiatt – Sheridan & Westfield – jah1@co.hamilton.in.us
Judy Levine – Fishers – jrl1@co.hamilton.in.us
Steve Schwartz – Noblesville, Arcadia, Atlanta & Cicero – sns@co.hamilton.in.us
Brad Beaver - At-Large bdb@co.hamilton.in.us
Jim Belden - At-Large jjb@co.hamilton.in.us
Rick McKinney - At-Large rfm@co.hamilton.in.us

Same phone number for all. They probably won't be there to answer, but you can leave voice mail, and they do pick up their messages. (317) 776-8402

If you are a Noblesville resident, contact the Noblesville Common Council, Follow the link to the City District Map. Determine which district you are in, and then go back to the page with the Councilors on it to find their contact information.

Noblesville residents have two At-Large representatives. Please contact each.

Brian Ayer: 317-773-1078 / BrianA2662@aol.com
Mary Sue Rowland: 317-877-4126 / marysuerowland@yahoo.com

Pass the above info on to family, neighbors, and friends in Hamilton County and Noblesville. Please do this quickly! Hamilton County Council votes Monday, and Nobelsville votes Tuesday.

It is also not too late to write a letter to the local newspapers, urging the Councils to vote against the taxes. Don't worry about writing perfect prose. Make your point in 100 words, and it will be printed.

Here are links to the Noblesville papers:

Noblesville Daily Times; Robert Hansen, Managing Editor: rhansen@noblesvilledailytimes.com
Noblesville Ledger: http://www.thenoblesvilleledger.com/help/letter_to_the_editor_form.html

For publication in The Daily Times, get the letter in by 9am. For The Ledger, get your letter in by 5pm Monday.

Attend the meetings where the votes will take place. It is important that people show up in numbers to let the Councils know that the vote is important to the voters, and that they are against higher taxes. If the Councilors do not see a lot of people, they assume it isn't important to the voters, and they can vote whichever way they want, without immediate accountability. There's nothing more frightening to an elected official than having to look in the eyes of the voters while casting a vote in favor of a tax. They'd much rather have an empty room.

Hamilton County Council meets Monday, June 27 at 7:00pm to vote. Do not be late! The vote may be over by 7:02! The County Council meets in the Commissioners Chambers, in the new Judicial Center, in downtown Noblesville.

Noblesville County Council meets Tuesday, June 28 at 7:00pm, at City Hall. http://209.43.125.203/council/

Pub Crawl Coverage

The pub crawl was front page news in today's Noblesville Daily Times, complete with a nice photo of County Chair Rob Place talking with a BW3's patron about the 1% food & beverage taxes.

One series of quotes in the article is worth highlighting and discussing:

Place said no one in Hamilton County is buying the argument that regional
establishments will benefit from the increase in business brought in from Colts
fans.

"The argument that they're going to be going to a Colts game, then driving
20 miles away up to, say, Noblesville for a beer after a game is hogwash.
They'll stay in downtown Indianapolis," Place said.

...

County Council member Judith Levine also disagreed that local eateries
won't benefit from the tax.

"This stadium and convention center expansion will bring bigger and better
conventions here, and we do get the overflow. We do benefit," she said.

I actually have the experience of having come from Cleveland to Indianapolis for a convention. My hotel stay was not downtown, but in the north side of Indy, near I-465 and Keystone. Not once did I go for a meal or a drink in Nora or at Castleton, which were right around the corner, let alone journey up to Carmel, Westfield, Noblesville, or Sheridan.

In fact, most of the meals were served right in the Convention Center itself. They were catered. On a three-day convention, I recall eating two meals outside of the Convention Center- one at the Slippery Noodle, and another at Champs.

My experience was a typical convention experience. If you aren't familiar with the metropolitan area you are visiting, you won't venture. It will be the exceptionally rare conventioneer who eats a meal in Cicero, or in Atlanta. It's just a load of BS to suggest that there is a huge benefit to suffering this tax in Hamilton County.

Dark Day For Property Rights

The Supreme Court handed down an infuriating decision yesterday on an eminent domain case. In a 5-4 decision, the Court upheld the right of local governments to act on behalf of one private entity to take land from a private property owner under the aegis of eminent domain.

The Wall Street Journal correctly calls this the reversal of the liberal Justices' championing of the little guy. WSJ story. George Will hoped that for once, judicial activism would benefit the conservative, and the Court would finally put a leash on local governments. George Will's column.

These aren't takings using eminent domain for public uses such as roads, sewers, or bridges. These are takings for private developers, who will eliminate residential housing in order to put up a Wal-Mart or a strip center. The rationale? The Wal-Mart or shopping center will create more tax revenue and jobs than a block of residences will.

It's all about governmental greed. Feed the tax coffers- at any price. The ends justify the means.

This should scare the daylights out of any property owner in an area in transition. If you own a home or an office building in an area that is ripe for re-development, you might have been excited in the past for the possibility of a profitable sale. No more. If the developer eyeing your land doesn't like the price you demand, he can now just go to the city and ask for the use of eminent domain, and they can then take your land- as backed up by the Supreme Court's decision.

It should scare you because there is always a developer out there who is bigger than you, and the bigger the developer, the more likely he is to have political clout. Heck- you could even own an incredibly profitable building that pays taxes out the wazoo, but if a developer comes along with a plan for a building three stories higher, he might win the day over you on the basis of a few more dollars for the tax roll, and a few more jobs than you currently offer.

If you thought laissez-faire capitalism was dog-eat-dog, wait till you get a load of government backed eminent domain involved in business.

The Institute For Justice were the good guys in this case, fighting in defense of the homeowners. When it comes time to make a charitable contribution, please keep them in mind.

Successful Pub Crawl

The Libertarian Party led a pub crawl through Hamilton County last night in support of restaurant owners, workers, and patrons, raising awareness of the various 1% food & beverage taxes being proposed here.

1% F&B proposed by the Hamilton County Council, being voted on Monday, June 27
1% F&B proposed by the Noblesville Common Council, being voted on Tuesday, June 28
1% F&B proposed by the Carmel City Council, date of vote not yet known
1% F&B likely to be proposed by the Fishers Town Council upon passage of the County's tax
1% F&B possibly to be proposed by the Westfield Town Council. I have heard indications that Westfield may not propose the tax, even though the Indiana legislature made the option available to them.

Hamilton County Chair Rob Place was interviewed in advance of the event by WIBC 1070-am, who led their afternoon newscasts with the item. Online story. He was also interviewed by radio Network Indiana, and the Noblesville Daily Times. We'll look forward to today's coverage of the event.

At the restaurants we visited, I found that people were interested in our position. Generally, Hamilton County's residents are wary of any new tax. There were plenty of people I spoke with who are Colts fans and are concerned that the team could leave without a new stadium. They were pleased to know that our solution was more involved than waving goodbye, but included a casino deal for Jim Irsay, as suggested by Executive Director Brad Klopfenstien, and my own suggestion for the Governor using teh prestige of his office to assemble an investment team.

We found that the restaurant owners and staff were not consulted at any point by the Republican office holders, with one exception. Claude & Annie's Bill Smythe has been contacted, but only after he attended Council meetings to speak in opposition to the tax, and began writing letters of opposition to the Councilors.

Writing letters is the last thing to do before the vote if there is any hope of defeating this thing.

District Council Representatives
Meredith Carter – Carmel – (317) 776-8402 / mlc1@co.hamilton.in.us
John Hiatt – Sheridan & Westfield – (317) 776-8402 / jah1@co.hamilton.in.us
Judy Levine – Fishers – (317) 776-8402 / jrl1@co.hamilton.in.us
Steve Schwartz – Noblesville, Arcadia, Atlanta & Cicero – (317) 776-8402 / sns@co.hamilton.in.us

For more information on “District Maps for County Officials,” click on the following link:
http://www.co.hamilton.in.us/services.asp?id=2307&entity=2325

At-large Council Representatives
Brad Beaver (317) 776-8402 / bdb@co.hamilton.in.us
Jim Belden (317) 776-8402 / jjb@co.hamilton.in.us
Rick McKinney (317) 776-8402 / rfm@co.hamilton.in.us

Carter, Hiatt, Levine, and Schwartz are the Councilors who seats are up for election on the next ballot. It is especially important that they understand that they can expect the most significant ballot box opposition if the are on record voting for the tax. That is a message they understand.

Pub Crawl Tonight

Those wishing to support restaurant owners, worker, and patrons are encouraged to join a Hamilton County pub crawl tonight. Meet up for dinner at Claude & Annie's in Fishers at 6:00. At 7:30, we'll go next-door to BW3's. Later in the evening, we'll wind up at my Thursday home for poker- Barley Island, in downtown Noblesville.

Join us if you are:

• In favor of lower taxes and smaller government
• Of the belief that sports arenas and convention centers should be privately funded
• Of the belief that it is wrong to rob Peter to pay Paul
• Support local businesses, owned and operated by neighbors and friends

If you can't go, please contact your Hamilton County Council representative and let them know that you intend to vote for anyone who will oppose them in the next elections if they vote for the 1% food & beverage tax.

The Hamilton County Council is poised to vote in favor of a 1% food & beverage tax next Monday. They heard overwhelming opposition to the tax, but will vote for it anyway because a) they believe that they can't be voted out of office no matter what they do; and b) because they are far more interested in giving the Governor what he wants than in representing the will of their constituents.

It's late in the game for making them think twice, but not too late. If they see that the opposition is serious and growing, they could just be brought back to common sense and actual representative government.

If we fail to act, we in essence tell them that they can indeed take us for granted.

Isabel

Isabel Annalise Kole was born at home on Thursday, June 9, 2005, at 9:18pm. She weighed 9 lbs. 0 oz. at birth, and measured 21 inches in length.

That's a big baby. Just ask Ame!

More pictures from Isabel's first 10 days:

Daddy holds Isabel, just 90 minutes after her birth.
Ame holds a bit of a press conference, shaing the news with relatives on the phone.
Isabel rests in Mommy's lap.
Little girl sleeps peacfully.
Sleepy Daddy with Isabel on Father's Day.

Isabel!

Long time no post, but for good reason: Ame & I have a baby daughter, Isabel!

I'll have details and pictures in the near future.

Mitch's Dog & Pony Show

The Governor's tax tour continued last night, with a stop in Hamilton County. I was fortunate enough to have been picked by Daniels to stand up and make comment.

I hammered a theme I have made my own since the idea of a Colts stadium first came to my attention about three years ago: Private enterprise, private funding. A convention cetner should also be private, by the way. Appropriate government is the management of roads and sewers, courts, police and other safety forces. Management of a convention center is not what any sincere person identifies as a core responsibility of government.

I asked the governor why he hadn't used the prestige of his office to attract high-level investors to back the project, and then offer a sale of bonds and stocks for smaller investors. In this way, only people who believe in the project need partcipate. Those who don't want to, don't have to just because they decided to have a burger or a steak.

The Governor's response floored me. From WTHR-TV 13:

Mike Cole (sic) suggested to Daniels that finding private investors would be a much better idea than adding another tax. The governor responded, "Your idea occurred to me as well. It didn't pan out."

He elaborated further that no investors would touch the project, because they didn't see it as a good profit opportunity. Well, if they won't go for it, why should the taxpayers? Time to chacge the subject. (Be sure to check out the video link "Town Hall Meetings" for my interlude with the Governor.) Today's Noblesville Daily Times also quotes me in their coverage.

It was fascinating to watch the local elected Republicans. They so clearly want to do the Governor's bidding, despite any notions that the GOP are home to fiscal conservatives. If I was an elected Republican (perish the thought), I would be grinding my teeth at the sight of him. Politically, Daniels has put the various County Councilors in one hell of a spot. He's asking them to vote for a tax, contrary to a lifetime of anti-tax rhetoric. But what the heck? These folks can sell their souls for the opportunity to be Mitch's lap dogs.

What is really the case is sheer arrogance. The room was about 60-40 against the tax. Councilors are saying that they are getting phone messages and emails in the same ratio against the tax. So, what will they do? Vote for the tax.

The arrogance goes like this: Whatcha gonna do? Vote Democrat? You'd sooner slide down a sliding board of razor blades into a pool of rubbing alcohol than vote Democrat. Whatcha gonna do? Vote Libertarian? You know they have no chance in hell.

This arrogance is precisely why fiscal conservatives MUST join the Libertarian Party. Otherwise, the GOP will have learned that they definitely can take fiscal conservatives for granted, forevermore.

For a re-statement of these views, see my letter in today's Noblesville Daily Times.

I commend the Hamilton County Council for voting against the wheel tax. That tax, combined with all projected revenues to be gained in the proposed countywide 1 percent food and beverage tax, would still fail to close the budget deficit. What is the point in raising taxes that fail to address the most pressing needs?

It will be interesting to continue to watch the council. The members seem to desperately want to pass the 1 percent food and beverage tax at the request of Governor Daniels. The question Hamilton County residents and restaurant owners need to ask is, will the councilors act on behalf of Hamilton County and defeat the tax, or, will they act as lapdogs for the governor and pass the tax?

Our county elected officials need to remember that they serve the people who elected them, and not another elected official who happens to be of the same party.

Mike Kole, Fishers

Mitch Daniel's Whirlwind Tour

The Governor is on his tour of the doughnut counties, letting people vent some spleen while trying to get the various County Councilors on his lap, er, on board on voting for a 1% food & beverage tax that would support the Marion County project for the Colts and for a convention center.

The tour has already visited Shelby and Hancock Counties. Like all the other doughnut Counties, these are Republican-dominated. Those attending want to support the Governor, but just don't like the idea of taxes. From the Indy Star:

About 70 residents in this Republican stronghold, where Daniels won by about a 2-1 margin in 2004, gave the governor a polite but unenthusiastic reception. Most applauded briefly as the governor was peppered with questions about increasing taxes.

These projects didn't have to be taxpayer funded. They could have, and should have, been private investments. The Governor could have used the presitge of his office to attract major investors, who could have then issued bonds and stocks to other smaller investors who believe in the project and want to support it. That way, those who want no part of it could have been left alone. Alas- officials, Republican or Democrat just don't think this way. They only think of taxes. This is why the Governor, Mayor Bart Peterson, State Senator Luke Kenley, State Rep Mike Murphy, and others all came up with solutions that only relied on taxes.

Another issue has arisen, and has to do with similarity of thinking. The Governor is now claiming that the importance of regional thinking.

Those counties have a stake in the regional economy, Daniels said, noting that about 14,000 Hancock County residents work in Marion County.

Enacting the tax in all seven adjacent suburban counties would keep any one of those counties from having an advantage, Daniels said.

The growth of the doughnut counties is due to many things, but a huge factor is that many people are leaving behind the policies of Indianapolis for the relative freedom the suburbs offer. I know- I am one such transplant. My neighborhood in Fishers, in Hamilton County, is full of other such people.

Regionalism is a dangerous way to govern. It ensures that the dominant populations and cultures- in this case, Indianapolis and Marion County- dominate the smaller ones. What happened with Uni-Gov? The dominant culture of Center Township spread out into the surrounding townships, and people began to flee to the doughnut counties.

If you want to make the suburbs subservient to Indianapolis, take a regional approach. The immediate result will be that the suburbs will pay for the big city. The long-term effect will be that people of means will not only leave the big city. They'll leave the doughnut counties.

Ever wonder what causes sprawl?

The tour continues. Be sure to attend, tell the Governor that you are a Libertarian, and that you oppose paying for someone else's stadium. Above all, you appose the Marxist regionalism of 'from each according to his ability, to each according to his need'.

Boone County - today, noon at the Fairgrounds 4H Community Bldg in Lebanon
Hamilton County - today, 5:30 at the newer Judicial Center in Noblesville
Hendricks County - Wednesday, noon at the Mayberry Cafe in Danville
Morgan County - Thursday, 12:30 at Forky's restaurant in Martinsville
Johnson County - Thursday, 5:30 at the Johnson County Fairgrounds in Franklin

The Only Advocate

There is only one consistent advocate on behalf of all citizens to keep more of their own money in their own pockets- the Libertarian Party. Republicans and Democrats are inconsistent on this at best, and more often, are leading the charge to do what they can to take money away from you by raising taxes.

This was enormously evident yesterday in Hamilton County, where only the Libertarian Party bothered to send representatives to both the joint retreat of the County Council and County Commissioners and to the County Council meeting later in the evening.

The value in these appearances is that the elected officials, all Republicans, knew that they were on the spot. They knew that there was someone taking notes, observing their direction either towards or away from new taxes. When I spoke on record in opposition to the proposed food & beverage tax, I raised the stakes. I reminded the County Council that four of them would be up for re-election in 2006, and that the Libertarian Party would eagerly look forward to running candidates against those who were on record voting for any new tax.

Later in the meeting, the vote was taken on the proposed additional wheel tax. This is a tax that I spoke on the record before the Council in opposition, back in early May. Knowing they were on the spot, the Council defeated the wheel tax, 5-1. Notably, all four Councilors up for re-election in 2006 voted against the tax.

It gets interesting from here. The County Council so want to be Governor Daniels' lap dogs. They want to do anything they can for him. When they spoke about the proposed food & beverage tax, they spoke about it in the past tense, as though it had already passed. However, it hasn't passed, and they know that they will again be put on the spot by the Libertarian Party. The Councilors will be made uncomfortable. We will see how uncomfortable. Uncomfortable enough to remember that they serve the citizens of Hamilton County and not the Governor?

The Governor is coming to Hamilton County on Tuesday, June 7 for a 5:30pm Town Hall meeting. It's a nice, inconvenient time, certain to attract the smallest attendance possible during the dinner hour. That's ok. The Libertarian Party will be there, again as the only reliable, consistent advocate for the taxpayers.

Outstanding Media Day

I love it when a plan comes together. I began the day as a guest on WXNT 1430-am, talking Hamilton County politics and Carmel bond issues on the Abdul In The Morning show. From there, I discovered that the Star got around to running my letter on the smoking ban, and then the Noblesville Daily Times ran my column on the Hamilton County budget.

Daily Times Column:

As the Hamilton County Councilors and Commissioners head to their joint retreat Wednesday afternoon, they might consider some ideas for solving the County's budgetary woes.

Any deficit can be resolved either by spending less, or by generating more income. The philosophy of the Councilors and Commissioners will be their guiding light. If they are fiscal conservatives, they will choose to spend less. If they are fiscal liberals, they will choose to generate more income, which is to say, raise taxes.

After the Council made a very commendable round of budget cuts, the County's deficit was reduced but not eliminated. The attempts to cut appear to be complete, which means that the next efforts to balance the budget involve increasing taxes.

At the County Council's last meeting, I took the opportunity to address the Councilors on the issue of a proposed wheel tax, and in response to my comments,
two challenges were issued to me:

What would you have us do? Cut the Sheriff's Office or other safety forces?Look at the budget. You won't be able to find any additional cuts to make without layoffs.

I would not advocate any cuts to the safety forces. Safety forces are always a government's top priority. Everything else should be subjected to deep cuts before even considering minor cuts to safety forces.

Additional cuts are possible without a single layoff, and without a single reduction in salary. Having obtained a copy of the 2005 budget, I examined it carefully, with a strict prioritization of needs:

No cuts to safety forces or courts.
No salary cuts or position eliminations.
Question those things that do not appear to be a core function of government.

Can the Council consider cutting all overtime? If all overtime were cut, almost $241,000 would be saved.

Can the Council consider cutting all seminars and training that are not related to safety or courts? If all other seminars and training were cut, more than $175,000 would be saved.

Can the Council consider cutting the 4-H Fair expenses? If this item were cut, $93,120 would be saved. Eliminating the 4-H from the sphere of county
government would save an additional $281,000. Why is 4-H a function of county
government?

Can the Council consider cutting the budget item "Other Travel" from the Auditor's office? If this item were cut, $10,000 would be saved.

Can the Council consider cutting landscaping and lawn maintenance? If so, the county would save $54,000.

Areas such as these seem like opportunities for innovation. For instance, couldn't the county conduct a bidding for landscape contractors to provide these services at their cost in exchange for advertising? The payoff could be signs that read, "Lawn care services provided by ABC Landscape Company."

These are items where, if full cuts were enacted, would yield a significant savings — more than three-quarters of a million dollars. And yet, it still does not bring about a balanced budget.

The purpose of the joint retreat is to discuss capital projects. These projects tend not to represent absolute needs, such as safety forces are. These projects can certainly have the effect of enhancing life in our county, but without them, it is unlikely that life here will suffer.

The most startling line item in the budget is found in the county general fund: "Land Acquisition." This item features a $16 million allocation. This amount represents more than a quarter of the county's total budget.

The County Council could ignore all of the cuts suggested above simply by cutting this single line item in half. Doing so would actually create a budget surplus. No wheel tax necessary. No 1 percent food and beverage tax required.

An allocation as large as this should be subject to sharp scrutiny. It should be fully justified as a need in today's budgetary climate. This can be shown easily enough in the case of acquiring additional land to support new bridges that are being built to replace old ones that were crumbling and of insufficient width besides. $16 million buys a lot of right-of-way. What is this money allocated for?

If this is a time of budgetary crisis, and the rhetoric heard from these Republican county officials suggests that it is, then pet projects should be the first put on the chopping block — not items of essential need, such as safety forces or courts. It seems that the priority list has been upside down to date.

It would be a wonderful thing to see this budget balanced without an increased tax burden. Imagine balancing the budget on cuts and then getting word that the COIT issues have been resolved. With the money coming back to the county from the state, the Council could begin discussing raises for county employees instead of layoffs, look at lowering the tax rate, or begin those pet projects.

I believe that the majority of Hamilton County residents are fiscal conservatives who would prefer to see more cuts before more taxes. I urge the County Councilors and Commissioners to re-examine their spending priorities and to balance this budget as fiscal conservatives.

Mike Kole, Fishers

Mike Kole was chair of the Libertarian Party of Hamilton County in 2004-2005, and was secretary of the Libertarian Party of Indiana from 2003-2005.

Star letter:

Education better than forced compliance

The most regrettable thing about the smoking-ban ordinance was that it created an either/or choice between public health concerns and the right of business owners to set their own policies within their establishments.

The Star's May 25 editorial praising passage of the ordinance was equally lamentable. It justified stomping the rights of business owners on the basis that those rights have been curtailed before by having to post exit signs and conform to other regulations. Following The Star's logic, it would be acceptable to trample First Amendment rights, or any other civil rights, so long as they have been trampled before and a health issue could be conjured to justify it.

It would have been significantly better for the health of liberty in Indianapolis had the council and The Star resolved to ramp up educational campaigns to persuade changes in behavior rather than to promote forced obedience.

Mike Kole
Fishers

Not Just The Doughnut Facing Tax Increases

The counties surrounding Marion Co. are all facing 1% tax increases on food & beverages at the very least. Hamilton County, reputed as the most Republican county in the state, has also thrown a wheel tax increase on the table.

Madison County lies just outside the doughnut, and they are also considering a wheel tax increase on the table.

Check out the Anderson Herald Bulletin article, and especially the comments below. It looks like finally, at long last, the good people of Anderson and Madison County have reached a breaking point on taxes. This is good news for the Libertarian Party of Madison County, which is the only pary opposing these taxes. Thanks to Paul Zimmerman for the email tip on this item.

But that's the usual. Republicans and Democrats support tax increases. The Libertarian Party opposes tax increases and supports the people keeping their money in their pockets.

Guest Commentary

So, I opened by Noblesville Daily Times yesterday, and what did I find? Guest commentary from one Rex Bell, Chair of the Libertarian Party of Wayne County. Article link.

Look here, Rex. Pretty high and mighty of you, showing up our members here in Hamilton County with an article in our local paper. Perhaps the Richmond paper isn't good enough for you anymore.

In other words: Good work, Rex! Nice article on the nature of rights, governments who would compel people to act contrary to their conscience, and prescription drugs.

Radio Appearance Scheduled

It's always a good bet to tune in to Newstalk 1430-am WXNT for Abdul In The Mornings and for Neal Boortz. An even better reason presents itself on Tuesday, May 31, when I will be one of Abdul's guests, at 8am.

We'll talk about politics in Hamilton County- the myriad taxes proposed by the liberal Republicans, the budget deficit situation, the county's death tax, etc.- and about my campaign for Secretary of State.

Also, tune in Monday morning when Libertarian Party of Indiana Executive Director Brad Klopfenstein joins Abdul in the studio as guest host, from 6-9am. Rah rah WXNT!

Letters Results

The Star did not print my letter, but gratefully, they did print two letters by Libertarians in the wake of the smoking ban in today's edition.

Diluted smoking ban still stinks for businesses

The smoking ban passed by the Indianapolis City-County Council may be diluted from the original plan, but it still stinks like a cheap cigar.

Council member Angela Mansfield says the community wanted this, but did she think about the business community that will suffer from the law she wrote?

People smoke of their own personal choice; so let the businesses make their own choices on what goes on inside their buildings.

Christopher D. Ward
Chair, Libertarian Party of Hancock County
New Palestine

Council plays it safe on smoking, gay issues

The May 23 vote on the smoking ordinance was very disappointing. Yes, I abhor the smell of smoke and its effects, but I abhor the loss of personal freedom, an ever-expanding government and the belief that individuals have the right to dictate to others how to run their business. The hypocrisy and inconsistency involved is overwhelming.

From a consistency standpoint the City-County Council should have passed the anti-bias ordinance also. On one hand the council said landlords can choose whom to rent to but business owners cannot choose whom to serve. However, it voted safe on both issues, not on principle.

Greg A. Dixon
Chair, Libertarian Party of Marion County
Indianapolis

Link to Chris Ward's letter

Link to Greg Dixon's letter

Star Editorial and Subsequent Letter

The Star published an editorial this morning that praised the passage of the smoking ban ordinance.

Two paragraphs in particular really got my goat.

A government intrusion into the free enterprise system? Perhaps. But it's hard to make that case in light of the fact that government now tells restaurant managers how many fire exits they must have and how clean the kitchen must be kept.

The smoking ordinance, as approved Monday by the City-County Council, is a reasonable compromise that balances health concerns with common patterns of public behavior. Bars and private clubs are excluded. Most restaurants will become smoke free by March 1.

Here's my letter in response.

The most regrettable thing about the nature of the smoking ban ordinance was that it created an either/or choice between public health concerns and the right of business owners to set their own policies within their own establishments.

The Star's recent editorial praising the passage of the ordinance was equally lamentable in justifying stomping the rights of business owners on the basis that those rights have been stomped before in directing businesses to post exit signs and conform to other regulation.

Following the Star's logic, it would be acceptable to trample First Amendment rights or any other civil rights, so long as those rights have been trampled before and a health issue could be conjured to justify the trampling.

It would have been significantly better for the health of liberty in Indianapolis had the City-County Council and the Star resolved to ramp up educational campaigns to pursuade changes in behavior rather than to promote forced obedience.

In Praise of the Indy 500

Actually, I'm not a big race fan. I really enjoy watching Monte Carlo type races, with cars weaving through the city. That's very interesting for me to watch.

What I like about the 500 and the other events at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the fact that the site is family owned, with strictly private funding making it happen. Not a single penny of tax money is taken from the people of Speedway, or Indianapolis, or Marion County, or the doughnut counties surrounding Indy.

Unlike the Colts current stadium, and new stadium. Indy Star story.

Remember: Republican Governor Mitch Daniels pushed this project and these taxes. Republican State Senator Luke Kenley of Noblesville pushed these taxes. Republicans on the Indianapolis City-County Council will likely vote in favor of these taxes.

Libertarians can't wait to run against them all, pointing out where Republican rhetoric fails to match Republican policy on taxes, limited government, and personal responsibility.

In the meantime, I will enjoy the spectacle that the Indy 500 creates. I'll be grateful for real economic gains taht it brings- because it comes with no dead weight loss.

Net Results Watch

The smoking ban will soon be law, but the City-County Council is not finished. It will soon be considering a host of new taxes to pay for the Colts new palace and a new convention center. Taxes on the table include:

1% Marion County food & beverage tax
Increased taxes on rental cars
Increased taxes on hotel rooms

So, if you are a conventioneer, coming to Indy means that you can't smoke, your meals and drinks will cost more, your rental car will cost more, and your hotel room will cost more. As a conventioneer, what value do you get from this? Nada.

I have to believe that some conventions will just skip Indy due to the smoking ban. Word is that the firefighters won't come here any more. You have to be realistic about the outcomes of policy. These new laws and taxes make Indy less attractive, not more.

Do this enjoyable excercise:

1. Indianapolis? Or, Las Vegas?
2. Indianapolis? Or, New York City?
3. Indianapolis? Or, Las Angeles?

OK. That's not really fair. Try this:

1. Indianapolis? Or, Nashville?
2. Indianapolis? Or, Columbus?
3. Indianapolis? Or, Cleveland?

This is what conventioneers do. The first set of three is a no-brainer. Conventioneers will put up with smoking bans in New York, mainly because New York is New York. If Indianapolis is on par with Columbus in terms of attractions, do conventioneers now choose Columbus because their prople can smoke? Do they choose Cleveland or Nashville because the rooms, cars, food and drink is cheaper?

It would be way smarter to pass some laws that would make the choice for Indy easier instead of harder.

Spin In Your Grave, Voltaire!

Famously, Voltaire was quoted as saying, "I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it." Libertarians tend to carry the spirit of this quote as an underpinning to their philosophy.

For instance, I hold cigarette smoking in extremely low regard. Smoking is damaging to your health, and makes the air surrounding the smoker stinky, unpleasant, and harmful to me besides. That's why I choose to limit the time I spend in smoky bars. It's tough, too, because I love to play poker, and with poker the fad that it is, many bars host free-to-play poker tournaments as a way to draw traffic. But if you want to smoke, it's your life. Smoke away. I don't think it's smart or pleasant, but hey- have a nice day.

Because smoke is stinky and harmful is why I choose to not let people smoke in my house. It's my house, and I set the rules in my house. My house is my dominion. OK... it's our dominion. Ame and I agree on this.

But your house is your dominion. You set the rules there... unless you are a business in Indianapolis. Then, the City-County Council sets the rules in your house regarding smoking. As reported here last night, the City-County Council passed the smoking ban by a wide 18-9 margin. Indy Star story.

Proponents of the smoking ban were at once pleased and disappointed. They were pleased that the ban passed. They were disappointed that it didn't cover more areas of life. Proponents are calling the ban that passed 'a good first step', indicating that they do want to go further in the future.

It begs the question, "how far"? From the Star:

But Republican Councilman Scott Schneider, who voted against the ban, questioned whether -- in the name of health -- the city might someday ban fried foods.

"Where do we draw the line as a society?" he asked. "Where does this body stop?"

Today, my house is my house unless my house is a business. Will tomorrow's ban include my residence? Your car? We see that nanny laws already extend into the car.

Click It Or Ticket is a nationwide campaign to get people to wear their seat belts. Like the smoking ban, it is meant as a safety campaign. Like the smoking ban, it pits health and safety against liberty. Indy Star story.

Wearing the seat belt is probably the smart choice. Sure, there is the study that shows that when people wear seat belts, they fell safer, so they drive faster, resulting in more accidents. But, if you are in that accident, you are probably not going to die. Your car will need repairs, though, so that's probably why the insurance companies and auto body shops have always been in favor of the seat belt laws.

A big complaint with the smoking laws or with Click It Or Ticket is that the safety forces are diverted from their usual business in order to make a political demonstration. This is clearly not the best use of safety forces. From the Star on Click It Or Ticket:

"There will be zero tolerance. That's zero. None," Col. Larry R. Rollins, assistant superintendent for the Indiana State Police, said at a news conference Monday.

...

But Rollins and others dispute that notion, arguing that driving should be considered a regulated privilege, not a right.

"It's a political issue," Rollins said. "But I think that everyone in a motor vehicle needs to be restrained."

On smoking:

Councilwoman Marilyn Pfisterer, a Republican, questioned whether police officers should be taken away from more serious crimes to deal with the ban. She also questioned whether the Marion County Health Department, with its roughly 30
inspectors, was prepared to enforce the measure.

"The ordinance is virtually unenforceable," she said.

Maybe these energies would have been better spent in educational campaigns, showing people how better choices could be made. This would at least leave people liberty enough to make the choices that affect their lives, taking the results as their own, too. That way, police could chase murderers, rapists, and violent criminals rather than decent citizens who make choices some might not say are smart.

Wouldn't it make Indianapolis more attractive if it were a more tolerant place and less a place were busybody, know-it-all nannies micromanage the details of our lives?

Not Even Close

Deep down, I was pretty well convinced that the smoking ban would pass. Those of us who opposed it from the beginning, when it stood to be the most restrictive ban in the United States, are pleased to a minor degree that at least this law was beaten back to the extent it was. But, word was that this vote would be close. It gave opponents of the ban a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, the Council would vote in favor of liberty. Alas, the final tally was 18-9. Indy Star story.

However, this vote was every bit as much a referendum on the right of business owners to set their own policies within their own establishments as it was a public health issue. The way the authors of the law set it up, it really was an either/or proposition.

So, thank goodness I left Marion County just about one year ago to the day. Don't get me wrong- I don't smoke. I find it a detestable habit. In the spirit of Voltaire, I don't like smoking, but I'll defend the right to use the legal product tobacco. I don't care for smoggy bars, but I'll defend the right of bar owners to have that atmosphere, if they so choose. The City-County Council is not nearly so open-minded or tolerant as that, so they ban things. That is the atmosphere I am pleased to have left.

Show Up!

The Indianapolis City-County Council is expected to vote on the proposed smoking ban tonight. Indy Star story.

Take Woody Allen's advice: "90% of success is simply showing up".

Business owners have the right to set their own policies regarding the use of a legal product in their own private establishments. Most City-County Councillors do not accept this principle. The only hope of causing them to accept this, sadly, is with a show of numbers. People who support liberty need to be present. The Council members only know how to count.

The Curiosities of Campaigning

As I move further along the trail, I pick up my own curious observations. For instance: Did I ever think I would suffer a sore shoulder as a result of campaigning? Why, no. I did not, although I suppose I might expect that result from holding a bullhorn for 12 hours on end.

Saturday afternoon, the LP of Wells County hosted an event featuring target practice with a variety of firearms. I took aim at 10 clay pigeons, striking 5 with slugs from the 12-gauge shotgun. I was immediately dismayed that I only took 5. A few years ago, I would have gotten 9. When I got home, I was dismayed with the deep soreness in my right shoulder. That gun had some kind of kick!

Thanks to Chair Brandon Harnish and Wells County for hosting a fun, safe event. Harnish is a fervent supporter of the 2nd Amendment and a gracious host.

Smoking Ban Up For Vote

Indianapolis will at long last put the proposed smoking ban up for a vote, next Monday. Indy Star story.

Indianapolis residents opposed to the smoking ban are encouraged to attend the public meeting at 7pm in the Public Assembly Room of the City-County Building.

While the proponents focus on the health benefits they seek, libertarian opponents stand firm that this proposal is an offense to liberty and to property rights. We continue to assert the right of property owners- in this case, of restaurants, bars, and other entertainment establishments- to set their own policies in their own establishments, as involves the use of a legal product.

Fortunately, the Libertarian Party of Indiana has had an impact on this proposal, working to see it scaled back from what was the most restrictive ban in the country when first proposed. Chances are good that the compromise will pass and become law. If people of principle show up and speak up, maybe we can get this thing scaled back some more.

Hey, Look! A New Tax!

What? In Hamilton County? The most Republican county in the state of Indiana? Well, any more, that's precisely where I expect to find new taxes- where Republicans are involved.

The latest is a hike in property taxes in Fishers, where I live. Noblesville Ledger story. This will give a 5% bump to the schools. What's maddening about this is that the population growth alone should be sufficient to give the schools all they could ever want. As farmland converts to residential, the property tax collected skyrockets.

Here's the list of current tax hikes in the county that are soon to be voted on:

Countywide 1% food & beverage tax
Countywide wheel tax
Carmel 1% food & beverage tax
Fishers property tax increase
Fishers 1% food & beverage tax
Noblesville 1% food & beverage tax
Westfield1% food & beverage tax

Only Libertarian office holders will have a total commitment to keeping these taxes at bay. The Republicans are the ones who put them on the table.

Trump Reads Kole Hard Facts?

It makes me wonder. My proposal for the replacement for the World Trade Center was simply to replace the buildings as they originally were, except one story taller.

Donald Trump unveiled his plan, in an AP story:

Standing in the lobby of his Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue, the developer turned TV star on Wednesday presented a model of his own envisioned towers, reflecting the original shape of the skyscrapers that fell Sept. 11, 2001.

The towers he advocates would be 111 stories tall - one floor taller than the lost towers.

Mr. Trump? You're hired!

Here is a link to my original post on Kole Hard Facts from Thursday, November 20, 2003.
Here is a link to my similar post on Blogcritics, with commentary, from September 10, 2004.

Latest From Libertarian Writer's Bureau

Sheri Conover Sharlow weighs in with applause for new BMV chief Joel Silverman, and observes how Silverman's cost-saving measures are decried by a prominent Republican.

GOP's Garton shows how self-preservation trumps Indiana's well-being
by Sheri Conover Sharlow

It's no surprise that the Republican General Assembly lacks the backbone to deliver the small government its party brags about. Even their own party members must work around these political invertebrates if they hope to just slow the rate of growth.

Here it is in a nutshell from a story in last week's The Indianapolis Star:

Senate President Pro Tempore Robert D. Garton, R-Columbus, called the planned license branch closings a "sneak attack."

Garton, the most powerful Republican in the Senate, said he believed the closings -- including one in Hope, about 20 miles from Columbus -- were deliberately timed to be announced after lawmakers left town last week.

Asked if he had been sneaky, Joel Silverman, commissioner of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, said: "Yeah. I'll be honest."

It's pretty pathetic that Silverman had to sneak around his own party's leadership to make necessary cuts.

Never mind that taxpayers must pay $1 million a year to keep open offices that locals don't care enough to use. License branches are doing less business because users have more attractive options that don't involve taking a number and waiting. We can buy license plates by mail or at the BMV web site, and renew our drivers licenses online.

Later in the Star story, Garton was quoted saying that government should not be run like a bottom-line focused business, but "government should be run for the customer. The citizens are the customers. It's different. I hope at some point, in what I hope is a short career in government, (Silverman) learns that."

Actually, it's Silverman who understands this, not Garton. The BMV chief knows that the real customers are those who pay the price. That's us taxpayers.

The mesmerizing part is that Garton is so terrified of the handful of constituents who use the Hope BWV branch in his district. His district is so rigged that Democrats haven't bothered to field candidates in the past election. He has won by 18,568 votes in 2002. Even if every one of the about 12,000 users the Hope BMV office voted against Garton, he's unlikely to lose.

Could it be that his only challengers – Libertarian candidates – have him scared silly?
If Republicans like Garton can't handle an easy yet necessary cut like this, how are they going to make the tough yet necessary cuts in Medicaid and education spending or stand up to those who want to extract even more money from Hoosiers?

Hint: They won't. And they didn't.

• They've refused to limit Medicaid coverage to only those items the federal government orders states to spend, meaning that those on welfare in Indiana have access to more comprehensive health-care coverage than those who work full time.
• They've refused to cut off colleges who build pricey and unnecessary new buildings, particularly in places where buildings could be leased for far less, forcing students to pay more for tuition.
• They've refused to say 'no" to corporate welfare for the Indianapolis Colts. Everyday Hoosiers will pay an extra sales tax to subsidize millionaires. They try to pass it off as 'just 1 percent" on a restaurant tab, neglecting how much every little tax and regulation on restaurants has added up into a huge burden, especially on small businesses. No wonder mom-and-pop restaurants give up.
• They've refused to stand up to the overpriced, unnecessary Interstate-69 project. The expensive new-terrain option will cost millions more, at the cost of upgrading and maintaining other federal roads throughout the state for at least a generation. It's even politically crazy: This project rewards a Democrat governor's supporters.

Republican legislators are afraid that the boogeyman of the moment – nasty Democrats, liberal interest groups, the media – will say something unkind to those who do the right thing.

They'd rather complain about the game being rigged. How rigged can it be? They're the majority.

Now we have proof that too many Republicans want leadership titles without providing real leadership, which requires doing the right thing. That's why Silverman deserves applause.

The game is actually rigged against us, the people who pay the bills. Taxpayers and voters must let them know that these so-called leaders will not stay in office if they refuse to cut spending. Don't discount impeachment or recall threats, no matter how impractical.

These guys are chickens and it obviously takes little to scare them.

Opinion Wanted!

OK, Hoosiers. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) wants to know what kind of a job you think they are doing. Are they a good value for the taxpayer dollars? Are they a black hole for dollars to disappear into? Are they part of the bureaucratic quagmire? Let 'em know! Questionaire.

I took the quiz and am darned proud to have participated as a citizen!

Taping Today

Huge thanks to the Libertarian Party of Allen County, and Doug Horner. Doug invited me to be interviewed on their cable TV show. It will broadcast to the greater Fort Wayne area.

The questions are in Doug's corner, but I imagine we will talk about my campaign for Secretary of State and issues related to that office, but also the role the Libertarian Party is increasingly taking and can take in Hoosier politics. I'll post an update with a schedule when I find out when the show will air.

Smoking Nannies Beaten Back- Again

The proponents of the Nanny State from both parties were dealt well-deserved disappointment yesterday when the City-County Council sent the proposed smoking ban back to committee, lest it be defeated outright. Indy Star story.

"I'm very unhappy," said Greg Bowes, a Democratic sponsor of the ban. "I think the community was all ready for this."

If the community is ready for it, how about taking the proposal out of the hands of the Council, and putting it on the ballot, so that the people really can decide. Didn't think so.

There has been one consistent opponent of the ban: the Libertarian Party of Indiana. The Chamber of Commerce is actually in favor of the ban. The restauarant and tavern interests have been somewhat soft on this, surprisingly. The owners of the restaurants and bars know who is on their side, and who isn't.

Be clear on this: No Libertarian I know is extolling smoking as a virtue or urging non-smokers to take up the habit. The basis for the opposition is the defense of business owners, who have the right to set their own policies, and who should be free from the heavy hand of government interference. If you don't like secondhand smoke, why not just avoid places that permit it? Is that too high-minded of me? To ask for a little tolerance of people engaging in behavior you don't quite approve of, in places that do not belong to you?

Libertarians have helped expose the fact that some of the money from the big tobacco lawsuit settlement, that was supposed to go for education, has instead gone into lobbying and into issue advocacy lobbying. From the Indy Star story:

At least one opponent -- Brad Klopfenstein, executive director of the state Libertarian Party -- questioned why government is spending thousands on an advertising campaign.

"I personally find it offensive that this money belongs to the state of Indiana," Klopfenstein said. "Suddenly, you have the state of Indiana lobbying other agencies to pass an ordinance."

So, the vote has been postponed. This had begun as the most restrictive law on smoking in the United States. With the help of the Libertarians, it has lost much of its authoritarian bent. It is assumed that the proponents will go back to the committee and pare the regulations down further.

We'll keep fighting to beat it back further. It's one thing for government to decree that smoking is forbidden in government owned place. It's another thing entirely to dictate to individual property owners on how to manage what belongs to them.

Speak Up!

I found it very rewarding to stand before the County Council and voice my opposition to the proposed wheel tax. I strongly urge opponents of new taxes, larger government, and more spending to do likewise, especially if you are a Libertarian candidate or official. It's an opportunity to let the councils know that there is real opposition, and that they could face continued opposition at the ballot box. The citizens who agreed with my positions came up to me after the meeting to shake my hand, and I talked about getting them involved with the Libertarian Party. Plus, a quote in the newspaper is always a possibility.

I've done the legwork for you. Here are some meetings coming to a Town Hall near you:

Monday, May 9, 7pm / Indianapolis / Smoking Ban
Monday, May 9, 7pm / Westfield / possibly, 1% Restaurant Tax
Tuesday, May 10, 7pm / Noblesville / possibly, 1% Restaurant Tax
Monday, May 16, 7pm / Carmel / possibly, 1% Restaurant Tax
Monday, May 16, 7pm / Fishers / possibly, 1% Restaurant Tax

If you are a resident of these places, you have standing to speak before the Councils and voice opposition to new taxes. You could be the persuasive voice that makes the difference!

Please Forgive My Cynicism

Actually, I'm a real sucker for motivational stuff- everything from the motivational speakers to their products, like the posters that have a picture of an eagle soaring over a canyon with a message about leadership. Also, I'm generally not a big fan of Dilbert or the kind of guy who takes the 'Same Stuff, Different Day' approach. I like work and believe in what I do, so that stuff is generally oppressive to me.

And yet, a co-worker led me to www.despair.com, and I laughed and laughed. The site' s parody of the motivational stuff I enjoy so much is so brutal, so hopelessly cyncial as to bring serious comic relief. After all, there is the man who loves what he does and has serious goals, and then there's the man who desperately needs for someone to take the piss out of him.

Here's a priceless example of one of their posters. It's an image of a snowball that has rolled down a hill, growing in the process.

Teamwork

A few harmless flakes working together can unleash an avalanche of distruction.

Kind of like the Legislature! Sorry. Was that too cynical?

Meeting Notes

It was interesting to appear at the Hamilton County Council Meeting tonight to speak in opposition to the County's proposed wheel tax. Noblesville Ledger story.

The first thing that struck me was that there were five residents who appeared and spoke. All five spoke in opposition to the new tax. Four elected officials spoke. Three were in favor. Kudos to Commissioner Steve Holt, who spoke in opposition, urging the Council to let this pass for one year to see if the County and State resolve their differences on COIT money that the County claims is owed to it by the State.

Interestingly, the three officials who spoke in favor represent municipalities and serve on city or town councils. This new tax would generate money that is split between the county and the municipalities. In other words, it is a tax that the County Councilor would be responsible for enacting, but the city and town councilors who would not be on record as having voted for a new tax would still see the benefit of that tax in their municipalities. Keep in mind that all of these officials are Republicans.

Now, you might think that the County Councilors would object to this move by the cities, taking all of the money and none of the responsibility. Who would you complain to? The GOP County Chair? Oh, that's right. The Chair is Charlie White, and he spoke in support of the tax on behalf of the Town of Fishers, where he is a Town Councilor. The other Republican councilors who spoke in favor of the new tax: Terry Busby of Noblesville, and Kevin Kirby.

It was interesting to hear the County Councilors speak of cutting budgets. If you closed your eyes and forgot you were in Hamilton County, you would have thought that Democrats were speaking. One councilor commented: "What would you have us cut? Police or other safety forces?" It seems that whenever you suggest any kind of budget cut to a Republican or Democrat, the inevitable response is this. No, don't cut police or other safety. Look at everything else first. If departments get new vehicles every 5 years, make it 7. If new computers are bought every 3 years, make it 4.

There was a dare to inspect the budget and find the fat to cut. That's a challenge I'm willing to accept. I'm betting there is plenty to cut. That the Republicans can't- or, more likely, won't- find anything to cut, it just serves as further proof that they aren't the fiscal conservatives they campaign they are.

Laughable Letter

What happens when you drink the GOP's Kool-Aid by the 55 gallon drum? You write letters like this one, which appeared in today's Star:

The end of do-less, spend-more politicians

Gov. Mitch Daniels had a great start, but citizens are the real winners in the legislative session. Better conditions for business, lower cost of running the state and balanced budgets do not just happen; leaders must lead the needed change. For too long the state was run by spend-more, do-less politicians who cared little for how tax dollars were spent as long as they remained in power.

Those days are over, and we as citizens should remain alert to see they do not return.

Carl Hoffman
Danville

Let's see... The GOP dominated legislature saw to it that the budget grew and was not cut. The Republicans Governor added new layers of bureaucracy, and did not eliminate. Tax increases were put on the table. Some passed, some failed. No tax cuts were even put on the table. No spending cuts were put on the table, but some increases in spending that were lower than last year's increases were adopted.

With fiscal conservatives like the Hoosier GOP, who needs liberal Democrats? You don't want the days of the tax-and-spenders to return? They never left.

The GOP has no commitment to lower taxes and smaller government. The only way you'll get that is by voting Libertarian.

So, Where's The Surprise?

I was chuckling in amusement when I saw this morning's Indy Star's headline for the Colts stadium deal:

Surprise! Check the bill
Stadium deal lets cities raise dining tax but doesn't guarantee low-priced Colts tickets.

Surprise? Where?! This is precisely what I expected and predicted. This is exactly what has happened in virtually every other city that has provided subsidized sports. All taxpayers end up paying a portion of the bill, but the tickets in the new luxury palace are placed out of reach for the average or poorer taxpayer.

Why would you expect any different? The crux of team owner Jim Irsay's "problem" was that the team only made middling profits when compared to the rest of the NFL. He felt he needed to be up higher.

Well, if you do nothing to improve the product- which is very good, by the way- or fail to offer more of it, all you can do to rake in more profit is charge higher prices.

In the vernacular of the average 12-year-old: DUH.

Do read the entire article in order to find out how you will be further screwed. Several cities and counties were given the ability to raise taxes in their locales, with little direction on how to spend the money. You can bet that these locales will impose these taxes.

In Hamilton County, the next County Council meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday, May 4, at 7pm in the Commissioners Chambers, in the newer Judicial Center. I will be there along with other Libertarians in order to speak out against the raising of any new taxes, on behalf of the citizens of the county and the businesses that would be affected by them. Be there to speak out, no matter where you live!

Quick Convention Observations

The Libertarian Party of Indiana hosted its' annual convention this past weekend in Clarksville, which is on the Ohio River, just across from Louisville, KY. Top 5 observations:

1. This convention was very well attended, which is a great thing when considering that there were no high profile candidates to select for the ballot, there is no ballot in 2005, and the location was at one extreme end of the state. The delegate total was one greater than in the 2004 convention, which selected the high-profile gubernatorial candidate, and was staged centrally, in Indianapolis. This points to significant growth, and a commitment on the part of those from the northern part of the state.

2. The speakers were relevant. Too often, LP conventions feature little besides libertarian speakers. Don't get me wrong- I enjoy hearing top libertarian speakers. However, I got more insights from Jason Shelley of the National Federation of Independent Business than I would from, say, a James Bovard. Shelley represents small business owners, and that is a core constituency we aim to capture. Best to know what his group wants, and more importantly, what specific policies they suffer under.

3. The events flowed. Convention co-ordinator Cindy Kirkpatrick did a masterful job of making sure everything started and ended on time, so that there was a minimum of down time. Some down time is great, because it allows you to mingle. Too much is just boredom.

4. The focus on the floor was on business. Even with one contentious item on the floor for debate, no lines were drawn, and no blood spilled. Good direction of traffic and remarks by Chair Mark Rutherford made it so.

5. There seemed to be a growing readiness to accept my campaign. I like that for the obvious reasons, but more importantly, I had sensed a resistance to get involved with any campaign up to this point, mainly because the November 2006 ballot seems so far away. I think the majority of the members get the dual reality that there is serious business ahead as well as huge political opportunities to be siezed now.

All of this gives me hope for a spectacular 2006 convention. If trends continue, we will have more delegates and attendees than ever before, and business on the floor that points us towards more growth and to electoral success.

Congratulations, Stacey!

I was delighted to learn that my friend Stacey McGuire was promoted to Principal of Westfield High School, by a vote of the School Board. Noblesville Daily Times story.

Stacey really loves her work, so it's a fine reward for her. I can't think of anything more grinding than being the assisant Principal. Congrats!

Latest From Libertarian Writers Bureau

I'm not big on lording over the corriculum at the public schools. However, if I had to, I would insist that Economics would be taught beginning at sixth grade. So much awful public policy would fail to gain momentum and become law if only the average person had a rudimentary grasp of economics.

Here, Eric Schansberg reminds the reader that cause and effect, and supply and demand, lie at the root of all human interaction; and that public policy more often causes monopoly than anything else.


Keeping out new hospitals won't cure health-care ills

More competition, not less, would be best remedy for consumers, employees

In recent months, there has been considerable discussion about moratoriums on building hospitals in Southern Indiana. In Clark, Floyd, and Harrison counties, local government officials have been listening to the competing interests of existing county-run hospitals and those who would like to enter the market for hospital services.

On the surface, it's difficult to imagine why one would want to prevent a hospital from opening. A hospital is not a porn shop or a toxic-waste dump. Building and operating a hospital is not much of a zoning issue; one could seemingly find a suitable place to allow a hospital to operate somewhere within a county.

The best explanation is a common one in the intersection between economics and politics: no supplier enjoys competition for the goods or services they sell -- and they may find government a cooperative ally in restricting their competition.Unfortunately, restricting competition is only in the interest of the provider who wishes to maintain or extend monopoly power. Consumers and society will not benefit from having fewer options and less competition in a market.

Because the general public is intuitively aware that restricting competition is not a good thing, the producers and their politicians must tell "good stories" -- rationales to explain why less of a good thing is supposedly better.

In Harrison County, they're worried about "sky-rocketing health-care costs." But how would a lower supply and less competition keep costs down?

They've also expressed concern that another facility will "undermine the health, welfare and economic well-being of county residents." But how would more health-care options be a detriment to county residents?

Even health-care employees would benefit with more employment alternatives. The best of the good stories is that a moratorium would "prevent unfair competition."

Private-sector hospitals are accused of "cherry-picking" and "skimming profits" by avoiding less-profitable patients, in particular the indigent and those in prison.

Doubtless, this is true to an extent and some cause for concern. But a more direct way to deal with this issue is to directly subsidize the care of those who cannot pay -- wherever they receive their care -- rather than setting up an arbitrary monopoly.

Moreover, proponents of the moratoriums fail to mention that county-run facilities have lower tax burdens. A truly level playing field would also eliminate such subsidies. In a sense, it is comforting to see politicians be so consistent. Most of them work to foster the monopoly power of government-run schools and the post office. Many of them vote for tariffs and quotas to restrict competitors in product markets. So why should the market for hospital care be any different?

Likewise, the business community proclaims its love for the free market. But its love is often fickle, wanting competitive markets for the inputs they purchase and open access to foreign markets, but clamoring for restrictions on competitors in the particular domestic markets where they sell product. Perhaps the most ironic thing in the discussion about hospitals: County hospitals are fighting to maintain their local turf while seeming to ignore the far larger market.

Hospitals in Southern Indiana already face their most significant competition from hospitals across the river in Louisville. What difference would it make to have a few more facilities in Floyd, Clark, and Harrison counties? Despite all of the competition in Jefferson County, Louisville has a robust market for hospital services.

Moratoriums on hospitals are not exactly what the doctor ordered.

D. Eric Schansberg
Professor of Economics, Indiana University Southeast
Adjunct Fellow, Indiana Policy Review

Convention Draws Near!

I'm very excited for the upcoming state convention of the Libertarian Party of Indiana. Stepping aside from the role of State Secretary, while not especially daunting, is a bit of a relief in that I need to fully concentrate on the campaign for Secretary of State.

That's what really has me excited. The most committed party members always attend the off-year conventions, and there is a great deal of effort involved for many, as the off-year conventions are held in either the northern- or southern-most parts of the state. This year, it's Clarksville. Members coming from Allen County, or LaPorte, or Lake will be driving some five or six hours each way, which is an eternity in Indiana travel terms. People at this convention are the ones I really want to talk and strategize with, and to impress.

If you haven't registered yet, by all means hop to it! The festivities begin Friday night, and the business meeting will be conducted on Saturday. Go to www.lpin.org for details. I will host a hospitality suite, complete with a Texas Hold 'Em tournament Friday and Saturday nights.

Bobby Orr For Commissioner!

It's still incredible to me that the NHL lost an entire season over a labor dispute. Any other year, I would be getting my fill of NHL Playoff hockey- easily the most intense, compelling playoffs of any sport- with two games a night throughout April and early May. Alas.

I have no sympathy for either side. The owners are full of complaints that players salaries are too high. Well? Who agrees to the contracts? The players were unwilling to play for a million or so each in the NHL, but were happy enough to play in Europe or in the minor leagues for a fraction of the pay. Well? Is it about the salaries or isn't it?

Worse, the representatives for both sides are engaged in a pointless standoff. ESPN ran a poll, and the majority of respondents said they didn't miss the NHL a bit. That should have scared both sides straight to the table to regain their relevance in the sporting world.

Bobby Orr has it right. His comments were carried by ESPN:

Bobby Orr wants NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and players' association executive director Bob Goodenow to "get out of the way" if they can't solve the impasse that led to the cancellation of the NHL's season.

"Our sport is in danger of becoming irrelevant unless both sides immediately put an end to this nonsense," the Boston Bruins great wrote in a column for the Sunday Eagle-Tribune.

Orr, 57, said he initially resisted the urge to comment on the labor dispute because he believed the two sides would resolve their differences for the good of the game. But he said he no longer believes either side is interested in getting a fair deal done.

Thanks, Bobby Orr, for giving both sides the kick in the rear they deserve and need. I'd love it if more NHL legends spoke out in this way.

Hamilton County's Liberal Republicans At It Again

The Republican Governor can't figure out how to get private business to build a stadium, so he goes for a tax package that would include taxing restaurants in Hamilton County and other counties, even though the new stadium would be in Marion County.

Are the Republican leaders in Hamilton County principled tax fighters, or are they the Governor's lap dogs? Quoth the Sunday Star:

John Hiatt, president of the Hamilton County Council, said he was encouraged by Peterson's decision to relinquish control. Hiatt believes the council will raise the tax.

"When we met with the governor, we pretty much told him we'd raise the tax," Hiatt said. "We may have some objections, but most of us on the council feel like this may be the right thing to do."

Enough is enough. He will have his objections. Mark your calendars. The next meeting of the Hamilton County Council is schedule for 7pm on Wednesday, May 4, in the newer Judicial Center's Commissioners Court Room.

Be ready to ask the all-Republican Council why it is so eager to raise taxes. Ask them why they would burden one group of citizens (restaurant owners) so that they can reward another group of citizens (football players and team owners).

Definitions

Several times in the past year, I made the observation that Republicans have made a clever shift. Whereas they used to describe themselves as 'fiscal conservatives', they now tend to describe themselves as 'fiscally responsible'.

What's the difference? A fiscal conservative wants to limit or cut spending. One who is fiscally responsible merely wishes to balance the budget. If tax increases are necessary, so be it. This is the difference between a Libertarian (the fiscal conservative) and a Republican (the fiscally responsible).

This comes to light thanks to the Editorial in this morning's Indy Star, which calls for balancing the budget on an increase in cigarette taxes.

Jeff Espich is nobody's idea of a tax-and-spend politician. But the fiscal conservative, who is chairman of the Indiana House Ways and Mean Committee, recently noted that the state is "going to have to have new revenue."

Legislators must find money to give a small -- many would argue insufficient -- funding increase to schools over the next two years. Money to keep pace, even minimally, with rising costs in Medicaid. Money to complete a truly balanced two-year budget, one that bridges the deficit and doesn't resort to gimmicks.

The best proposal for raising more revenue, or at least the one with the best chance of legislative approval, is a 19-cent per-pack increase in the cigarette tax. The state tax on cigarettes would increase to 74.5 cents a pack.

Actually, Jeff Espich is my idea of a tax-and-spend politician. Name for me one spending cut or tax cut he has proposed this session. It can't be done. But I can name for you two tax increases he has proposed: this on cigarettes, and another on food and beverages for a new Colts stadium- something that should never be done by government, only by the private sector.

The Star, like Espich, fail to consider that one primary way to balance any budget is to spend less. This is what you and I do with our personal budgets at home when money gets tight. We stop spending until we catch up with debt and begin to build a little cushion. The Legislature has one advantage we don't- they can will themselves more money any time they want to raise the money. To quote Bill Clinton: "Stroke of the pen, law of the land. Kinda cool."

Not much in the way of incentive there for Espich and his ilk to be anything but tax-and-spend legislators. It's a situation made worse by comments like these, in the Star's Editorial:

But they can't leave the Statehouse a week from today without recognizing a potentially unpopular but necessary truth: Indiana can neither cut nor grow its way out of the budget deficit in the next two years. The state in the recent past has slashed spending on some services, raided reserve funds and waited patiently for economic growth to alleviate the fiscal crunch. But the problems remain.

Can't cut? I've yet to see an actual cut. The only "cuts" proposed this year have been reduced increases in spending. Those aren't cuts. A 1% cut across the board is not too much to ask, especially if you are seeking, as the Star claims to be, a balanced budget that doesn't resort to gimmicks. A real fiscal conservative would propose this kind of modest cut. A Libertarian sure would.

Voting With Their Feet

It seems that Indiana, while growing in real numbers of population, is watching other states grow even faster. From today's Star:

From 2000 to 2004, he said, 19,000 more people have moved out of the state than have moved in from elsewhere in the country. But, in the same period, 47,000 more people migrated here from other countries than left.

"The domestic loss is more than made up for by the international in-migration," Thompson said. "Some of them are college students. I would imagine most of those new people are Hispanic."

In other words, were more attractive than the Third World, but less attractive than other American states.

That is the result of policy. Sure, we always hear about the weather, but frankly, the weather is better here than in New York or Boston. While we lack the attractions of those older cities, we would attract population and thus create the attractions, if only Indiana became a tax haven. Lower the taxes and spending such that Indiana has the lowest tax rates in the country on personal income and on corporations, and you would see massive migration of entrepreneurs and established businesses.

I guess there is a greater commitment here to taxes and government than there is to prosperity. Sad. Oh well- we're still more attractive than Mexico. There's a slogan for our Gov. Mitch!

Convention Center Deemed Good Enough

Celebration III is the only George Lucas sanctioned event surrounding Star Wars for 2005. It is being held in the Indianapolis Convention Center- the one that is alleged to be too small, too outdated, too something that 'demands' replacement, at least according to some people who won't be paying for the replacement with their own money. Per the Star:

Celebration III came to Indianapolis for several reasons, says Steve Sansweet, director of content management and head of fan relations for Lucasfilm.

Celebration II was held here in 2002 because the city is within easy driving distance from many densely populated areas and has a good airport. Hotels are plentiful, and the Convention Center was large enough. About 25,000 fans attended.

The city got a good review, and the Convention Center was available, so a return visit was planned.

So, why is it that we need a new Convention Center at nearly $1 billion? We don't- unless some private developer/investor is willing to put up the money. Anything else is simply a scam.

LPIN Convention Coming QUICKLY

Faithful members of the Libertarian Party of Indiana have important business in front of them, along with learning opportunities, networking, fellowship, and entertainment at the State Party's convention, Friday April 29 through Sunday, May 1. The event is in Clarksville IN, near Louisville KY & I-65. If you haven't registered yet, please hurry as space is limited, especially in the area hotels. Event details.

Featured guests include columnist and author Vin Suprynowicz, Jason Shelley of the National Federation of Independent Business, Mayor Willy Marshall (L- Big Water, Utah), Abdul Hakim-Shabazz of Indy's WXNT 1430-am, and Trevor Southerland of the National Libertarian Party's Youth Caucus.

As one of the delegates from Hamilton County, I will be able to vote in the election of the four officers to the LPIN. For the record, I am not running for a second term as State Secretary, so that I may concentrate on my campaign for Secretary of State. The offices being elected are Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary.

My campaign will be hosting a hospitality suite at the Holiday Inn Lakeview, Friday night through Saturday night. There will be a nightly Texas Hold 'Em Tournament, which should be very entertaining. Please stop by and say hello!

Get It Done!

It's time to at long last pass the Daylight Savings Time bill. While in my laziest moments I like the fact that the time doesn't change here in Indiana, the reality is that this fact, coupled with the fact that 48 other states do change their clocks, make a compelling case for change. The first order of business is to just get on DST.

The second is to get on Eastern DST. While many will argue in favor of our proximity to Chicago, our past life in the 1950s and '60s on Central Time, and the geography, there is again a compelling argument for going Eastern. It is the list of cities in the Eastern Zone:

New York City, Washington DC, Boston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Detroit, Toronto, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Miami, Jacksonville, Memphis, Buffalo, and even Montreal.

Compare this with the list of Central cities:

Chicago, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, St. Louis, New Orleans, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Tulsa, and ok, Winnipeg.

These are some fine cities, but their populations numbers and significance pale compare drastically with the Eastern cities. NYC & DC alone overshadow all of the Central cities.

Case closed. The vote should come today.

LaPorte Campaign Stop

Saturday night, I attended the County Convention of the Libertarian Party of LaPorte County. I was out of downtown Indy and up I-65 to LaPorte, 180 miles away. I was making good time on my drive, so I got off I-65 and took US 421 instead to enjoy this rural stretch that runs parallel to the old Monon Railroad. Lots of grain elevators and big, blue skies.

Once in LaPorte, I was very aware that I was in the hometown of Jeff Ake, the Indiana businessman who was recently kidnapped in Iraq. Every store that had a sign with movable lettering had messages asking for prayers for Mr. Ake and his family. It was overwhelming and very moving to see all the signs. No kidding- every video rental place, every Arby's, every convenience store or gas station had a message. Mr. Ake is very obviously beloved in his hometown. Indeed, the Convention began with a prolonged moment of silence for him. Story from local LaPorte paper.

I was the keynote speaker at this Convention, and it was my first experience with a rush of photographers in front of the podium. It gave me energy and an inward chuckle. I knew my speech well. It was the second time in the day to deliver it, and with a three-hour drive for rehearsal, I was not thrown off. The main thrust of the speech was the importance for taking action that might be uncomfortable. It's a comfortable thing to criticize policy from the safety of your PC, but if it's uncomfortable to show up at a council meeting to assert your position, it is 100% more effective. It's a comfortable thing to be a paper candidate running for Township Trustee, but if it's uncomfortable to run a real campaign for County Commissioner, it's eminently more valuable. Etc.

The speech was well-received, as I could see the group energized by it. People began talking about what offices they would be running for. The local media was on hand for Q & A afterwards.

I am delighted with The LaPorte Herald Argus' article covering my speech at the Convention. It does, however, include the strangest expression on my face in a picture where I am not playing hockey. Plus, I was a bit embarrassed at the coverage in that the other business of the Convention- the election of the officers of the LaPorte County party- was not even discussed. There's no telling what the media will include, or exclude, from a story. For the record, Doug Barnes was elected Chair after having been the District 2 representative to the Central Committee of the state party. He trades places with Greg Kelver. Both are outstanding leaders and great people who I personally enjoy working with.