Politics and other nightmares

It's election campaign season, which means we're hearing a lot of nonsense from candidates about how government needs to get out of the way of business, be more business friendly, and blah, blah, blah. I've lost count of how many officials and office seekers have told me in the last 30 years that, by God, they're going to do something about all that awful red tape! Haven't seen a lot of it actually eliminated, though.

Amen on liking the notification:

A new program was adopted that promised better customer service while saving the state of Indiana $2 million. It turns out the program may be failing to get some renewals out on time.

Is Mitch Daniels conservative enough for the GOP presidential primaries?

There is a good conservative case against Mitch Daniels's potential presidential candidacy. But this American Thinker piece isn't it.

[. . .]

Oh, so now it's my fault the Democrats and Republicans in Indianapolis can't get along:

Rep. Tom Saunders, R-Lewisville, blamed it in part on the increased political polarization, and on the news media, which have shone such a spotlight on lobbying that legislators no longer want to attend lobbyist-sponsored receptions or other events where lawmakers mingle.

What better way to start the week than with this and other tweets by Michael Moore:

May I suggest a 50-mile evacuation zone around Obama's Nobel Peace Prize?

Better wakeup boost than a strong cup of coffee and a Journal Gazette editorial.

Five reasons Mitch Daniels should run for president, and five reasons Mitch Daniels should not run for president.

Best reason to run:

"Being nickeled and dimed to death" usually refers to little costs that add up while you're not paying attention. But its also apt for our lunkheads in Washington who argue bitterly over whether to cut nickels and dimes while the trillions in debt pile up:

Who says President Obama isn't decisive?

You've got some pressure when the President of the United States is counting on you. President Obama filled out his bracket for ESPN.com and the winner, according to the President, will be the Kansas Jayhawks.

"Give 'em an inch" department:

The Indiana Senate has approved a bill making it illegal for drivers to send or read text messages, but also banning talking on the phone.

[. . .]

Sen. Brent Steele of Bedford proposed an amendment adopted Monday applying the ban to all cell phone use by drivers. He says that using a phone to make a call can be as dangerous as texting.

The liberal blogs are annoyed as hell with former Sen. Evan Bayh. The Indiana Democrat said in a New York Times piece he was leaving the Senate because of "strident partisanship" and "unyielding ideology." He said he might, oh, teach or enter philanthropic work or otherwise do something "worthwhile for society." What did he really do? First, He became just another Congress-trained lobbyist peddling his influence, evening things out with lobbyist-turned-senator Dan Coats.