Politics and other nightmares

"Flaws in the original business plan" is the polite, low-key way the troubles with the Public Safety Academy of Northeast Indiana are being described. It was supposed be a money generator, drawing police and firefighter students from all over. But the city is again being asked for $550,000 to plug the hole in 2011's $960,000 operating costs, and City Council members are worried they'll end up paying a half-million a year forever.

South Bend is facing the same thing Fort Wayne does -- raises granted to union employees leading to pressure to increase the salaries of non-union employes:

We understand the administration's motivation to catch up nonbargaining employees with bargaining ones. But in light of last year's call for and passage of an increase in the local income tax, the timing of the request has a certain tone deafness to it.

If my little mind went searching for the hobgoblin of foolish consistency, it sure wouldn't find it on The Journal Gazette editorial page today. The JG endorses Democrat Tom Hayhurst for 3rd District U.S. Representative because his:

superior understanding of the issues, proven record of service and bipartisan temperament make him the better choice, especially considering the difficult economic and political climate.

Hurry, hurry, hurry!

The Fort Wayne Board of Public Works on Wednesday approved an agreement with the state that will allow the city to move ahead with a plan to replace 57 pedestrian crossing signals downtown with “countdown” signals. Instead of a walk or don't-walk signal, the new signals will display, like a countdown, the number of seconds left to cross the street.

I know how he feels:

Wonder which side will be the most freaked out about this?

It has seemed that TV ads might have dumbed down political campaigns as far as they could go. That was a mistaken belief:

Twitter has allowed for another avenue for campaigns to communicate with voters, but it's also created a new venue for staffers to talk smack.

In advance of tonight's U.S. Senate debate in Indianapolis, staffers backing Republican Dan Coats and Democrat Brad Ellsworth have exchanged barbs via the site.

At least the candidates weren't outnumbered:

The candidate forum at North Side High School on Monday night was almost as big a draw for candidates as for voters. About 75 people showed up; 30 were candidates seeking office in next month's election, and another three candidates sent representatives.

At least these 40 people could show up as informed voters on election day. Thank goodness for small blessings.

Not the best way to build trust between the peasants and the masters officials and the governed:

COLUMBUS, Ind. — A button installed in each office of Bartholomew County Governmental Office Building will link workers there with police.

County Commissioners on Monday agreed to spend $8,271 to install buttons in 15 rooms, including offices and meeting halls.

For the well-duh file. USA Today and Gallup discover that 22 percent at one end of the spectrum want government out of their lives and 20 percent at the other end endorse ever-expansive government, and most people in the middle "endorse government activism on a range of issues . . . but doubt the competence of government to deliver results effectively and efficiently."