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Politics and other nightmares

Thrust and parry

Third District Rep. Mark Souder has been running his radio attack ads for weeks now, which are so mean-spirited they seem to be turning off even some staunch Republicans. The spots accuse Democratic opponent Tom Hayhurst of being a millionaire doctor who wants to "retire to Congress" so he can spend all your money, nationalize everything and hand Nancy Pelosi the keys to your children's future. And that's just one of the mild ones.

No problem

Today's entry for the "If there is no solution, there is no problem" file: A Fort Wayne man, in a letter to the Indianapolis Star, complains about Indiana's political image:

It ain't over till it's over

Yes, there is another side to the all-day-kindergarten debate:

The big green machine

On the CBS News last night, the "Free Speech" segment was given to Bob Schieffer, who said the expected things about the Mark Foley case. I was struck by this line, which Schieffer tossed out casually, as if it were universally accepted:

There is only one reason for government: to improve the lives of its citizens, but this Congress has forgotten that.

Movement on taxes

Certainly, we all know that taxes influence the choices we make and that any change will have ripple effects. Still, it's dismaying sometimes to realize there are people who spend a lot of time thinking not just about what taxes to impose to raise a certain amount of money but also about using them to direct our lives in ways they think best:

Serfing the sound bites

The governor goes into a kindergarten class for a photo opportunity and gets cute with the kids:

No more property taxes?

Everyone says we need to do something about our overreliance on property taxes in Indiana, and it's sure to be on the agenda for the next session of the General Assembly. It's also clear that the system has been tinkered with so many times that it's difficult to understand, let alone argue that it's "fair" to various kinds of property owners in any meaningful sense. But probably there will be nothing quite this radical proposed:

Culture warriors

OK, now we know. Both Baron Hill and Mike Sodrel stand foursquare in favor of the sanctity of marriage:

Those who know me personally know that I am a family man with deep religious convictions. Much has been said by my opponent, Mike Sodrel, about my beliefs concerning gay marriage, and I want to set the record straight.

See ya, Joel

How do you get rid of a guy who has become an embarrassment, especially if the opposition has been calling for his head and you don't want it to look like you're giving in? You accept his resignation and announce it along with a bunch of other position shuffling announced near mid-term.

Lawmakers packing heat

Whatever you do, don't make that legislator mad:

Ordinary citizens will have to check their guns at the Statehouse's entrances when metal detectors are installed in the building next year.

Lawmakers, however, will be allowed to take their guns with them inside.

Sure hope that prayer debate doesn't heat up again. Hate to see a shootout at the Speaker's podium.

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