Last quarter, the U.S. economy grew at 4.1%. Many of the “experts” insisted 4% growth could never be achieved again. • CNN on 10/11/16; “ Trump promises 4% growth. Economists say no way.” • Wall Street Journal 1/26/17; “Donald Trump’s 4% growth target is easier said than done.” • L A Times 5/19/17; “ If Trump thinks he can get more than 3% economic growth, he’s … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… Let the free market decide
I keep hearing chatter about raising the minimum wage from $9.65 per hour to $15.00 per hour. That’s greater than a 55% increase! Now, I do believe an increase in minimum wage is warranted, but maybe keeping pace with the rate of inflation makes a little more sense. Maybe a 2.5% to 4% increase in the minimum wage each year would be more sensible. I remember more than 25 … [Read more...]
SMIF stakeholders on the bus: Regional bus tour visits Olmsted, Steele and Dodge counties
An event I look forward to each year is Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation’s (SMIF) Annual Bus Tour. SMIF staff, board and colleagues spent the day visiting partners who are making a difference in their community. We use this time to hear from stakeholders and listen to community leaders. This is the fourth year of our bus tour and we traveled to the center of our … [Read more...]
By grace are ye saved
By Aaron Swartzentruber Greenleafton, MN “Knowing that a man is not justified by works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” (Galatians 2:16) The cults and religions of the world all … [Read more...]
Devil’s Advocate…Collaborative Competition
When I was in elementary and middle school, I felt I thrived in my independence from others and would usually study and practice writing, geography, and math by myself or with my family (whom I consider an extension of myself). Any time there was an exam or quiz, I was in strict competition to have the highest grade every time. I was in chess club until I could be in cross … [Read more...]
Why is the Russian Investigation important?
By Kevin Kelleher Houston, MN Well, we’ve just finished celebrating Independence Day. After all the fireworks and flag waving it’s probably time to look deeper into the “Independence” part. Is the USA truly “independent” when a foreign country has invaded our sacred election process? The latest Indictments of 12 Russian operatives show beyond a shadow of a doubt that … [Read more...]
How to get involved
Back in 1883, Teddy Roosevelt wrote an essay on what it takes to be a true American citizen. He did not mince words. “The people who say that they have not time to attend to politics are simply saying that they are unfit to live in a free community,” he wrote. “Their place is under a despotism.” He went on: “The first duty of an American citizen, then, is that he shall work in … [Read more...]
We can’t rely on public officials to surrender information
By Richard Karpel Reprinted with permission of The News & Observer in Raleigh, NC. June 28, 2018 — Guilford County commissioners voted this year to move all public notices required by state law from local newspapers and their websites to the county’s website. Four companies that publish newspapers in the county recently filed suit to have the ordinance — and the statute … [Read more...]
Is the power to destroy greater than the power to create?
My Mother’s favorite mantra was, “A place for everything and everything in it’s place!” We all long for order in our lives. We establish boundaries and patterns of behavior to ensure our control. As it turns out, much that happens to us is not in our control. We struggle to keep from drowning in the flood of events — personal, community, national and international that … [Read more...]
An open letter to Aaron Bishop
By Todd Pearson Spring Valley, MN It was with great interest that I read your commentary from June 25. I found your work engaging but lacking in explaining atheism. In your opening paragraph you wrote, “there is a severe misunderstanding among some county residents about others.” There are thousands of residents in this county that misunderstand thousands of others. This has … [Read more...]