We can all agree that “dust ordinance” is a silly name; that aside, don’t believe the hype. This ordinance isn’t “overly restrictive” or “punitive.” Protecting Las Crucens’ health and property is exactly the type of thing the city council should be working on.
Asking the right questions about government
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We need to discuss how to optimize and administer a government that is charged by the founders — and empowered by the people — with securing justice, domestic tranquility, the common defense, the general welfare, and the blessings of liberty. Continue Reading
The dangers of being disagreeable
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While we look for bigger antidotes for what ails our toxic public dialogue, each of us can hold ourselves and those we can influence to a higher standard of public discourse than we have before. Accepting dangerous rhetoric has become too costly. Continue Reading
Economic gardening: A fresh paradigm for growing local jobs
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Over the last few decades the city of Littleton, Colo., has enjoyed the sort of economic success that many other communities can only dream of. They did it with a growth strategy called economic gardening, and I hope Las Cruces will look to adapt its principles. Continue Reading
And now what? Life after the tax deal
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With the Obama-Republican tax deal having passed the Senate and the House as well, I guess I’ve gotten the compromise I’ve been asking for. To be honest, I’d thought I’d feel better about it. Continue Reading
The difference between NPR and Fox or MSNBC
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It’s hard for me to understand how people who value careful consideration over ideological dogmatism would resent NPR’s consistently positive contributions to the public discourse. Continue Reading
Don’t call it a mandate
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Regular readers of my blog will not be surprised that I hope Republicans and Democrats will now resume working together to address our problems. The American electorate seems to prefer when both political parties share responsibility for how the country works. Continue Reading
The mud in the mailbox
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I don’t have any scientific evidence to support this, but it sure feels like political attack advertisements are tougher than ever this year. Continue Reading
Be part of the solution
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The recent suicide of Rutgers University student Tyler Clementi is a reminder that by working to increase access to freedom for everyone and taking care of each other, we can become a part of the solution. Continue Reading
Is compromise a virtue?
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If we are committed to progress and to solving our problems, we will need to show courage in the face of extremists. We need to come together as well-meaning adults and see where we agree and disagree and what can be done to improve things for the most people. Continue Reading
Investing in infrastructure is not busy work
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Far from merely digging ditches only to be filled in again, a public works program dedicated to updating our infrastructure can put people back to work doing things that need doing and kick-start the economy. Continue Reading