“IS IT TRUE” DECEMBER 19, 2019

We hope that today’s “IS IT TRUE” will provoke honest and open dialogue concerning issues that we, as responsible citizens of this community, need to address in a rational and responsible way?

IS IT TRUE that the Harvard Business School just released a study that assesses the competitiveness of the United States of America?…in this study, it states that in 1964 a full 77% of the population trusted the federal government to do the right things to make progress happen and that today only 17% of Americans trust the federal government?…that has increased from a low of 15% in 2009?…one could almost surmise that with that low of a number trusting the federal government that it can’t go much lower since roughly 15% believe silly things like Elvis is alive and Hitler is living in Argentina plotting a return to power?

IS IT TRUE that this same study has addressed the political affiliation changes of Americans since 2004 that happened to be the year that President Reagan was re-elected?…in 2004 the political affiliation of Americans was 34% Democrat, 34% Republican, and 31% Independent?…that in 2008 when President Obama was elected Independents passed both Democrats and Republicans and the lead of Independent affiliation has continued to grow unabated?…today 41% of Americans identify as Independent while 30% identify as Democrats and 28% as Republicans?…the source of this data was taken from historical Gallup polls and indicates a rising disenchantment for political affiliation of any kind?…at the current growth rates by 2030 there will be a majority of Americans who do not identify with either the Democrat or Republican parties?…this will be a good thing as both parties have so corrupted themselves with self-interest and identity politics that neither deserves to be in a position of control?

IS IT TRUE that the portion of this HBS study that examined social progress in 2019 ranks the United States as 26^th in social progress right ahead of Singapore and Greece with a score of 84?…the country that ranks the highest on social progress is Norway with a score of 91 that is surprisingly only 8% higher than the United States?…to hear some American progressives talk about our social progress one would have to conclude that we are light years behind the Nordic countries who are capitalist economies with a stronger safety net than ours?…the reality is a breath of fresh air compared to what one reads and hears these days?

IS IT TRUE the metrics where the United States is ranked #1 worldwide are globally ranked universities, adult literacy, gender parity in education, access to cellular phones, access to clean fuel for cooking, access to electricity, rural open defecation, and undernourishment as a percentage of the population?… categories where the United States ranks below #80 are homicide rate, biome protection, and economic parity in political power?  …categories where the USA ranked high and improving since 2011 were corporate tax code, management, communications infrastructure, entrepreneurship, innovation, capital formation, and higher education?  …categories where we rank low and getting worse since 2011 are politics, logistics infrastructure, K-12 education, healthcare, and legal framework?…of the categories that were weak in 2011, exactly zero have improved?…overall this study describes a country that can’t seem to get out of its own way to correct legacy problems but is a much better place to live than the mainstream media would have us believe?

IS IT TRUE we were told that former Vanderburgh County Commissioner, past candidate for State Representative and recently defeated 3rd Ward City Council appointee Steve Melcher is considering running for another public office in 2020?  …we find it hard to believe the rumor that Mr. Melcher is considering running against County Commissioner Cheryl Musgrave in the upcoming Republican primary?  …we like and respect Mr. Melcher very much? …he has served this community very well in different elected positions over the years?  …we highly recommend that the Republicans movers and shakers consider appointing Mr. Melcher to city or county board?

IS IT TRUE we wonder who is in charge of putting up the Holidays displays in the North Main areas of Evansville?  …the movers and shakers of this area could have done a better job in the promotion of the upcoming Holiday season if they would have talked to the merchants on West Franklin Street?

IS IT TRUE we are hearing that the powers that be will be making some adjustments in the makeup of the CVC Board Of Directors for this coming year?

IS IT TRUE we wonder when the City Of Evansville will announce that it time to rebid the contract for “Street Sweepers”

IS IT TRUE that last night a staff member and his wife went to Tropicana-Evansville to dine and participate in a little gaming activity?…they also told us that Tropicana-Evansville just installed several new exciting slots? …they told us that the service was impressive and the food was really delicious? …an enjoyable evening was had by all?

IS IT TRUE we are pleased with the way that State Representative Wendy McNamara is representing the people in her district?

IS IT TRUE we are told that Deputy Treasurer Dottie Thomas is gearing up to announce her intentions to run for the Vanderburgh County Treasurer position during the next election cycle?  …that Dottie has a solid reputation of serving the taxpayers in a non-partisan manner?  …Dottie Thomas is extremely likable and hard working?

IS IT TRUE that our “Readers Poll” is non-scientific but trendy?

IS IT TRUE that today’s “Readers Poll” question is: How do you rate the overall performance of the current Evansville City Council?