A Libertarian Perspective, June 2016
I started a construction business 42 years ago, and I’m still running it today. A couple of years ago, a woman called us about having some work done on her house. It was an extensive job, so I set up an appointment and met her one evening to discuss the project. About 15 minutes into the process, after listening to her complain about everybody who had ever worked on her house before, I silently decided that we weren’t going to do this job.
I’ve opted out of more than one job in 42 years, sometimes because it didn’t fit into our schedule, sometimes because I didn’t believe the project was feasible, sometimes because of questionable finances, and sometimes, like the woman’s project I was telling you about, just because I had a bad feeling about it.
Like most people who are in business for themselves, I hated to turn down a job, but I was happy there wasn’t anybody telling me I had to do a job I didn’t feel was in our best interest. I was also happy that a simple “No, thanks†on my part was all that was needed. No long winded explanation or excuse was necessary.
Of course, on the other hand, I have figured on some jobs over the years that I would have loved to have done, but we didn’t get hired. Maybe because we couldn’t get there when the potential customer wanted, or maybe because our price was too high, or maybe because the customer thought we would be too hard to get along with. And whatever the reason, and whether they chose to tell us the reason or not, I knew I didn’t have the right to force them to hire us.
It’s one of the rights we all share. It’s called voluntary association. Certainly people of every race, religion, and sexual orientation have the same rights. If the government offers a service or program to one person, it must offer the same consideration to all persons. Once we remove ourselves from the government’s realm, we get to choose who we will associate with, provided that person wants to associate with us. It has to be a 2 way street.
I realize there are people who believe that government should reach into the private realm and replace voluntary association with forced association, out of fear that some people, or groups of people, wouldn’t associate voluntarily . There are a couple of reasons I believe those people are wrong. One of those reasons is that I have owned my own business for 42 years, and it ain’t easy. Most businesses need every viable customer they can get. Think about the businesses you patronize, and look around the next time you go into your favorite store or restaurant. Then ask yourself if you would patronize a business that practiced discrimination. If you would, you’re in the minority.
Another reason I believe forced association is unnecessary and wrong is that I am 64 years old. I’ve been around long enough to see how the level of acceptance existed and changed from my grandparent’s generation, to my parent’s generation, to my generation, to my children’s generation, and now to my grandchildren’s generation.
People who don’t believe it has changed should spend some time studying extended family pictures. Mine, like so many nowadays, are multi-racial, multi-ethnic, and multi-sexually oriented.
What government wants to accomplish by using force, we are already accomplishing as a society voluntarily. Our goal should be to be as free as we can be, and in matters of private association we should say “Hey big government, we’ve got this!â€
A Libertarian Perspective, June 2016
Governor Pence Announces Distribution of $505 Million to Local Governments
Includes $435 million that can be used for roads and bridges
Indianapolis – Governor Mike Pence today announced that county auditors have distributed $505 million to local government units, including $435 million that can be used for transportation infrastructure maintenance for counties, cities, and towns as part of Senate Enrolled Act (SEA) 67, which was signed into law on March 23, 2016.
“Early this year, we committed to investing significant new funding in state and local infrastructure maintenance to preserve the Crossroads of America,†said Governor Pence. “Today, we make good on that promise with the distribution of funds to local governments to further improve infrastructure and spur economic development and quality of life in communities across Indiana.â€
On April 22, the state made a one-time, special distribution to counties for distribution to other local units using excess Local Option Income Tax (LOIT) reserve funds. SEA 67 required county auditors to distribute all funds to local government units before June 1 in the amounts determined by the Department of Local Government Finance. As part of the distribution, counties, cities, and towns received $435 million that can be used for transportation infrastructure maintenance. Other local government units received $70 million for deposit in their rainy day funds.
In his State of the State Address, Governor Pence outlined a plan to provide more than $1 billion in new funding to preserve and maintain state and local infrastructure, without raising taxes. In addition to SEA 67, Governor Pence also signed into law House Enrolled Act 1001, which provides for additional state infrastructure maintenance funds, while also fully funding the Regional Cities Initiative.
Attached are reports which show the amount of money received by each local government and unit type.
University of Evansville Announces New Pre-Ministry Program
The University of Evansville has announced the implementation of a new pre-ministry program. Classes in the program will begin this fall.
Pre-ministry advisor James Ware, UE professor of philosophy and religion, explained that this new pre-ministry track builds on UE’s already well-established academic strengths.
“Students in the program will receive an excellent liberal arts education with a wide range of fields of study,†Ware said. “They will work closely with their pre-ministry advisor to plan a course of study that meets their goals and interests. Because of this flexibility, it is a great choice not only for those planning a career in ministry but also for students considering other career paths as well.â€
Courses in the program will include religion, philosophy, and English or world literature. Students can major in such diverse areas as archaeology, anthropology, art history, classical studies, economics, English, foreign language, history, international studies, music, philosophy, political science, psychology, religion, sociology, or writing.
Students will be encouraged to take ancient Greek as that knowledge is especially valuable in seminary or theological study. They will also be encouraged to pursue either a classical studies or classical languages minor with concentration in Greek.
The program will also provide practical experience in ministry that conforms to the recommendations of the Association of Theological Schools. Students will intern with local churches and para-church ministries. They will have the opportunity to gain valuable experience through participation in the annual UE Midwest Campus Festival of Young Preachers, service through the University’s Neu Chapel, and leadership in UE’s numerous campus ministries.
“Because of the excellence of their preparation in biblical study and biblical language study,†added Ware, “our graduates regularly receive advanced standing in the seminary or theological school of their choice.â€
For more information, please contact Ware at jw44@evansville.edu or 812-477-2057.
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Adopt A Pet
MuMu is a 4-year-old female American Staffordshire Terrier. She has a wonderful temperament and would be great with kids of any age! She’s also lived successfully with a male dog in her previous home! Adopt MuMu for $100 and she goes home spayed, microchipped, vaccinated, and heartworm-tested. Visit www.vhslifesaver.org or call (812) 426-2563 for adoption details!
USI BB bows out of the NCAA II Finals
The 14th-ranked University of Southern Indiana baseball team bowed out of the NCAA Division II Baseball Championship after losing to fourth-ranked Lander University, 4-2, Wednesday afternoon in Cary, North Carolina. USI, which lost its first elimination game in the NCAA II Tournament since 2011, sees its season end with a 38-21 overall record, while Lander sees its record rise to 44-15 mark.
The Screaming Eagles battled from behind all day, trailing 1-0 after an inning-and-a-half. USI knotted the score at 1-1 when senior first baseman Andrew Cope (Evansville, Indiana) doubled with two outs and scored sophomore leftfielder Drake McNamara (Mt. Vernon, Indiana) all the way from first base.
Lander would rally to take the lead for good with a three-run fourth inning to lead 4-1. USI would cut the deficit to 4-2 in the bottom of the fifth when senior rightfielder Kyle Kempf (Evansville, Indiana) scored senior centerfielder Hamilton Carr (Evansville, Indiana) from second with a RBI-single.
The 4-2 final score would be as close as the Eagles would come in the final game of the season.
Eagles’ freshman right-hander Chase Partain (Evansville, Indiana) did his best in his second post-season start, but took the loss. Partain (3-1) allowed four runs on five hits, while striking out a season-best seven batters.
Governor Pence Op-ed in The Elkhart Truth Regarding President Obama’s Visit
Indianapolis – Governor Mike Pence today penned an op-ed in The Elkhart Truth regarding Hoosiers’ economic successes on the day of President Obama’s visit to Elkhart, Indiana.
Excerpts:
“I believe the people of Elkhart and my fellow Hoosiers have brought our economy back in spite of the burdens that higher taxes, mandates and increasing regulations from Washington, D.C. have placed on them.â€Â Â
“So I hope you will join me in giving credit where credit is due, to the people of Elkhart and north central Indiana whose work ethic, character, and ingenuity continue to make Indiana one of the best states in America to start a business, grow a business or get a job.â€Â
Welcome back, Mr. President. With your return to the city of Elkhart, people across this country will see firsthand a community and a state in the midst of a great American comeback and we appreciate you focusing the nation on what Hoosiers have accomplished.
The people of Elkhart are rightfully proud of the economic growth they have experienced since the economic downturn. The unemployment rate in the Elkhart County area is 3.9 percent and more than 12,000 jobs have been added since January 2013.
Manufacturing is booming in traditional industries like recreational vehicles, conversion vans and boat manufacturers, along with their many suppliers. The most recent announcement came yesterday when Spartan Motors announced plans to add nearly 150 new jobs and invest $10.9 million in Elkhart County.
Mr. President, we welcome you back to Elkhart since your first visit since 2009. I believe the people of Elkhart and my fellow Hoosiers have brought our economy back in spite of the burdens that higher taxes, mandates and increasing regulations from Washington, D.C. have placed on them. Our state has experienced an economic comeback because the story in Indiana has been very different.
Since I became governor in January 2013, we have worked every day to lower the burden of taxes and regulations so businesses large and small can focus on jobs and growth instead of worrying about the burden of their state government.
We have balanced two budgets, cut taxes every year including the largest state income tax cut in Indiana history. We repealed the inheritance tax, maintained strong reserves and invested more than $2.0 billion in our state’s infrastructure to support a growing economy.
We have also made education for our current workforce and the next generation the top priority, with record investments in education while making career and technical education a priority in every high school in Indiana again. The high school graduation rate has reached nearly 88 percent, seventh best in the nation and for the first time in Indiana’s history, we invested in early learning programs for disadvantaged kids and have one of the largest school voucher programs in America.
All of these efforts have not gone unnoticed. Indiana was recently recognized by Chief Executive magazine as the number one state in the Midwest for business, and fifth in the nation.
Indiana’s economy is on a roll with more Hoosiers going to work every day than ever before in our state’s history. Since I have been governor, more than 150,000 new jobs have been created by businesses across our state and unemployment has dropped from more than eight percent when I took office to roughly five percent today.
There are many reasons for the remarkable economic recovery that has been created in Indiana but I believe most of the credit belongs to the hard-working people of this community and the state. So I hope you will join me in giving credit where credit is due, to the people of Elkhart and north central Indiana whose work ethic, character, and ingenuity continue to make Indiana one of the best states in America to start a business, grow a business or get a job. So welcome back to Elkhart Mr. President, a great comeback in a great community in a state that works.
VANDERBURGH COUNTY FELONY CHARGES
Below is a list of the felony cases filed by the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office today.
Amanda Marie Williams Battery in the presence of a child, Level 6 felony
Charles Nobel Douglas Battery in the presence of a child, Level 6 felony
Bryan Wayne Day Battery resulting in serious bodily injury, Level 5 felony
Anthony Ray Guthrie Unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, Level 4 felony
Arbie Lee Park Jr. Residential entry, Level 6 felony
Battery resulting in bodily injury, Class A misdemeanor
Cody Michael Brown Criminal confinement, Level 3 felony
Attempted battery by means of a deadly weapon, Level 5 felony
Attempted battery by means of a deadly weapon, Level 5 felony
Strangulation, Level 6 felony
Residential entry, Level 6 felony
Battery resulting in bodily injury, Class A misdemeanor
Interference with the reporting of a crime, Class A misdemeanor
Chasity Lynn Williams Battery in the presence of a child, Level 6 felony
Jake Lee Fuchs Unlawful possession of a syringe, Level 6 felony
Possession of paraphernalia, Class C misdemeanor
David Alan Fisher Battery in the presence of a child, Level 6 felony
Men’s basketball Shooting Skills Camp set for this weekend June 3-4
Camp will be on Friday and Saturday
 This weekend, June 3-4, the University of Evansville men’s basketball program will host a Shooting Skills Camp on Friday and Saturday. It will be held at the Fifth Third Basketball Practice Facility on the UE campus.
The camp is for kids entering grades 1-12 and runs from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on both days.
The Shooting Skills Camp will focus on fundamentals and technique of becoming a better shooter. Campers will receive a t-shirt, basketball and will be provided with lunch.
Registration on Friday begins at 8 a.m. For more information, please contact Kavon Lacey at 812-488-2757 or at kl82@evansville.edu.