Perhaps the most important lesson from the Massachusetts Senate race is: stick to your principles. The winner in that race, Scott Brown, is a fiscal and social conservative. He made no excuses for his beliefs, and he didn't try to "moderate" his position on issues to try to attract independent voters (more…)
Did you know that the health care bills being negotiated in Washington will give the Internal Revenue Service new authority over you? The bills passed by both the House and Senate will require every American to buy a health insurance policy - and they give the enforcement authority to the IRS will make sure you have done so. (more…)
A Nevada senator once mistakenly called a nuclear storage facility that was planned for his state a "nuclear suppository" instead of a nuclear "repository." That senator wasn't Harry Reid, but a nuclear suppository is an apt metaphor for the health care plan he is forcing into the American economy. (more…)
"Just because a problem exists doesn't mean government should try to solve it." This principle of governing is always important to remember and follow, but never more so than in the economic crisis that now faces the families and businesses of our state. (more…)
Last week in Columbus, Ohio, a woman pulled up to a Burlington Coat Factory in a Hummer limousine, walked to the store check-out counter and loudly announced that she had just won the lottery and would pay for everyone's purchases up to $500. (more…)
I am concerned about an issue that is being considered by the government. What should I do about it?
There are now two commissions considering reforms to the state tax code. One was appointed by the governor, and the other was created by the House Ways & Means Committee. Whatever plans come out of either of these groups, they should be guided by some key principles. (more…)
A prominent Mississippi businessman is asking the taxpayers of Mississippi to give him 17 million dollars to help his company. He told a Senate committee that the reason he was asking for the money was because the legislature had provided millions of dollars to other companies, and since he had been in business 43 years and had never asked the legislature for anything, he wanted them to give him some money, too. (more…)
It is often said in the halls of power that "personnel is policy." Key staff members appointed by our leaders are usually indicative of the philosophy of those leaders.
If that's the case with Governor Barbour and Lt. Governor Phil Bryant, the state is in very good shape. Governor Barbour has named Paul Hurst as his new chief of staff, and Lt. Gov. Bryant has named Joe Nosef as his chief of staff. (more…)