SKARBECK: Don’t get overly excited about new index records
The frenzy surrounding a new market high tends to raise the blood pressure in investors. It seems to stimulate a feeling that they need to “do something.”
Opinion
Articles
HICKS: Economy will get worse before it gets better
The dramatic reintroduction of payroll taxes makes this year’s tax increase most injurious to the working poor and the lower-to-middle-income families.
COTA: Online Smartz helpful in keeping kids cyber safe
If your privacy settings aren’t carefully controlled, you’re not only potentially exposing yourself, but also your friends.
MAURER: Big Q’s lofty mission didn’t involve flying
Quentin Paige Smith died in January at age 94. If you didn’t know the Big Q, you missed a hell of a man—his own man—unbowed by the evil racism of the pre-Civil Rights era. I wrote his biography for my book “19 Stars of Indiana—Exceptional Hoosier Men,” and now I can tell you the rest of that story.
EDITORIAL: Good choice for United Way
When the longtime CEO of United Way of Central Indiana last year announced her plans to retire, the not-for-profit’s board embarked on a search for a seasoned executive with deep community ties. They found both in Ann D. Murtlow.
FEIGENBAUM: Battles yet to be fought over handful of divisive bills
We’ve made it halfway through the 2013 legislative session with much less in the way of figurative fisticuffs than in the last several sessions—for which the participants and observers seem grateful.
RACE: It’s time to rediscover Kessler’s park and boulevard system
George Kessler’s 1908 vision was the foundation for Indianapolis’ neighborhood building and metropolitan-park planning. The nearly 3,500-acre Kessler legacy is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Morris column hit home
I enjoyed Greg Morris’ [Feb. 25] column. However, I wish he had taken it one step further to explain the absurdity of these so called “sequestration” cuts as they relate to baseline budgeting.
Put citizens first
Are there not any really decent people to run for Congress [Maurer column, Feb. 18]? Too many of these candidates have the ability to speak smoothly, show an engaging personality and make a good impression. The real essence of their character is not revealed until they are caught taking advantage of their slick-lip shenanigans.
Hempstead needs a grip
I surely hope Sarah Hempstead [Feb. 25] was joking when she suggested we ask anybody about Indianapolis—inferring, I would guess, a blank stare.
Don’t subsidize Indianapolis Motor Speedway
I seriously question the advisability of our state, city or county providing monetary support to sports organizations, and certainly Indianapolis Motor Speedway [Feb. 18].
HOLLENBERG: Deregulation has gone too far
As an environmental policy analyst, the governor’s ordering of a moratorium on environmental regulation concerns me. It should also concern Indiana residents and businesses.
RUSTHOVEN: The sky really isn’t falling
If our president is right—and who doubts a word he utters?—writing this is wasting time, as it is scheduled for publication that day after the “sequester” takes effect and life comes to an end. But on the off chance the world survives, let’s soldier on for the fraction of readers who might not always find this column a waste of time.
KIM: Mutual fund choices influenced by conflicts
Have you ever wondered how and why the mutual funds your brokerage firm recommends or those that appear on your 401(k) plan’s menu of investment options were chosen?
HICKS: Economic evolution requires ongoing flexibility
I am often asked some version of the question, “Can we really survive becoming a service economy—won’t our loss of manufacturing jobs spell doom for our country?” The answer is, “No.”
BENNER: Bird’s faith in Lance Stephenson now looks well-placed
I guarantee he’s closely watching the team he assembled and has a trained eye on the 22-year-old.
MAHERN: This is not the Ballard who originally ran for public office
The prudence of a third term for Mayor Greg Ballard requires the question: Which Greg Ballard?
BRAINARD: Longevity in office would help Ballard finish projects
Why would the mayor of Carmel be weighing in on who runs for mayor of Indianapolis? It is because we are sincere when we talk about regionalism and how we work best when we work together.
Nonvoters are real Hoosier citizens, too
Do the politicians care what nonvoters think? House Speaker Brian Bosma recently took issue with the WISH-TV/Ball State Hoosier Survey because, he said, it wasn’t a voter poll. When challenged, he said that he cares what everybody thinks, but the message he delivered was that the opinions of voters matter more than those of adults […]
SOWELL: All the wrong priorities with budgets
A nation’s choice between spending on military defense and spending on civilian goods has often been posed as “guns versus butter.” But understanding the choices of many nations’ political leaders might be helped by examining the contrast between their runaway spending on pensions while skimping on military defense.