BYERS: Stimulus for health care benefits should be lifestyle changes
The cost and severity of our state of health is not going to change until we do. No amount of cost-shifting or federal assistance will stem this problem.
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Remove barriers to lower costs
By preserving residency as a condition to distribute booze, our Legislature is protecting Indiana’s existing liquor distributors, many of whom do business in neighboring states like Illinois and Michigan. This antiquated standard is anti-competitive and ultimately means higher prices and reduced selection for Indiana residents.
Consumers too connected to TV, telephone noise
Why are we so addicted to being “connected?” The cell phone, the BlackBerry, the television, all have “power off” buttons, but maybe that’s itâ??when we turn the power off, does the sense of being disconnected makes us feel less powerful?
Prepare for Indiana’s low-carbon economy
No doubt the transition to a low-carbon economy will bring great challenges for Hoosier businesses, given how carbon-intensive
our society is. However, if we take proactive steps, Indiana can emerge as a standout success story.
Here is a sustainable plan for the CIB
A vibrant Indianapolis powers a dynamic Indiana and the governor, the mayor and the members of the General Assembly should all recognize that.
Read my lips: Reform local government
With the economy struggling, tax receipts falling and federal deficits soaring, there’s more pressure than ever for government
cost-cutting. Yet most Indiana local government-reform efforts have died an ignoble death in two consecutive legislative sessions.
Why?
Central Indiana could lead economic recovery
Every day, we get more bad economic news. While I’m not smart enough to know when the global economy will rebound or how strong
the rebound will be, I do believe central Indiana and the Midwest are well-positioned to lead the recovery.
De-manufacturing can save resources
An industrywide bar-code identification system should be developed so that component objects used in manufacturing can be easily devolved and reused.
Not-for-profits: Treat donors as investors
Nonprofit organizations should treat their donors as shareholders because they invest in the organizations just as shareholders do in public companies.
Beware universal health care
Any administration considering a tax-funded universal health care system that is free at the point of delivery would do well to examine Britain’s National Health Service.
In spite of criticism, Lilly saves lives
My wife, Becky, is alive today because of Lilly and its trial drug Enzastaurin, a great surgeon, and a terrific team of local doctors.
A love letter (and plea) about supporting local arts
When was the last time you took your child or teen-ager to hear classical music, or see a contemporary dance performance a
la Dance Kaleidoscope? When was the last time you went to see a play?
Girl Scouts taught lifelong lessons
Some of Indiana’s most high-profile women have something in common beyond their gender and community status: They were Girl
Scouts.
Hoosier architects need to reach out globally
Indianapolis-area architects are missing out on a wealth of outsourced design work for construction projects.
‘Green’ design is sensible in era of great uncertainty
Contrary to fears, environmentally friendly construction isn’t expensive.
Are we victims of ‘group think’?
“Group think,” a powerful and controlling force, was present as the Capital Improvement Board built Lucas Oil Stadium and Eli Lilly and Co. developed and marketed Zyprexa.
Not-for-profit governance needs to be taken seriously
Many boards of directors have not taken to heart their responsibilities, opting instead for the easier route of trusting management and operating personnel.
City loses a Japanese pioneer
Rev. Itoko Maeda was a citizen of the world, Japanese by birth, American by choice and also a Hoosier who did a tremendous amount to teach the people of this state Japanese and Japanese culture.
Barack Obama’s new new thing
Tip O’Neill once said, "All politics is local." I watched my sister and even my bookkeeper—who hadn’t voted in decades—cheer
when Barack Obama rose far above John McCain in November. Clearly, there was a mandate and Obama’s oratory and messages
seemed to inspire voters across the country.