The Richmond Register Viewpoints

Europe’s economic tremors offer useful lesson for Kentucky

2012-05-27T22:00:00-04:00

Americans paying even cursory attention to what’s happening on the other side of the Atlantic are about to get a stark reminder of an economic principle that too often gets pushed to the side – especially during troubling times: No government has ever taxed, spent or borrowed its way to prosperity.

Why would anyone not vote?

2012-05-26T23:00:40-04:00

Should those of us who vote be disturbed that so few people voted in this past Tuesday’s election?
Only 17 percent of Madison County’s registered voters went to the polls. And, not everyone who’s eligible is registered to vote.

Republicans are making some noise

2012-05-26T01:33:48-04:00

FRANKFORT — Last week’s news was mostly about Tuesday’s primary election but some Republicans who were not on the ballot also had interesting things to say.

Taking our Sunday night baths

2012-05-24T21:00:00-04:00

There in the head of Blair Branch, when I was growing up in the 1950s and ‘60s, we always took our weekly baths, even during cold weather, every Sunday night, whether we needed one or not.

Obama pursues higher tax rates

2012-05-21T21:00:00-04:00

In the run-up to this weekend’s G-8 summit at Camp David, journalists have unfavorably compared European “austerity” with Barack Obama’s economic policies.
European spending cuts, the argument goes, have hurt people and are arousing political opposition, while Obama’s proposals to keep federal spending at 24 percent of gross domestic product indefinitely are likely to succeed.

Graduation day

2012-05-18T22:28:36-04:00

It’s that time of year. What’s the old song? “I can still remember...” And I do. It’s what I talk about when I’m invited to be a graduation speaker and what I write about every year at this time.
It’s about all those painful memories.

Recent news could cause panic for Obama campaign

2012-05-17T22:16:41-04:00

Is it panic time at Obama headquarters in Chicago? You might get that impression from watching events – and the polls – over the past few weeks.

EPA goes medieval on Kentucky coal

2012-05-13T21:00:00-04:00

EPA goes medieval on KRoman legions? Horrific crucifixions? Sacking dissenters and making examples out of their deaths?
These may sound like some of the gruesome tactics used by military commanders of the ancient world, but according to Al Armendariz, who, until recently, was regional administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency, it’s much more relevant to modern America than we’d care to believe.

Don’t just pick out a card

2012-05-12T21:30:00-04:00

When Anna Jarvis launched the movement for a Mother’s Day observance in 1908, her intention was to have everyone write their mother a letter, putting some thought and sincerity into thanking and telling her what she had meant to them.
Unsurprisingly, the idea caught on quickly and became very popular. But, Jarvis was disappointed with the outcome.

Returning to a calmer situation

2012-05-11T21:11:17-04:00

FRANKFORT – After a two-month absence, I’ve returned to Frankfort where things seem calmer than when I left.