"GOVERNMENT'S FIRST DUTY IS TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE, NOT RUN THEIR LIVES." Ronald Reagan The old saying that "I'm from the Government and I am here to help you" is a classic saying about the fact that the government very seldom actually helps you. However, you have to...
"REAPING POLITICAL DIVIDENDS OUT OF TRAGEDIES IS DEEPLY INGRAINED IN THE CONGRESS' DNA." Piyush Goyal I did not grow up with the shootings in schools and most in my generation did not. Yet in the last 30 years it seems to be a common occurrence. When it does...
"GIVING MONEY AND POWER TO GOVERNMENT IS LIKE GIVING WHISKEY AND CAR KEYS TO TEENAGE BOYS." P.J. O'Rourke Open up the Wichita Eagle and the story jumps out at me that the new Governor and others are suddenly conscious about the diversion of KDOT Highway monies to fund...
"THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO AVOID CRITICISM: DO NOTHING, SAY NOTHING, AND BE NOTHING." Unknown No matter how much we want to see our government actually be good stewards of our tax dollars, there are always vast bureaucracies and politicians who have to do something that makes...
"IF OPPORTUNITY DOESN'T KNOCK, BUILD A DOOR." Milton Berle I have been talking a lot about the rural economy and how it is up to our rural towns and counties to look outside the box and create opportunities for themselves. So here is a challenge that I am...
"SOMETIMES ONE HAS TO TAKE ON RESPONSIBILITIES THAT WEREN'T THOSE ONE IMAGINED." Carlos Puigdemont Do you own land? Is there an old homestead on it? Are you aware of any old abandoned wells on it? There is a serious responsibility that you have if you do. You must...
"SOMETIMES BIG PROBLEMS ARE BEST SOLVED WITH LOTS OF SMALL AND CREATIVE SOLUTIONS." Ricardo Salinas Pliego Do you really care about the loss of population and opportunities in your rural communities? Are you better at setting and bemoaning the drain of people and resources than seeking answers to...
"THE SUPREME ART OF WAR IS TO SUBDUE THE ENEMY WITHOUT FIGHTING." Sun Tzu There had been talk about the failing of the rural areas and how a purely scholastic point of view is for the failing rural areas to shut down and everyone move to the...
"IF YOU KNOW THE ENEMY AND KNOW YOURSELF YOU NEED NOT FEAR THE RESULTS OF A HUNDRED BATTLES." Sun Tzu Well the time of year has arrived once again and it is the most dangerous time we know. The Legislature is back in session. There have been meetings...