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Thank you for having property rights

As we gathered for Thanksgiving, it’s easy to take abundance for granted. Leftovers were practically guaranteed. It wasn’t always this way. For most of history, there were no Thanksgiving feasts. Hunger, if not starvation, was the norm. Today, supermarkets are stocked with exotic foods from all over the world. Most of it is more affordable than ever. Even after President Joe Biden’s 8 percent inflation, Americans spend less than 12% of our income on food, half of what they spent 100 years ago. Why? Because free markets happened. Capitalism happened. When there is rule of law ...

Don’t allow your fear to paralyze you

Chapman University released its 10th consecutive study on fear in America toward the end of October, and the findings this year point to heightened anxiety and worry within the country. With 1,008 participants surveyed, Chapman researchers questioned them “about more than 90 fears and related behaviors.” The top five responses were corrupt government officials, loved ones becoming seriously ill, cyberterrorism, loved ones dying, and Russia deploying nuclear weapons. Fear of not being financially secure for the future, our country becoming involved in another world war, and terrorism ...

Addressing issue of blight also addresses concern for crime

The impact of “blight” — or deteriorated residences and properties on neighborhoods and communities — is an issue with which we have long suggested both voters and elected officials should concern themselves. We have noted that blight infringes on the property values of neighbors, undermining their incentive to fully invest in their homes and businesses. We’ve expressed worries that this facet of blight in turn makes it much more challenging for communities to attract more investment — employers to bring the jobs and developers to build the housing that our families need ...

Exploring our fascination with rockets

At his Madison Square Garden event a week before the election, Donald Trump went on an extended riff about the famous “chopstick” maneuver of Elon Musk’s Space X. In describing his slack-jawed amazement at watching the feat – the first stage of a Starship rocket returning to the launch tower upon coming back to Earth – Trump spoke for all us. The various videos of the operation that witnesses have posted online never get old. It’s not just the technical achievement – the joyous awe of spectators is itself wonderful to behold. The other day, President-elect Trump ...

Family-run businesses that make Thanksgiving possible

Tom McIlwain is sitting just outside the double doors leading to the country store at Pounds Farm, shaking off the chill and warming up with a cup of hot coffee. The 91-year-old has just finished herding the last batch of live turkeys, gathering them onto a large trailer to go to the processing center for this year’s Thanksgiving season. The Apollo native calculates he’s been chasing some kind of farm animal for most of his life. Despite retiring 15 years ago, he is still herding turkey, saying he is proud his efforts are an integral part of putting the main dish on family tables ...

Insurance plans require very careful thought

Medicare Advantage plans have been a godsend to millions of Americans who have placed full trust in what they have to offer — at a price they feel they can afford. Some have very enticing offerings, such as vision and dental care and caps on copays and other out-of-pocket charges, that help the plans seem superior to traditional Medicare, although some seniors no longer would — or are healthy enough to — make use of some of the offerings available under their plans. Again, Medicare Advantage plans have proven to be a godsend, but a wrinkle has evolved — a wrinkle that is ...