Do you want to overthrow the government? Or maybe you think things are going just fine. Either way, Tuesday’s primary election is the time to take a stand. Midterm elections generally attract a low voter turnout. Primary election turnout is historically even lower. Voting is always the most important action of civic engagement, but because of a unique set of
New ruling opens courtroom doors just slightly to cameras
An open-government debate that has gone mostly unnoticed for the past 30 years cleared another milestone in early July. The Minnesota Supreme Court filed an order permanently opening up Minnesota’s criminal courts to cameras. The decision comes after a 2-1/2-year pilot program on camera access to criminal proceedings. The permanent rules take effect Sept. 1. The U.S. Supreme Court held
Voters do have a choice in future Supreme Court cases
The debate about how Justice Anthony Kennedy’s Supreme Court seat should be filled and how an expected “conservative” justice might rule on past issues misses the point. Voters don’t get to decide who Donald Trump nominates or who the Senate approves. But voters do have a voice. Many issues that reach the high court end up there because of a
Transparency questionable in recent council decisions
Let us be perfectly clear. In no way is this meant to tarnish what we’re sure is an impeccable reputation nor is this meant to cast aspersion regarding the capabilities of Dwight Pfannenstein as St. Joseph police chief. That being said, we do seriously question the motives behind two recent decisions by the St. Joseph City Council. Newly christened council
Ripping kids from parents not a fix for immigration
Good news, bad news . . . The good news is so many Americans are speaking up to express their sadness and outrage about what has been happening at the Texas-Mexico border. The vicious forced separation of children and parents seeking asylum was – and is – a cruel tactic that puts a dark stain on this great country, almost
Don’t let the fall election be all about Trump
Two names you probably haven’t heard until recently, if at all, should set the agenda of issues for the midterm elections. While the elected leaders of the Democratic and Republican parties frequently frame the choice as a referendum on Donald Trump, there are urgent issues that need action and that will shape the United States long after Trump is gone.
Ask candidates if they are ready for compromise
Which political environment produces results? Some people argue that divided government – one party controlling the executive branch and the opposition controlling the legislative – works because the opposing parties serve as a check on the extreme stands of the other and the result is a middle-ground compromise. The alternative viewpoint – one party controls both the executive and legislative
Are today’s graduates ready to lead?
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” High school students graduating this month may have read Charles Dickens’ words from “A Tale of Two Cities” in a literature class. Now the words may have more meaning. Graduation marks the transition to adulthood. Recent graduates will attend college, enter the workplace or join the military –