Category Archives: Government size

Kip Complainer

Posted on April 29, 2012 by Jim Wheeler

Currently making the rounds of the TV networks is one Kip Hawley, former TSA Administrator from 2005 until January, 2009. He’s pushing his short new co-written book that complains about (what else?) the TSA. In a recent op-ed for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Federal Government, Government size, Government waste | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

Creep

Posted on February 5, 2012 by Jim Wheeler

As a retired military officer I note with both interest and alarm that our armed forces are becoming ever more top-heavy and expensive. A USA Today front-page article says that pension benefits are now so lavish that some of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Armed Forces, Government size, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Financial Reputations

Posted on April 10, 2011 by Jim Wheeler

Americas have a continuing love/hate relationship with government.  On the one hand we hate to be told what to do, but on the other we like to have someone in a neutral corner to arbitrate disputes in the interest of … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Government size, Personal Finance, Privacy | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Budget Geometry

Posted on March 12, 2011 by Jim Wheeler

As old Senator Everett Dirkson once famously and sarcastically said, “A billion here, a billion there, and first thing you know, you’re talking real money!” In these times of budgetary crisis, I wondered if there’s a better way for us … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiscal Policy, Government size, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Gas Prices Bad For The Economy!

Posted on March 9, 2011 by Jim Wheeler

Headlines seem to be a bit like movie titles.  I understand there is no prohibition or law against using a movie title that has been used before, and I think book titles are the same.  Similarly, headlines are apparently made … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Government size, Journalism, Personal Finance | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

An Economic Conversation

Posted on January 21, 2011 by Jim Wheeler

Having been inspired by my recent trip into the past in the time machine left to me by my distant ancestor, Dr. Wells, I recently resolved to test its functions for traveling into the Floyd’s house was a modest, well, … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Federal Government, Fiscal Policy, Government size, Government waste, Humor, Medicare | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Inspector Clouseau, We Need You!

Posted on December 18, 2010 by Jim Wheeler

For those of you who may have missed the ABC News item the other day on airport security, here is an interesting item that should be a 5-alarm wakeup call for the Department of Homeland Security.  You can’t make this … Continue reading →

Posted in Government size, Government waste, Terrorism | 14 Comments

The Naked Truth

Posted on November 21, 2010 by Jim Wheeler

In Saturday’s Joplin Globe (11/20/10) columnist Jay Ambrose says he has a problem with how the U.S. is handling anti-terrorism security, and I agree with him.  He sensibly points out that the new screening methods for airline passengers are controversial … Continue reading →

Posted in Federal Government, Government size, Government waste, Terrorism | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

American Dream, Dismal Science

Posted on September 4, 2010 by Jim Wheeler

Economics is sometimes called “The Dismal Science”, and for good reason.  One president, Harry S Truman, kept getting evasive and contradictory advice from an economist who kept offering alternatives with his advice.  After almost every assertion the professor would then … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Federal Government, Fiscal Policy, Foreign Policy / War, Government size, Government waste, Health, Medicine, War | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

When Government Shines

Posted on August 31, 2010 by Jim Wheeler

“Time To Get Your Flu Shot”, a news item, caught my eye on the internet today.  Huh?  Seems too early, but I have noticed drug-store signs about vaccinations around town lately.  The AP item explains that the vaccine is stronger … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics / Morality, Government size, Health, Medicine, Science / Engineering | Leave a comment