Although Uncle Sam wants you to be a census taker, but not a lot of people want to take Uncle Sam up on his offer. The census needs about 45,000 people to be census takers in Indiana, but they are having the hardest time finding anyone.
For example, a good friend was in one of the area malls recently and saw two people taking applications for census work, but no one was taking them up on their offer. Another friend told me the story of a woman who had not one, but two interviews with the census and canceled both of them.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think becoming a census worker is all that difficult. You take a test, bring your paperwork and call it a day. There’s even a practice test on the Internet so you can sharpen your skills before you go in and take the exam. The pay is $12-$15 an hour. You won’t get rich, but you won’t starve either.
With unemployment around 10%, you would think people would be clamoring to get a decent job, albeit only temporary. This has me reaching one of two conclusions. First, the economy is not as bad as everyone thinks it is. Second, maybe a good number of the people who are out of work shouldn’t have been in the workforce in the first place.
By the way, if you know somebody who could use a census job, they should call the U.S. Census at 1-866-861-2010 or log on to the website for the U.S. Census .
Libertarian City-County Council member Ed Coleman has introduced an ordinance that would allow guns to be brought into city parks and playgrounds. Proposal 39 would allow anyone who is licensed to carry a gun to bring the weapon into any of the city’s more than 200 parks as well as the Monon Trail. Coleman and his fellow Libertarians say citizens have a right to protect themselves. Critics say more guns will lead to increased risks to the public.
While I believe you have the right to own a gun to hunt, for sport or to protect your family, like everything else in this world no rights are absolute and we put reasonable restrictions on lots of things. I have free speech, but I can’t libel or slander someone. I have freedom of religion, but I can’t engage in human sacrifice. I can’t bring a gun into a school, a courthouse or a federal building and I don’t see how someone’s second amendment rights are being infringed for the few minutes they can’t bring a gun to a city parks and playgrounds.
And if you’re going to tell me that you need your gun for protection while jogging at 2 a.m. on the Monon Trail, then answer me this? What are you going to do when mugger hits you from behind?
I believe most gun owners are responsible people and I believe you have the right to own a gun, but you don’t have the right to take it everywhere you go.
Here are a few political items to start you day off right…
4th and Rokita?
I’m hearing from reliable sources, again, that Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita is very likely to run for the Republican nomination for the 4th Congressional District. Steve Buyer announced Friday he was not seeking another term because of his wife’s health. Rokita has about $300,000 in cash on hand and very good relations with a lot of the county clerks in the area which will be crucial to any campaign. I’m also hearing State Senator Brandt Hershman is also likely to give it a try as well.
5th District Finances
The money reports are starting to come in for the 5th Congressional District. Incumbent Dan Burton raised more than $145,000 in the last quarter and has about $460,000 in cash on hand. Challenger Mike Murphy reportedly raised about $30,000 this quarter and had about $173,000 on hand. I’m told Brose McVey raised about $31,000 and had $62,000 in cash on hand. John McGoff raised about $30,000 and has about $77,000 on hand. Luke Messer raised about $106,000 this quarter and has about $285,000 in the bank. And if you’re keeping count, the challengers raised about $197,000 to Burton’s $145,000.
In Case You Wondering
Anyone looking to challenge Evan Bayh better start raising some mad cash real quick. His latest campaign filings show he raised more than $300,000 in the last quarter and has about $13 million in cash on hand.
There are some more items I’m working on today so check back this afternoon for an update.
You have to admit that as far as politics go, last week was a giant roller coaster here in Indiana. Let’s recap.
Mike Pence is out as a possible to challenger to Democrat Evan Bayh for the U.S. Senate. Secretary of State Todd Rokita might get in the race or he might get in the race for the 6th Congressional District now that Steve Buyer is getting out.
Buyer told reporters Friday he was getting out because of his wife’s health, but there’s speculation the federal government might be getting in to investigating his Frontier Foundation charity and that was the real reason he was getting out.
Meanwhile the four candidates for the U.S. Senate are staying in for now, but a couple may be getting out next month because they failed to gather enough signatures to get on the ballot.
We’ll also have a better idea this week of who’s staying in the 5th Congressional District race; campaign finance reports are due in tonight.
Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi is out of sorts because of a news story that insinuated that he petitioned the court for an early release of a woman accused of murder because of campaign contributions by her father. The money is back in the hands of the original donor.
Former Democratic State Representative David Orentlicher is out of the race for Marion County Prosecutor, and Mark Massa, former prosecutor and Governor Mitch Daniels chief counsel may be getting in. He would replace Helen Marchal who got out this week.
Legislation that would change Indiana’s alcohol laws and require reimbursement for wholesalers who lose their supplier contracts to another company isn’t getting out of the House and although it’s still pending in the Senate, it’s odds don’t look to great getting out of there either.
An Indiana House panel wants to make sure sure kids in failing school districts can’t get out by forcing charter schools to petition parents and get 51% of the vote before they can set up shop in a school district.
And speaking of schools, IPS Superintendent Dr. Eugene White demonstrated he is out of his mind by accepting a pay raise while the parents of the school children in his district are just barely getting by.
More controversial remarks have surfaced regarding marginal U.S. Senate candidate Richard Behney. In the Spring of last year Behney expressed his outrage with the national Tea Party movement and his letter was published at DailyPaul.com.
Behney objected to the idea of Tea Party members bringing canned goods to local rallies as a way to generate positive media attention. Instead Behney suggested the following…
Now, if we want media attention, let’s take a lesson from the original Tea Partiers. The original men dressed up like Native Indians not to disguise their identities…everyone knew who they were. They dressed up like Indians to emphasize the “radical” point that they (Americans) were NOT going to be treated like “heathens” any longer by the English crown (government). You desire media attention? Titillate the main stream media by leaking that our Tea Parties are going to have an “anti-slavery” message…cameras WILL show up. Picture men, womEn, and children in chains (black face?) with banners and signs declaring “WE WILL NOT BE ENSLAVED BY THIS GOVERNMENT!” – “LET THE AMERICAN PEOPLE GO!” – “FREE US FROM THE WHIPS OF PELOSI AND REID!”
Now to be fair to Mr. Behney, he made the remarks before he was a declared candidate for the U.S. Senate. But think about this, a predominately white crowd showing up in blackface, dressed as slaves, as a way to protest the policies of the first African-American President. Mr. Behney is right, they would have definitely gotten some media attention with that idea.
My very reliable Republican source are telling me that 4th District Congressman Steve Buyer is announcing this morning that he is not running for re-election. There’s been no official confirmation from Buyer’s campaign.
Buyer, a gulf war veteran, was elected in 1992.
Buyer ran into controversy over his Frontier Foundation which was set up to issue scholarships, but instead spent money on golf outings for donors.
A watchdog group has filed a complaint asking the federal government for an investigation of the charity.
It’s nice to be back after a day trip to the Land of Lincoln. I had a few things waiting for me upon my return so I figured I’d share them with you.
Early Retirement?
There is talk this morning that an Indiana Congressman is going to announce his retirement today. There’s no word on exactly who it is, however 4th District Congressman Steve Buyer does have an announcement this morning at IU hospital in Indianapolis.
Bar Wars V
Legislation in the House that would have changed the way alcohol is sold and distributed in Indiana all but died on the vine yesterday. House Speaker Pat Bauer did not call down a bill for second reading which would have forced alcohol wholesalers to reimburse another wholesaler who lost its supplier contract to that wholesaler. Supporters say the bill was necessary to protect Hoosier jobs and wholesalers from predatory practices. Opponents said the bill was a bailout for National Wine and Spirits and would have created a virtual monopoly for National and resulted in higher prices. Sources say the Speaker was annoyed how the issue had gotten out of control and wanted to make it go away. However, the legislation could still come back in the form of an amendment to another bill.
Yes, Massa
My very reliable sources are telling me that Marion County Democrats are scared to death of Mark Massa, the General Counsel for Governor Mitch Daniels, running for County Prosecutor. Incumbent Carl Brizzi is not seeking a third term and Helen Marchal dropped out of the race. What worries Democrats is that Massa would have access to the Daniels political operation. In 2008 , Barack Obama got nearly 100,000 more votes than John McCain in Marion County, however Mitch Daniels received about 50,000 more voters than Jill Long Thompson.
It never fails, the day I have to go back to Illinois and practice law is the day anything and everything breaks lose. Let’s do a quick run down…
Pence off the Fence
6th District Congressman Mike Pence has decided to make my political pundit life a lot less interesting by deciding not to run for the U.S. Senate against Evan Bayh. He cited making Republicans the majority in the House of Representatives as one of his priorities. I also think it was the fact he would have had to gather thousands of signatures and have them certified in about three weeks also played a role. Anyone who has ever had to gather signatures for a statewide race knows it is nowhere as easy as it sounds.
Marchal Marches On
Republican Helen Marchal is getting out of the race for Marion County Prosecutor. In an e-mail to GOP supporters Marchal said “I was faced with a major decision impacting myself and my family (including my three children, under the age of 7), with a deadline of less than 48 hours. On further reflection and consideration of the sobering realities of a condensed, nine-month campaign, for personal reasons, I thought it best to withdraw my candidacy.”
I have no reason to doubt Marchal’s motives, however I’m also hearing Democrats were going to go after her husband who is active in Democratic politics had she stayed in the race. GOP Chairman Tom John says a committee will be put together to seek a new candidate and it will be headed by former prosecutor Scott Newman. I wonder if any of the conspiracy theorists will throw their hats in the ring and run for the job and finally put their money where their mouths frequently are.
Bar Wars IV
Indiana lawmakers meet today to discuss legislation that would change the way alcohol is sold and distributed in the state. Part of the bill mandates any wholesaler who gets a contract from a supplier must reimburse the previous wholesaler for any lost business. I spoke with some supporters of the bill and they say it is not about protectionism but equity. They argue that large wholesalers can manipulate competition in Indiana and engage in predatory practices so the legislation is needed to level the playing field. They also argue the plan will result in loss jobs and fewer taxes being collected. The House will hear the bill at 8:30 this morning. The Senate will hear a similar bill this afternoon.
I’m off the Land of Lincoln. Talk to you tomorrow.
