Evaluating Michigan: Right-to-work legislation offers a glimmer of hope

It can generally be accepted the fall of 2012 wasn’t a particularly good one for conservatives or our cause. But, as generally happens, there exist here and there glimmers of contrarian resistance. One of these glimmers occurred in Michigan, whose governor signed right-to-work legislation allowing workers the right to associate with whomever they wish. There […]

Latest data reflects little change in an underperforming recovery

A major election is behind us. Yet, little has really changed, and that includes the state of our economy. We’ve been stuck in a grossly underperforming economic recovery after a long, deep recession. Unfortunately, there’s little in the data to tell us that things are changing in any substantive way for the positive. In fact, […]

U.S. prospects stuck between a fiscal cliff and a hard place

In the course of perusing the “fiscal cliff” rhetoric dominating the political world recently, I came across a story about deliberations over the Times magazine “Person of the Year.” While meditating on the issues surrounding the fiscal cliff, it occurred to me the perfect nominee for the Times cover is Julia — the haplessly dependent […]

Opinion on the Economy

Those weary of reading gloomy news as a stubbornly slow economy grinds along can take heart as such words as “recovery” and “rebound” start appearing in headlines. By many accounts, the economic news is improving, if not markedly so. The latest economic outlook report from the University of Colorado is especially upbeat in forecasting business […]

Business people can still count their blessings

In the spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday and in recognition of the importance of an attitude of gratitude, here are some things for which Grand Valley business owners and managers can be thankful this year: The onset of the holiday shopping season. While no retailer longs for the long hours and hard work that comes […]

Despite election defeat, conservative ideas more crucial than ever

OK, enough already. The battle is over, and, yes, the good guys lost. Since then, everyone with a word processor or access to a microphone has joined in the autopsy. On the right, many are looking for a smoking gun, the one thing that spelled final defeat for Mitt Romney — it was changing demographics, […]

Agriculture plays growing role in Colorado export sales

When thinking about the goods or services Colorado exports to other countries, agricultural products might not be the first thing that crosses your mind. Think again.  Agricultural exports have become increasingly important to our state’s economy, with high-quality, locally grown products sold from our farmers and ranchers to worldwide markets that are rich with opportunity. […]

Federal spending puts U.S. on path to economic oblivion

The federal government closed its books on the 2012 budget year at the end of September. The bottom line results provided another powerful reminder of just how out of control the federal budget remains — more specifically, how out of control spending is. In its latest monthly budget review, the Congressional Budget Office reported that […]