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EVANSVILLE Hope springs eternal for local Libertarians, who are saddling up to try again to elect a mayor of Evansville this year despite less-than-promising results last time.

Michael Daugherty, a 43-year-old horse farm owner, believes he can penetrate the voting public's hard-wired affinity for Republicans and Democrats with electric debate performances, tireless door-to-door campaigning and an anti-crime message that resonates.

"I feel that if I get a platform and I can actually debate the other candidates after their primaries, I feel that would be where I would shine and what would set me apart," said Daugherty, owner of Mane Haven Equestrian Center in Evansville. "I clearly don't have the fundraising efforts as the Republicans and the Democrats. That will be the biggest hurdle, getting my message out and getting in front of people."

More:GOP has hot contest for Evansville mayor and not much else

The Libertarian Party nominated Daugherty by convention Sunday for this year's election to choose a successor to Mayor Lloyd Winnecke. In the fall election, he will face presumptive Democratic nominee Stephanie Terry and the winner of a Republican primary election pitting County CommissionerCheryl MusgraveagainstNatalie Rascher, senior talent acquisition advisor at Clifton Larson Allen.

Daugherty said he harbored political ambitions before the Evansville Water & Sewer Utilitysuccessfully sued his mother for some of her land for its Wansford Yard Lift Station project but he admitted he's still fired up over the idea that a government agency could have a "blanket authority to just condemn somebody's property."

Indiana law does allow utilities, among other governmental entities, to condemn a property needed for a public works project. Imogene Daugherty would not engage with the city because of concerns for wildlife and a belief the city could have picked a different route for the wastewater system. City officials said they would have preferred to have negotiated with her, having the property evaluated by third-party appraisers and reaching a fair value for the desired 30-foot easement.

Were he in a similar situation as mayor, Michael Daugherty said, he would ask the utility to search harder for "alternatives that are the least invasive to homeowners."

Daugherty's voting history in Indiana indicates he cast ballots in Republican primary elections in 2008, 2014, 2018 and 2022. He said he was a Republican until 2020, when Libertarian gubernatorial nominee Donald Rainwater's campaign captured his imagination and turned him into a party-switcher.

"I am very moderate, so I'm in the middle, so I pull both ways," Daugherty said. "I'd had (Libertarian) values for a long time, but I was not honestly aware of the Libertarian Party much in Indiana until Donald Rainwater pushed out."

As a Libertarian, Daugherty's baseline support for this year's mayoral election will have to be built upon if he aspires to win.

Libertarians fell so far short of electing a mayor in 2019 that their nominee, Bart Gadau, finished 10 percentage points behind independent candidate Steve Ary, who had needed a petition drive to appear on the ballot. Libertarians already have ballot access by virtue of receiving at least 2% of the vote in elections for Indiana secretary of state.

Winnecke rolled up nearly 81% of the vote in 2019, well ahead of both Ary and Gadau. Democrats did not nominate a candidate that year.

More:FOP puts support behind Cheryl Musgrave in Evansville mayoral race

Daugherty said he retired as owner of Abstract Technology Group LLC after 14 years in 2022. He said he is a state-licensed professional engineer. Having left Evansville for Purdue University in 1997, he returned from Tippecanoe County in 2020.

The next mayor must move decisively against a scourge of drugs and crime, Daugherty said.

"Moving back, my hometown was pretty much unrecognizable," he said. "When I was a kid, you rode bikes around and our parents didn't worry about us getting shot or robbed."

As mayor, Daugherty said, he would support police with "more education, more budgets, going through with a fine-tooth comb, working with the City Council to see where we can get either federal matching dollars or something to help the police force, whether it be technological advances or just finding ways to make our city safer."

More:Mayor seeks funds for one Republican candidate, says another would be 'terrible' for city

Gadau, the Libertarian Party's 2019 mayoral nominee and its longtime chairman, was a third-shift worker during that campaign. He said Daugherty has to do more campaigning than he was able to do.

"I wasn't able to attend very many functions, so just getting out there and going to every event that he possibly can and knock on every door he can," Gadau said.

Door-knocking? Daugherty is ready to knock on doors.

"I'm going to go door-to-door until I can't walk," he said with a chuckle.

Excerpt from:
Here's the man Libertarians are putting up for mayor of Evansville - Courier & Press

Georgia is a country at the intersection of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It was occupied by the Soviet Union in 1921 and remained part of it until 1991. Military service was mandatory in the USSR because the Soviet leadership didn't have any respect for individuals lives and used them as mere pawns.

This practice remained intact in contemporary Georgia until a libertarian party called Girchi established a "Christian, Evangelical, Protestant Church of GeorgiaBiblical Freedom" in 2017 to free people from being government slaves, as priests were legally allowed to avoid conscription.

Since its creation, the church has managed to free some 50,000 individuals from this form of modern slavery, but recently the government introduced a new law making it illegal to avoid conscription this way. Therefore, Girchi is now battling against the government to completely cancel the military draft and make the service fully voluntary by offering willing soldiers a decent salary, contrary to how it is nowadays when the government pays them less than $25 per month.

For all these years, the immoral practice of forcibly taking eighteen to twenty-seven year-old males and exploiting their labor for twelve months has been justified with patriotic slogans. However, patriotism is not just a word; it's an act of showing respect for those who voluntarily want to defend their country, because patriotism or any other virtue can only be moral if it's done voluntarily and not under the threat of force.

There's been research done on the topic of whether the size of an army is an important factor when it comes to winning the battle, but it turns out it's not the size of the army but other factors such as motivation, weaponry, and tactics that play the main role.

Therefore, concentrating only on soldier quantity without guaranteeing that the army is staffed with people who voluntarily chose this profession and are equipped with decent weaponry only highlights that the government places little value on individual lives, as unmotivated and inadequately armed soldiers are doomed to an undeserved death.

There have been cases when conscription was justified with false argumentation that it's a duty of every patriot to serve in the army. But this reasoning overlooks a simple fact that defense is a public service that's financed from the state budget, therefore it is in fact taxpayers who are charged with keeping the army well-fed and armed.

Thus, it is no more of a patriotic act to serve in the army than to be employed or run a business that pays taxes in order to actually keep the army financed and functioning. Especially nowadays, when modern armies are exclusively dependent on high-tech equipment and weaponry, it is foolish to hope merely on troop numbers rather than directing the funds towards a fully professional and well-armed voluntary army.

No army pressed into service is as effective as one that is staffed with people who have willingly accepted their occupation as a soldier, and it is in fact counterproductive to keep unmotivated people in the army, as its a waste of financial resources required for the training as well as dear lives when it comes to the actual battle.

In some cases, Girchi's church was criticized from a religious perspectivewith some arguing that it's a sinful act to help people avoid the conscription. However the Bible itself states the following in 1 Samuel 8:10:

"Samuel told all the words of the lord to the people who were asking him for a king. He said: This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots. Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers.

He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. Your male and female servants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his own use. He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, but the lord will not answer you in that day.

For anyone interested in learning more about the party feel free to follow the official Facebook page or join a private Facebook group for discussions.

View original post here:
How a Libertarian Church in Europe Is Fighting to Abolish the Draft | Ucha Goshadze - Foundation for Economic Education

The governor should be using his medical training and his whiteboard to inspire us all to be healthier.

I have a confession to make, which may come as an unwelcome surprise to my libertarian and conservative friends: I sincerely believeone of the functions of good governmentis to save people.

Now that Ive exploded the heads of approximately three out of 10 of my loyal readers, allow me to explain thatthe whole concept of social contract and human civilizationis to organize strength for the weak and help for those who are unable to help themselves by themselves.

In exchange for us agreeing to pay taxes and submitting to laws, the government looks out for us, so were not living like a prehistoric Booga Booga the Caveman whose entire responsibility for survival rests on him walking perimeter or hunting mammoths every day. Five thousand years of history reflects that civilization works best when it provides humans collective security against attack, agricultural stability/food supply predictability, and most importantly, sanitation and health care.

And when it comes to health care, government especially needs to set a positive example and leave the people a legacy for good. But let me tell you why I believe this.

My first exposure and acclimation to government was in my childhood. My father was a Medical Service Corps officer in the U.S. Air Force, so my health care was government health care for the first two decades of my life.

Not only that, but whenever I got in trouble at school, whenever I needed help someplace, or whenever I simply needed someone to show me support, my dad would show up for me, often dressed in his Class A uniform, and hed say to the adults that had authority over me, Im here for my son.

On one occasion when my dad couldnt attend my summer camp graduation ceremony, he sent all the junior officers from his HQ in Class B uniform to go on his behalf. When my school wondered why it looked like the graduation had awkwardly turned into some kind of national security special event, my dads executive officer replied, Were the Daniel de Gracia fan club.

Younger people today might scoffat 1980s action movieslike Rambo or Commando where the storyimplausibly always starts witha senior military officershowing up to go collect some civilian, but for me that was life as usual.

The point Im making with this humorous life story is that I learned at an early age that good government is supposed to show up when you need help, be attentive to negative developments and take action when necessary, and serve as an aspirational force in empowering people to be their best.

I learned about what good government can do because of my dad. Hawaii also knows what good government can do for peoplebecause of men like Prince Kuhio, and Gov. Josh Green, as a medical doctor, can really help the people in this same spirit of positive intervention.

So where do we start? Well, in Hawaii, Filipinos and Native Hawaiians in particular need urgent help from the government when it comes to their health. One thing we dont talk about is how both populationsare at greater risk for kidney diseasethan others, and chances are, many of the older Filipinos and Native Hawaiians in your circle are probablydependent on kidney dialysisservices.

Like so many other things in Hawaii that weve come to accept as routine, you probably grew up seeing aunties, uncles, parents, grandparents and others getting chronic kidney disease, heart disease, or diabetes as a progression of their aging. It just happens, right?

I got a shocking introduction to kidney problems after I got Covid last year, whenI found myself constantly sufferingfrom intense inflammation and painful, large swelling all over my body. In December, my labs showed that my estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), which isa measure of how well my kidneys were working, had dropped to a scary 86 mL/min/1.73m2. The average for a person my age should beat least 99 or higher.

I did the threat calculus in my head and began to wonder if Id be dying soon or need to be on dialysis. One of my cousins who got Covid lost a kidney, and I didnt want to be like him.

I dont subscribe to the now that youve got it, its downhill from here school of medical thought, so I researched it and found that kidney functionis impeded by high insulin levels. So, I had a theory: What if I naturally lowered my insulin production by intermittent fasting? Would that improve my kidneys?

Last week I got my most recent labs back, and three months later, my eGFR is now at 117. Ta-da! Not only that, my blood sugar, lipid profile, and many other key health markers are vastly improved. I also feel so much better and am almost pain-free in my body now. I thank God for this turnaround, but to be honest, I wish Id known earlier the science of kidney health to spare me some pain during the pandemic.

I was able to get better because I at least had some education to research alternatives. But what about those who dont? They need someone to show up for them.

Now what if Dr. Josh Green, that is, Gov. Green, were to put a special emphasis on educating the public many of whom are Filipinos like myself, or Native Hawaiians on how to prevent kidney damage, early? What if Green could use his medical background to set a positive example and educational initiative so that we have a healthy revolution in Hawaii?

What if Green were to show up to high schools and talk to people about how to eat healthy and live healthy, before they get sick as adults? What if Green were to use his daily whiteboard updates to give tips on kidney health, liver health and heart health, among others? Imagine if Green were to inject his medical and government presence in a big way into ordinary Hawaii life so that he sets an example for all of us to learn from and be inspired by.

Why am I saying this? Because we all need a hero in our lives, and Green, who Im sure is looking for a win and a legacy to be praised for, can start by helping Hawaii residents get healthier.

Want an easy win for good government in Hawaii? Our doctor-in-chief and governor can start by giving all of us a hero for health.

Civil Beats community health coverage is supported by the Atherton Family Foundation, Swayne Family Fund of Hawaii Community Foundation, the Cooke Foundation and Papa Ola Lokahi.

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Danny De Gracia: Dr.-Gov. Josh Green Should Be A Health Care Hero - Honolulu Civil Beat

Residents of Virginias 9th Senate District anchored in Richmond and eastern Henrico County will head to the polls Tuesday to vote for their new state senator. The election follows now-Rep. Jennifer McClellans election to Congress in February.

Republican Stephen Imholt a former government consultant who co-chaired the finance committee for the school board in Rockford, Illinois and Democratic Del. Lamont Bagby are running. Bagby has been a member of the House of Delegates since he was elected in a 2015 special election. Imholt lost an election for the state House as an independent against McClellan in 2015.

Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.

Voters are asked to bring an approved form of identification to their assigned polling place which can be checked online but may also sign a statement confirming their identity in order to vote. If a voter does not bring ID and is unwilling to sign such a statement, they may also cast a provisional ballot.

Anyone who is qualified to register to vote may do so Tuesday at their assigned polling place. Those who utilize same-day voter registration will cast provisional ballots.

Bagby is considered to be a heavy favorite in the Democratic-leaning district. McClellan most recently won reelection in 2019 over Libertarian Party candidate Mark Lewis by about 60% of the vote.

The person elected will serve out the remainder of McClellans term, which ends in January. Virginia's 9th Senate District for this election includes all of Charles City County, parts of Richmond City and portions of Henrico and Hanover counties.

A general election will be held using redrawn boundaries that include more of Richmond in November, along with all 139 other seats in the General Assembly.

See more here:
How to vote in Tuesday's special election in Richmond, Henrico ... - VPM News

The hit HBO show Succession is back for its final season. For us viewers, it means Sunday nights just got a lot more entertaining and, I must say, given the plot of the show disturbing.

If you haven't seen the show, it centers on the Roys, a dysfunctional family of billionaires jockeying for the reins of their aging father's multinational media and entertainment conglomerate, Waystar RoyCo. The Roys are a seriously messed up family. They're ruthless and callous and, despite their incompetence, they possess a Machiavellian penchant for double-crossing each other. Their family gatherings are awkward, to say the least.

At Planet Money, we view the world through the lens of economics. And so, for us, Succession isn't merely a riveting dramedy. It offers an inside look at the bizarre dynamics of a family business that eschews meritocracy and scientific management in favor of nepotism and toxic family politicking.

Our economy is populated by countless family businesses, and most, of course, aren't as spectacularly flawed as Waystar Royco. The economists Beln Villalonga and Raphael Amit write that the field typically defines "a family firm" as any company that is "under the control or significant influence of an individual shareholder (typically the founder) and/or his or her family." Some of the biggest companies in the world meet that definition, including Walmart, which is controlled by the Walton Family; Samsung; Volkswagen; Berkshire Hathaway; Koch Industries; Ford Motor Company; and, of course, what is perhaps the inspiration for Succession: News Corp, which is largely controlled by Rupert Murdoch and his progeny.

In fact, more than half of the world's companies, both privately owned and publicly listed, are family firms, according to Villalonga and Amit. The Wharton Global Family Alliance, a research center at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, estimates that around 35 percent of the Fortune 500 largest companies in the United States are family controlled. Family firms, the research center estimates, account for a whopping 64 percent of our nation's GDP.

So, yeah, family firms are pretty much everywhere. And a central problem they face is what to do after their founding patriarch or matriarch steps down. Researchers have said that "Succession is the ultimate test of a family business." That, of course, is the central test that faces ailing Logan Roy, the family patriarch who built Waystar Royco, in Succession.

In the real world, the heirs of a family firm have three basic options after their founding patriarch or matriarch steps down: they can sell the company and get rich quick.

They can keep ownership, but perhaps acknowledge their own limitations and outsource management to skilled outsiders.

Or they can chart an alternative path choosing to let nepo babies run the show. But the research on this nepotistic route isn't pretty. It suggests that keeping company management in the family as some of the Roys hope to do in Succession risks destroying the entire enterprise.

For a long time, economists have been perplexed as to why seemingly similar looking companies can vary so widely in their productivity. For example, economist Chad Syverson crunched data on 200,000 manufacturing plants in the United States, and he found that employees working at the top 10 percent of plants were four times more productive than those working in the bottom 10 percent. This gap is puzzling because one would think that the least productive companies would learn from the successes of the most productive companies. In a Darwinian capitalist economy, this gap should drastically shrink, at least theoretically.

[Editor's note: This is an excerpt of Planet Money's newsletter. You can sign up here.]

The Stanford economist Nicholas Bloom has come to view company management as the key to explaining persistent differences in productivity. Some years back, Bloom and John Van Reenen, of MIT, surveyed more than 10,000 manufacturing firms across the United States and Europe. They found that management practices were crucial to explaining company success or failure. And a really important determinant of good or bad management: whether nepo babies had hopped into the driver's seat.

"We find that firms that hand down management within the family have worse management practices, particularly those that hand it down to the oldest son," Bloom says. "They were managed extremely poorly and often ended up bankrupted by poor management practices."

Bloom says the typical story goes something like this: Someone founds a company and builds it up over 40 years or so. He or she "then hands it to their oldest son, only for them to slowly wither the company for the next 20 years." Just think about why that can be so dumb, Bloom suggests, paraphrasing something he once heard. "'If you wanted to win the 2040 World Cup, you would not pick the oldest sons and daughters of the 2020 team.'"

Of course, if you're a viewer of Succession, you're familiar with the fact that Logan Roy, the family patriarch, has no intention of handing the reins to the first of his line. His oldest son, Connor Roy, isn't really interested. He's more drawn quite unrealistically to a grandiose career in libertarian politics. It's his second oldest son, the drug-addled Kendall Roy; his daughter, the politically savvy Siobhan Roy; and his perverted youngest son, Roman Roy, who grasp the most for their father's throne.

For the last five years, we've been perched on the edge of our seats, trying to guess which of this trio of amoral backstabbing jerks will get the keys to their father's kingdom. Meanwhile, the wily old devil Logan has taken great delight in teasing us, pitting his offspring against each other in a kind of ornately gilded cage-fight.

From time to time, Logan has even made us and them think that, after all their trials and tribulations, none of the Roy kids will ultimately get to wear the crown. Judging by the economic research on family firms and the quality of the candidates in this particular contest that may well be the wisest decision he could make.

More:
Why Nepo Babies Are Bad For Business (Sorry, 'Succession') - NPR