“When is it ethical to ask for pay for work not done, done poorly, and work not authorized?” That was a recent question sent to me by a reader.  Here are the specifics behind the question: “We are out-of-state homeowners that have hired teenagers on two occasions for shoveling snow and mowing. “In each case, the teenager did the work...

There’s been a lot of talk in the news lately about Joe the plumber. His name is Joe Wurzelbacher, and last week he stopped Senator Obama to complain about taxes.  Apparently, he doesn’t seem to care much for Mr. Obama’s tax plan.  Needless to say, this worked in favor of Senator McCain. In fact, both candidates mentioned Joe the plumber...

“The contractors are making a killing.  The lobbyists are getting their fees… Everybody is making money here — except us.” So said Army Space and Missile Defense engineer Michael Cantrell when speaking about his kickback scheme from vendors who do business with the government. The New York Times reported (Oct. 12) that Cantrell “…along with his deputy, Doug Ennis, had...

For those of you tuning in late to Florida politics: Republican Congressman Mark Foley resigned in 2006 after reports that he sent sexually explicit e-mails to former male congressional pages. Now, word comes that Democratic Congressman Tim Mahoney, the man elected to replace Foley, has, himself, been involved in a sexual liaison with a staffer.  Moreover, the Washington Post reported that Mahoney...

Earlier this month, Chicago Sheriff Tom Dart “…announced his office will quit carrying out evictions from mortgage foreclosures,” the Chicago Sun-Times reported, “until lenders start providing proof they have taken the necessary steps to identify who is living at an address and that those facing eviction have received proper legal notice.” In his own words, Dart defended his actions. “As...

Dear Hank: I know you and your staff at Treasury are busy managing the $700 billion bailout of the financial sector, but when you have a chance could you, or someone in your office, take a closer look at what they’re doing at A.I.G.? A.I.G., they’re the ones that we gave the $85 billion bailout “loan” to not long ago...

One of the pleasureable aspects of being a writer is meeting and speaking with many interesting people; people with their own stories of principle. Two examples are Sam Broadnax and Art Harmon.  Both were part of the elite fighter pilot group known as the Tuskegee Airmen.  And both have a clear understanding of what they stand for. Sam Broadnax has had...

I met Paul Newman when he called one afternoon to congratulate me about the release of my book, The Lone Ranger’s Code of the West. He was quick to point out, though, that he did not make salad dressing nor had he worked with Robert Redford. “My name,” he stressed, “is Paul S. Newman.” Newman was a comic-book writer so prolific that he was listed...

I have serious doubts about Sarah Palin’s ability to serve as vice-president. Here’s Palin’s response to CBS News anchor Katie Couric’s question regarding Palin’s foreign-policy experience. Palin: “It’s very important when you consider even national security issues with Russia. As Putin rears his head and comes into the air space of the United States of America, where do they go?...

In explaining the importance of a $700 Billion dollar plan to shore up the economy, Secretary of the Treasury Henry Paulson said in an interview that, in affect …the American people don’t understand this. Mr. Paulson is a finance guy, not an education guy. Moments before the House was due to vote on a very complex and highly contentious bill,...