http://www.kentucky.com/349/index.xml News, sports, and entertainment from Kentucky.com en-us Copyright 2008 Kentucky.com Opinion 60 Sat, 17 May 2008 04:19:12 EDT http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss McClatchy Interactive's Workbench webmaster@kentucky.com http://www.kentucky.com/595/story/407572.html http://www.kentucky.com/595/story/407572.html Sat, 17 May 2008 02:04 EDT
Greg Fischer was truly impressive as he addressed a small group May 8. No candidate on any level in this election has given more cogent answers to the tough questions on local and global levels.

He is thoughtful and supremely well informed on all issues. He didn't duck, evade or try to change the subject, no matter how pointed and difficult the questions.

Fischer is a refreshing candidate, and he will give Kentucky a sorely needed fresh face in the U.S. Senate.

Len Press

Lexington ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/589/story/406532.html http://www.kentucky.com/589/story/406532.html Fri, 16 May 2008 02:05 EDT
I am the only candidate who has managed a government entity and has done so successfully as county judge-executive and mayor for 10 years, bringing millions of dollars to the community.

I am the only candidate who has managed large corporations as CEO and administrator in the health care industry for 15 years managing the health issues of thousands of patients, managing hundreds of employees, directing multimillion dollar budgets and negotiated health insurance contracts for my employees.

I am a socially and fiscally conservative candidate. I am not a tax-and-spend candidate, but the state legislature must look for acceptable ways of funding state government. The process should be more proactive, as opposed to reactive.

As to casino gambling, the issue was rushed and not studied enough. Most voters I talk with want to see specific line-item expenditures before deciding how to vote on the issue.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/589/story/405397.html http://www.kentucky.com/589/story/405397.html Thu, 15 May 2008 02:04 EDT
It is shocking that he does not care about the will of the people, but the truth is that he does not have to care. This is a representative democracy, and the people have no say except on Election Day.

The problem is that for the last 200 years, we have been hoodwinked under the soft tyranny of representative democracy, and very few of us consider whether there is an alternative.

There is: participatory democracy.

Most Americans think "participatory democracy" means getting involved in politics, writing to elected officials or running for office. But participating actively in representative democracy does not make that form of government less limited.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/406525.html http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/406525.html Fri, 16 May 2008 02:05 EDT
So, before Kentuckians go to the polls Tuesday in one of the last primaries, let's just pause to savor this moment in history: For the first time in 232 years of nationhood, an African-American or a woman will lead a presidential ticket.

That alone makes this election a hopeful turning point.

The opportunity for national renewal will be even greater if, as appears almost certain, Sen. Barack Obama is the nominee.

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton has waged a tough campaign. Her experience and mastery of the challenges facing the next president are impressive. So is her ability to connect with voters. She has emerged as a political force in her own right, outside the orbit of her husband, former President Bill Clinton.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/405377.html http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/405377.html Thu, 15 May 2008 02:04 EDT
So it is refreshing, although alarming, that the consultants who produced a mammoth review of Lexington's city government were crystal clear on one topic.

The way we handle engineering plans for new development is "unique," they said last week in a meeting with the Urban County Council.

It's uniquely bad.

In simplest terms: We've outsourced oversight of those plans to the developers themselves.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/592/story/398727.html http://www.kentucky.com/592/story/398727.html Thu, 08 May 2008 02:03 EDT
In a Tuesday e-mail copied to other leadership members, Majority Whip Rob Wilkey rather scathingly criticized the way the chamber's Democratic leaders handled this year's General Assembly session, accused them of failing to support Gov. Steve Beshear and announced his intention to leave the legislature at the end of the year.

Referring to the obvious rift in House leadership that proved problematic during this year's General Assembly session, Wilkey wrote, "I thought we didn't serve anyone very well ... I also thought there was a conscious effort to embarrass this governor during this session. It worked. He could have done a better job of building a relationship with the House, but I also feel he was misled into believing that we would work with him. We didn't."

In an interview Wednesday, Wilkey said his decision to leave the House was made easier by this year's leadership conflicts but was not caused by them. He said his decision was based on the "continuing challenges" of trying to balance his legislative duties with the needs of his family (particularly "my daughter and son who need me") and his regular job.

His employer, Commonwealth Brands Inc., a subsidiary of Imperial Tobacco Limited, did not ask him to quit the House, Wilkey said. But he added that his position as a company officer and senior legal counsel required a lot of his attention.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/594/story/406724.html http://www.kentucky.com/594/story/406724.html Fri, 16 May 2008 08:16 EDT