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Showing posts with label Paul Ogden. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Paul Ogden. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Ogden on Politics leaving the Blogsphere





It’s with a mix of emotions we report that our dear friend, fellow blogger and gadfly Paul Ogden has announced that he is leaving the world of blogging after 15 years. Paul’s blog posts will be dearly missed, but we are also happy for Paul to begin a new chapter in his life. 

We will quote from the master himself as he gives his thoughts on blogging and details some new developments in his life:

Sometime on Wednesday  the lights on the Ogden on Politics blog will go off.  I turned the auto renewal option off and on September 20, 2023 my annual subscription goes out.  Yes, I have backed up my blog in case I ever want to relive the past.

My blog was on line during the era of great Indianapolis blogs.  I think back fondly to reading Gary Welsh's Advance Indiana.  Yes, Gary liked his conspiracy theories, but he also wrote extensively researched articles and broke numerous stories, at least daily if not more.  Advance Indiana remains the gold standard when it comes to blogs.  Not sure where Gary found the time to do what he did.  He was a community resource who can never be replaced.

Here's the thing about blogging though...it is time consuming.  Even when you're only commenting on a news article, it still takes substantial time to write and edit that commentary.  If it is an investigative piece, then it could take a few hours to complete the research and write the article.  Finding the time to blog recently has been difficult.  I have a full-time job as manager of a title insurance agency as well as a part-time job.  I also occasionally write legal filings for attorney friends wanting help.  In addition to those jobs, I also help take care of my elderly mother who lives nearby.  I also try to get to the gym whenever I possibly can.

That's why I haven't been blogging much lately.  But there is another reason why I have decided to shut down the blog.  Come October, after some 17 years, I am extremely excited to be returning to government employment.  While nobody asked me to shut down my blog because of that job, having it active would be too tempting to offer political commentary on candidates and office holders.   I don't want to put myself or my bosses in an uncomfortable position because of some blog article I published.

So it is time to say goodbye.  As we older people say, "See you in the funny papers."   You younger people ... look it up.

I can speak for all of us here at the IR blog: Paul you have done well, and what you have done will live on, besides your far to young to be finished doing good in this world. Godspeed old friend and remember there are others of us who will keep up the good fight. Some of us might be rare, sometimes we are unknown but we help move the world! 

Hang Lose Paul!

P.S. Check out Paul’s blog here at the Wayback Machine: https://web.archive.org/web/20230920085121/http://www.ogdenonpolitics.com/

Tuesday, January 24, 2023

Never Jim Banks & Never Mitch Daniels: The Only Choice.

Paul Ogden has written an article that outlines very well the reasons why Jim Banks should not be the Republican nominee for U.S. Senator. We like Paul share his disdain towards Banks. We had reasonable encounters with Banks long ago, but he has since decided to go for a ride in the clown car of Trumpism. 


U.S Representative/Loser Jim Banks


In writing about Banks, Paul points out very ably Banks deficiencies:

Banks is trying to brand himself as a "proven conservative."  He is anything but.  Besides being an election denier and flouting the Constitution that he took an oath to support, hardly conservative positions, he voted for huge spending increases during the Trump era.  Banks has no problem with reckless government spending...as long as it is a Republican in the White House.

Given how badly election deniers lost in 2022, the nomination of Banks might put the seat into play, especially since it is a presidential election year when Democrats tend to do better in Indiana. It is easy to see the Democrats picking up a lot more metro Indianapolis area votes if Banks' is on the ballot.  In fact, Banks would probably lose Hamilton County and possibly take several Republicans in that county down with him.


Former Indiana Governor and Midget version of Trump, Mitch Daniels

As much as we are usually on the same page with Paul on the issues, we must take issue with his premise that Mitch Daniels would make a better candidate for the Senate as opposed to Banks. Paul’s assessment of Mitch Daniels as a potential Senator:

Fortunately, Indiana Republicans may have a better choice in 2024.  Former Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels is considering a run for the Senate.  I was not a big fan of Daniels as Governor.  He seemed to run a very loose ship and many of his appointees engaged in substantial mismanagement, which sometimes bordered on corruption.  Daniels did not seem to exercise much in the way of oversight over state agencies when he was governor. He'd just appoint someone and immediately check out.

We like Paul we’re not fans of Daniels tenure as Governor. We have a much more negative view of Daniels tenure than Paul does. Daniels didn’t seem to run a loose ship, he did run a loose ship. Also his appointees mismanagement didn’t border on corruption it was corruption! As for him appointing people and checking out, Daniels as anyone who has dealt with him at all can attest is a control freak, the corruption of his administration happened because he allowed and encouraged it to happen! His appointees didn’t go to the bathroom without his permission! As the old saying goes: “A fish stinks from the head down.” So if his administration was bad that’s on Daniels.

There are the issues at the Department of Child Services which may have resulted in the death of Tajanay Bailey back in 2007, the bungled privatization of FSSA which tied the state up for about a decade and cost hundreds of millions of dollars, and not to mention how his creation of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) in essence expanded pay to play politics, and let’s not forget the disastrous “Reign of Error” his administration created at the Department of Workforce Development. Not to mention the role that Daniels lackey Jim Atterholt played at the Indiana Department of Insurance played in forcing out Paul at that agency for just doing his job! 

Paul lastly had this to say of Mitch Daniels:

But when it comes to developing policy, which is the role of a United States Senator, Daniels is excellent.  While Banks' claim to be a conservative is performative, Daniels is an actual conservative, especially when it comes to fiscal matters.  As President of Purdue University, Daniels stopped the explosive growth in college tuition which has for decades outstripped inflation.

All we can say is by what yardstick is Paul using to call Daniels a conservative? If it’s respect for rule of law, Daniels fails. He failed to ensure the law was faithfully upheld when he was Governor, if he had given a damn about the law Paul would never have been fired from the IDOI! And the debacles at the state never would have happened. If we are to go by Daniels record in fiscal matters there Daniels gets a big fat “F”. It’s debatable just how much Daniels has reigned in college tuition at Purdue, but even conceding Paul’s point, the wastefulness of the FSSA debacle alone would outweigh any cost savings at Purdue a hundred times over! In regards to policy, Daniels mismanagement and corruption as Governor happened because of policy and law changes he enacted as governor! As for holding elected officials accountable, Daniels will do no better a job of that than Jim Banks. As Paul knows from personal experience Daniels goes after whistleblowers and protects the offending government officials! We will put links below to some of he and the late great Gary Welsh’s articles documenting Daniels attacks against whistleblowers.

We are proud to have Paul’s support, friendship and encouragement especially since our dear friend Gary Welsh passed. But on this issue we must disagree with him. Like Paul as someone who believes in the traditional conservative principles of Burke, Russell Kirk, Goldwater, Reagan and Buckley. I would like nothing more than to see a good republican be elected to the Senate from Indiana. But I would rather have a good liberal than a faux conservative like Banks or Daniels as senator. I will not vote for a Republican or Democrat who doesn’t stand for the rule of law, limited government and upholding the Constitution. Because none of those are supported by Jim Banks or Mitch Daniels I will not ever under any circumstances vote for either of those fools. 

Monday, November 8, 2021

The Nuts and Bolts of INDY Republican’s Philosophy


Russell Kirk, Conservative Philosopher 

For sometime now we have all been wanting to elaborate more on our weltanschauung or philosophy of life that we mostly share as the authors of this blog. Specifically as it relates to the world of politics and everyday living. As you have all probably gathered at this point we consider ourselves conservative republicans, we are mostly religious and we are opposed to both Trumpism, and the whole woke idiot wing of the Democratic Party. We are staunch advocates, some might even say radical in our advocacy of open and good government. And in holding elected and unelected officials accountable to we the people 

It is not enough however merely to say what we oppose or even what we are for. An outlining of our general principles, and our views of the world is also needed. Previously we have given a brief primer of the general religious views that we at this blog follow. Important as it to us that we share our views towards the ultimate destiny of man, with all of you. We would be doing a disservice by ignoring the everyday world in which we all live. So with that we are all going to dive in right into INDY REPUBLICAN’s view of politics and existence.


The late, great President Ronald Reagan.


Why we are true conservatives, and why Trumpism is not conservative

Since the election of Donald Trump as President in 2016. With a few honorable exceptions such as Charlie Sykes, George Will, Mike Murphy, Bill Kristol, John Ziegler, Paul Ogden, Josh Claybourn, Adam Kinzinger, Liz Cheney, Michael Steele, SE Cupp, Mona Charen, and assorted others. Most of the so called spokesmen and politicians flying the conservative banner have sold out our principles and values to blindly follow the pied piper of communism & fascism Donald Trump.

A restatement of what most conservatives believe or said they believed until circa 2016 is in order. In the lifetime of everyone five years of age and older  at the time of the publication of this post, conservatives were said to oppose trade protectionism, support, defend and protect the constitution, and be zealous advocates of free speech. Sadly only a small minority of public figures professing to be conservatives have consistently stuck to these principles. 

The quotations we are about to share come from various politicians, academics, and activists who are generally considered conservative. From these quotes you will see how the leading conservative politicians and thinkers defined the general outlook of conservatives. True, like all of us they sometimes missed the mark and fell short of their rhetoric, that does not however invalidate the points that they make. After a careful review of what they have to say, it will be evident to all just how few politicians of both parties actually follow these ideals. We will compare and contrast how these rock ribbed conservative principles are the antithesis of the governing philosophy such as it is of most of our fellow lawmakers. We are spending so much time holding our fellow republicans feet to the fire, because in the words of political strategist Mike Murphy: “They have come into our church and have desecrated it.” An exorcism is in order and consider us the exorcist!




Senator Barry Goldwater 

Conservatives on the rule of law and the value of freedom:

“the conservative argues that freedom—moral, political, and economic—is the mark of high civilization; and servitude, under whatever name, is the mark of a barbarous or decadent order.”


“A good society is one which cherishes the highest degree of freedom consistent with order and justice.”


the conservative recognizes that freedom is possible only when order and justice prevail. Order means that there shall be honorable leadership, willingly recognized; and that law rules, not the whims of men. “Justice exists only between men whose mutual relations are governed by law…” (Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Vol. 9, p. 382a).


“the conservative respects the political institutions and customs and traditions which he has inherited, particularly the Constitution of the United States and other great documents of our nation.”


Barry Goldwater “Great Ideas Today” 1962, publication of the Encyclopedia Britannica.


(Donald Trump and his enablers have constantly sought to undermine the rule of law. Whether it be unconstitutionally redirecting funds for a border wall against the explicit acts of congress, or Trump’s claim that he had total authority over the states decisions on when they could reopen because he was President, and his other too numerous to mention assaults on separation of powers, checks and balances, etc. For a conservative critique of Trump’s executive overreach check out this op-Ed by Charlie Sykes: https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/trump-s-total-authority-boast-should-ve-enraged-republicans-instead-ncna1184806 There is no way by any stretch of the imagination that one can argue that Trump showed respect for the Constitution of the United States. Barry Goldwater is rolling over in his grave about this!)



Conservatives on what the aim of politics should be:


““Politics is the art of the possible,” the conservative says: he thinks of political policies as intended to preserve order, justice, and freedom. The ideologue, on the contrary, thinks of politics as a revolutionary instrument for transforming society and even transforming human nature. In his march toward Utopia, the ideologue is merciless.”


— The Politics of Prudence by Russell Kirk

https://a.co/7sXUaaR


(Kirk here points out how conservatives believe in protecting freedom and uplifting human nature. Whereas the extreme ideologues & utopian fanatics seek to use politics as a way to relentlessly pursue their own mad schemes. Here’s what then candidates Richard Nixon in 1968 and Ronald Reagan had to say about there views of working to repair the problems in American politics:


Richard Nixon 1968 GOP Convention:


“Without God's help and your help, we will surely fail; but with God's help and your help, we shall surely succeed.”


Ronald Reagan 1980 GOP Convention:


I ask you not simply to ‘Trust me,’” Reagan said, “but to trust your values—our values—and to hold me responsible for living up to them.”


Contrast this with Donald Trump’s remarks at the 2016 GOP Convention:


 Nobody knows the system better than me, which is why I alone can fix it.”


Notice in contrast to Nixon’s reference to needing the American people and God’s help to succeed. Or Reagan saying for people not simply to trust him and our values as Americans and to hold him responsible for living up to them. Trump is asking people to put all there hopes on him, as he “alone can fix it”. Trump clearly has no conception of his limitations as a man or the limitations of the office of the presidency.


We true conservatives took issue with President’s Clinton and Obama’s constantly asking We the People to put excessive hopes in their ability to fix the nation. But as bad as they were on executive power, even they gave it a rest for a minute or two. With Trump it’s nothing but a never ending ego trip! If something coming from Clinton or Obama was not acceptable then having Trump do it doesn’t make it any better!



Conservatives on dogma and diversity of thought:


“Being neither  a religion nor an ideology, the body of opinion termed conservatism possesses no Holy Writ and no Das Kapital to provide dogmata.”



— The Politics of Prudence by Russell Kirk

https://a.co/98mn78G


“For there exists no Model Conservative, and conservatism is the negation of ideology: it is a state of mind, a type of character, a way of looking at the civil social order. The attitude we call conservatism is sustained by a body of sentiments, rather than by a system of ideological dogmata. It is almost true that a conservative may be defined as a person who thinks himself such. The conservative movement or body of opinion can accommodate a considerable diversity of views on a good many subjects, there being no Test Act or Thirty-Nine Articles of the conservative creed.”


— The Politics of Prudence by Russell Kirk

https://a.co/1My2ZBn



“In essence, the conservative person is simply one who finds the permanent things more pleasing than Chaos and Old Night. (Yet conservatives know, with Burke, that healthy “change is the means of our preservation.”) A people's historic continuity of experience, says the conservative, offers a guide to policy far better than the abstract designs of coffee-house philosophers. But of course there is more to the conservative persuasion than this general attitude.”


— The Politics of Prudence by Russell Kirk

https://a.co/9cBX2kc


“In fine, the diversity of ways in which conservative views may find expression is itself proof that conservatism is no fixed ideology. What particular principles conservatives emphasize during any given time will vary with the circumstances and necessities of that era.” 


— The Politics of Prudence by Russell Kirk

https://a.co/1Mpx4M8


(Contrast this to Donald Trump equating membership in the same political party as him as being synonymous with obedience to him. A few years ago Trump tweeted out that: “Never Trump republicans are human scum”! Some replied: “Thanks for at least calling us human, Mister President!” Trump clearly falls into Russell Kirk’s definition of an ideologue, and fully supports an anti conservative litmus test and absolute agreement with the buffoonish orange man baby.)



Conservatives on Prudence and thoughtfulness:


“Any public measure ought to be judged by its probable long-run consequences, not merely by temporary advantage or popularity. Liberals and radicals, the conservative says, are imprudent: for they dash at their objectives without giving much heed to the risk of new abuses worse than the evils they hope to sweep away. As John Randolph of Roanoke put it, Providence moves slowly, but the devil always hurries. Human society being complex, remedies cannot be simple if they are to be efficacious. The conservative declares that he acts only after sufficient reflection, having weighed the consequences. Sudden and slashing reforms are as perilous as sudden and slashing surgery.”


— The Politics of Prudence by Russell Kirk

https://a.co/iapLlCS



Conservatives on the folly of utopian thinking:


“Human nature suffers irremediably from certain grave faults, the conservatives know. Man being imperfect, no perfect social order ever can be created.”


— The Politics of Prudence by Russell Kirk

https://a.co/dHzKR0G


“The ideologues who promise the perfection of man and society have converted a great part of the twentieth-century world into a terrestrial hell.”


— The Politics of Prudence by Russell Kirk

https://a.co/2LmdoPJ



Conservatives on the dangers of centralized power centers:


“Conservatives uphold voluntary community, quite as they oppose involuntary collectivism. Although Americans have been attached strongly to privacy and private rights, they also have been a people conspicuous for a successful spirit of community. In a genuine community, the decisions most directly affecting the lives of citizens are made locally and voluntarily. Some of these functions are carried out by local political bodies, others by private associations: so long as they are kept local, and are marked by the general agreement of those affected, they constitute healthy community. But when these functions pass by default or usurpation to centralized authority, then community is in serious danger. Whatever is beneficent and prudent in modern democracy is made possible through cooperative volition. If, then, in the name of an abstract Democracy, the functions of community are transferred to distant political direction—why, real government by the consent of the governed gives way to a standardizing process hostile to freedom and human dignity.”


— The Politics of Prudence by Russell Kirk

https://a.co/9Oa3aIm


“The conservative perceives the need for prudent restraints upon power and upon human passions. Politically speaking, power is the ability to do as one likes, regardless of the wills of one's fellows. A state in which an individual or a small group are able to dominate the wills of their fellows without check is a despotism, whether it is called monarchical or aristocratic or democratic. When every person claims to be a power unto himself, then society falls into anarchy. Anarchy never lasts long, being intolerable for everyone, and contrary to the ineluctable fact that some persons are more strong and more clever than their neighbors. To anarchy there succeeds tyranny or oligarchy, in which power is monopolized by a very few. The conservative endeavors to so limit and balance political power that anarchy or tyranny may not arise. In every age, nevertheless, men and women are tempted to overthrow the limitations upon power, for the sake of some fancied temporary advantage. It is characteristic of the radical that he thinks of power as a force for good—so long as the power falls into his hands.”


— The Politics of Prudence by Russell Kirk

https://a.co/iTgoOvY


(The above quotations were long, but necessary to show just how far removed from historical American conservative thought Trumpism truly is. For Donald Trump only seems to overpromise and underdeliver. Who can forget the great border wall we were supposed to get paid by Mexico. Surprise! We only mostly rebuilt some fencing and we, not Mexico has paid for it! There is also the matter of Trump’s never released tax returns, even though he has kept promising to release them for half a decade now! As for respecting local and state control, how can we forget his boasting that he had authority over states health policy, or how at the beginning of his presidency he bragged he would send the feds into Chicago to handle local law enforcement issues!


We would try to exhaustively list all of Trump’s opposition to the Constitution, rule of law and federalism. But we need to keep this post to under 250,000 words!)


Having shown the ways that Trumpism is the antithesis of conservatism. Here is a short list of our general principles and approach to politics and the everyday world:



                                    Aristotle 


A. We believe that mankind being imperfect, that no perfect society or government can ever be created.


Since believing as we do through reason, observation and experience that man will always make mistakes and stumble and fall. This necessitates that government’s power and authority should be constrained to the extent it is practicable with the pursuit of justice. That is why the Constitution says it is to “form a more perfect union.”


B. We believe in and support the norms of: keeping our word, avoiding reckless actions, and respecting the rule of law.


Support and practice of keeping our word, striving to act in a prudent manner, and respecting the rule of law are at the core of what we value most. You could even say that adherence to justice, and rule of law is our metier. We strive to be good at this because if we wish to avoid creating a terrestrial hell, we must be honest and even handed, with ourselves and others. As we keep our word to others we are also being honest with ourselves. The refusal to be delude oneself is one of the highest forms of virtue.


C. Prudence is a virtue, not an approach or ideal performed despite virtue.


Prudence: 

adjective:  careful and sensible; marked by sound judgment

A common misconception that we often encounter among even the best of people. Is the ideal that one cannot be prudent or practical and also be moral. The accumulated wisdom of the ages shows us that this view is false. Prudent and practical people are that way because they are moral, not despite their morals. One of the key cornerstones of morality is honesty with oneself, and a striving to avoid deluding oneself. Yes, we all make mistakes. It is no sin to be honestly mistaken or to be misinformed. It is however fundamentally a disservice to ourselves and to others to willfully ignore reality. 

Being prudent i.e., being careful and sensible and exercising sound judgement can only be achieved by honesty with oneself or others.

There is a great deal more that needs to be said regarding the state of the world today, and where we will be heading to in the future. The wise man however does not attempt to answer all questions in one column. We will leave you with this post to ponder, and debate over. If this column helps to spark some debate, if it helps to shake us out of our apathy if only to a small degree, than it’s work has been done.

We have one last thing to say to our readers who disagree with us about Trumpism: We have no quarrel with anyone over who they support, our fight is not with you, it is with Trump and Trumpism. We ask that you keep that in mind. We also would ask as a favor to us, ask yourselves this question whenever you say that you support a position of Donald Trump’s: Do you honestly believe it? Or are you just going along with the crowd?

Let us know what you all think and we will catch you all later.

Peace be with you all, amen!



Monday, October 11, 2021

A Few Thoughts on America, Religion and the Future

In contrast to the broad scope of the title of this column. This post will be brief and to the point. We understand and in many ways share the concerns and fears of our fellow Americans in this the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-one. However we also are possessed of the spirit of eternal optimism that has been a part of our American character since the first settlers arrived centuries ago on our shores.

There has been talk recently of many people all over the ideological spectrum about the possible splitting apart of these United States. To this we say: Nonsense! The republic has withstood a civil war and countless threats since the days of the founders. And we will survive today. Another fact that is ignored is that for any breaking apart of the country to occur, enough of us would have to quit watching tv, and go fight. We might be wrong but we see little evidence that will occur. 

Politicians come and go, but the United States remains. We must learn to turn away from politics as a religion and return it to the realm of upholding the constitution and the republic for which it stands. If we repent or rethink our ideas and where we wish to go, we will recapture the best and most true parts of both our spiritual and political traditions. At times we will site various scriptural passages in support of general principles and to show both religious and secular backing for the truths we hold dear and proclaim.

We as Americans have far more control and options than we often give ourselves credit for. We understand why people are frustrated with politics, we are also. Bottom line is that most politicians are selling all of us short. When we all go to our jobs, when we are with our family and friends. We deep down want to achieve greatness, we wish to provide for ourselves and those we love. We want to work productively. We don’t care where our neighbors are from, what the color of their skin is, or even if they disagree with us in radical ways. What we do care about is that others treat us with respect, don’t try to run our lives for us and they let us live in peace. The political establishment of both parties wants to keep us down, they want us to be dependent on them for our food, shelter and fortunes. The sheer size of the federal deficit is the unanswerable argument against allowing politicians to have control over our lives! As it is written: “Let none be ye called masters” Matthew 23:10

If we want to improve ourselves and others we can and we will! We can worry about litter all day, or we can adopt a highway and help keep it clean. We can complain about poverty and hunger, or we can donate food and other goods to charity or even cut out the middleman and give to others ourselves. The sky is nowhere near the limit! 

We won’t lie and say this will be easy. There will be difficulties and as Thomas Paine said “these are the times that try mens souls”. As it is written: “Blessed is he who perseveres under trial” James 1:12 

To all our brothers and sisters in America and around the world. We wish you all long life and happiness. In future posts we will elaborate further on how we best believe we can proceed to but ourselves and our nation back in order. There are policy and ideological issues that are relevant to the great task remaining. However we believe many of the political and spiritual problems facing us are a matter more of temperament than ideology.

We thank you all for your continuing support, we are forever indebted to many wonderful Hoosier patriots: Christine Scales, Paul Ogden, Charlie White and the late, great Gary Welsh. We love you Gary! Your spirit lives still!

Praise be to God! Amen! Hallelujah! Good Golly Miss Molly! 

And with that we leave you with this inspirational tune. The unforgettable theme to “Chariots of Fire” by the inimitable band Vangellis:





Thursday, July 15, 2021

Hoosier Supermom Jennifer Glynn’s Facebook Page helps Hoosiers resolve their Unemployment Issues



Jasmine Minor’s report on Hoosier Heroine Jennifer Glynn 

As you all probably know by now, the Hoosier state is dropping the ball Bigly when it comes to paying Hoosiers their unemployment benefits. On Tuesday we wrote about the complete silence of the Department of Workforce Development in addressing these issues. However there is some hope in all of the darkness that is surrounding the cesspool that is our state’s unemployment system. In addition to WISH-TV’s Richard Essex and WTHR’s Bob Segall, Jasmine Minor is joining the fight for government transparency and accountability!


Here’s Jasmine Minor reporting:

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Jennifer Glynn, a mom of two, started an unemployment help group on Facebook to assist people in securing unemployment benefits.

Her only experience was going through the unemployment filing process before, but her free advice has been priceless for nearly 7,000 Hoosiers struggling to get the benefits they deserve. 

“These people shouldn’t be losing their homes, they shouldn’t be losing everything that they own,” Glynn said. “I’ve had people tell me that they were on the brink of depression until I helped them, that they were on the verge of giving up until I gave them hope.”

Glynn says while the group feels like a full-time job, often answering calls and messages at 3 a.m., she believes it’s necessary work because people are growing desperate. 

“Who else is going to help them?” Glynn asked. “I’m trying to help everybody that I can. And there have been times that I have not been able to help somebody. And that’s disappointing.”


She says the most common issue she sees is when people receive a letter for making an error on their filing or their appeal form. That error that can be costly. 

“I specifically know one woman, she had to wait over a year just for one error,” Glynn said. “That’s the longest that I’ve seen.”

However, she says it’s been nearly impossible to get someone from the Indiana Department of Workforce Development to answer a phone call or email, making it difficult to figure out what the exact error was. 

Glynn says if a claim has an issue, it can’t be fixed until a claims representative or an investigator. 

“The Indiana Department of Workforce Development currently has 16 issues listed on their COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions worksheet,” Glynn said. “The list that I have, I currently have a list of 47 that could cause issues and keep somebody from getting paid. Big difference, right?”

Glynn says, after doing extensive research, she was able to create templates others can fill out to make sure the right information is getting to claim representatives so that errors are not made. She then helps to make sure those forms are sent to the right place.

We here at Indy Republican salute Jennifer Glynn! It is men and women like her that will help us all to achieve more of our goals of good government! Gary Welsh is smiling down from heaven on this awesome lady!

If anyone needs help with their unemployment claim please click here to go to Jennifer Glynn’s Facebook Group. She needs all the help she can get! 




Tuesday, July 13, 2021

The Deafening Silence of the Department of Workforce Development w/Update

As we, the late great Gary Welsh and Paul Ogden have written about previously. The Hoosier state’s unemployment insurance program as managed by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) continues to hurt everyday Hoosiers, be a dumping ground for every two bit political hack where they use taxpayer money and funnel it to them and their cronies. Click herehere and here for more information on the corrupt possibly illegal conduct performed by members of the DWD leadership. And they refuse to be open and transparent notwithstanding that this agency is supposed to safeguard the state’s unemployment insurance funds. 

Back in 2012 Gary Welsh and Paul Ogden both reported on Whistleblower’s at DWD who revealed that mismanagement at the agency was to blame for the bankrupting of Indiana’s Unemployment Insurance Fund. From the end of 2008 to 2015 the state was forced to borrow money from the federal government to cover the shortfall caused by the incompetence and corruption by the agency heads at DWD. WISH-TV’s Deanna Dewberry did a wonderful report on DWD back in 2012 which can be read by clicking here. Unfortunately the agency has not noticeably improved at all over the years. The agency has especially been dropping the ball when it comes to preventing and go after unemployment insurance fraud.

On December 30th, 2020 Indystar posted Nick Penzenstadler’s USA Today article “How scammers siphoned $36B in fraudulent unemployment payments from US”. The article reveals how since are least May of 2020, online scammers have been responsible for at least $36 Billion of fraudulent unemployment claims. Pezenstadler interviewed one of the people who has engaged in this massive cyber fraud and explains how it had been done. We wrote about unemployed Hoosiers having to fight the very state agency that is supposed to help them deal with unemployment fraud back in March

Now a sensible administration after all of this negative publicity, we would think would want to at least attempt to appear to clean up there act. If only to try and stem the continuing bad public relations. But as WISH-TV’s Richard Essex reported last Wednesday July 7th, 2021 DWD is just doubling down on avoiding public scrutiny. In a wonderful story entitled “How the Department of Workforce Development stonewalls Hoosiers”, Essex had this to say about his attempts to speak with DWD:

For months, News 8 has asked the Indiana Department of Workforce Development for a sit-down interview with its leader, Commissioner Fred Payne; News 8’s request have been repeatedly denied. 

So on Wednesday, News 8 went to the state government’s office building to make a request in person.

The Department of Workforce Development main office appears to be right next to the public entrance of the Government Center South building.

“Hi, I’m Richard Essex of WISH-TV. We are trying to make an appointment to see the commissioner, Fred Payne,” News 8’s Richard Essex said. “Is this the office?”

Upon News 8’s arrival at the office, a security guard hired by the state said she wasn’t sure where Payne’s office was located.

“Well, you can go down there to the other office and get a hold of him,” she said. 

The security guard escorted News 8 to another office that she called the intake office. Once inside that office, News 8 made the same request; a woman lady behind the desk at the intake office said she was new to the job and wasn’t sure who we needed to speak with. 

After waiting an hour, News 8 was told someone was coming to talk.

Next thing that happened, the office door was closed and locked.

News 8 waited in a hallway after being promised someone would come to talk. No one ever appeared, so News 8 went back the first office.

As it turns out, News 8 were not the only ones in the building trying to get answers.

Kathi Dean told News 8 the Department of Workforce Development claims she was overpaid. Dean had grown tired of waiting for callbacks and unanswered emails, so she came to downtown Indianapolis for answers.

“What about people that worked for years and put time into this and have to work and wait and wait on this money?” Dean asked. “So if you want to stop our PUA (Pandemic Unemployment Assistance), just go right ahead on and give us our money from unemployment back pay all at one time so we can go ahead on and live.”

A security guard told Dean to make an appointment.

News 8 continued to wait for someone from Workforce Development to come out and talk, or at least make an appointment.

Several people were in the office; none of them came to the door.


Here’s the video from WISH-TV’s website featuring the comically inept conduct displayed by DWD:







We are most pleased that Mister Essex is not alone in his quest to get answers out of DWD. Bob Segall over at WTHR has also done his own championship work on the problems plaguing DWD.




We cannot recommend enough that you all check out Mister’s Segall’s and Essex’s great work, it’s YUGE!

Looking into all of this craziness at DWD reminds us all of a story that Paul Ogden mentioned on his blog back in 2011. Itwas a report about a possibly non existent state agency, Kara Kenney as always did an incredible job reporting on it at the time.

Many questions remain, and much digging needs to be done. One of the biggest concerns is how do Hoosiers navigate the labyrinth, that stands in the way of them receiving their benefits? To be honest we are not sure quite yet how. Perhaps a few little birdies might clue us in. Gary Welsh is gone physically from this world but his work had barely begun. Hang tight fellow ruffians! Things are going to get interesting!

P.S. Note to all of you, according to what we hear through the grapevine the Leadership Team at DWD, including the Commissioner have offices on the third floor of DWD in the government center south. Word of caution, should you get to the third floor our sources tell us that the atmosphere is a bit thinner than elsewhere in the building. Just FYI.

UPDATE: An alert reader just sent us this awesome tweet from Rob Kendall giving his take on the whole situation:


UPDATE: If anyone is having trouble with an unemployment issue please click here to go to  WISH-TV’s website and fill out the form on the page. 

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Wrong But Funny Tuesday

Rather than write about today’s primaries. We thought we would share a funny photograph we found online. As Paul Ogden reported on President Trump’s publicity stunt at pretending to be a Christian. Trump proceeded to use tear gas, and flash bangs on protesters as he made his way to D.C.’s Saint John’s Episcopal Church also known as the “Church of the President’s”. He then went on to awkwardly try to hold a Bible in his hand.

He has been widely ridiculed for doing so by various clergy. We found this photo that shows what thoughts are actually going through Trump’s brain. Spoiler Alert: It’s anything but spirituality that he is thinking about.

Here’s an inside look into Donald Trump’s head:



Yes ladies and gentlemen the class and grace that is our Pussy Grabber in Chief!

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Advance Indiana Has Been Resurrected


Our Teacher, Sensai, our Mentor Gary Welsh!

Good Afternoon, Our Brothers and Sisters! It is indeed a glorious day today! The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and there are still tireless patriots toiling away to ensure the rights of all! At times the struggle is very hard, our spirits are low, and hope seems very dim indeed! But as the New Testament says: “Let not your heart be troubled”. For we have just received word like manna from heaven that the late, great Gary Welsh’s blog Advance Indiana has been archived  not just on the Wayback Machine, but also as been mirrored elsewhere online! Ladies and Gentleman it gives us extreme pleasure to present to you the Advance Indiana Archives! Here’s the address:

Click away and enjoy the wisdom of the late much beloved genius Gary Welsh!

This one’s for you Gary! Shalom Brother! Amen! Praise the Lord! Oh Good Golly Miss Molly!

Sunday, May 3, 2020

Gary Welsh Is Still Helping Hoosiers Even Four Years After His Passing


Gary Welsh, Friend, Patriot, and Agitator

Friday May 1st, 2020 marked the four year anniversary of the passing of a great man, and patriot Gary Welsh. He was the writer of that great blog “Advance Indiana”, which is still worth reading ESPECIALLY today. Gary maybe gone physically from this world, but the torch he lit still burns. Yes he had his flaws, and God knows we often disagreed with him, but he was a great man, and a great American. And Paul Ogden, Charlie White, the IR Gang and many others were honored and still are to have been his friends. We all loved him living and we love him still. We all confess that in many ways Indy Republican and it’s writers are far inferior to Gary Welsh. But we all have our own strengths and weaknesses. And what we do is no less valuable than what our dear friend Gary did. 

We often complain about all the sin and vice that exists in the world. For there is much sin and vice. But we also must remember as it is said in Romans 5:20: “ Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more“. 

Do not let anyone tell you that you do not make a difference. Every act of kindness, everything you do that lifts up yourself and your fellow man makes a positive difference. For all the inspiration you have and continue to give us all, for the years of friendship and your writings we are eternally grateful to you Gary Welsh. We can never bring ourselves to remove our link to your blog. Someday your name will live again. And when the time is right we will all be with you again. Praise be to God! Amen and God Bless You All! And God Bless Gary Welsh!

Tuesday, April 28, 2020

Mike Pence Made a Deal with the Devil, and the Devil Won

Earlier today our good friend that lovable gadfly Paul Ogden wrote a great, great post about how Indianapolis gambled taxpayers money on the past and we all got hosed. By a remarkable coincidence this post spurned us on to right about another exercise in gambling stupidity. As our readers are well aware INDY REPUBLICAN like the late great Gary Welsh, loathes and despises the milquetoast, obsequious, toady that is Vice President Mike Pence. Unlike some in the Never Trump band of conservatives and republicans, we are as much Never Pence as we are Never Trump. Whether it’s old Mikey being less than honest on his voter registration, using his political pull to get his less than qualified nephew John Pence a cushy political job, or putting on his best imitation of a Christian. Vice President Mike Pence has never failed to exceed our already low expectations of his worthless butt.

Back on April 15th, 2020 Adam Wren a writer for Politico and Indianapolis Monthly wrote “Four Years Ago, Mike Pence Hated Presidential Overeach”. When recounts how Mike Pence looked uncomfortable at President Trump’s April 13th, 2020, when the President said that his authority was “total”. 

Wren reports Pence’s response to his master Trump’s proclamation of supreme power. According to Wren, Pence said: 

“Make no mistake about it,” a stone-faced Pence replied. “In the long history of this country, the authority of this country, the authority of the president of the United States during national emergencies is unquestionably plenary.”

There’s a governor who spent his time in office arguing exactly the opposite: that the states had the right to refuse Washington’s dictates, that state autonomy was a constitutional bulwark against overarching presidential power. His name was Mike Pence.

Wren makes reference to a 2011 Washington Times Op-Ed then Congressman Mike Pence wrote, defending states against the overeach of federal power. Here are a few excerpts from that op-ed, back when Pence still pretended to be a conservative:

 To ensure a lasting victory for limited government, it will not be enough simply to cut government spending. We must permanently reduce the size and scope of the federal government by restoring to the states and the people those responsibilities and resources that are rightfully theirs under the Constitution of the United States.”

“In 1982, Mr. Reagan came to Indiana to address the issue of federalism before a joint session of our state General Assembly. He used that Hoosier setting as a backdrop to announce a new presidential commission on federalism, which he called the “new phase” of the “great American experiment.” As a start, he offered to return 40 federal programs and the revenues associated with them back to the states. The commission and its work fell flat, but Mr. Reagan was right 30 years ago, and he is more right today.

Sounds light years away from his role serving in and defending an administration that has worked to undermine Congress’s oversight of the federal governmentpushed for taxpayer bailout of private businesses, and has sought to bailout American farmers after his insane tariffs have damaged them. While we believe that it is true that Pence sold his soul to Trump in the hopes of becoming president. We happen to believe that his so called Christian faith, and belief in limited government have long been a fraud that Pence has peddled in his quest for significance. In congress Pence never passed anything of any importance. It’s true he now and then pretended to support government whistleblowers. But as a congressman, governor, and now Vice President he has done less than nothing to protect whistleblowers. 

Some have attempted to defend Pence by saying he has pushed behind the scenes to reign in Trump, or that he has no choice but to obey Trump. Our response to this is “Bullshit”! The belief that Pence has tried in ANY way at all to undermine Trump, is as flimsy as the evidence for Scientology’s belief in invisible space aliens infesting our bodies. Or in other words there is NO proof of either, because like Scientology’s body thetans, the legend of Pence having a spine is a complete fabrication. As to the argument that Pence has to do as he is told by Trump. Let’s quote from the Constitution that Pence swore on a Bible to uphold:

Article I, Section III, Clause I: The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.

That is pretty much all the Constitution says about the Vice President. He cannot be fired by Trump. At the very least he could take stands against the President when he oversteps his bounds. Sure Trump would rage tweet at him, and he may not get elected to another office. But he will get a government pension, and any TRUE Christian would stand against the blasphemies uttered by the mouth of Donald Trump. 

For a more in depth view of Pence selling his soul, checkout yesterday’s episode of Joe Walsh’s podcast “Fuck Silence”: