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Lessons from Minnesota fraud case

I recall a saying from my youth that went, “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” This comes to mind reading reports of the mind-boggling welfare fraud megascandal that has been exposed in Minnesota. For perspective on the scope of the scandal, Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson estimates fraud losses in Minnesota since 2018 could top $9 billion. We’re talking about fraud in Medicaid, nutrition programs, government-funded housing programs, government programs to assist autistic children, etc. Beyond tracking down and indicting criminals, there are ...

Together we can do better

Let’s be honest: 2025 sucked. Of course, there were some highlights, including “KPop Demon Hunters,” Taylor Swift announcing her engagement to Travis Kelce (which will hopefully mean the national annoyance that is the Kelce brand will finally go away) and — of course — President Donald Trump bombing the Iranian nuclear program into oblivion. But, all in all, 2025 was a terrible year. Not because of the usual fraud, corruption and run-of-the-mill stories, such as Somali scams, political scandals or even street crime. No, it was a terrible year not just because of what ...

To drink or not is wrong question

For anyone aiming to cut back drinking, January’s arrival times perfectly. Some may have simply overdone it through the long holiday stretch, when alcohol seemed piped into any vaguely celebratory event. Some may worry that they’re beginning to forget the last drink they accepted. Recovering alcoholics or others who don’t drink at all have it easier, in one small way. Their intimates get to know that they do not imbibe — not beer, not wine, not liquor — and so don’t push alcohol in their direction. Those who want a drink now and then — in some cases, every night — ...

US has much to celebrate

I’ve been shocked that Americans are in such a grumpy mood as reflected in all the public opinion polls. What a paradox: At the same time, we have peace and prosperity, including more income, more wealth, more of almost everything that we want to buy (yes, except for housing), Americans seem to think we have an “affordability crisis.” In 2025, the median household income in the United States has risen to more than $86,000 a year — an all-time high. Every income group and every ethnic group is richer today than ever before. Hispanics now have a median household income above ...

Monuments now will be dust later

With only three years left in his presidency, Donald J. Trump does not want to be forgotten, not ever. Like an emperor of olden days or a 20th-century tyrant, he is engraving his name on both old and new monuments wherever he can. At the beginning of December, he had his name carved on the headquarters of the United States Institute of Peace to render it the Donald J. Trump United States Institute of Peace. Clearly, the current administration has no sense of the absurd. According to a federal judge, Trump’s team ousted the staff of the institute using “the force of guns and ...

Farmers oppose Cambria tax increase

On behalf of the Cambria County Farm Bureau Board of Directors, I am writing to strongly oppose the Cambria County Commissioner’s proposed tax increase of 6.75 mills, from the current 30 mills to 36.75. (5.5 mills to go to the general fund and 1.25 mills to debt service. The Cambria County Farm Bureau has over 480 member families, and they cannot afford a tax increase of this size. I have already expressed our displeasure with the Commissioner’s decision to them. All three are Farm Bureau members, and friends of mine. I appreciate their memberships and friendship. Farmers are ...