Most Private Companies Aren't "Private"

I work at a private university. And I recently heard a student complaining about the red tape and lack of communication surrounding our financial aid process. A fellow employee aware of my political beliefs said, "Even at a private business, things don't always go right, do they, Eric?"

Now, there is an important lesson here. Because yes, private businesses can still suck. Just because they're private doesn't make them benevolent. It simply forces them (in most cases) to respond to the market.

But, the FAFSA process at a "private" institution has nothing to do with a private business. A private business will struggle with any horrendously managed, government-run bureaucracy.

It's the same reason I want people to stop complaining to me about Boeing. It's not a private company, by any means. Those of you who have watched the film "Why We Fight" or seen Eisenhower's Farewell Address warning us about the "military industrial complex" know what I'm talking about.

A private industry dependent on federal subsidies isn't private, doesn't follow the same rules, and doesn't deserve my defense.

By: Eric Olsen, Regular Columnist
Articles | Author's Page | Website

Barack Obama Tattoos

With Barack Obama's approval ratings still at a solid 62%, I became suddenly curious to know how popular the 44th U.S. President really is. Are people so enamoured with President Obama that I could do a quick Google search and turn up some photos of people with permanent tattoos of Obama inked into their very skin? Oh yeah. It's that bad. Below are ten examples of Barack Obama tattoos (some decent, some pretty awful). PS: As a control, I decided to Google "bush tattoos." I found only two examples in the first couple pages, and they were decidedly anti-Bush. I also learned to never, ever Google "bush tattoos" again. Seriously. Don't. There are some gross tattoos out there. In the interests of full disclosure, I must admit that I am not a fan of President Obama . But I've got to say that the tattoos above aren't nearly as bad as this: Editor's note: The pictures are linked to their respective sources. To view the source pages, simply click

Legal Marijuana On The Michigan Ballot for 2018

A Michigan ballot initiative to legalize recreational marijuana received enough valid signatures to qualify for a vote in November. When the required number of ballot signatures was certified by the State Board of Canvassers, the 4-0 decision of the board was met by cheers from supporters of the initiative who were present, the Detroit Free Press reports . Rick Thompson, a board member of the Michigan National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), put this ballot initiative in perspective as a matter of the State of Michigan safeguarding its own sovereignty and protecting its own citizens from an intrusive federal policy: "The people of Michigan deserve this. They earned it. We've faced many trials and tribulations. We've had so many stop and go signs from the federal government. That's why states have to take the reins on the issue and really be the crucibles of democracy that they've always been intended to be." Indeed the last time

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