The Workers in the Vineyard

THE WORKERS IN THE VINEYARD A parable takes a commonly-understood truth and uses it as a foundation (or a principle) to explain some other truth.  In other words, it takes what the audience already understands and then uses this understanding to explain something the audience does not understand. In Matthew 20, the parable of the workers in the vineyard teaches … Read More

Is Harley-Davidson un-American?

Should a company be taxed extra just for not being “Made in USA”? President Donald Trump threatened the motorcycle company, Harley-Davidson, with unparalleled taxes should the company decide to move more of its production overseas. “A Harley-Davidson should never be built in another country—never!  The aura will be gone and they will be taxed like never before!” tweeted the President. … Read More

The Religion of Cake

Bakery Cakes, Religion and Slavery … In the summer of 2012 a Christian baker refused to provide a custom cake for a “gay” wedding.  Almost six years later, the case has finally received a Supreme Court ruling.  Many groups including some free speech advocates and religious liberty advocates have celebrated the bakery’s victory.  Unfortunately, both the media and our nation’s … Read More

Private Property, Mass Transit, and the Exercise of Rights

By Mike Winther, President of the Institute for Principle Studies Private Property, Mass Transit, and the Exercise of Rights The political and civil rights that we cherish cannot be fully exercised without certain tools. These tools are material things that allow or enhance the exercise of a right.  These material things are property, which has ownership that can be either … Read More

War and the Constitution

War and the Constitution In modern America, there is considerable confusion about the constitutional requirements related to matters of war. Some people believe that the Constitution gives the President extremely broad power in warmaking decisions, while others contend that the Constitution severely limits that power. Sadly, the majority of Americans simply don’t care what the Constitution says. Most Americans are … Read More

Rethinking Taxation

Rethinking Taxation Death and taxes may be inevitable in life, but this fact doesn’t excuse us from our responsibilities to handle both of these eventualities in a prudent and judicious manner. Our legal system endeavors to establish clear, cautious standards for dealing with issues of life and death—our procedure for trying a capital crime being just one example. In like … Read More