Opinion

The Washington Post, beginning Nov. 1, 2019, will allow its syndicated columns to appear only in print. The columns will still be available as part of our e-edition newspaper online, but they will not be available as separate pieces on our website, ljworld.com. These columnists include George Will, David Ignatius, Michael Gerson and others. This does not affect other columnists like Leonard Pitts, Mona Charen, Connie Schultz and Mark Shields, who are not affiliated with the Washington Post.

Opinion: DOGE needs oversight, independent verification

The early reports about the staffers working with the Trump Administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was troubling. We had a bunch of “kids” running things. Information winding up in the wrong hands can be a powerful tool. Have they been working in secret as reported? ...

Opinion: What’s your hurry, Kansas legislators?

Underpaid for years, Kansas legislators finally received a substantial pay increase this year. Instead of a paltry per diem (per day) allowance, they now receive $43,000 per year and remain eligible for KPERS benefits. Normally, I would argue in favor of this. It takes courage for ...

Opinion: Some needed perspective on college rankings

It’s that time of year again — when the letters finally arrive announcing the decisions of colleges and universities, and when countless applicants find themselves disappointed — if not distraught — that they were rejected by their top schools. This is particularly frequently the ...

Opinion: War on Ivy League a smokescreen

Let’s cut to the chase. Most of Donald Trump’s threats against Ivy League colleges are an attempt to divert attention away from an economy heading into crisis. The trade war is producing economic and foreign policy nightmares. Despite the DOGE show, budget deficits are projected to ...

Opinion: Whitmer’s party should learn from what she did

Kudos to Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. She managed to generate the most negatively iconic photo of a Democrat since Michael Dukakis wore a helmet atop a tank. Whitmer, long considered a promising presidential prospect by Democratic insiders, was at the White House to discuss state business. ...

Opinion: Guess what? We’re already really rich

Judging by the results, the United States should be the last country that wants to reorder the world economy. We’ve thrived in recent decades, while other advanced democracies have fallen behind. If we’ve gotten “ripped off,” as President Trump and supporters of the trade war like ...