Recent content from D.J. Tice
Voting for gridlock might be the most rational thing you do
Especially now with your presidential options being what they are.
D.J. Tice: In spite of an awful war, they 'had a good feeling about this country'
The anniversary of D-Day is a time to ask whether American civilization has passed its peak.
D.J. Tice: For this Minnesota legislator, action targeting child abuse is intensely personal
"There were a lot of nights that I would pray for someone to come and save me. And no one came."
D.J. Tice: No room for debate — it's been a great career
A grateful farewell to readers, with parting worries for a beloved profession.
Dogmas of the stormy present confuse Civil War debate
Politicians need only to look to Lincoln's words to understand his objectives during the conflict-turned-bloodbath.
The infinite elsewhere
There's a certain sensibility, otherwise elusive, on offer when you simply pass through — a place? a period of your life? — without much of a plan.
A big week in the land of political also-rans
Phillips, Emmer join a long line of Minnesotans who have volunteered for greatness.
The unmaking of the presidents (and running mates): a brief history
American politics today are tumultuous to say the least, but we've been here before.
Why good news/bad news isn't good enough on crime (or inflation)
The public is similarly underwhelmed by progress on both topics.
D.J. Tice: The Electoral College — democracy's best defense?
Trump-like attempts to overturn elections are harder under America's much-maligned system, new study says.
America's dubious debt wish
There are consequences to believing our creditworthiness will survive deepening debt.
Common ground scarce in divided states of America
We've been here before, but there's plenty of work to be done.
National Popular Vote would be popular folly
Small wonder Minnesota is about to sign up, despite its likely reducing state voters' clout.
Presidential rematches have been good, bad and ugly
Considering the history, Biden vs. Trump in 2024 might mark a new low.
One Minnesota, 17 cultures: the many 'gaps' of a changing state
There seems to be more to our economic differences than race.
The pursuit of unhappiness (and its remedies)
Perhaps there's nothing new under the sun, even — or especially — in America.
Does Minnesota 'get' crime?
Recent events have me leaning toward "no."
D.J. Tice: Something isn't right — just ask the kids
National and state surveys did exactly that and many answers are unsettling.
Another death roll of kids Minnesota didn't save
New report again documents failures of a child protection system that puts adult interests first.
On Social Security, thanks ... and no thanks
Ever more breaks from state tax give too much special treatment to retiree income.
Is our loss of faith killing Americans?
Since the 1980s, churchgoing has dropped and deaths of despair have risen.
Good news on Minnesota racial gaps — and that's no typo
The cause will take time to discover, but the numbers are welcome.
Scrooge, Cratchit and the enigmas of inequality
Is it a more generous welfare state that makes Europe more equal than America? Humbug, says a new study.
Citizen Sviggum, a rebel for our times
When the subject is "diversity," only one point of view is welcome.
Franken vs. Coleman: Minnesota's case study in election imperfection
Historic recount and court case showed vulnerabilities in remote voting system.
An abortion debate, wanted or not
Conservatives' historic court victory is a political gift to Democrats. And so the pendulum swings.
One nation, underpoliced, with injustice for all
New research comparing the U.S. with the rest of the "First World" suggests that both equity and justice would be served by having more cops — lots more — on the job.
Jensen and Hitler: Why Nazi analogies misfire
Scott Jensen is hardly the first to compare recent events to "Germany in the 1930s," but may he please be the last?
Echoes of Trump in the trial of a founding scoundrel
Aaron Burr was a charismatic schemer, and his dubious treason trial is the best comparison we have to the storm surrounding our 45th president.
How I survived my summer vacation
Thanks to medical marvels, which we shouldn't put at risk without full disclosure.
High court crossfire looms on guns, abortion
Can the justices help America rediscover its democratic instincts?
Report bashing MPD whitewashed arbitration flaws
And that's a problem, because if it prevents those flaws from being corrected, real reform will suffer.
A crossfire of hard truths on crime, policing
If we want people to feel safe, we need to get realistic about our problems.
The inflated mystery of our rising prices
In trying to protect our economy from collapse, we created another economic mess.
For real police reform, look behind the scenes
It looks like there are changes happening in the crucial arena of arbitration.
For book that predicted season of 'crisis,' the time has come
What's worth pondering in a curious theory is the longer view of current events.
![During this legislative session, the Minnesota Center for Fiscal Excellence predicts “a bill to exclude all Social Security income from [state] taxa](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/SZVIGVP4RJPWM3AIJ7CRGFVAHM.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Minnesotans need a break, but not on Social Security
It's doubtful such a tax cut would do much to grow our economy, but it may be one that can pass.
Free speech threats aren't new, just worsening
So says a Minnesota jurist who's been defending free expression for decades.
If we couldn't lick the Taliban, let's be cautious on Ukraine
History, geography raise the stakes and risks.
Breaking through gridlock: a brief history
Can closely divided congresses ever get things done? Yes, but ...
The high cost of humbug
Beware politicians who see prices and wages in need of improvement everywhere they look.
Minnesota is still not saving its children
State Supreme Court ruling brings a reminder that too little in child protection has changed.
Omar, Frey and the rise of the makeshift moderates
A disparate crowd gathers under a big tent, outside of which the winds are howling.
Defund the doubletalk
The charter amendment doesn't defund police, supporters say. But defunding is about the only thing the current charter prevents.
Social studies and social discord: a brief history
I've been reading the 168-page PDF of Minnesota's proposed new standards (and you can, too). Here's how I interpret them in context.
Lessons from the Thompson affair
Cops' critics — as well as cops — face more scrutiny. And politics is as bogus as ever.
Religion, politics, law, sex — a witches' brew of confusion
The views of the Supreme Court's conservative justices appear to break into two camps, and the views of Democratic politicians appear to be ... changeable.
The age of indecision
A central fact of our political era is that America's overheated electorate can't make up its mind.
Who gains, who loses, with more (or fewer) cops on the street?
Research shows both the benefits and the costs of policing fall especially on Black communities.
Some actual, practical police reform deserves to be noticed
The Peace Officer Grievance Arbitration Roster is up and running.
The verdict of a '13th juror' on Chauvin — and the trial
We must strive to respect the rule of law, even though our politicians don't.
You know the story on Minnesota's taxing, spending results — don't you?
Actually, a comparison from the Minnesota Center for Fiscal Excellence tells a more complicated tale than what we usually hear.
Washington's debt-defying show goes on
With the stimulus bill, it's Democrats' turn to perform without a net.
The challenge of a fair trial for Chauvin
The presumption of innocence is strained amid public passions and pronouncements.
A new consensus on the minimum wage? Yes, but …
It doesn't make a one-size-fits-all adjustment comfortable.
Taxing the rich is trickier than it seems
Taxes incentivize people and businesses to change their behaviors, which is important when we consider who will pay in the end.
Though nation still stands, our faith is shaken
Our cumbersome system did its job under pressure, but it's now clear that the veneer of civilization is thin.
Political cash plentiful, not all-powerful
Record-smashing dollars flowed into this year's election, but it seems that it does less than expected to sway the minds of voters.
Oust Trump. Disappoint the left. Just right.
America needed to jettison this president, but happily it did it without empowering the leftist fanaticism threatening to stampede.
As always, Biden goes where the wind blows
Court packing evasion shows that the Democratic nominee is more weak than woke.
A send-off for a mentor who wouldn't have wanted a fuss
In his talks at the Demontreville Jesuit Retreat House in Lake Elmo, the Rev. Ed Sthokal sparked many thoughts. But there was one in particular.
Legal dividing line hardens on the Minnesota Supreme Court
A string of politically charged 5-2 rulings suggest a state court separating into ideological blocs, a bit like a certain court in Washington.
