Cheney Free Press -

The criticism of President Trump’s tariff war continues to grow. The attacks are mostly centered around the American consumer. I understand the concern. I don’t want the prices at the checkout to be any higher than they absolut... — Updated 6/20/2019

Congratulations graduates! It’s been a long time since I stood in your place. I remember being excited to finish a big phase in my life and apprehensive about starting a new one. I am sure you feel much the same. For the past 12... — Updated 6/13/2019

The first law of economics is Murphy’s Law. The second, right behind Murphy, is the Law of Unintended Consequences, which says: “Any outside input into the free market tends to disrupt its normal flow.” The free market can... — Updated 6/6/2019

Our court system is out of control. I was watching a Mariner’s game the other day when the network filled a break in the action with a half dozen commercials. My drink and chip bowl were both full, so I sat back in my recliner... — Updated 5/23/2019

Twenty years ago, Washington voters outlawed ethnic discrimination within our state. Initiative 200, passed by a decisive popular vote, specified that employers or those granting contracts, “shall not discriminate against nor... — Updated 5/9/2019

On March 15, a small group of white supremacists attacked a mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand, killing 50 worshipers. Political and religious leaders throughout the world condemned the act and the terrorists. The six gunmen were... — Updated 5/2/2019

Our state Legislature has accomplished all their goals. They have outlawed eyeball tattoos, enacted the biggest budget increase in history, raised the price of gasoline, and enabled the worst school funding debacle since statehood.... — Updated 4/25/2019

Big headlines announce one in 12 Spokane teachers may lose their jobs. Those who follow my column may remember last fall when the Legislature poured money into K-12 education statewide, I said it would do little, if anything, to... — Updated 4/18/2019

Yippeee! I finished my taxes. I was concerned after the media horror stories of taxpayers who expected considerable refunds only to discover they owed thousands to the IRS. I didn’t know what to expect. I was happy to discover... — Updated 4/4/2019

I was tired of shoveling snow the other day and needed some comic relief, so I decided to read the most recent newsletters sent out by my state representative. Finding out what is happening at our state capitol is challenging. I... — Updated 3/28/2019

Homelessness has been cussed and discussed with no solution in sight. With no viable plan, most government officials wring their hands and hope the problem will go away. The latest suggestion is to pay the homeless a living wage.... — Updated 3/21/2019

I didn’t think it was quite time for political season, but it seems to have started. I was just sitting down to dinner when my phone rang. If it had been 30 seconds later, I would have let the answering machine take it even... — Updated 3/14/2019

I normally watch the news as I brew my morning cup of tea. As we were experiencing a significant winter storm, I was anxious to check school closures and road conditions. I was disappointed to find all news channels filled with Mic... — Updated 3/7/2019

I went to college in New York. It was a long way from home, but West Point offered to let me play football in exchange for a quality education and a career. New York was quite a culture shock for a small town farm boy. The... — Updated 2/28/2019

Along with millions of other Americans, I watched last week’s State of the Union Address. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but that wasn’t it. The President was uncharacteristically subdued. He didn’t pick any fights nor... — Updated 2/14/2019

Four Washington state counties announced they will not enforce Initiative 1639, and more may follow. I don’t understand. I was taught in high school civics class we were a federal, constitutional, democracy. I remembered the... — Updated 2/7/2019

I visited a pot shop last week, something I thought I would never do. A senior citizen friend of mine has been experiencing rather severe knee pain and is trying to postpone an inevitable replacement. In the meantime, she has done... — Updated 1/31/2019

After long and careful consideration, I have decided not to run for President of the United States in 2020. I realize this may come as a disappointment to my supporters, and I will leave my future options open, but the timing is... — Updated 1/24/2019

It looks as if the current government shutdown will set a new record with no end in sight. President Trump has avowed that he will not end the standoff unless there is funding for his wall. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is just as... — Updated 1/17/2019

The federal minimum wage has been $7.25 per hour since 2009. Even though 96 percent of gainfully employed Americans earn more than the minimum, there is a push to increase it to a “living wage.” Minimum wage is a bad idea for... — Updated 1/10/2019

I have about quit watching football. I did watch the Army/Navy game, and was pleased when my old alma mater made it three wins in a row. The only other college game I watched was the Apple Cup. I don’t watch the pros since some... — Updated 1/3/2019

During our last family reunion, some of my siblings and I relived some of our childhood Christmas memories. We were not the most affluent family in town. Dad raised 10 kids on a factory worker’s pay, so to provide special... — Updated 12/20/2018

During the recent mid-term elections, Democrats campaigned extensively and at times quite successfully on health care. The specifics covered a wide spectrum. The recurring theme, however, appeared to be cost. Politicians across... — Updated 12/13/2018

The President’s methods and manner usually leave much to be desired, but once in a while he gets something right. He is spot-on when he calls the growing crowd on our southern border a “migrant invasion.” I can’t... — Updated 12/6/2018

Dear CNN, I watched your broadcasts protesting the revocation of Jim Acosta’s White House press pass. You have now turned to the courts in order to bolster your continued feud with President Trump. I will agree that the... — Updated 11/29/2018