Opinion

26764

The Elbert Files: Capitalism isn’t always pretty

Fed bashing has become popular for some fairly obvious reasons. 

The near collapse of the Western world’s economy in 2008 was enough to produce second thoughts, even among die-hard capitalists. And the slow recovery that …

26736

The Elbert Files: Is age relevant for candidates?

Donald Trump shares at least three traits with Ronald Reagan. 

Like “the Gipper,” Trump is a trained performer. He may not memorize scripts as well as Reagan, but Trump appears to be better at improvisation. …

26714

The Elbert Files: God’s sense of humor

During my 50th high school reunion a month ago, our class president, Rick Jellinger, said he has learned two things since we graduated from Ames High School in 1965: “God has a plan, and he …

26679

The Elbert Files: Why Branstad ignores the law

It was a beautiful fall day and I was admiring the hint of color in the oak trees on Grand Avenue when my thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice.

“It has finally happened,” said …

26648

The Elbert Files: Tips from our manners maven

One of Callista Gould’s favorite stories is about a recruiter who had just begun interviewing a soon-to-be college graduate when the job seeker’s cellphone rang. 

“The young woman answered it and talked for a minute,” …

26650

Guest Opinion: Empower the next leaders

Leadership is an art. It’s more than taking the right courses or getting the proper degrees. 

Leadership involves understanding company culture and recognizing that decisions can affect that culture. And excelling at the art of …

26626

The Elbert Files: Rebalancing the economy

Here’s something to think about as the fiscal year 2015 enters its final quarter:

The collapse of commodity prices during the past year or so is unlikely to produce the gloom and doom scenarios that …

26610

The Elbert Files: Donald, Hillary and Carly

“Boy, were you wrong,” said a voice from behind as I paused during my morning walk along Grand Avenue.  

“About what?” I said as I turned to greet my old friend K.C. “I’m wrong …

26598

The Elbert Files: Behind the Meredith merger

Media General Inc., the public company buying Des Moines’ Meredith Corp., has roots that go back to the founding of the Richmond Dispatch newspaper in 1879.

In recent years, however, the Virginia company has had …

26562

The Elbert Files: Des Moines’s new ‘Bridges’ story

Several months ago, while collaborating with Slingshot Architecture on a master plan for Hubbell Realty’s Bridge District housing development, Dennis Reynolds had an unusual idea. 

Reynolds is a transplant to Iowa, a creative guy who …