Phil's Column

Acceleration of events imposes dimly perceived but very important changes in the way we think

On a trip overseas, the perils of international free-trade agreements appear in China, and the wonders of a strong infrastructure unfold at 200-mph in Japan.

This year, The Center for Michigan’s public outreach campaign focuses on how to restore public confidence in government. Signing up for our local Community Conversations allows you to be part of the solution

All it takes is an inattentive or bored citizenry to set the stage for the decline of the republic

If the experience in Flint teaches anything, it’s that when lots of local people complain loudly and persistently about things going wrong, usually there is something going wrong

I’ve been traveling around the state recently, speaking to various community groups and service clubs. As usual, when I get in a room with Michiganders, I learn a ton by asking questions: How many are satisfied with the present state of politics in Michigan? How about in the country? (Zero hands go up.) How many […]

We are witnessing the slow deterioration of a political system that is showing itself incapable of governing our country effectively

The catastrophe in Genesee keeps revealing itself, with lesson after lesson on how to miss seeing, and mishandle, a modern meltdown

As we ponder conflicting accusations of who is to blame for the water disaster in Flint and the financial crisis in Detroit’s public schools, let’s also take a moment to consider some of the root causes that led to these emergencies and how to fix them.

The fact Trump, Cruz and Sanders are all contending indicates conventional wisdom isn’t anymore, so all bets are off