Eric Schansberg

David Eric Schansberg (born March 19, 1965) is a professor of economics at Indiana University Southeast, an author, and a two-time Libertarian candidate for Indiana's 9th Congressional District.

Early life, education, and career

Schansberg was born in Louisville, Kentucky. He also lived in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, in Malone, New York, and in Fairfax, Virginia, where he attended Chantilly High School and graduated from Robinson Secondary School. He attended George Mason University and graduated in 1986 with a BA in Mathematics and a BS in Economics. Working his way through school, he held jobs at McDonald's and Safeway.

He went to Texas A&M University and in 1991 earned a Ph.D. in economics. His dissertation was on congressional labor markets, focusing on the determinants of congressional tenure and term limits. After teaching as a visiting professor at Texas A&M in 1991–92, Schansberg returned to Louisville to teach economics at Indiana University Southeast in New Albany, Indiana.

In 1995, he married Tonia Baker. They have four boys – two by adoption and two by pregnancy.

Schansberg was promoted to associate professor in 1997, earned tenure in 1998, and was promoted to professor in 2000. He was also Distinguished Visiting Professor at The King's College (New York) in New York City in 2005–06. He has been a member of the Faculty Senate Executive Committee, and coordinator of Economics, Finance and Statistics within the School of Business.

Writings

Schansberg is the author of two books on public policy–Poor Policy: How Government Harms the Poor (Westview Press, 1996) ISBN 9780813328256 and Turn Neither to the Right nor to the Left: A Thinking Christian's Guide to Politics and Public Policy (Alertness Books, 2003) ISBN 9780972975452.

He is also the author or co-author of academic articles for journals such as Regulation, Economics and Politics, Public Choice, Economic Inquiry, Social Science Quarterly, Markets and Morality, and Public Finance Review. His books were reviewed in various publications, including Social Service Review

He has written popular press articles as well, including essays in the Wall Street Journal, the (Louisville) Courier-Journal, and The Indianapolis Star. Notable essays include works on "vehicle emission testing" in Louisville, property taxes in Indiana, the history of eugenics in Indiana, and "The Arrogance of Power" (on the controversy over Indiana's 8th congressional district in 1984). He is also the author of SchansBlog.

Christian ministry

In addition to his book, Turn Neither to the Right nor to the Left, Schansberg has written other essays on Christianity, ethics, and public policy. He also wrote a layperson's commentary on the book of Joshua, Inheriting the Promised Land. Along with Kurt Sauder, the Men's Minister at Southeast Christian Church, he has written a 21-month discipleship curriculum entitled ''Thoroughly Equipped''. Schansberg administers "DC" at Southeast to develop lay–leaders and promote making disciple-makers.

Schansberg has taught more than 40 books of the Bible in expository Bible studies since 1991 and led Abundant Life, a Sunday School class at Southeast, from 2000 to 2008.

Electoral history

In 2006, Schansberg ran as a Libertarian and won 4.5% of the votes in Indiana's 9th congressional district race. In April 2008, he was the Libertarian nominee for Congress a second time, winning 3.8% of the vote. In both races, Schansberg emphasized fiscal conservatism, bringing troops home from Iraq, reducing or eliminating payroll taxes, reforming Social Security, and eliminating subsidies for corporations and Planned Parenthood.