Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Sneak attack: It seemed like they got it and then, whamo, no gas tax cap
It is encouraging when legislators get it -- when they comprehend the consequences of the decisions they make in Raleigh for the average, everyday North Carolinian. Many of them are not struggling now to meet bills. And most probably would...Published: Nov 30, 2011 10:27 AM Full Editorial
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Is she done? Gov. Beverly Perdue not in best position for re-election campaign
There comes a point in a politician's life when the choice of whether he or she should run for another term should no longer be his or her own. Sometimes circumstances force the change and sometimes fate. But in...Published: Nov 29, 2011 10:48 AM Full Editorial
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Dreams' detour: Young people too often misjudge consequences of taking wrong path
If you read the police log, you see it. And every once in a while, if you keep a close watch on the court records, you are confronted by it -- the sad consequence of what happens when young people...Published: Nov 26, 2011 5:14 PM Full Editorial
Friday, November 25, 2011
Practicality: Free money is almost never free
There are some realities in the world that some officeholders never quite seem to grasp. The first is that government should operate on a budget. Normally sane individuals might see an 18-month same-as-cash or one-time cell phone offer and think,...Published: Nov 25, 2011 11:25 AM Full Editorial
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Now what? So much for the Supercommittee. What is ahead for country?
The only thing scarier than entrusting the future of this nation's financial integrity to the U.S. Congress is leaving it up to President Barack Obama and his administration of people who do not seem to know what it takes...Published: Nov 22, 2011 10:48 AM Full Editorial
Monday, November 21, 2011
Still time to give: Take a donation down to help feed more county families
It is a sobering thought to think that perhaps the organizations founded to help the needy in Wayne County are not sure they have all they need to feed everyone who might be hungry this Thanksgiving. But the good...Published: Nov 21, 2011 11:13 AM Full Editorial
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Heavy sigh: Why Americans are so tired of reading the latest loan scandal ...
It is not just that there could not be a worse time to be dumping money in one industry just because its success would support the president's "green" agenda. And it is not just that another large dump of...Published: Nov 19, 2011 11:32 PM Full Editorial
Friday, November 18, 2011
It takes guts: No, cuts aren't easy, but then again, that's what makes a leader
It is a lot more fun to announce a new pork barrel project to members of your community than to tell them that there won't be enough money to fund every pre-K program. It is not nearly as stressful...Published: Nov 18, 2011 11:08 AM Full Editorial
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Tax cut stimulus: Here's a real-life example of how to stimulate the economy
If you think back, you will probably remember it -- the Cash for Clunkers program. The idea was, you trade in your gas guzzler, the government gives you a tax break, and you purchase yourself a new, energy efficient...Published: Nov 17, 2011 10:19 AM Full Editorial
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
DAs are right: Racial Justice Act will become springboard for injustice
No judicial system is perfect. There are times when the innocent are convicted and the guilty go free. That's what comes with allowing a suspect to be tried by a jury of his or her peers. Most Americans want...Published: Nov 16, 2011 10:45 AM Full Editorial
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Occupy what? It is becoming less and less clear what protesters really want
Occupy Wall Street -- or you fill in the name of the city -- has taken a turn for the absurd. After weeks of protesting, no one is really sure what those gathered at the sites around the country...Published: Nov 15, 2011 10:49 AM Full Editorial
Monday, November 14, 2011
Court intervenes: Country needs a definitive answer on health care reform
The Supreme Court announced this morning that it would listen to arguments from those who say there is reason to challenge the constitutionality of the Obama health care reform law. And it is about time. The arguments have gone...Published: Nov 14, 2011 10:57 AM Full Editorial
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Integrity: Why does it seem to be in such short supply these days?
Unless you were looking at a flag or honoring a veteran on Friday, it was not the greatest week for heroes. From the horrific stories out of Penn State -- of who knew what and did nothing -- to the...Published: Nov 12, 2011 11:18 PM Full Editorial
Friday, November 11, 2011
Remembering: It is not about a day off. It is about heroes.
It is a small sacrifice, really, to stand outside and to wave a flag as uniformed heroes walk by. It does not compare to the fear that goes along with taking a beach or facing an insurgent's rifle. It...Published: Nov 11, 2011 10:36 AM Full Editorial
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Too powerful: Penn State scandal should prompt new look at college football
Joe Paterno's firing is a sad fall from grace. To think that a decades-long career would end in such a cloud of scandal and could have, should have is shocking to say the least. But it does point to...Published: Nov 10, 2011 11:04 AM Full Editorial
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Jackson saga: Verdict was correct, but what a tragedy of indifference
The bottom line is Dr. Conrad Murray deserved what he got. He administered a drug to a celebrity without regard to the oath he took as a doctor -- and the administration of that drug resulted in a death....Published: Nov 8, 2011 10:36 AM Full Editorial
Monday, November 7, 2011
We need you: It is going to be a tough year
You come through every year, but this year, we know, it is going to be tough. The Empty Stocking Fund organizers are aware that there is more need this year -- and that there are children on the list...Published: Nov 7, 2011 10:40 AM Full Editorial
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Hagan alert: Where oh where has our senator been? Certainly not keeping promises.
When election time rolls around, all of a sudden, North Carolina politicians figure out that there is a highway that leads out of Raleigh -- and it does not just go to Charlotte, Winston-Salem or Greensboro. That is when they...Published: Nov 5, 2011 11:19 PM Full Editorial
Friday, November 4, 2011
Too much: Kardashian scandal a wakeup call about reality TV stars
It doesn't seem like any of us should be wasting time talking about it, but there is something that can be learned from the recent scandal involving celebrity-in-her-own-mind Kim Kardashian and her nuptials. The sad part is, 72 days...Published: Nov 4, 2011 10:39 AM Full Editorial
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Cain concerns: Yet another scandal -- and a few lessons that can be learned
You cannot believe everything you hear, and sometimes what you hear might not be exactly what happened. So writing off Republican presidential nomination hopeful Herman Cain because of something someone said happened 20 years ago is not only not...Published: Nov 3, 2011 11:08 AM Full Editorial
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Reading dilemma: Want better scores? Make it a priority at home, too.
It is not really good news that North Carolina students are only inches better in reading -- and right around the national average. And, as usual, there will be a chorus of criticism against the state's schools and teachers...Published: Nov 2, 2011 10:23 AM Full Editorial
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Eliminate cheats: Fix health system by catching those who misuse it first.
It is the same old story. People who have worked all their lives, obeyed the law and who have gone out of their way to help others are faced with crushing medical bills and nowhere to turn except for...Published: Nov 1, 2011 12:47 PM Full Editorial