Suggestions for the Legislature
I know there will be howl of protest over this, but I think it’s about time we stopped keeping the names of juvenile delinquents out of the news.
When these young people get a “pass” just because they are under a magical age, the public is deprived of knowledge that this kid or that kid is a bad egg and should be avoided.
Maybe have some consideration for first or possibly even second offenses, but by the time a minor has engaged in multiple criminal offenses, it’s time to take the kid gloves off, pun intended.
Maybe the embarrassment their families endure as a result might help curb some of the foolishness by kids, maybe not, but it’s worth a shot. By the time a teen has graduated to stealing guns, he’s big enough to face the real music.
I’m all for no longer naming roads and bridges or whatever after people, especially since they are in such a bad state of repair.
Too often somebody gets elected to the Legislature after a long-time member dies or retires and the first thing the new public servant wants to do is name a stretch of road in honor of the person they replaced.
People, there are a lot of much more important problems to be solved than to waste time on such foolishness. Often the person being “honored” doesn’t really deserve the honor at all. What good did they accomplish while serving in the Legislature or in other service to our state or country?
I consider myself to be just about as much “Christian” as almost anybody else, but I hold slightly different views than many other Christians. For instance, Mississippi has no state lottery because one religious public servant holds gambling to be a sin. He’s going to punish people for gambling? “Judge not, lest ye be judged by the same merit.”
This state really needs more tax revenue, and a lottery is one way to help fill the shortfall. Also, there are a lot of people in Mississippi who pay NO State taxes, and they would be the very ones most likely to buy lottery tickets. It’s time they helped to fund the treasury. Just be sure that all funds derived from the lottery are used ONLY for purposes outlined in a bill that would allow it.
For Pete’s sake, raise the gasoline (and diesel fuel) tax! It simply has to happen or else.
Instead of giving huge conglomerates multi-million dollar incentives to locate here, make sure that the magnet that lures them is a well-trained and qualified work force.
One thing we have going for Mississippi is we are an open-shop state. Unions were once a good thing for employees but have become a monster all on its own. Not all, of course, but when companies are free to fire undesirable, unproductive employees without having to get “permission” from a union it makes the company stronger.
Good employers will pay good employees good wages, especially if there is competition for good employees.
Cameron Triplett
Brooksville
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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