Social media and the social fabric

*Appeared in the Laurel Leader Call newspaper in Jones County

It’s mid-morning on a Friday.  Already, I’ve checked my Instagram messages; scrolled through my Twitter feed; and perused snaps on SnapChat. I even googled a music video on Youtube.

This snapshot provides support for the Pew Research Center’s survey on social media usage, which found that seven in ten Americans “use social media to connect with one another, engage with news content, share information and entertain themselves.”  

 

Compare that to 2005, when the Research Center began tracking social media adoption (think: Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, Twitter, etc.).  Just five percent of Americans used one of these platforms 16 years ago, yet today about 72 percent of the public uses some type of social media.  To say the least, this rise in social media adoption has been astronomical. 

 

In the early days of social media, younger Americans were more likely to utilize these technologies. But as more Americans have joined these platforms, “the social media user base has also grown more representative of the broader population.”  For example, half of Americans aged 65 or older say they use Facebook.  That’s a lot of grandmas and grandpas, y’all.

If you follow national news, you know social media and big tech is a hot political topic these days.  Despite recent outrage against social media platforms like Facebook for “censoring” political and other news, its users have actually remained quite active on the platform.  About 70 percent of users say they check the site daily, with half of those saying they use the site multiple times daily. 

There’s some irony in widespread adoption of social media compared to Americans’ views on these platforms.  According to a study conducted last year, about two-thirds of Americans believe social media has a “mostly negative effect on the way things are going in the country today.” These individuals cited misinformation and harassment they see on social media; concerns about users “believing everything they see or read – or not being sure about what to believe;” and social media’s role in contributing to further polarization by creating echo chambers (only following news and other outlets that reaffirm one’s beliefs). 

More Republicans than Democrats felt social media was negative, but a majority of both parties felt the impact of these platforms was more negative than positive. 

 

So, what does it all mean?  For starters, we have a complicated, “love/hate” relationship with social media.  We use it on a mostly-daily basis, yet believe it is contributing to society in negative ways.  Why then, if we believe that social media is damaging to society, do we continue to use it so frequently?

 

One thing that social media does well is keep you engaged. After all, these are companies seeking to make profits so they can grow and employ hundreds of people. But this leads to platforms catering their content to keep users coming back and staying there. This can be convenient at times – we get to see more of what we like! But ultimately, the content that humans can never get enough of is that of crisis, urgency, and negativity. Think of the train wreck from which you simply can’t look away. That’s what we get with social media: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

 

This constant access to negativity can cause many to believe that things are much worse than reality. The phrase “Twitter is not real life” is repeated over and over by various pundits to remind people that things are not nearly as bad as our social media feeds may lead us to believe. I’d encourage everyone, when encountering a negative article on Facebook or Twitter, to take a deep breath and think about the positives that are happening in your life.

 

Social media also presents unique opportunities for hostile engagement with and negative perceptions of peers. Consider your personal experiences using social media. Chances are you’ve seen your friends or family members post links or provide comments that you absolutely disagree with.  I bet it made you mad – or at least made you roll your eyes.  And I bet it made you think differently about that friend or family member, didn’t it?

 

This raises an important point.  While social media can be positive for sharing views and information, it also creates an isolated method for discourse (whether political or not).  It’s far easier to defend one’s viewpoints from behind a computer screen than have a face-to-face interaction about the same topic.  The vitriol that may be acceptable (well, not really) on Facebook, for example, would likely not be tolerated in an actual human conversation.  

 

We know that humans act differently online than they do when physically present with others.  We tend to be more empathic, respectful, and open to hearing others’ ideas.  Are those traits that you associate with social media?  I didn’t think so.

 

I fully believe in an individual’s right to his or her own opinion, and if someone wants to share that opinion online, then so be it. But consider the fact that just 17 percent of adult Americans say their views have been changed because of something they saw on social media.  My point is this:  It may feel good to rant on Facebook or retweet an incendiary article on Twitter, but you’re probably not changing anyone’s views on the actual issue – just their views on you.

 

I’ve written before about the need for empathy, and I believe social media has eroded our society’s understanding and practice of this trait.  So next time you’re logging onto a social media platform, consider the impact it has on your relationships.

 

Remember, social media is a great tool. But with all things in life, moderation is key. Be kind to others, focus on life’s many positives, and consider spending a little less time scrolling through feeds on your phone or computer. 

Legislative session a wrap

*Appeared in the Laurel Leader Call newspaper in Jones County

Last week, the Mississippi legislature wrapped up its regular session.  Lawmakers passed a balanced budget with a full savings account (or “rainy day fund”), along with modest, up-to-three percent salary increases for state employees and a $1,000 teacher pay raise – all without raising your taxes. But what else did they do? 

I would be remiss not to mention (what seemed to be) the biggest fight of the session – Speaker Gunn’s proposal to eliminate the income tax and reduce the grocery tax, while raising the sales and other tax rates. Despite garnering bipartisan support from the House, this bill died in the Senate due to lack of support from senate members. 

 

For now, Mississippians will see no reduction in their income taxes – but also, no increases, either. I say that’s a mixed bag result.  High-growth states like Texas, Florida, and Tennessee levy no income tax, and I agree with leaders like Speaker Gunn and Gov. Reeves that eliminating this tax-on-work would do more to promote our economic growth than most other legislative proposals. I don’t love the tax increases included in the Speaker’s proposal, and I’m not convinced they are necessary for passage of major tax reform…but I’d much rather pay a sales tax than an income tax.  After all, we should be encouraging more employment – not monetarily penalizing people for working.  

 

I had the chance to speak with Jones County Rep. Donnie Scoggin (Republican – District 89) about some of their accomplishments during the session. He noted passage of a transportation bill to increase weight limits on harvest loads from 84,000 to 88,000 pounds, which will ease the process of transporting commodities such as sand, gravel, dirt, and agricultural products.  This bill is particularly important to the Free State due to our large presence of poultry producers. 

 

Readers may recall Initiative 65, which paves the way for a state medical marijuana program, passed during the last general election.  However, I-65 is currently being challenged in court, so lawmakers “tried to put in place a contingency program in case the Supreme Court strikes the law down,” explained Rep. Scoggin. He said there was much confusion about legislation designed to make the medical marijuana program constitutional, and ultimately this bill died. 

 

While Rep. Scoggin is pleased with the state’s budget increasing state employee pay raises by up to three percent, he says we must do more for the state’s working poor, citing low salaries for nurses aides at Ellisville State School as an example.  

 

Occupational licensing was a big issue, and lawmakers made progress by passing legislation that allows Mississippi to reciprocate certain professional licenses from other states.  For example, if a nurse in Alabama wants to practice in Mississippi, his or her license will be recognized by Mississippi licensing authorities – so long as the state of origin has similar standards. 

 

According to Rep. Scoggin, Jones County fared well in the state’s budget and bond bill, receiving some $1.2 million for resurfacing at Howard Technology Park; $200,000 for the City of Laurel for parks and recreation; and a new fire truck for the City of Ellisville. 

 

Lawmakers’ budget work isn’t over quite yet, though.  The American Rescue Plan passed by Congress and signed into law by President Biden will provide hundreds of millions of dollars in funding to Mississippi.  Jones County and its cities are slated to collectively receive about $20 million in federal dollars under the Act, which Rep. Scoggin hopes will be used in part to fund a new law enforcement complex near the existing jail. 

 

The legislature is expected to come back later this summer to deal with these federal dollars.  Until then, Mississippians can breathe a collective sigh of relief. 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

Changing demographics, changing politics

*Appeared in the Laurel Leader Call newspaper in Jones County 

About a year and a half ago, I went with my family to eat at The Loft in the downtown district. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw a line out the door and down the street.  

 

“But this is Laurel – sweet, sleepy, Laurel,” I thought.  As it turns out, my hometown isn’t quite so sleepy anymore. 

 

I was naïve not to understand the changing demographics of the area or just how much the City Beautiful had grown in terms of tourism and economic development.  It was a naivety I could afford, since my name isn’t on a ballot.  But politicians, take note. The changing demographics of the city, if continued, can have lasting repercussions for elected leaders in this area.  

 

Consider the following anecdotal comments from a local architect, who has seen an influx in retirees in his work.  He says the cost of living here compared to where the retirees come from makes a comfortable retirement possible for a lot of new Laurel residents.  In addition to retirees, another influence are the people growing a family. 

 

According to U.S. Census “QuickFacts,” Jones County’s population is comprised of 17.4 percent of people over 65 (as of 2019 estimates).  About five percent of the population are veterans, at roughly 3,500 citizens.  Residents drive an average of 21.7 minutes to work, and the average household size is 2.68. 

 

These are simply estimates from the Census Bureau, but it gives us a good snapshot into demographics of the Free State area.

 

Nearly one in five Jones Countians are over 65, which means retirees are – or should be – a strong voting bloc in this area.  Topics such as healthcare and pensions often take the forefront of this population’s mind, and, correspondingly, often become a platform for local leaders. 

 

Many of these particular topics resonate strongest at the federal level. The Affordable Care Act is federal, as is social security and Medicare. Seniors living in the Free State may have a renewed interest in our federal congressional elections, which happen next year. 

 

The state plays a role, albeit a smaller one, in regulating healthcare and pension plans. Mississippi is a tax-free state for retirement income, so seniors might pay increased attention to tax proposals being pushed at both the state and federal levels.

 

Young and growing families can also impact the politics of an area, with their focus on affordable housing prices, quality schools, and jobs availability.  This group is likely to be more concerned about the school rating of the Laurel or Jones County school districts than they are whether lawmakers in Jackson tax pension funding.

 

Locating in the city versus the county is a big decision for these families, and speaks to the nearly 22-minute average drive-to-work time captured by the U.S. Census data. Another bright spot on the horizon for Jones County is the impact these young families have on the local music scene. (320 Fifth Street, anyone?!) I’m pleased to say one can find live music again in Laurel, Miss.

 

One last point about Laurel’s ever-changing demographics.  “Geographic mobility” as measured by the U.S. Census tracks whether individuals live in a different house than one year ago; live in a different county than a year ago; live in a different state; and/or live in a different country. The rate for Jones County is 6.5 percent, or about half of the statewide rate.  With an influx of new residents, expect this figure to change significantly if population growth continues. 

 

On a more personal note, these days I am proud to split time between Jackson and Jones County (I bought a house in the Free State about 1.5 years ago). It’s exciting to witness the renaissance of the downtown area, as well as the economic growth outside the city limits. From newly paved streets to road construction, from live music to BBQ nachos, I welcome this Laurel transformation. 

 

What’s that sign say that welcomes you into the county on Highway 84? Laurel, Mississippi… “now this is livin’.” 

Mental health bill a no brainer

*Appeared in the Laurel Leader Call newspaper in Jones County

It’s finally March, and lawmakers are about halfway through the 2021 legislative session.  From budget to taxes, from teacher pay raises to healthcare, legislators are tasked with figuring out which of these bills to pass, which bills to kill, and which bills need further deliberation.   

But I want to take a few paragraphs to discuss a bill that hasn’t received much attention: Senate Bill 2420, which would allow a temporary license for mental health counselors and other social workers to practice in nonprofit facilities and family counseling centers.  Eliminating bureaucratic red tape is a no-brainer, particularly during COVID-19 – which is exactly what this bill will do.

 

According to a recent report from the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health services have been disrupted by COVID-19 in 93 percent of countries worldwide – despite the demand for these services increasing.  The pandemic has triggered feelings of “bereavement, isolation, loss of income, and fear” while the virus itself can lead to “neurological and mental complications, such as delirium, agitation, and stroke.” 

 

Kaiser Family Foundation data echo WHO data, showing that about four in 10 adults in the U.S. have reported anxiety or depressive disorder symptoms, up from just one in 10 adults who reported such symptoms pre-COVID.  Many adults are reporting difficulty sleeping or eating, increases in alcohol consumption or substance abuse, and worsening chronic conditions due to worry and stress over the coronavirus.  These actions are directly linked to poor mental health outcomes. 

 

Sen. Brice Wiggins, a Republican from Jackson County, authored SB 2420 because he saw a need for Mississippi government to boost access to mental health services and get rid of bureaucratic red tape.  The bill would give mental health counselors from other states a temporary reciprocal license to provide counseling services in our state. 

 

“Bureaucracy is killing our state’s ability to compete nationally, not to mention get the needed services to our citizens.  We lack mental health and social work providers as it is and the pandemic has made it worse,” explained Sen. Wiggins. 

 

According to the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, one in five citizens experience mental illness in any given year.  As such, mental health counselors are in high demand, and getting appointments can be challenging for many people – especially lower income families and other vulnerable populations.  That’s why this bill focuses on issuing reciprocal licenses for providers in nonprofit facilities and family counseling centers, which tend to provide services to these populations. 

 

The legislation makes sense.  Not only does it pave the way for increased access to mental health care services, it also highlights a growing need for lawmakers to review licensing laws and eliminate unnecessary red tape.  

 

“I saw this bill as a way to both continue the march towards ending government inefficiency and get our citizens the services they need, all without raising taxes or spending any extra money,” said Sen. Wiggins. 

 

For anyone suffering from mental health challenges during the pandemic, there are resources available.  Pine Belt residents can check out our local community mental health center and its services at www.pbmhr.org.  

Record number of women serving in legislatures across nation

*Appeared in the Laurel Leader-Call newspaper 

“Anything you can do, I can do better; I can do anything better than you.”  Some of you may recall these playful lyrics from the musical, Annie Get Your Gun.  In the show, sharpshooters Annie Oakley and Frank Butler croon about who can sing softer, higher, sweeter; they each boast of their personal abilities and accomplishments, with Annie going toe-to-toe with Frank at each musical interval. 

I was reminded of this male-female bantering upon reading recent data from the Center for American Women and Politics, which shows a record number of women holding office in state legislatures across the United States.  In 2021, 2,279 state legislators – roughly 31 percent – are female.  This represents a quintupling of the number of women serving in state legislatures since 1971, the first year data from CAWP was available. 

The National Conference of State Legislatures compiled data beyond raw numbers; in fact, according to the NCSL, 87 women nationwide held a leadership position in either the House or Senate at the start of the 2021 legislative session.  

Nevada tops the list of states with the most females serving at the statehouse, with an overwhelming majority – 60.3 percent – of legislators being female.  Mississippi, on the other hand, falls in the bottom 10 states, where just 16.1 percent of state legislators are women. 

But that’s not to say Mississippi is complacent when it comes to women in leadership.  In 2018 and for the first time in state history, the Hospitality State elected a woman to the U.S. Senate, Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith. A former state senator, Hyde-Smith also broke the mold by serving as the state’s first female Agriculture and Commerce Commissioner from 2012 to 2018.  

Other notable females in Mississippi leadership include Republican Attorney General Lynn Fitch, who previously served as State Treasurer.  Amy Tuck, who was elected as a Democrat but later changed allegiances to the Republican Party, served as the state’s Lieutenant Governor after having served in the Mississippi State Senate. 

Free Staters are perhaps most familiar with Hattiesburg-native and Democrat Evelyn Gandy (and no, I’m not talking about the parkway).  Ms. Gandy served in three statewide offices: first as Treasurer, then Commissioner of Insurance, and finally as Lieutenant Governor. But the title of first woman elected statewide goes to Democrat Nellah Massey Bailey, who was elected State Tax Collector in 1947. (Fun fact: Ms. Bailey also served as First Lady of Mississippi from 1944 to 1946 after her husband, Thomas Lowry Bailey, was elected Governor.)

But, let’s get back to women in the state legislature.  CAWP data shows that Mississippi had 44 women candidates in 2019, with 28 ultimately capturing seats (17 in the House of Representatives and 11 in the State Senate).  Interestingly, Jones County has two women voices representing its citizens at the Capitol in Jackson: Republican Rep. Robin Robinson and Democrat Rep. Omeria Scott. 

“Each person, man or woman, has a valuable perspective based on life experiences”, stated Representative Robinson.  “As a woman in politics, it is my goal to use my perspective and experiences to represent the people of our great State.”

 

I’m not surprised that women are starting to engage more politically. Indeed, Bloomberg reports that “in every U.S. presidential election since 1964, more women than men have turned out to vote.”  Women are an important voting bloc and their increasing numbers in political races have caused the political parties to take notice – and action. 

For example, the Mississippi Republican Party has recognized the importance of targeting women through programs like its Women Initiative Network (WIN-R), which provides specialized training in politics and public service to women across the state. 

Tate Lewis, executive director of the Mississippi Republican Party, says the party “has benefited from the help of many amazing women who have stepped up to be leaders in our state and party.”  He cites the work of the Mississippi Federation of Republican Women and two past chairwomen of the GOP, Evelyn McPhail and Ebbie Spivey, in the 80s and 90s. He points out that a working mom chairs the Republican National Committee and says women “provide an invaluable voice in the shaping and management of politics and public policy.” 

This is a smart move for Republicans, considering the fact that the two genders have “differed markedly in their preferences at the ballot box,” according to Bloomberg, with women preferring Democrat candidates more than men.  While this isn’t necessarily true in a red state like Mississippi, Republicans are wise to recruit women to their ranks.  (As it stands, female legislators in Mississippi are just about evenly split between the two parties.)

From increased voter turnout among women to increased numbers of female candidates and officeholders, the demographic trends are encouraging from this Republican woman’s perspective.  After all, who better to tackle important policy issues like childcare, abortion, and even “pink taxes” on feminine products, than politically-conservative females? 

So men, this is your notice. Women are continuing to make our voices heard in larger numbers.  Pretty soon we’ll be able to truthfully answer Beyoncé’s timeless question of “who runs the world?” Girls, that’s who. 

Governor sets “cultivating empathy” as major personal goal

*Appeared in the Laurel Leader-Call newspaper.

I watched Gov. Reeves’s State of the State address this week. He spoke about his goals for Mississippi, including growing the state’s economy, investing in workforce development, and pushing hard on COVID-19 vaccination distributions.  But what I felt was the most ambitious part of the speech had little to do with policy goals; in fact, it centered on something very personal – cultivating empathy. 

 

Specifically, Gov. Reeves said he was aiming daily at cultivating “more empathy.  It’s been in short supply in this world for some time now…and too often that leads us to see one another as enemies. It leads to corrosion in trust.”  

 

He continued: “We all want to be treated with grace.  And we’re all made in the image of a perfect God. So, my goal is to act like it.” 

 

I’m trying to remember when, if ever, I heard a government leader talk about empathy. I’m sure they have, but it seems to be more the exception than the rule. 

 

Research professor Brené Brown has spent two decades studying aspects of psychology including courage, vulnerability, shame, and – you guessed it – empathy. In her 2008 book I Thought It Was Just Me (But It Isn’t), Brown references four attributes of empathy: To be able to see the world as others see it; to be nonjudgmental; to understand another person’s feelings; and to communicate your understanding of that person’s feelings.  

 

Can you imagine how different politics would be if we all – citizens included – practiced a little more empathy? 

 

Likely, it would lead to a decrease in Facebook fightin’ and Twitter tantrums between groups of people who politically disagree and an increase in peaceful holiday gatherings among family members.  I’d also bet it would lead to more substantive policy, instead of disingenuous proposals designed to sow division for the sake of scoring political points. 

 

At least, that’s my guess. 

 

A Washington Post op-ed focused on empathy in politics puts it like this: “Empathy is not a weakness. Listening with genuine curiosity can disarm people and open them to seeing things differently…surviving our divisions might require us all to choose [empathy].” 

 

I agree. We should strive to practice a little more empathy before jumping to political conclusions about why the other side believes what they believe.  

 

That can manifest itself in many ways.  It could mean having a real, honest conversation with someone that you disagree with in order to understand their point of view.  It might mean foregoing a Facebook comment on someone’s post you don’t like.  Small, intentional acts of empathy can help to improve political discourse and cut down on the anger that is plaguing our country.

 

To Gov. Reeves I say, good luck with your personal goal of cultivating more empathy. And thank you for bringing awareness to this psychological necessity of peaceful politics (just in time for the legislative session).  I hope this can be the start of a shift back to a more civil political landscape.

 

After all, like the Governor said, we “cannot allow cruelty to win. We must rise above. We must love our neighbors as ourselves.” 

A tribute to "Uncle Gary"

 *Appeared in the Laurel Leader-Call newspaper

 

Gary Victor Staples, the eldest of thirteen children, passed away on January 2 of this year.  His death shook me. How could this man, whom I have known my whole life, really be gone? I still can’t believe it. 

 

Although most people knew Gary as Representative Staples, I knew him fondly as Uncle Gary.  (My dad, Sam, is his youngest sibling.) He’s been the patriarch of the large Staples family since his birth in 1940. A quick history of Uncle Gary’s life includes a lifetime of service: first, in the U.S. Navy followed by a more than 20-year tenure as a legislator in the Mississippi House of Representatives (District 88 – Jones and Perry Counties). 

 

Uncle Gary spent time as a dairy farmer and retired from BellSouth after a long career with the company.  He put his telecommunications knowledge and experience to work for his legislative constituents, ultimately serving as chairman of the House Energy Committee at the state capitol. That’s pretty heady stuff for a Jones County boy. 

 

Married to the former Betty Norton and the father of two sons (Grant and Garrick), Uncle Gary lived about a mile down the road from us in the Myrick community.  Almost daily, he would drive his tractor down Freedom Road to tend to his cows.  And boy did he love those cows – he even left a radio on for them sometimes.  (Maybe music makes for better steak?) 

 

Uncle Gary was an active member of Farm Bureau and the Cattlemen’s Association, and I remember him taking me to one of their meetings when I was about 10. Even at a young age, I loved Uncle Gary like a second father. 

 

My relationship with him only deepened when I got into politics around 2004. My work at the state capitol often intersected with Gary; in fact, many capitol types began calling him “Uncle Gary!” Although he and I often disagreed politically – and had heated and loud arguments about public policy – I never once left his office without a smile on my face. Uncle Gary just had that effect on people; one felt better for having known him. 

 

Uncle Gary was always so encouraging of my interest in politics and often urged me to write a book about my experiences.  He even had a title picked out: Eye Level with the Eagle. (This is due to my work in the Governor’s Office, which is located on the top floor of a building next to the state capitol.  There is a golden eagle atop the capitol dome.)

 

He was a loud man with a good countenance and wicked sense of style.  I may be biased, but he was certainly one of the most dapper legislators in Jackson. In fact, some of his old Levi Action Suits (think: tasteful leisure suits) are now owned by a friend of mine who continues to wear them.  This friend made a poignant comment – Uncle Gary’s legacy lives on through the suits, which are a metaphor to the many lives he touched. 

 

I honestly didn’t realize just how widely influential Uncle Gary was until he passed. The outpouring of well-wishers from the Free State community and beyond has been incredible.  From Gov. Reeves to Auditor White, from legislators to Jones County residents, innumerable people have sent their condolences and shared stories about how Gary impacted their lives. 

 

One friend described Uncle Gary, calling him “solid as a rock. This world needs more men like him.” (I agree.)  Sen. Joey Fillingane called him “a wonderful legislator and even better man.”  His colleague in the House, Rep. Jerry Turner, shared that Uncle Gary had “earned the respect of the entire legislature, by his unwavering stand for right.” Let me tell you, making friends and earning respect in the legislature is no simple feat. What a testament to my uncle. 

 

It makes me swell with pride to know that Uncle Gary was so well respected by his fellow man.  While I continue to grieve his passing, I know that he’s likely holding court with St. Peter at this very moment. Here’s to Uncle Gary: a husband, a father, a legislator, and – like his name says – a victor. 

A closer look at the man in the arena

*First appeared in the Dec. 31, 2014 edition of the Laurel Chronicle newspaper

I’ve always loved Theodore Roosevelt. He embodied my romantic notions about life: To fight valiantly, to hunt big game, to travel the world, to become a published author, to be a frontiersman, to be President of the United States, in a single lifetime.

As we gear up for another round of political goings-on (both the 2015 statewide elections and the more imminent legislative session), I remind you of Roosevelt’s famous “Citizenship in a Republic” speech which he delivered in France more than a century ago. The discourse was designed to highlight the virtues necessary for a healthy republic.

Its most famous lines come about midway through the speech, in which Roosevelt extols the virtue of the man who acts:

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds…who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

This is, to be sure, an important quote that deserves the repetitive uttering it enjoys; yet, this passage is far from Teddy’s only observation applicable to the current political discourse.

Roosevelt warns citizens against the false gods of oration, saying “it is a sign of marked political weakness in any commonwealth if the people tend to be carried away by mere oratory, if they tend to value words in and for themselves, as divorced from the deeds for which they are supposed to stand.”

I particularly like the way he phrases these next observations, biting though they are: “The phrase-maker, the phrase-monger, the ready talker, however great his power, whose speech does not make for courage, sobriety, and right understanding, is simply a noxious element in the body politic, and it speaks ill for the public if he has influence over them. To admire the gift of oratory without regard to the moral quality behind the gift is to do wrong to the republic.”

The idea of purity in politics isn’t new (nor is anything under the sun), and Teddy takes this issue head on: “Perhaps the most important thing the ordinary citizen, and, above all, the leader of ordinary citizens, has to remember in political life is that he must not be a sheer doctrinaire. The closet philosopher, the refined and cultured individual who from his library tells how men ought to be governed under ideal conditions, is of no use in actual governmental work; and the one-sided fanatic, and still more the mob-leader, and the insincere man who to achieve power promises what by no possibility can be performed, are not merely useless but noxious.”

Yet don’t mistake this for weakness, for Roosevelt believes the citizen must have high ideals, but “must be able to achieve them in practical fashion…The impracticable visionary is far less often the guide and precursor than he is the embittered foe of the real reformer, of the man who, with stumblings and shortcomings, yet does in some shape, in practical fashion, give effect to the hopes and desires of those who strive for better things.”

In Roosevelt’s republic, “to be successful we must learn to combine intensity of conviction with a broad tolerance of difference of conviction. Wide differences of opinion in matters of religious, political, and social belief must exist if conscience and intellect alike are not be stunted, if there is to be room for healthy growth.”

I’m hopeful we will remember these words in the coming months when passions run high, as they so often do in the body politic. As Roosevelt said, there is little place in active life for the timid good man. Let us not be timid good men in 2015.

If the Christ child were born in 2014

*First appeared in the Dec. 27 edition of the Laurel Chronicle newspaper

Would the story of the birth of Jesus be different if it happened today?

Young Mary is to marry the carpenter Joseph, but their engagement is not without its share of drama. The Holy Spirit comes upon Mary, and she becomes pregnant with the Christ child.

Whispers of Mary’s presumed indiscretions fill the streets. Her friends join in the chorus of disbelievers, explaining that even reality television stars come up with more plausible excuses for unintended pregnancies. Statisticians shrug this out-of-wedlock pregnancy as a growing trend among the poor. Women’s rights activists stage a rally to celebrate Mary’s bold choice to get pregnant outside of marriage and to remind Nazarenes that it’s her body, her choice. Mental health advocates point to Mary as a product of a failed system that overlooks a woman who has spiritual delusions. Psychologists say Mary’s denial of sexual relations is an indication of some deeper longing that began in her childhood.

Joseph is reeling. Every fiber of his being wants to leave this no-good, two-timing woman. His friends say he’s not a real man if he lets her off the hook. Joseph wants to retain his manhood, but there’s one problem: He, too, has been visited by an Angel of God to confirm Mary’s story. Joseph won’t leave Mary, he tells friends. They’re in shock and take to posting on Facebook: “Clearly Mary is guilt-tripping Joseph. What do they think this is, Knocked Up? #NotAMovie #ThisIsRealLife #ManUpJoJo.”

Enter the government. A census must be taken! We must know the couple’s age, gender, income, sexual orientation, race, marital history, place of birth, disability status, educational attainment, veteran service, value of property owned, acreage of owned land, rooms in residential home, year structure built, vehicles at primary residence, class of worker, health insurance costs, work status last year, journey to work, occupation type, and place of work. This data will enable demographic trends to be observed but, more importantly, will ensure residents are paying taxes properly – giving credence to the timeless adage, “nothing is certain but death and taxes.”

The government’s decree means lots of folks are traveling to Bethlehem. Traffic on the highway is back-to-back. The common refrain on Twitter is that the dense traffic is “worse than football season.” Mary checks her Holiday Inn app. No vacancy. Joseph tries to check in online at the Motel 8, but it’s full. As a last ditch effort, they try the Bethlehem Hilton but get laughed out the door. “There’s no room here, pal,” the doorman taunts as he eyes a very-pregnant Mary.

Mary’s water breaks. She and Joseph have little time to find shelter. They pull over at an abandoned Sonic whose only residents seem to be stray cats and a three-legged dog. The animals gather round as Mary gives birth to Baby Jesus.

Angels appear to workers gathering runaway buggies at a nearby Kroger. “Fear not,” the angels tell the terrified teenagers, “for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

Clad in blue collared shirts and khakis, the Kroger employees make their way to the Sonic to gaze upon the newborn savior of the world. When they arrive, they are convinced this child is the Messiah. Immediately they begin blogging, tweeting, and posting photos on Instagram to share the good news.

An employee of the Department of Human Services observes the conditions in which the child is born and takes immediate action to remove the child from a dangerous environment. This government intrusion is rendered moot after a trust fund is set up for Baby Jesus by three anonymous benefactors. Even so, the government promises to keep an eye on this baby boy who looks as if he may pose a threat to the status quo in the future.

Merry Christmas!

Mississippi’s fiscal prudency brought to you by the voters of 2011

*First appeared in the Dec. 19, 2014 edition of the Laurel Chronicle newspaper

Last week, the Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) adopted a budget recommendation for the upcoming fiscal year which begins on July 1, 2015. The legislative budget recommendation (LBR) provides a starting point for lawmakers to use when contemplating budget priorities in the 2015 regular session.

As is typical this time of year, I’ve seen some left-leaning types complain about the recommendation. It shortchanges (fill in the blank with your favorite state agency); it saves too much money; it doesn’t spend enough money; etc.

If you look closely, those are the same dangerous arguments which voters handily repudiated in 2011.

Prior to the last statewide election cycle in which Republicans won majorities in the House of Representatives, Senate, and Governor’s Office, the budget writing committee included mostly Democrats. As a result, the budget recommendation reflected irresponsible fiscal practices, such as including one-time money to pay for recurring expenses.

The problem (well, one of…) with this approach is that it automatically creates a funding shortfall the next year, which in turn creates one the next year, and so on. Imagine a cascading funding gap. That’s not a phrase associated with sound budgeting principles.

With Republicans in charge, that’s no longer the case. The JLBC, led by Speaker Philip Gunn and Lt. Governor Tate Reeves along with appropriations chairmen Sen. Buck Clarke and Rep. Herb Frierson, has put a stop to spending non-recurring revenue on recurring expenses. To you, the taxpayer, this sounds very logical, even common sensical. But it took years of Republicans fighting the status quo to achieve fiscal prudency – and it was ultimately only made possible by the majority of Mississippians who voted for financial conservatism in 2011.

Today, the state’s rainy day fund is filled to its statutory amount, which means Mississippi is on solid footing should we be forced to endure another economic downturn. Saving for the future is important because it lessens the risk that budgets – including education – will be cut during periods of revenue shortfall.

The legislative budget recommendation maintains a full rainy day fund, yet Democrats have cried foul. They claim the LBR stashes away some $622 million in this reserve fund, but that’s just plain wrong. The rainy day fund balance is approximately $393 million, and the remaining unallocated funds will be utilized during the 2015 session for capital projects, education, and other needs.

As we approach 2015, it’s not surprising to see some Democrats attack Republican successes. They’re mad as heck Republicans delivered on their promises to get the state’s fiscal house in order without jeopardizing state priorities.

Consider the following: The Republicans quit spending one-time money. Promise made; promise kept. The Republicans filled the state’s rainy day fund in order to be able to weather unexpected downturns in the economy. Promise made; promise kept. The Republicans even – gasp – increased funding for education! Promise made; promise kept.

Let’s talk about education. For years, Democrats and other like-minded organizations have tried their hardest to make this a wedge issue with voters by making outrageous claims: Republicans hate children. Republicans hate teachers. Republicans hate math and science and rulers and calculators.

Bah-humbug.

Republicans championed and passed a meaningful charter school law to ensure the state’s children have every opportunity to get a quality education. There is only one reason to pass a charter law in any state: To provide more opportunity for children.

Republicans championed and passed a teacher pay raise. By the start of the next fiscal year, every single teacher in Mississippi will be making $3,500 more. As Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves likes to say, Mississippi is “now a leader and not a laggard in teacher pay.”

The Republican-majority budget committee recommended a $32.1 million increase to the Miss. Adequate Education Program, but that’s not all. Legislative leaders have indicated a willingness to increase education spending above this amount when final revenue numbers are determined in the spring.

Over the past three years, the Republican-majority Legislature has increased education spending by a quarter of a billion dollars, or roughly $245 million. These increases have come at a time when many agencies of government haven’t yet seen their budgets rebound from the Great Recession.

That being said, it’s not enough to simply spend more money on education. We must demand results. Too often, the litmus test for support of education is how much money policymakers are willing to spend – with little to no regard of educational outcomes. This is both intellectually dishonest and harmful to those who are working to improve educational quality in a fiscally responsible manner.

In short, Republicans have delivered on their budgetary promises, leading to greater financial stability for the state of Mississippi. As they say, elections have consequences, and voters showed their wisdom by electing budget-minded leaders to office in 2011.