Opinion

Financial meltdown intrigue in Greece: Should we care and why?

Dr. Mark W. Hendrickson's picture

The intertwined worlds of government and finance are swirling with drama not seen since the fall of Lehman Brothers in 2008. The epicenter of the current crisis is Greece.

The Aegean nation’s sovereign debt has been downgraded to “junk” status while talk of outright default by the Greek government has arisen. The very survival of the euro — the 11-year-old currency used by Greeks and over 300 million other Europeans — has been brought into question. Read More»

In healthcare issues, don’t repeat the costly mistakes made by states

Grace-Marie Turner's picture

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi famously said before Congress voted on her massive health overhaul legislation that “we have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it.”

Now that the bill has been signed into law, the American people are finding a lot not to like — from a new federal requirement that every citizen must have expensive government-defined health insurance to a mandate that states dramatically expand access to their Medicaid programs. Read More»

It’s past time to free the U.S. Mail (from the taxpayers): Privatize it

William F. Shughart II's picture

The U.S. Postal Service is deeply in the red. Projecting a deficit of $238 billion over the next decade, its governors propose two solutions: halting Saturday delivery and raising stamp prices by 3 percent this year and 10 percent next.

According to the Postal Rate Commission, the savings from operating only five days a week and the extra revenue anticipated from a rate hike will, at long last, allow the USPS to achieve financial stability and stop the hemorrhaging of taxpayer funds. Read More»

With regional SPLOST in place, where next for transportation?

Benita Dodd's picture

The Georgia Legislature has finally approved a funding mechanism for transportation. Next comes the jockeying for placement on project lists among advocates, agencies and authorities for the various modes.

Just because there’s finally an opportunity for transportation funding, however, doesn’t mean throwing good money after bad. Taxpayers must be vigilant and demand sound solutions and bang for their buck – or their 1 percent sales tax, to be precise. Read More»

Judges go bad and public stays in dark

The world within our judicial branch can be a creepy place at times. The average citizen has no idea about some of the frolicking that takes place behind the scenes at some of our houses of justice. In fact, to be totally honest, I had to think very carefully before writing this out of fear of retribution from the Superior Court one day. But here we go. Read More»

Fayette Commissioner Eric Maxwell announces reelection bid

On Feb. 6, 2006, I announced my first candidacy for the Fayette County Commission with a campaign slogan of “Time for a Change.” During the last three years, following my election, I am proud of the changes I have brought to Fayette County.

I am sure that anyone who has ever been elected and then sought another term talks about running on their record. I am no different. But I back this up with a list of some of the milestone events that have taken place since I took office on Jan. 1, 2007. Read More»

Ospreys win this one

Sallie Satterthwaite's picture

Years ago, when Dave and his family frequented the beaches of Florida, they never even heard of nearly extinct birds like great egrets and eagles. The brown pelicans we know so well today were hanging by a thread. The only pelicans they knew were the white ones migrating through the wetlands. Brown pelicans, so common today, simply did not appear in the Southeastern states.

And they would have been dumfounded if they had glimpsed an osprey cruising several hundred feet above the dunes. Read More»

I suffer from ERD

David Epps's picture

I have a problem. It’s time I own up to it and confess it. I’ve known about it for some time but only lately has it become a serious issue. This problem affects my communications with others, it hinders my ability to be effective at work and at home, and it causes me a good deal of anxiety and guilt. I have considered getting help for the problem but I don’t know where to turn. I suffer what may be an addiction.

I refer to it as ERD — email retention disorder. Read More»

The art of time management

Rick Ryckeley's picture

This morning, The Wife gave me a hug and kiss as she always does before leaving for work. I watched her walk to the car, and then she turned back around, smiled, waved goodbye and said, “If you have the time, could you put away the dishes? Don’t get too busy and all wrapped up in one of your projects, or they’ll still be there when I get back. I love you, but we really need to work on time management.” Read More»

Campaign money, judges’ resignations, carts

Scott Bradshaw's picture

Georgia has 159 counties and one of the key ingredients to successful state political campaigns is financial support from outside the metropolitan Atlanta area. Recent disclosure reports released by the State Ethics Commission indicate that the campaigns of three Fayette County candidates for state offices have little support from other parts of Georgia. Read More»