We are now approaching five years since the recession has supposedly ended, but it just doesn’t feel like it.

Husbands and wives are fighting about finances more than ever. Children are losing their homes and seeing their families torn apart. Small businesses are cutting back work hours trying to keep afloat. And fewer large businesses are talking about significant growth. Read More»

There it was, front cover news in The Citizen, “Fayette Commission to ponder court’s district voting map Tues.”

Given the litany of county maps we have seen in recent years, I think it is safe to say that this is a classic example of gerrymandering a map if we have ever seen one, particularly for District 5. Read More»

It has been my honor to write articles that appear in The Citizen for the past year and a half. This paper does a great service to our community by providing this forum for us to engage and dialog on issues of the day. Many people within the community have graciously expressed their appreciation for this column, and for that I am truly grateful.
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Several weeks ago I had the good fortune to visit my grandfather’s alma mater, Morehouse College, and listen to the featured speaker of their Leadership Series, Dr. Alveda King.

Although she is a pro-life advocate, author, and former state congressman, she is probably most known as the niece of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK).

My heart was lifted to see the next generation coming out to hear the words of wisdom that came from a woman who was walking out the legacy put forth by her own father, her famous uncle, as well as her grandfather. Read More»

I write this article, with the permission of the person described in it. It is his hope that those who read it will begin to consider how fragile our democratic republic is.

Not too long ago, my family and I met in the home of a family we were beginning to become fairly close to. While our children played together, we talked, and the conversation turned to politics. Read More»

When I was a young adult, I considered myself a fiscal moderate. I believed the conventional wisdom that big businesses were fundamentally corrupt and were given unfair advantages in the marketplace.

Perhaps this was because growing up in the eighties and nineties, the notion of the evils of capitalism were pumped in the culture through movies like “Wall Street” and “The Insider.”

As I have gotten older, and having worked with some of these companies, however, my views of businesses — particularly big businesses — have evolved. Read More»

One of the things I love about this time of year is that it truly does seem to bring out the best in others.

Despite a stagnant economy, or perhaps because of it, I probably see more opportunities to give to charities than ever before. Whether it is the Salvation Army volunteers faithfully ringing their bells as a sign of the season, churches organizing holiday food drives, or radio personalities soliciting donations and toys, there really is a plethora of venues where one can give something.

And, inevitably, most of us do end up giving something during the Christmas season. Read More»

One of the things my husband loves to do with our family is take road trips. Ever since our kids were in diapers we would strap them in the car seats at least twice a year and take road trips along the East Coast.

During these excursions we would always point out the beauty and variety we saw as we drove from city to city, and state to state. We marvel at God’s creation and the vast and varied landscapes and natural resources we have in America. Read More»

As a Christian and someone who considers it a privilege to live in this country, I find myself being drawn into questions of politics and asking myself this very question: does faith, in general, and Christianity in particular, have any place in politics?

Honestly, I don’t have a concrete answer. I am at the point where I am trying to understand what appears to me to be a deliberate abstinence of many Christians and churches from politics all together. Read More»

I never thought I would say this, but I am definitely a Duck Dynasty fan. My appreciation for the show, however, was not love at first sight, because I proverbially, “judged the book by its cover.” I thought there was nothing this group of self-professed “rednecks” and I would have in common.

However, one fateful evening I decided to watch the hit series. To my surprise, I found myself smiling at the gentle and country ways of sweet Mrs. Kay, laughing out loud at the slow witticism of Pa Phil and Jase, and busting a gut at Uncle Si, “simply telling the truth, Jack!” Read More»