-
Yes, government is a business. No, you’re not the customer.
BY THOMAS L. KNAPP On Dec. 15, the U.S. Government Accountability Office released a report on the Internal Revenue Service’s failings in “providing customer service to taxpayers.” Are taxpayers “customers?” Let’s have a look at that idea. “For years, George Ochenski writes at CounterPunch, “we’ve all heard politicians claim they should ‘run government like a…
-
U of L Health should repay all its state loan, not just half
BY JIM WATERSBLUEGRASS INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS The University of Louisville Cardinals men’s basketball squad gave its fans a timely stocking stuffer Dec. 14 with the team’s first win of the season, beating the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at the KFC Yum Center. U of L’s health-care system should follow suit and offer taxpayers some…
-
A look back at 2022
The year 2022 was one of triumph, tragedy and change. Before we close the book, let’s take a look back. Perhaps the most popular story of the year was when Louisa construction worker Noah Thompson captured the heart of America and was voted the 2022 “American Idol” winner. In February, Thompson’s best friend Arthur forced him…
-
Keep that Christmas spirit
BY NINA MCCOY I would like to address the county about a very important and tough subject, but first I feel a need to express my deep appreciation for the people who worked so hard for the past few weeks (and months) to make our community shine. The recent Christmas celebrations in Warfield and Inez…
-
We must invest in civics to inform and reengage an increasingly isolated America
BY MICHAEL G. ADAMS KENTUCKY SECRETARY OF STATE For many Americans, the first image that comes to mind when they hear the term “civics” is not the White House or a voting booth, but rather an animated piece of paper singing on the steps of the Capitol Building. This initial introduction to civic learning –…
-
Without herd immunity, we need masking, ventilation, germicidal lighting, clearer messaging to prevent COVID-19
BY KEVIN KAVANAGH We all need to recognize the dangers of COVID-19 and the risks it imposes to our long-term health and our country’s workforce. Long COVID occurs in about 30% to 35% of cases. It commonly occurs with even mild disease and with reinfections. The severity is additive, with each exposure, and the symptoms…
-
Happy name week to the Mountain Citizen
The Mountain Citizen is celebrating the 32nd year of its name this week, even though the publication derived from two newspapers – The Martin Countian, which began publishing in August 1975 and The Mercury, which was published first in 1970. The Martin Countian and The Mercury became The Martin Countian and Mercury near the end…
-
Our time to invest in education is here and our children need it now
BY GOV. ANDY BESHEAR As elected officials, our job is not to move Kentucky right or left – it’s to move Kentucky forward. One way we can continue to build a better Kentucky is by supporting education and our educators. Lt. Gov. Coleman and I have always run an education-first administration. As parents and as…
-
It’s time to put seat belts on school buses
As new parents, you aren’t allowed to leave the hospital with your newborn unless you have an approved, properly installed, rear-facing infant car seat that meets stringent federal standards as it should be. As the child grows, you are required to replace the car seat with one that’s age and size appropriate, and then they…
-
Honoring our veterans
BY SEN. PHILLIP WHEELER At the 11th hour on the 11th day of November 1918, the First World War ended with a powerful flash of artillery, and then the guns, which had blazed for over four years, fell silent. Over 9 million men, including 117,000 Americans, lay dead, and much of Europe in ruins. In…
Category: Editorial
