It is all a matter of money or funding. Unfortunately, there is only so much money to funnel into the outstretched hands. We, as a city, state and nation, have just about reached our limits of what we can buy, beg, take or borrow. There seems to be one party who still does not understand this or perhaps they all failed Economics 101.

We currently have over 47 million people on food stamps in our country. Out of the recently passed behemoth trillion dollar Farm Bill, eighty percent goes for food stamps. I’m not sure why it is called a farm bill, seems to me it should be the Food Stamp Bill. Why are all these people destitute and in need of food stamps to survive? It has become such a giant problem it makes you wonder if America is truly the land of opportunity for self sufficiency or for government dependency. Could it be the Democrats are in charge?

Our House District 67 Representative Darrio Melton talks a lot about doing the right thing in his newspaper columns. I agree, doing the right thing is important not only for politicians, but for every citizen.

I suppose the problem comes in the interpretation of what is the right thing. Should we only think of ourselves and the immediate needs, or more long term as to what we are leaving our progeny? As far as the federal government is concerned, it is quite clear to me they are thinking about today and allowing tomorrow to take care of itself. The only long term planning on their part seems to be on climate change, and it is at best contested science. Regardless to what our illustrate Secretary of State Kerry calls the next “weapon of mass destruction” not all scientists agree. Actually, I believe the next weapon of mass destruction is the massive debt being imposed on the country through irresponsible politicians in Washington, D.C..

Washington has no concern for the future of our children or of the country as evidenced by their reckless spending.

I suppose my question to our state officials is, should the state take the same approach as the federal government and spend, spend, spend without regards to the future welfare of the state? I think not. Thankfully, we have a governor and legislature who are  placing limits and staying within the constraints of the budget. Their main objective has been jobs and it has paid off with an unemployment rate of 6.1 percent in an overall terrible Democratic economy.

Our 67th District Representative has an opportunity to do the right thing on some issues in his district without it costing money.

I’m speaking, of course, of making an effort at a resolution naming the new bridge over Valley Creek the, “Commander Howard W. Gilmore Memorial Bridge.” It certainly wouldn’t hurt his image with patriots and veterans in his district, and probably result in some “likes.”

To address the question of “what did he do for the community and area” to deserve such a gesture? He gave his LIFE. If there is any greater sacrifice a person can make than this, I do not know of it.

Sure, lets do the right thing and dedicate the bridge in honor of one of America’s greatest generation, a true American hero, Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, and one of the most highly decorated veterans of World War II, Howard W. Gilmore.

“The character of a nation can be measured by the way that nation treats its veterans.”