Our company owns a group of newspapers near Boston (not GA). I read an editorial in one of their papers recently about “found” money by one of their cities. It seems leaders of this town had bemoaned the economy according to the same script you hear everywhere.
The difference there was that on two different occasions when program cuts were announced, a miracle happened and the government leaders “found” money to save the day. This time, it was $1.2 million. Not a bad find. I wonder if we have any money hiding around here.
Our federal government announced Friday that the great “Cash for Clunkers” federal program might have to end early (like after less than a month) because they don’t have enough money. Congress gave them a billion dollars to spend and they are about to be overdrawn at the bank.
If I remember right, the original idea was to get the gas guzzlers off the road. Fewer old vehicles will help make us less dependent on oil. That sounds reasonable to me. We wrote about a woman who purchased a new vehicle in Valdosta under the federal “clunker” program. She told the writer that $1,000 had been the best offer she could get for her car until now. After getting $4,500 for her car from the Feds and another $4,500 from the dealer in rebates, she was a happy new car owner.
She is now driving a more fuel-efficient vehicle. So what went wrong?
We have way too many people who want to take advantage of the program. Driving to work any morning in South Georgia, you will see many qualifying vehicles. When they gave billions to the big corporations, big banks and automobile unions, no one said we might not have enough money. Now when we are actually seeing a little wealth distribution our way, the money is running out.
In late September or October, President Obama says there will be a vote on the “new” National Health Care plan with the “public option” to cover everyone with health insurance.
I do not know how much money is going to be in the national health account, but I do know it will be a bit more (actually that would be a BIG, BIG BIT more) than what our government set aside for the “clunker” program. Now I can accept I will have to keep my old car for a few more years, but when the doctor opens my chest for heart surgery that is not the time to hear there is no money to pay the bill.
Hopefully, they will be able to find some of that “found” money. How silly of me. I just realized that once the Feds learn that our state and local governments are “finding” money, they will just “take” theirs. My suggestion to you is to eat an apple a day and find an old coffee can — we are going to need it.
What We Think
From the publisher: Feds: Oops! We are out of money
- What We Think
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Shame in Berrien County
Unfortunately for Sherrie Williams of the Berrien County school-based health clinic, she talked to The Times and praised the program that she oversees. This pride in her work led to the loss of her job.
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Grading policy: A second chance?
In clarifying the Lowndes County Schools’ controversial grading policy, Superintendent Dr. Steve Smith spoke of second chances.
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Be up to any weather challenge
Georgia’s Severe Weather Awareness Week starts today and runs through Friday. The idea behind the week is to prepare Georgians for weather emergencies and how to keep these situations from becoming tragedies.
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Parents and schools
There is a lot of talk lately about school systems and grading policies, and how all of a child's problems come back to a lack of parenting. But is it really that simple? Can it be a case where the school systems are so focused on the problem few that the majority of students are ignored?
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Thumbs up, thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To Brooks County High School engineering and technology teacher Don Morgan and his students. They recently received national attention for their work with biodiesel fuel. They collect used cooking oil from area fast-food restaurants then process this oil into biodiesel. Morgan hopes to next interest the Brooks County school buses into running on the fuel created in his class. This classroom not only prepares students for the future but may prepare all of us for an alternative energy source.
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Take me out to the ball park
The Valdosta State baseball season begins today. The Blazers host Lindenwood at 2:30 p.m. Nothing beats quality baseball played in warm weather with a great venue like Billy Grant Field.
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What We Think: Signing Day
Wednesday was National Signing Day, the day when high school athletes across the country make official announcements about what school they’ve chosen to sign with.
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School policy fails expectations
Lowndes County Schools recently implemented new grading guidelines for students. These guidelines have left many parents upset ...
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Just the facts, please
The Times has taken some hits this weekend following the reporting of the Rev. Floyd Rose’ rally on Saturday concerning the car which drove into a home, killing an infant on New Year’s, and an incident at Pinevale Learning Center. Some police officers think the VDT is not being fair, and Rose accused the VDT of not printing the facts, but the facts are as follows:
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Fathers teaching daughters
It began as a small gathering for fathers and daughters. It has become one of Valdosta’s most popular social events of the year.
Several years ago, Jeff Stewart co-founded the event with his wife, Becky, as a way for him to give a special night to his two daughters. Other fathers of First Presbyterian Church liked the idea and the Father-Daughter Valentine Dance was born. - More What We Think Headlines
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Shame in Berrien County
