Commentary

· North Carolina, 77 percent · South Carolina, 64 percent · Virginia, 61 percent · Tennessee, 51 percent · Arkansas, 32 percent · Oklahoma, 31 percent · Alabama, 29 percent · Mississippi, 17 percent · Louisiana, 11 percent Has anyone heard more about this appalling trend than just empty talk from the candidates for governor? All I hear is cheerleading to give more to the business lobby, as if that will bring and keep people here. Candidates are afraid to confront the special interests that have drained our natural resources and left us with pollution and a vanishing coast.

The waning days of this election are our last chance to see real vision for the future in our candidates. Without that vision, those who move into state government will continue their “wink and nod” relations with the powerful to the detriment of our people. We will be helpless as Louisiana again appears on all the “bad” lists for our economy, roads, schools, environment and quality of life.

WHAT ABOUT THE NEXT HOSTAGES

As Americans celebrated the return home of seven American citizens from Iran, five of whom had been in prison, we are certainly grateful for their freedom. But, the question is how will we prevent the next hostage-taking by a rouge regime.

There’s no doubt that paying $6 billion for seven Americans will encourage more such hostage-taking. Iran has paid no price for imprisoning Americans and has now been paid ransom for them. Iran snatched a couple of the Americans not long after the last hostage trade with the U.S, It’s part of Tehran’s business model, and it works.

Editor: Readers of your newspaper should find extra value in reading your paperthis week when the State Treasurer’s Office will publish the names of individuals for whom we received new, unclaimed property money in the preceding year.

The State Treasurer’s Office is holding more than $1 billion in unclaimed funds for current and former Louisiana residents. We are responsible for getting this money back into the hands of citizens to whom it belongs. Whether it was 10 days ago, or 10 years ago, this is their money and we will hold it for them until they claim it.

Common examples of unclaimed property include unpaid life insurance benefits, forgotten bank accounts, uncashed payroll checks, stock dividends and utility deposit refunds. When checks are not cashed or accounts go dormant, and the company is unable to locate the owner, the funds are sent to the Treasury for safekeeping.

Far too many Christians take devils, ghosts, spirits serious enough! Either they are taken too lightly and made the subject of cartoons, fictions, and festive holidays, or they are surrounded in superstition and fear. There are many false ideas, superstitions, and pagan ideas about the spirit world, but since God is the sole trustworthy authority on spiritual things, then the Bible is the only source that can be trusted on the matter.

VOTER TURNOUT

Voter turnout will be the key to the upcoming gubernatorial election results. Currently there are 3 million registered voters in Louisiana. Of those, 63% are white, 31% are black and 6% are other races. Though Republicans win most statewide elections these days – Donald Trump receivd more than 58% of the vote in Louisiana – Democrats maintain a registration edge (39% vs.34%). The other 27% are independents or third-party affiliates. Regardless, a large share of other people often vote Republican or third party.

In 2019, in the gubernatorial primary, only 1.36 million registered voters went to the polls and more than 1.6 million didn’t show up. Total turnout was 46%. That’s a mighty low figure in a state that only has a governor’s race once every four years.

This is your chance to speak out. We have lost over 80,000 people this past year. We have a president who has declared war on oil and gas. This is our chance to improve. Please plan to vote.

Romans 1:20 “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.”

The atheist (a person that denies the existence of God, an Agnostic question the existence of God, both are basically the same) will say “If you can show me conclusive evidence that God exists, then I will become a Christian” They presuppose, of course, that you cannot show them any concrete evidence for the existence of God. They believe that it is only your subjective faith that has created God in your mind. They are of the opinion that you have been brainwashed, that you are naïve, you’ve been duped!

( Newsworthy Articles and My Opinion)

POVERTY IN AMERICA

Let’s talk about the poor people in America. According to statistics from the Census Bureau out this week, poverty is increasing for the first time in 22 years. The Bureau put the number at about 38 million people living below the poverty line, based on $30,000 for a family of four.

Our president says poverty is increasing because of some cutbacks with the massive social programs the Democrats have created. As usual, the Democrats want to spend more money. That is always their answer. The problem is the federal government now owes about $33 trillion. The USA cannot cover these massive bills. So it has to borrow. The president doesn’t seem to care - he just wants to get votes one way or another. He is in the business to buy votes by promising free stuff to the have-nots with no plan to reduce poverty through achievement.

Every year, on the 11th day of the 11th month, our nation stops to reflect on the heroic service and sacrifice of our veterans. It is a day of recognition and celebration of the men and women who fought for this country and its interests. Just two years since the end of America’s longest war, recommitting ourselves to the spirit of Veterans Day is particularly important. Americans are understandably weary from 20 years of war and eager to move past it—but that cannot be an option.

The veterans who gave up so much will never be able to forget. They won’t forget the months they were away from their families. They can’t remove the horrors of combat from their minds. They can’t overlook the injuries and illnesses that forever changed their lives as a result of their service. And so, we too must not forget—not just out of a sense of gratitude—because veterans and their families need us and our nation promised to be there for them.

If there ever was a time in our state government when the legislature needed someone who can calmly work across the aisle and be an intermediary and not a provoker - that time is now.

In this deep politically divisiveness environment that has permeated our legislature, we believe it’s critical that we elect someone who has the character, passion, energy and time our rural districts need and deserves.

There are only two candidates who qualified for the Senate 31st District seat being vacated by Louie Bernard. One is a lawyer and career politician who is term limited in the State House of Representatives and lives in Shreveport at the most northern edge of the district.

The other is a proven winner in life and athletics with a deep desire to serve.

That’s why this newspaper is enthusiastically endorsing Mike McConathy as our next Senator in the 31st Senatorial District We need a champion like Mike McConathy.

“Now the Lord had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there He put the man He had formed. The Lord made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground-trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it separated into four headwaters.” Genesis 2:8-10 Can you imagine how special Adam was to be standing in the middle of this beautiful indescribable garden. To be innocent, not worrying about what he was going to eat or how to pay bills. Not a worry in the world, just beauty.