Sunday, May 1, 2022

Bill Crawford: Ignoring Bad Things No Example for Nation

“Nation should follow Mississippi's conservative example,” read the headline in the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal for a guest column written by Mississippi Republican Party Chairman Frank Bourdeaux.

Extoling Gov. Tate Reeves and the Republican legislative leaders, the article highlights some good things happening in Mississippi. Just what you would expect from a political party leader.

Of course, he didn’t tell the whole story, ignoring bad things, those examples the nation would not want to follow.

This is my favorite hyperbole from the article, “While those in Democrat-run states and municipalities continue to face debilitating shutdowns and mandates, conservative-led states – including Mississippi – are rising to the occasion and producing real results for their citizens.”

Interestingly, data published by Wallet Hub shows Republican led states far more dependent upon federal spending than Democrat led states, with Mississippi the second most dependent behind Alaska.

Also, while our state economy has grown, unemployment has dropped, and new capital investment has surged, as Bourdeaux highlighted, average annual wages remain the lowest in the nation and grew at a rate 20% slower than the nation as a whole. That leaves Mississippi still with the highest poverty rate of all states with one in every five persons below the poverty line and one in every four on Medicaid. We also still have the nation’s lowest workforce participation rate.

No mention was made of our dismal overall health rankings, limited access to health care, terrible infant mortality rate, and high number of uninsured persons. Nor was there any mention of our still hugely underfunded road and bridge programs, perennially low educational attainment level, or costly and structurally unsound public employees' retirement system.

Then, there are those pesky federal investigations and court orders impacting our prisons, child support services, mental health care, welfare services, and more that have popped up under conservative Republican leadership. 

No doubt the positive things Bourdeaux mentioned will make some things better for some citizens. But, as the Greenwood Commonwealth opined, “things won’t get significantly better when the needs of workers on the bottom are ignored.” Likewise, Mississippi will never be an example for the nation to follow so long as the conservative Republican way is to ignore the serious, systemic problems that hold many Mississippians back. 

Speaking of Republican leadership, entrepreneur and philanthropist Jim Barksdale called on Sen. Roger Wicker to step up and pass legislation to retain more foreign born, American university educated professionals.

In another Daily Journal guest column entitled “Congress can stop the STEM brain drain,” Barksdale said, “The STEM workforce is getting thinner in America at the same time Congress has limited the number of green cards and temporary visas for international graduates who would desire to remain in the U.S. long-term. America educated these graduates; why are we trying to export them?”

Hopefully, Sen. Wicker can heed Barksdale’s plea and get something positive done.

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” – Matthew 25:40.

Crawford is a syndicated columnist from Jackson.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

sorry mr bordeaux, following mississippis example will only tun you into a stinking 3nd world country sitting at the doorstep of washington d c with you hand out begging.
if you dont believe me just take a look around

Anonymous said...

It is ironic that blue collar workers keep believing that the GOP will not reward the same people that the Dems did when they were in power.

At best, they will lift some of their relatives and themselves.

If you want change, you best start with knowing what good government looks like in prosperous States and try to elect those who support policies that work, not those who play to your discontent.

Anonymous said...

So true. Republican leadership near far right with Democrats near far left cannot find a center position on any policy.

Anonymous said...

MS GOP: "Everyone should be like us, and give $77 million in welfare money to a few close friends who are already wealthy."

Anonymous said...

Leaders can not set you free Bill. Idiot.


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Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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