My Word

Several weeks ago, U.S. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) made a statement at the Plymouth Community Renewal Center in Louisville regarding his support for the restoration of civil rights to felons who have completed their sentences, including the right to vote.  In a political climate rife with ugly partisanship and disagreement, this call for common-sense legislation aimed at removing unjust and immoral limitations on participatory self-government resonates with people across the ideological spectrum for several obvious reasons.

Oh, Pleasureville.

I can’t say after Monday night’s meeting that I’m surprised, really. Disappointed, but not surprised. And that, in itself, is a fairly sad commentary on what happened.

You see, you had a chance to do something good. You had a chance to do something that really matters. You had a chance to lead the way in Henry County – and a corner of Shelby County.

But you sat on your hands, looking quietly and somewhat awkwardly at the table while the motion to approve a Fairness Ordinance died for lack of a second.

Opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of this publication or any organization to which I have belonged. I hold a degree in economics from Duke. I do not profess to be an expert. An economist, to me, is someone who spends years, maybe a lifetime, studying some arcane numbers and comes up with a theory no one else understands.

In answer to Linda Humphress’ question regarding why Sen. Mitch McConnell would be opposed to the Affordable Care Act (“Health care reform, Letters to the editor, Sept. 25):

He is well aware of the harmful effects of the act and wishes to protect his constituents. We all know our health care as it stands now needs some improvements. The ACA misses the mark by a wide margin, and Senator McConnell expressed that opinion.