We live in sad and dangerous times when the Truth is a flickering light; and the Evil in our lives is like a raging fire" -Lawrence Wilson
The Daily Blat in its "Our Opinion" column on the 24th, is all in for reversing the Population loss in the State. Good for them I say. 11,000 plus in the last year and another 12,000 plus in the year before.
They say the problem is two fold, more dying than being born and more packing their bags and hitting the bricks. State can do little about either. Abortion is legal and utilized at will. The lack of decent jobs with decent waged/ benefits OUTSIDE of Government has been obvious for decades and no changes in sight.
State says it needs to change how to keep the brightest and best from fleeing low wages/ benefits for places that place a value on both getting our brightest and best upon getting that little old Sheep Skin upon graduation.
It is not likely no matter the hoopla that any business of any size will move in here because we have such a superior workforce, with an unbelievable work ethic and a great education. We have very little of any of those.
We do have low wages/ benefits, some good people willing to work and many in some areas that border on desperate? Education in West Virginia is everyday an iffy question as is borne out by the sad facts that seem to put us at the bottoms of most Surveys?
If companies want people here and to stay, they must be willing to cut the profit margin a shade and pay better wages with benefits. Don't have to be exorbitant like for most of the State Government at whatever level. After all they do need to make some profit.
I for one and hope more do that, but many of the smaller businesses could not cut margins much and expect to survive, they will not. But there are businesses with larger margins that could cut and attract the more "wanted" folks to stay and work here.
State is adamant that it is NOT going to demand that the Teachers do their jobs and teach the kids. This is dependent on both making it too School each day. Give them the tools to control the classrooms versus the little thugs and back them completely when they are right. But also be willing to terminate those Teacher's that just don't get it. Seniority be damned and Merit Raises should be in the mix, Bring the Unions to heel, most teachers are proud of the profession or would not have went into it. But if it just for the paycheck/ benefits, they are in the wrong business.
In Mr. Myer column also on the 24th, he again assailed the waste in Government. Be in either accidental or intentional I think. Seems that the Feds are too blame for a shortfall in Road dollars as payment by them was only $149.6 million versus expected $267 million. Yet, it was not too long ago that the State put out $1.6 Billion in bonds for road/ infrastructure work.
Seems some of the problem that put on the Feds is that if the State does NOT meet specific deadlines for projects, than the Feds don't pay the money. How is it that we seem to be unable to get the work done? Sure, Weather in some cases, but a lot of dirt can be shoveled even in the rain if needed.
He hinted at the never ending corruption that seems to permeate any Government level but was mostly aimed at the State. Seems no one is interested at what does or does not happen at a County or City level. Both can and will hemorrhage millions if they get the chance.
Mr. Adams did a "Their Opinion" column on Christmas in New York that made me chuckle. He started with have never been there and no interest in going. He commented on his trips to the "big cities". Than made the mistake of listing some. Like Chicago, Boston, Pittsburgh, Columbus, Louisville, Orlando, Seattle, Washington D.C and so on. He said he can navigate his way around and find all the cool stuff. He said New York City was the largest in the World.
According to this website "www.hotelyouwant.com/10-largest-cities-world", the top five are
- Tokyo – 37 million.
- Delhi – 25 million.
- Shanghai – 23 million.
- Mumbai – 20.7 million.
- Beijing – 19.5 million.
The Big Apple doe not make the list until #10 New York, United States, 18,593,220 per World Atlas:
World Map/
The 150 Largest Cities in the World.
When I contacted him on some issues here, he sent me a back a short and insulting response alluding to his "position" as being the "State Government Reporter". Is covering for the following as what I believe would be a possible freelancer?
The Parkersburg News and Sentinel - The Intelligencer/Wheeling News-Register
The Weirton Daily Times - The Inter-Mountain - The Journal
In any case, what I thought when I read about his vast exploits in the "big cities", I had to wonder what and how he would do in a place like Bangkok, Manila, Singapore, Macao and Seoul as examples? Singapore is really pretty easy as so many speak English. But the rest can be an adventure just in talking too people. That is why I buy a Dictionary as soon as I get to their local airport. Find the English word and show it to whomever. They will see the local words and begin to understand what I am trying to do. Of course one can rent a Taxi and let it haul you all over. Most of them speak reasonable English. And of course find a guide for a fair cost to escort you. Myself, I love to go up into the Provinces in Thailand to visit the old ruins, temples and palaces. For me, I try to find something akin to a BnB out in the country and a guide? Not as expensive and yet in many cases just as nice as you will find in places in Bangkok. As we own a home outside of Manila, it is not much of a challenge there for me. Wife will either do the talking or I will have a maid/ houseboy with me. But had to chuckle at how traveled he is?
Admit, I did not get to Europe even when in the Military. Almost got to spend three years with the 11th ACR on the Czech Border back in the day. Being half Czech, it had some merit to it, but was told they spent 11 months out of the year on Maneuvers. So that did not fly.
So in essence, DO go somewhere and see how other people live. We are a Nation of Regions and pockets of interest in each one. But keep in mind where you are and how it sizes up too other places. 'nuff said'.