This is Viewpoints for Thursday, May 26, 2016

Just thinking

Just a few things I’ve been thinking about: Does anyone believe that Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders can, or will, actually do what they say they will? When did a 70-year-old couple become “you guys”?

What ever happened to “thank you for shopping here”? It has been replaced by having your change shoved at you and being told “there you go.” How come all the beggars in parking lots look so well-fed and have cellphones? How come Frank Gadbois hasn’t made us laugh for sometime now? Just thinking.

Up for sale

Once again the office of president is up for sale. The auction has already begun. Who will be the highest bidder? Republican, Democrat — or as Donald Trump said, he can buy anything; no one owns him but himself. The common people are not even invited to this overpriced auction. Our votes no longer count — just money in this auction for the pleasure of renting the White House for four years. The common people will pay the rent and fund the expensive parties and traveling expenses.

The invitations already send out engraved with the image of the White House and printed in 24 carat gold ink with beautiful flowering lacey ivy for the border. Quite a party; much bigger than the Oscars. The only thing missing is the red carpet.

Pass TPP now

Georgia has always been associated with quality agricultural products. While everyone the world over is familiar with the great taste of Georgia’s peaches, our farmers also produce some of the highest quality cotton and raise some of the finest livestock available. As farmers we take pride in our work and we are delighted to supply people across the globe with the fruits of our labor. However, we often face trade barriers when we try to enter foreign markets. Across Georgia, the people who work in agriculture would like for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) to pass immediately so we can truly benefit from our hard work and trade our goods fairly to these emerging markets.

The TPP will ensure that Georgia’s agribusinesses are not disadvantaged when we trade to partner countries because it will remove nearly 18,000 tariffs for various goods. Under this landmark trade deal, countries such as Japan and Vietnam will move tariffs for American poultry and fresh fruits. This will directly benefit countless farmers across the state, and these increased opportunities could add hundreds of jobs to Georgia’s economy. The widespread benefits of the Trans-Pacific Partnership will be felt by thousands of hardworking people across the country, many of whom are right here in the 140th district that I am so proud to represent. We cannot wait for a new president to enact this trade deal. Congress needs to pass the TPP in 2016.

Greening of downtown

As someone who believes that the health of Macon-Bibb depends in part on a healthy downtown, I have been pleased to see further greening of the area, with the newest plantings on Cherry Street. At Newtown’s May 10 meeting, I learned about the formation of Friends of Cherry Street Garden Club which added to prior downtown plantings May 2, with significant help from Lowe’s on Eisenhower and Stratford Academy’s fourth-grade class, powered by Doughboy’s Pizza and the Rookery.

Although there are many worthwhile projects, I am keeping my fingers crossed that the fourth-graders will get a Downtown Community challenge grant. You can see photos on the garden club’s Facebook page.

Take a vote

Warner Robins City Council is poised to spend $5 million of SPLOST funds and then borrow $18 million to build a sports complex. A professional consulting firm hasn’t been contacted to provide unbiased research about the geographical location, construction costs and drainage considerations, or if there is a chance it will ever be profitable. The plans are pretty, but I know something better could be designed.

Why do we have to vote regarding a SPLOST, but the council can approve an expenditure of this size with no vote? Also, who designed it? There’s no splash pad, children’s playground, dog park, party pavilions, swimming pool, tennis court, skate park, or walking/bike trail. The demographic it will serve is rather small yet this will take funds from all. Let’s get some unbiased professional research. We need a park, we just need to have the right park at the right location. (And let’s VOTE on it).

No fight in them

President Obama has issued an edict forcing males and females to share the same restrooms in public schools. This order is equivalent to an atomic bomb on the Christian and American culture. Personally, I have no problems with transgenders. I know of no case of sexual molestation by transgenders. They admit they are simply confused. What concerns me is that sexual perverts will use this law as an opportunity to molest women and children. The fact that Obama is using our children’s education as blackmail to get his social engineering should concern everyone. The only thing more shocking is the incompetence and lukewarm will of the Republican Party and Christian churches and communities to fight back.

Closing not an option

Macon Charter Academy has been a positive addition to Bibb County and the Pleasant Hill neighborhood. It is a shame this school has not been given a fair chance to operate. Instead, it has suffered constant attack and negative press. What I have seen and read in the press is not consistent with what I know to be happening at MCA. People and the media keep claiming the school is closing. In fact, the contract for the school states that it is to operate until the year 2019, at least.

My two grandchildren attend MCA and I have seen firsthand how this school has helped them succeed. They love their school and look forward to attending every day. I volunteer at MCA and appreciate all of the hard work that has gone into making this school a reality for my family and the other children who attend there.

My grandchildren will not be leaving Macon Charter Academy because their only option would be to be reabsorbed into a public school system that is failing miserably.

This story was originally published May 25, 2016 at 9:00 PM with the headline "This is Viewpoints for Thursday, May 26, 2016."