This is Viewpoints for Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Loser generation

The nation has had its “Greatest Generation” and now the pendulum has swung to the “losing generation.” What’s it losing? Everything that was gained by the Greatest Generation. In the June 2 issue of The Telegraph (Page 5A) in a story titled, “Young voters to D.C.: We don’t need you” was the following: “Unlike their parents, younger people don’t regard Washington or their presidential votes next fall as an important force behind their economic well-being.”

As in many cases, the “younger people” just have it wrong. Their “economic well-being” is significantly influenced by Washington, the president and his policies. If the young people don’t like their present situation, and they shouldn’t, then they should vote to change the environment that has helped to cause their dissatisfaction. Past administrations, with their social engineering, economic, spiritual, environmental, etc., “adjustments” have fostered the present defeatist attitude instead of the can-do approach of the Greatest Generation.

What to do? Recognize the multitude of changes that have been instituted to cause the present situation and do everything you can to change them. How? By voting not to perpetuate them — in fact, let your candidates know what you want canceled and what you want added or changed. To perpetuate the past and expect change is lunacy.

Young people, don’t give up — instead get involved. Help to eliminate the failed, big government in Washington. Let’s become the confident, independent, freedom-loving types your ancestors were.

Too much noise

Before consolidation we had problems with Macon police not enforcing the noise ordinance. But we could call a deputy for help then. Now, with a precinct resembling the former MPD, things are no different. Except there is no help. Numerous calls and complaints about noise violations are ignored or answered with multiple reasons to not enforce said ordinance, everything from interpretation to culture, which has nothing to do with enforcement of a law. With few exceptions it’s like no one cares.

Noise is a problem that contributes to blight, health problems, and areas where no one (except code violators) wants to live. Past time for this to be addressed.

Out of his own mouth

In the past presidential contests “character” has been the cornerstone talking point for right wing TV and radio pundits, but you don’t hear the word mentioned much this time around. So, to get a sense of his true character, I offer a word of scripture and a quote from the Republican presidential candidate himself.

“For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.”

“I like money. I’m very greedy. I’m a greedy person. I shouldn’t tell you that. I’m greedy. I’ve always been greedy. I love money, right?”

Unpatriotic Republicans

How sad to see Republicans such as Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell, Mike Huckabee and David Perdue announcing their support for Donald Trump, merely because he is the presumptive Republican nominee. In doing so, they are saying that they are putting love of party above love of country, and thus that they are deeply unpatriotic. No sensible person can be other than horrified by the thought of an unstable man such as Donald Trump as commander in chief of our armed forces, with his finger on the nuclear trigger.

The nomination of Trump is a fluke. The vast majority of Republicans who voted in the primaries voted for someone else. If, through some fluke, the Republican Party somehow were to nominate a Communist, a Nazi or a convicted child molester, would Ryan, McConnell, Huckabee, Perdue et al. support that individual, out of a misguided sense of party loyalty?

Republicans who are dismayed by Trump and wondering what to do in November would do well to ponder the words of prominent conservative commentator George Will, who wrote in April that if Trump was nominated, conservatives should “help him lose 50 states,” explaining that “Republicans working to purge him and his manner from public life will reap the considerable satisfaction of preserving the identity of their 162-year-old party while working to see that they forgo only four years of the enjoyment of executive power.”

On Election Day, responsible Republicans will stay home, vote for a third-party candidate, write in a candidate or, yes, vote for Hillary Clinton to keep Donald Trump out of the White House.

Know your score

Father’s Day. The day we honor our dads and thank them for the years of love, guidance and leadership. It is also a day that dads throughout the land should “know their score.” What score is that? Their PSA score which tells them where they stand in the probability of prostate cancer.

The truth of the matter is that prostate cancer kills nearly as many men as breast cancer kills women. But, while women can learn of their probability through regular screenings, men must take the initiative to see their doctor and have the screening performed. A simple procedure designed to save lives. Men can check with their doctor or a local urologist to have the procedure.

It is a wonderful thing to be able to honor dad on his day. And dad, it is a great gift to your loved ones to be able to tell them that you “know your score” and set their minds at ease.

The Atlanta Braves will also be honoring prostate cancer survivors on Father’s Day 2016. They will be continuing their practice of giving a free ticket to survivors to attend the June 26 game at Turner Field. For more information check the Atlanta Braves website or contact Harry Taylor at (478) 718-7173. Taylor is the Middle Georgia Chapter of GPCC point person.

This story was originally published June 13, 2016 at 9:00 PM with the headline "This is Viewpoints for Tuesday, June 14, 2016."