Leader Call Columns

Slowly but Surely

2012-02-09T07:00:00-06:00

How was your Super Bowl Weekend? Mallorie and I had a full schedule as we attended the “Krewe of Docs” hosted by Oncologics to benefit the American Cancer Society Saturday night. The event was held here in Downtown Laurel and everyone did a great job. The Cowboy Blues Band played the night away and fun was had by all. We got geared up again Sunday night for Super Bowl festivities. After our Saints fell short against the 49ers, I was less than excited about this year’s big game. I picked a favorite anyway and my allegiance fell on the shoulders of Eli and the Giants. It was a great game to watch as a football fan and as always the commercials were pretty great too.

Economic Chaos Ahead

2012-02-09T07:00:00-06:00

Let’s think about the kind of mess that we’re in. Federal 2010 Medicare and Medicaid expenditures totaled $800 billion. The projected annual growth of both programs is about 7 percent. Social Security expenditures are more than $700 billion a year. According to the 2009 Social Security and Medicare trustees reports, by 2030, 49 percent of federal revenues will go for Social Security and Medicare payments. The unfunded liability of both programs is already $106 trillion.

Are people really retiring later?

2012-02-09T07:00:00-06:00

True or false? You may have heard this claim before (or something like it): “Many Americans are being forced to retire later because their savings and investments took a hit in the Great Recession.”

Dead Mice Tell No Tales

2012-02-09T07:00:00-06:00

“What’s that smell?” Sue asked from the front hall. “Is that a dead mouse?”
Sometimes I cannot help myself. “Is it?” I said. “I just thought you were cooking dinner.” Some people cannot take a joke. My shoulder still hurts.

Around It or Through It

2012-02-09T07:00:00-06:00

Recently, I had an irritation and wanted to go around it, but that is not how the story goes. I had a huge ulcer in my cheek; I was miserable and asked a doctor to help my pain. Instead of giving me a cure, He told me that I would be fine in a couple of weeks. That was not what I wanted to hear; I was in pain and a couple of weeks sounded like an eternity!

Northeast Jones grads doing well in sports world

2012-02-08T07:00:00-06:00

Justin Cooley was approved Monday night by the Smith County school board as the new head football coach at Raleigh High School.

Health Care Trust Fund headed to a zero balance

2012-02-08T07:00:00-06:00

A new Republican governor and new Republican legislative leadership now face the same task that has confounded their Democratic colleagues when they had the reins of state government – finding a way to pay for Mississippi’s massive Medicaid program.

Running as a businessman could be Romney’s curse

2012-02-08T07:00:00-06:00

Mitt Romney has based nearly his entire presidential campaign on his experience as a businessman. “I spent my career in the private sector,” Romney told Fox News in late November. “I think that’s what the country needs right now.”

Reducing state teen pregnancy

2012-02-07T07:00:00-06:00

In his State of the State address, Gov. Phil Bryant set out as a policy for his administration to tackle the issue of teen pregnancy — a formidable goal.

Sexes’ Differences Good for Valentine’s Day

2012-02-07T07:00:00-06:00

Get this: men and women are different.
Italian researchers made this “groundbreaking” discovery in a recent study.