Today's Opinions

Food and shelter are two things most of us never have to worry about. But not everyone is so lucky.

A story in Monday's News-Journal about the problems Debbie Martin experienced drives home the point that homelessness isn't just a big-city problem. It can happen here. It's a real problem, and a solution isn't always easy.

Luckily, Green River Ministries is trying to do something about homelessness - and just about every other opportunity to help humankind.

Having just elected a governor who unashamedly ran on a platform of expanding gambling in the state of Kentucky, please allow me to make the following predictions:

1) Within 12 months of the expansion of gambling in the state, whether it be a floating casino docked on the Ohio River, poker machines at truck stops, or expanded off-track betting facilities, the chapters of Gamblers Anonymous will increase significantly.

2) Within six months of expanded gambling in the state, police sub-stations will begin to appear close to all major hubs of increased gambling.

I don't know what it means for three area school systems asking for voter endorsement of a "recallable nickel" tax, but last week's ballot results on other issues would not seem to bode well for any measure that would require additional grit from taxpayers.

If I had sewage laying on the surface of my back yard, I might feel a little differently about annexation than the majority of people in a South Campbellsville precinct who had an opportunity to do something about it.

The message is, I think: People are not going to vote extra taxes (or expenses) on themselves.