In Franklin's last town election, all those running for reelection were unopposed. Perhaps the perception was that they were doing a fine job or there weren't any issues to prompt prospective candidates to step forward. In recent days, that has all changed.

One doesn't need a degree in Native American studies to realize that spraying herbicide on an Indian mound probably isn't the smartest thing to do. The stated intent was to save money on landscaping costs by replacing the natural grass with an “eco-grass” that would require less maintenance. Simply allowing the existing grass to grow on the mound without cutting it would have required virtually zero maintenance. The Nikwasi Mound now looks like a bad haircut. And, like a bad haircut, it's getting plenty of attention. I suppose it could have been worse. At least the mound wasn't covered with artificial turf.

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“The Latest Effort to Dismantle Public Education” – that was the title of an article written by State Board of Education Chairman Bill Harrison after the filing of House Bill 1104 at the North Carolina General Assembly. Dr. Harrison’s article is just a sampling of the outcry from the public education establishment about this bill. But why is there such a furor? What does this bill do? North Carolina citizens deserve the whole story.

HB 1104 is a bi-partisan bill that would create a K-12 tax credit scholarship program for non-public education in North Carolina. If passed, this bill would allow children from lower income families to receive private school scholarships from nonprofit organizations.

A government of the elites, by the bureaucrats and for the corporations

For four days, from July 12-15, America’s governors—hosted by Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell—will gather in Williamsburg, Va., for the National Governors Association’s (NGA) annual summer meeting. While there, the governors and their staffs will be “treated to amusement parks, historical sites, championship golf courses, five-star dining, an al fresco concert and a rousing fireworks finale,” much of it paid for by corporations eager to spend time with the nation’s most powerful government chief executives.

Among those footing the bill for the powwow, reports the Associated Press (AP), are “Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson, and Northrop Grumman, the ubiquitous government and defense contractor that holds the largest state contract in Virginia history for a partnership to operate the state’s vast centralized information technology system.”

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In less than 200 years, America grew from a handful of colonies to become the greatest nation in history. In a few hundred years, we surpassed nations that were many times older. What makes America great?

The two main elements that make America great are our people and our freedoms. Our people have a can do, nothing is impossible, spirit. Starting with the American Revolution, we have always conquered adversity, often in the face of overwhelming odds.

We have more rights and freedoms than anywhere else in the world. Our freedoms are considered inalienable rights, not privileges granted by government. Our freedoms are the envy of the world. Every item in the bill of rights is a precious jewel, designed to ensure the immortality of our liberty.