Americans can no longer afford one-party Democrat rule. Because of bad policy coming from this Democrat-controlled Congress and the White House, America’s seniors are having to dip into their savings, families are struggling to meet basic household needs, and many feel the American dream is becoming harder to achieve. While Americans are paying more for […]

School board members are some of the most selfless public servants in Alabama. This accolade goes to the Alabama State Board of Education, and more specifically local school board members. These members are tasked with a very important mission but receive very little compensation for their time and efforts. They are indeed public servants. The […]

During October’s Careers in Construction Month, Associated Builders and Contractors encourages students, women, minorities, veterans, seekers of a second career or re-entering citizens looking for a profession with life-long learning and limitless potential for growth and advancement to check out construction. No college degree is required, and the construction industry’s earn-while-you-learn educational model means you […]

Virtually nobody in this country has been untouched by the opioid epidemic. Whether it’s a family member or a friend, nearly all of us know somebody who has been affected by it. The statistics are alarming – fentanyl overdoses are now the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-45. On Aug. 21, we recognized […]

Many churches near interstate highways have funds set aside for stranded travelers. An area convenience store lets our church maintain an account and honors the vouchers we sometimes give to travelers. But I was surprised last week when an employee called and said they couldn’t help the lady we just sent to them. “You have […]

Those of us who served a long time in the Legislature have a lot of stories. I served 16 years from 1982 to 1998 from my home county of Pike. I chose not to run again in 1998. However, I missed the comradery and friendships of other legislators who became lifelong friends. It was apparent […]

Tomorrow, Sept. 17, is Constitution Day. On that date 235 years ago, our Founding Fathers signed America’s national charter, creating a government devoted to protecting our God given rights and liberties. When Americans think about the freedoms protected by our Constitution, we tend to focus on the first nine amendments in the Bill of Rights. […]

With supersonic air travel, it takes less than three days to travel around the world. Five hundred years ago, it took three years. When Ferdinand Magellan left Spain in 1519, he embarked on an adventure that was rife with danger and uncertainty. His flagship, if you can call it that, was a mere 75 feet […]

Labor Day was established in 1894 to honor America’s workers. “Quiet quitting” refers to working no more than necessary to keep your job and then bragging about it on Tik Tok. Does quiet quitting disrespect Labor Day? Each Labor Day we should celebrate the labor market. The labor market is part of the market economy, […]

Jim Rockford taught me how to respond when asked, “How much will this cost?” I reply, “Two hundred dollars a day, plus expenses.” Actually, not. My response when asked about ministerial fees is I have none. I’m a minister of the church and the church pays my salary. Therefore, I’m available to help as I […]

For decades, losing political candidates in Alabama have been exiled to “Buck’s Pocket.” It is uncertain when or how the colloquialism began, but political insiders have used this terminology for at least 60 years. Alabama author, the late Winston Groom, wrote a colorful allegorical novel about Alabama politics in the 1960s and referred to a […]

“I don’t want to wish the summer away, but I sure do wish football would come back tomorrow,” my father would say to me, without fail, most days in the months before any college football season. Now, I say that to anyone who’ll listen. From playoff expansion to marquee battles, college football was back over […]

The younger generation doesn’t understand a number of words and phrases, including “broken record,” “ice box,” “party line,” “ungawa” and “Kemo sabe.” Another phrase is one we don’t hear too much anymore, “Who does she think she is, the queen of Sheba?” This phrase is used to describe one with an inflated opinion of themselves–someone […]

This is the final version of a three week series of stories that illustrate that Alabama is a “Big Front Porch.” James E. “Big Jim” Folsom was one of our few two-term governors. In the old days, governors could not succeed themselves. Therefore, Big Jim was first governor in 1946-1950. He waited out four years […]

Although I didn’t enter public service until well into my 50s, I’ve always felt strongly that public servants should be held to a higher standard. This includes everyone from our mayors and city councilors, all the way up to the president of the United States. I think it’s probably safe to assume you agree with […]

Under the title “Alabama is a Big Front Porch,” made famous by the legendary Alabama storyteller, Kathryn Tucker Wyndham, I will continue to share some personal political stories with you this week. As many of you know, I have been friends with our iconic, senior U.S. Senator, Richard Shelby, for close to four decades. History […]

Economists and political philosophers frequently contrast political and economic power. This distinction also informs views on policy questions. The nature of economic power offers perspective on the potential for social media “censorship.” Politics involves efforts to control government, which ultimately deals in force. Political power is ability to force others to follow your commands. Whether […]

The dental hygienist was a new employee whom I’d not met. “Where do you preach?” she asked. “Why do you think I’m a preacher?” I responded. “I just know,” she said. I’ve wondered what the signal flag was. Maybe it was the coffee stains on my teeth. Pastors must drink coffee since people often invite […]

When discussing voting rights, some individuals and special interest groups focus on the Alabama of 1962, but they never acknowledge the Alabama of 2022 and the great progress we have made in our state. They attempt to use our state’s troubled past as justification for their present political agenda. These folks are entitled to their […]

I wasn’t raised in a household with a lot of money. In fact, I was raised by a single mother. I don’t want any sympathy for that. My mom is the hardest working woman I have ever met and she instilled work ethic in me in the same way she did other values she wanted […]

Like many students around the country, Alabama students struggled to succeed during two years of school closures, mask mandates, and other issues related to COVID. Late last school year, AL.com highlighted the stress on local teachers and students, and the 74 Million covered meal shortages due to COVID-related supply chain issues. But for one small […]

As I travel South Alabama and speak with folks from around our district and state, it’s hard to find anyone who believes our country is headed in the right direction. Between economic struggles, a lack of border security, drugs and crime, and government corruption, a majority of people are frustrated and looking for change. When […]

As the nation’s fourth-largest auto-manufacturing state, Alabama’s automotive industry has a huge impact on our economy, providing tens of thousands of Alabamians with good-paying jobs. As the industry continues to evolve, it is critical that Alabama evolves with it so that we can stay competitive as a top automotive state and ensure that the next […]

Libertarians are back on the ballot in Alabama for the first time in two decades. They are showing up in over 50 races across the state. Dr. Jimmy Blake of Jefferson County is a familiar name on the ballot since he served on the Birmingham City Council for years and ran for the U.S. Senate […]