More By Tom Campbell | Eastern North Carolina Now

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The visual displayed a modern-day Odd Couple, former US Senator Joe Lieberman standing beside former North Carolina governor Pat McCrory.
The visual displayed a modern-day Odd Couple, former US Senator Joe Lieberman standing beside former North Carolina governor Pat McCrory.
 
A good friend, knowing how much I enjoy words, recently sent me a copy of Dr. Frank Luntz’s classic book, “Words that work.”
A good friend, knowing how much I enjoy words, recently sent me a copy of Dr. Frank Luntz’s classic book, “Words that work.”
 
Public education is the most important function of state government and we spend more tax dollars on education than any other budget item.
Public education is the most important function of state government and we spend more tax dollars on education than any other budget item.
 
America in 1944 was vastly different from the nation we are today.
America in 1944 was vastly different from the nation we are today.
 
A reader asked why I am so insistent that the General Assembly is making the greatest power grab since Reconstruction.
A reader asked why I am so insistent that the General Assembly is making the greatest power grab since Reconstruction.
 
Blue Cross’ restructuring: “The devil is in the lack of details.”
 
What’s the difference between a protest and a riot? It is a legitimate question since our legislature recently passed an anti-riot bill.
What’s the difference between a protest and a riot? It is a legitimate question since our legislature recently passed an anti-riot bill.
 
What can you do when already-powerful politicians grab more and more power?
What can you do when already-powerful politicians grab more and more power?
 
North Carolina’s 58 community colleges are the red-headed stepchildren of our education system.
North Carolina’s 58 community colleges are the red-headed stepchildren of our education system.
 
For more than two centuries Americans have believed that our way of governing was best. Instead of having an autocrat or small group ruling us, we have held to the principle of majority rule. And it has served us well.
For more than two centuries Americans have believed that our way of governing was best. Instead of having an autocrat or small group ruling us, we have held to the principle of majority rule. And it has served us well.
 
We are twenty months away from the 2024 elections and already candidates for governor have declared they are running.
We are twenty months away from the 2024 elections and already candidates for governor have declared they are running.
 
Rising tides, coupled with beach erosion are destroying once beautiful waterfront properties, causing them to crumble or be uninhabitable.
Rising tides, coupled with beach erosion are destroying once beautiful waterfront properties, causing them to crumble or be uninhabitable.
 
For more than a decade we’ve studied the problem exhaustively, we’ve talked about it almost incessantly, we’ve engaged the latest curriculum du jour, and have spent more than $50 million dollars, yet we still can’t solve the mystery of our children’s reading proficiency.
For more than a decade we’ve studied the problem exhaustively, we’ve talked about it almost incessantly, we’ve engaged the latest curriculum du jour, and have spent more than $50 million dollars, yet we still can’t solve the mystery of our children’s reading proficiency.
 
When the Affordable Care Act was passed it contained an option for states to extend Medicaid coverage to adults with an income up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level, beginning in January 2104.
When the Affordable Care Act was passed it contained an option for states to extend Medicaid coverage to adults with an income up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level, beginning in January 2104.
 
You have to give legislators credit for identifying an issue that has needed addressing for decades. They introduced a bill that would eliminate the power of the sitting governor to name the members of the State Board of Education.
You have to give legislators credit for identifying an issue that has needed addressing for decades. They introduced a bill that would eliminate the power of the sitting governor to name the members of the State Board of Education.
 
It’s an axiom as old as history. “Those who have no power want it, and those who have power want more of it.” The current power struggles in North Carolina politics are proof of the truth.
It’s an axiom as old as history. “Those who have no power want it, and those who have power want more of it.” The current power struggles in North Carolina politics are proof of the truth.
 
In the Pantheon of notable North Carolina public servants none stands so tall as Jim Broyhill. The Broyhill family story is essentially the North Carolina story. Starting from humble beginnings, family members learned to work hard, persevere, be humble and serve others.
In the Pantheon of notable North Carolina public servants none stands so tall as Jim Broyhill. The Broyhill family story is essentially the North Carolina story. Starting from humble beginnings, family members learned to work hard, persevere, be humble and serve others.
 
The Democratic Party of North Carolina just voted to replace their current chair and top leadership with a new team. Call it a changing of the donkeys.
The Democratic Party of North Carolina just voted to replace their current chair and top leadership with a new team. Call it a changing of the donkeys.
 
North Carolina is facing a showdown of the ages. Demographers tell us our state is getting older and while the changes may look subtle, they are significant.
North Carolina is facing a showdown of the ages. Demographers tell us our state is getting older and while the changes may look subtle, they are significant.
 
Rural North Carolina has some of the most beautiful scenery in America, as documented by the growing numbers of tourists.
Rural North Carolina has some of the most beautiful scenery in America, as documented by the growing numbers of tourists.
 
Our Senior Senator, Thom Tillis, has a target on his back. Angry, disillusioned partisans are calling him a traitor, a betrayer
Our Senior Senator, Thom Tillis, has a target on his back. Angry, disillusioned partisans are calling him a traitor, a betrayer
 
When I moved to Elizabeth City to take over management of our family-owned radio station one of my first initiatives was to hire a fulltime local newsperson.
When I moved to Elizabeth City to take over management of our family-owned radio station one of my first initiatives was to hire a fulltime local newsperson.
 
Many of us were mesmerized in watching some or most of the fifteen votes required to elect a Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. I can’t remember which round it was when it hit me that North Carolina has been here before.
Many of us were mesmerized in watching some or most of the fifteen votes required to elect a Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. I can’t remember which round it was when it hit me that North Carolina has been here before.
 
Our president wants to change up the presidential selection process by moving the first primary from Iowa to South Carolina, claiming the Palmetto state is more representative of the rest of the country.
Our president wants to change up the presidential selection process by moving the first primary from Iowa to South Carolina, claiming the Palmetto state is more representative of the rest of the country.
 
Was it just me or did Christmas come too early? Yes, it's always December 25th, but it seemed like we were still eating Halloween candy when Christmas neighbor goodies started showing up on our doorstep.
Was it just me or did Christmas come too early? Yes, it's always December 25th, but it seemed like we were still eating Halloween candy when Christmas neighbor goodies started showing up on our doorstep.
 
I’ve been attending too many funerals of friends lately, perhaps a further sign of my advancing age.
I’ve been attending too many funerals of friends lately, perhaps a further sign of my advancing age.
 
It takes a lot of chutzpah to speak to a group of doctors about healthcare, but I am known to venture into areas which I probably shouldn’t.
It takes a lot of chutzpah to speak to a group of doctors about healthcare, but I am known to venture into areas which I probably shouldn’t.
 
Legislative leaders are baffled. We all should be. After pouring more than $200 million additional dollars into helping our children read at grade level, they (and we) want to know when we are going to see results.
Legislative leaders are baffled. We all should be. After pouring more than $200 million additional dollars into helping our children read at grade level, they (and we) want to know when we are going to see results.
 
I love being in the presence of smart, articulate and visionary folks, even on a rainy, unseasonably cool mid-November evening.
I love being in the presence of smart, articulate and visionary folks, even on a rainy, unseasonably cool mid-November evening.
 
Just when you thought that politics - and those who participate in it - couldn’t sink any lower, along comes Kevin McCarthy, the man who wants to be the next Speaker of the House in Washington.
Just when you thought that politics - and those who participate in it - couldn’t sink any lower, along comes Kevin McCarthy, the man who wants to be the next Speaker of the House in Washington.
 
The post-election postmortems are still trying to sort it out. The midterm elections were supposed to be a Republican rout.
The post-election postmortems are still trying to sort it out. The midterm elections were supposed to be a Republican rout.
 
Die-hard politicos, pundits and partisans waited into early morning hours before getting real clarity on election winners and losers.
Die-hard politicos, pundits and partisans waited into early morning hours before getting real clarity on election winners and losers.
 
People are weary of the angry, hateful rhetoric and violence and many have just tuned out any political or current event discussions. It’s just better not to hear it, they say, than to have to deal with it.
People are weary of the angry, hateful rhetoric and violence and many have just tuned out any political or current event discussions. It’s just better not to hear it, they say, than to have to deal with it.
 
Much has been written and said concerning the November 8th elections, specifically about possible interference or disruptions when you go to vote
Much has been written and said concerning the November 8th elections, specifically about possible interference or disruptions when you go to vote
 
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