North Carolina's three-legged stool | Eastern North Carolina Now

Tom Campbell
    Time was political candidates didn't spend all their money and energies telling us what a contemptuous scoundrel their opponent was. Instead, they shared their vision for how we could be better and how they proposed to make it so. I know it is a fantasyland excursion but can we imagine a modern-day campaign based on this approach? Let's call it North Carolina's three-legged stool of education, jobs and health.

    The first leg of the stool is education. Every candidate claims to support education but what does that mean? We don't know because nobody defines the mission or purpose for education. The website www.nceducate.com has it right: "The mission of North Carolina's public schools, community colleges and universities is to graduate good citizens who have the skills needed in the marketplace and the ability to enjoy life." Good citizens obey laws, nurture neighbors and family and vote. Education enables us to understand and take advantage of whatever cultural and intellectual pursuits we might enjoy. And unless someone is born wealthy each must be able to make their way in the workplace.

    There is much good in our current education system but there is a compelling case for change and the sooner we stop pointing fingers of blame, figure out what it takes to achieve that mission and make needed reforms the faster we can build a great 21st century education system.

    The history of our state is filled with people seeking better opportunities and of capital chasing cheaper labor and more cost effective production. Ours is a story of manufacturers who moved here to escape higher priced labor and taxes and, more recently, a saga of how we lost those companies and jobs to more cost-efficient technology or cheaper labor offshore. Many of today's jobs require college but a large number of good jobs don't and we aren't providing the skills training many current jobs require.

    Politicians pay lip service to the importance of small businesses in creating jobs but their actions speak otherwise. They cut taxes for large corporations and dole out millions in incentives to big companies that promise lots of jobs. But, as we are learning from an excellent WRAL-TV series, most of those big "elephant" companies we lure with incentives seldom live up to their promises and will move elsewhere in a heartbeat to improve next year's bottom line. We are better off focusing on the small businesses that each add one, two or ten new jobs and collectively build a stronger economy and communities for years to come. Our job creation leg should have a goal that our state is the best environment in the nation for small businesses to start and thrive.

    The third is health. North Carolina has a history of unhealthy people. Poor lifestyle choices have resulted in high blood pressure, diabetes and far too many who are obese. Poor health costs us more than money. It robs us of being able to enjoy our lives and opportunities. Good health is not the responsibility of doctors, hospitals or insurance companies. We must assume personal responsibility and accountability. Good health involves being more active, making better food choices and getting better primary care.

    A good stool is balanced on its own legs, so to be the North Carolina we desire our three legs must be sturdy and equal. Wouldn't you prefer this campaign to what we are currently witnessing?

    Publisher's note: Tom Campbell is former assistant North Carolina State Treasurer and is creator/host of NC SPIN, a weekly statewide television discussion of NC issues airing Sundays at 11:00 am on WITN-TV. Contact Tom at NC Spin.
Go Back


Leave a Guest Comment

Your Name or Alias
Your Email Address ( your email address will not be published)
Enter Your Comment ( no code or urls allowed, text only please )



Comment

( October 20th, 2014 @ 7:26 am )
 
AT LAST --- a great article full of reason about what is needed in this Election Year! I thank you, Mr. Campbell

The one that appeals to me most is starting small businesses which diversify opportunities for all. Mr. Campbell is so right about the GREED of corporate America these days---and lack of conscience when firing people or moving elsewhere for a "better deal on taxes."

Until we stop supporting Wealth Welfare, we will continue to be a rich/poor society with a dwindling Middle Class. The core of the move from the Old World to establish America was "opportunity for all." Today, few people in Europe or Britain can own their own home. Their houses are owned by the rich and leased to the working poor who never can own it! Meanwhile the affluent enjoy the Riviera and other great perks like yachts and jets along with much booze of the highest quality! Let's include the influence of wealth on politicians.

I am Scarborough of British decent. My ancestors are being traced from Colonial VA through NC and SC and then in Athens GA (Madison County) from whence my father came off the Tenant Farm. He hitch-hiked from Athens to Macon so as to matriculate Mercer. He was told he could not matriculate with .99 in his pocket. He broke down and cried in front of the Administrator. That man took pity on the poor and gaunt country boy only wanting to do better. He gave him a job in the Cafeteria and a note to a wealthy couple who loaned money to deserving students. The rich and fixed helped my more-than-poor father to succeed.

How we so need such caring people to make NC great once more!!!



Review of Candidate Forum for NC Senate and House Related to State, My Spin, Editorials, Op-Ed & Politics Open Up and Say 'Aah.' Here are the new rules governing gay "marriage" in NC


HbAD0

Latest Op-Ed & Politics

far left sugar daddy has also funded anti-Israel groups and politicians in US
Be careful what you wish for, you may get it
America needs to wake up and get its priorities right
Former President Donald Trump suggested this week that if he becomes president again, he might allow Prince Harry to be deported.
It's a New Year, which means it's time to make resolutions — even for prominent evangelical leaders. The Babylon Bee asked the following well-known figures in the faith what they hope to accomplish in 2024:
Vice President Kamala Harris will visit a Minnesota Planned Parenthood clinic, reportedly the first time a president or vice president has visited an abortion facility.

HbAD1

An eight-mile stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway near Asheville has been temporarily closed due to a string of “human and bear interactions,” the National Parks Service announced.
University of Wisconsin tried to punish conservatives for the fact that liberals regularly commit crimes to silence opposition
most voters think EU officials not doing a good job on illegal immigration
Come from behind by GOP candidate is a blueprint to 2024
Biden spending and energy policies to blame

HbAD2

Tuberculosis carried by illegal invaders has already infected Texas cattle

HbAD3

 
Back to Top