Commentary/Opinion
County Races Turn On Governance
By JOHN HOOD RALEIGH — As the fall homestretch of the 2020 election approaches, you’re probably not spending much time considering the implications of county-commission races in North Carolina. But…
New Monuments Could Unify State
By JOHN HOOD RALEIGH — If you’ve lived in North Carolina for even a few years, you’ve probably formed an opinion about whether statues and monuments honoring Confederate leaders and…
Government’s Basic Tasks Need Doing
By JOHN HOOD RALEIGH — One morning in late March, I drove from my home in Southern Wake County to my office in North Raleigh to pick up some files…
You Decide: Can Good Things Come From Bad Times?
By Dr. Mike Walden My mother died twenty years ago. Although she didn’t have much formal education – she dropped out of high school after two years – she was…
AMAC Backs Reform Of Social Security WEP Clause That Penalizes Private Sector Workers
WASHINGTON, DC – AMAC Action is calling for reform of the Windfall Elimination Provision [WEP]. “It does a disservice to public service employees who paid into the Social Security fund…
Governor Cooper: Congress Needs To Act Now And Extend Unemployment Benefits For Struggling Workers
Op-Ed By Governor Roy Cooper: Next week, thousands of North Carolinians who are out of work due to COVID-19 will see a drastic reduction in their unemployment benefits despite this…
Latest Job Numbers Look Promising
By JOHN HOOD RALEIGH — For inveterate optimists, the past several months have been excruciating. A global pandemic has produced great suffering and death. A protest movement that began with…
COVID Infections Far Exceed Cases
By JOHN HOOD RALEIGH — You may recall that back in early April, a panel of health analysts presented Gov. Roy Cooper with two forecasts: 250,000 COVID infections by June…
Pipeline Demise Won’t Halt Natural Gas
By JOHN HOOD RALEIGH — The proposed natural-gas pipeline through Eastern North Carolina is dead. Long live natural gas! Admittedly, there won’t be a coronation ceremony like there would be…
Just Causes Need Prudent Leaders
By JOHN HOOD RALEIGH — History is full of cases in which people subverted their own just causes by acting impulsively rather than carefully considering the costs and benefits. As…
You Decide: How Long Will North Carolina’s Recovery Take?
By Dr. Mike Walden I usually pepper my public presentations with some humor. After all, even I know economics can be a rather dull and dry subject. Injecting some jokes and…
Social Security Matters – Should My Wife Claim at 62? Will She Get Widow Benefit?
By AMAC Certified Social Security Advisor Russell Gloor Association of Mature American Citizens Ask Rusty – Should My Wife Claim at 62? Will She Get Widow Benefit? Dear Rusty: I am…
