Mr. Ezekiel was absolutely right in his description of the needs of our youth. It has been stated that the greatest gift a child can inherit is a loving mother. This does not come from filling the wants of a child, but rather filling the needs as stated. We, as parents, do get caught up with working overtime and often at all hours in order to provide our children with what they think are the necessities of life. When I see a child in school with a cell phone stuck in their ear, it offends me about as much as seeing the young boys with their “pants on the ground.” I’m not sure who the Burks mentioned in the article is, but he was right also concerning the moral mentality of our society. We as parents and grandparents should do all in our power to provide our youth with a safe and healthy environment in which to grow up.

This brings up another topic, the article printed in the Opinion section of Sunday’s paper concerning the proposed coal-fired power plant in the Fitzgerald area. I am an EMC member and have not received any material from my representative concerning the costs, benefits or the effects that will be passed on to my grandchildren. I’m not sure why the need is suddenly important. Is it to benefit the citizens of South Georgia or some neighbor state looking to take advantage of our natural resources?

This proposal, like the National Healthcare Plan, leaves many unanswered questions concerning the future costs that our grandchildren will inherit. I would like more information on what the health effects are as well as comparisons to other production methods. The National Healthcare Plan is in trouble because the people were not informed concerning long-term costs and benefits. We will be much more receptive to plans and proposals that affect us and our posterity if we are informed rather than forced into submission by those in power. This is especially true when we are asked to share the cost.

The last comment concerns Mr. Wetherington’s opinion in Tuesday’s paper. I enjoy reading his comments, but think item C should be addressed first. Nothing will change until we force term limits on Congress. Politicians will not vote themselves out of a job and this is why I mentioned force. We should encourage our youth to take on our mantle and enter the political field.

The fate of our country lies in youth and the decisions they make. Now is the time to prepare our children for the problems that they will inherit. Thank you, Mr. Ezekiel, and God bless our youth.



John Huggins

Tifton