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Opinion
Observations ... and other reflections
March 26, 2004
Elections turn on critical issues. Very often those issues include things that may not seem very critical for office seekers, but are supremely important to the average voter.
When the presidential election comes, there’s a good chance the average voter will make his decision based on something that affects his wellbeing or pocketbook directly.
The price of gasoline is one of those things. Presidential candidates may think in terms of millions and billions, where the average voter thinks in dollars and cents. If average voters are as perturbed over the cost of a gallon of gasoline in November as they are now, that one thing could be the deciding factor. Elections have been won – and lost – over far less.
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If the rising cost of gasoline isn’t enough of a strain on every driver’s budget, there are always some elected officials in Columbia and Washington who would make the situation even worse.
Hardly a session of the Legislature or Congress goes by when somebody is not suggesting increases in the tax on gasoline. In these times of runaway gasoline prices, that could be a great way to commit political suicide.
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Habits, they say, die hard. Life, in fact, proves it.
One of the most frustrating experiences in life is to try to do something and be told “you can’t do it that way.”
So, you ask why. The answer? Just because, it’s never been done that way!
You have to wonder how many more things could have been accomplished in this world had someone not said that to someone who really wanted to try and to make a difference.
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There have been a number of anti-war and anti-death penalty protesters in South Carolina recently. Wonder if any of them ever think about how fortunate they are to live in a country when they can protest to their hearts’ delight?
Of course, there always are others that take the opposing side. They have the same rights as the “anti” crowd, of course. It’s amazing, though, how many of the “anti” bunch would like to see their opponents muzzled. Where rights are concerned, selfishness always seems to be in evidence.
Editorial expression in this feature represents our own views.
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