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Being in majority doesn’t mean being in control

The current impasse in the Democratic Congressional caucus is a prime example that the party that holds the majority in Congress does not necessarily have the power to do whatever it wants. The Democrats in Congress are wrangling over the high-priced transportation and social spending bills that make up President Joe Biden’s signature legislative agenda. The transportation and infrastructure bill, totaling $1 trillion, has passed the Senate but is still awaiting passage in the House, caught up in the argument over the $3.5 trillion social spending bill that the progressives in ...

Vaccinations for kids

Pfizer, the company that produces one of the major COVID-19 vaccines, announced this week that its vaccine will work on children aged 5 to 12, and that it will seek approval from the government to begin offering vaccinations to children. The Pfizer vaccine is administered at smaller doses for children, but its immunization is as strong as those received by older children receiving full doses. If this Pfizer vaccine is approved, it will be good news for parents who worry about sending their children to school, where they may come into contact with the virus. That is a risk that is ...

Et. Cetera

Crop potential Brady Ekstrom’s industrial hemp crop is reaching to great heights. It’s great to see new people taking advantage of Martin County’s rich farmland. What a great entrepreneurial endeavor. Rental ordinance This week the Fairmont City Council looked at the rental housing ordinance. Several landlords turned up to voice concerns over the proposed changes. We think it’s wise for the contract for deed to be added, but does the whole ordinance need to be redone? We’re glad a work session will take place next week. Council requests review The Fairmont City Council ...

Extinction declaration comes as no surprise

The federal government on Wednesday declared 23 species of birds, fish and other species to be extinct. It is a somber kind of declaration, to acknowledge that species that used to live on earth are no longer here. It may be somber, but it’s not exactly a surprise. These species have not been seen for years. The ivory-billed woodpecker, one of the more spectacular of the species, hasn’t been seen since 1944. The federal Endangered Species act was passed to identify species that were in trouble and help fund plans to bring them back. The act has been successful in bringing back ...

Vaccine mandates in health care

Several states across the nation are enforcing mandates this week requiring health care workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19. And the consequences could be a shortage of health care workers as those who resist are fired, or suspended, or quit rather than get the vaccination. It is difficult to imagine that health care workers, who are trained in the science of health and healing arts, would be so opposed to vaccinations. The vast majority are already vaccinated but a significant number are choosing not to. If a hospital or nursing home loses 5% of its staff that’s bound to ...

Dollars and values

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was talking Sunday about plans for passing the trillions of dollars in infrastructure funding and President Joe Biden’s “Build Back Better” program. Pelosi promised that the $1 trillion infrastructure bill would pass this week, and that the $3.5 trillion spending bill would pass later, probably at a much lower cost. “We’ll see how the number comes down and what we need,” she said. “Again, the Senate and the House, those who are not in full agreement with the president, right, let’s see what our values — let’s not talk about numbers and ...