Column for June 21, 2007

Rational thought a necessity

As of this writing, the hate mail still continues over my column last week. I have written on the internet and talked on my internet talk show about the topic of the Selma fire department. Most of the hate mail comes from just a couple of people and is purely emotional rather than rational in thought.

The good news is that I have seen rational thought in three different editorials in local newspapers. It seems that those who are removed from the topic can objectively look at the topic and see where rationality needs to reign.

Emotional response rather than rationality are the reasons that the McCarthy gun control bill has passed the US House of Representatives. That proposed bill is even more restrictive than the previous gun ban under the Clinton administration over a decade ago. Emotions are also the reason why an alleged improvement to the NICS check system for gun buyers is a big topic that has actually gotten the National Rifle Association to support the selling out of American rights and privacy. The NICS Improvement Act of 2007 will deny many American veterans and freedom loving citizens the ability to obtain firearms for personal defense. It will also keep the names of anyone who the local sheriff arbitrarily decides to deny a gun purchase permit in a database that can be shared with state and federal agencies across the nation.

Emotions have been running high in our school funding. If it was not for an emotional handling of things, our Superintendent of Schools for a medium sized county would not be getting $209,000 a year for a compensation package. A superintendent that has only been on the job for a few years is getting more money than North Carolina's Governor. Where is the rational thought in that? County school board and commissioners were not rational in allowing such a public servant to write his own contract, much less approve such a contract proposal. Keep in mind that the emotional response is that it is "for the children". It is certainly not for either results of quality in education or for consideration of tax payers.

It is for the sake of emotions that we are funding agencies such as Johnston County Industries, which provides job training and funds part of its own budget through contract work. For the sake of rationality, since they have the ability to earn revenue, they should earn 100% of their revenue and not put the remaining burden upon tax paying citizens.

For the sake of emotions, the county wants to fund a "therapeutic horse riding center". The rational question is simply, "Why should the citizens of Johnston County pay for a therapeutic horse anything?"

It is for the sake of an emotional response that there is a bill before Congress that would require all drug insurance plans to pay for RU-486. Furthermore, that same bill would require all pharmacies to carry the so-called emergency contraception and to dispense said drugs, regardless of the objections or moral dilemma of the pharmacist or business owner. Because of emotions rather than rational thought and ethical behavior, women are claiming a right to such medication upon demand anywhere at any time, regardless of the fact that their own poor behavior led to the supposed need for the possible commission of murder.

Emotions rather than rational thought and behavior have been plaguing our society, often to its detriment rather than advancement. I have shown how it is being seen on the town, county, and federal levels of government. Not every supposedly good idea is rational. Many are not good ideas at all and actually are harmful to society and the intended benefactors.

When assessing situations, including tax expenditures, proposed law, and even the administration of a town fire department, a high degree of rational thought is required.

Emotions often are self-centered, being more concerned with one's own situation at the expense of others. Rational thought looks at the concept of the good of the whole, those to whom accountability must be maintained, and to those who pay the bills.

I implore all readers to contemplate rational responses when voting; when contacting elected representatives, media outlets, and even a columnist in a small town newspaper. You will be better served, you will exhibit the intelligence that you are capable of, and all of society will be the better for it.