September 14, 2005
When talk turns to politics in Alabama it usually leads to the Governor’s race. It does not matter if the Governor’s race is four years away, political gossip starts early as to who will run for Governor. In Alabama politics the Governor’s race is the race. As each new race approaches it is talked about more than ever around coffee clubs and kitchen tables from Sand Mountain to the Wiregrass. It is comparable to college football being the king of all sports in Alabama.
September 07, 2005
As a young boy I would go down to the county courthouse and talk politics with my Probate Judge. He was a crusty old fellow and a veteran politician. He had been Sheriff and served one term in the State Senate prior to being elected Probate Judge. The Probate Judge position in Alabama in the 1960s was the brass ring. You were the titular head of county politics and basically the king of the county. The Probate Judges were also paid a kingly salary because they were on the fee system. As a result they received a cut off of every car tag and fishing license sold in the county. It was not unusual for the Probate Judge in a rural county to make $100,000.00 per year in 1965.
August 31, 2005
With Labor Day approaching it signifies that the long hot summer will soon be coming to an end. It seems that the summers are getting hotter and hotter. I was born and raised in south Alabama so I was accustomed to long hot summers. I remember when there was no air conditioning in houses or cars. It was hot, but seems hotter today. I think we have gotten softer, but I also believe in global warming. It is not just a theory. The average temperature has increased several degrees in the past decade. It also seems that we do not seem to have the spring or fall seasons anymore. All of a sudden one day in mid May it is 86 degrees and it never goes below that through mid September, or maybe even October. We have about 5 months out of the year where the temperature is mostly in the 90s.
August 25, 2005
The recently completed Special Session of the Legislature saw the swift passage of the General Fund Budget which was a necessity due to the State’s fiscal year beginning on October 1.
August 17, 2005
A good many studies, policy institutes, and editorialists lament the fact that not many women hold political office, especially statewide office. This has been furthest from the truth in Alabama, especially when it comes to the secondary statewide offices of Treasurer, Auditor, and Secretary of State.
August 10, 2005
Just like the proverbial argument of which came first the chicken or the egg, there is a perennial political argument that begs the question which is more important, party or personality? My theory is that in Alabama politics it depends on the year.
August 03, 2005
Our founding fathers settled America to escape the tyrannical and undemocratic rule of England. They were determined to found a new country without the idea of British royalty ruling them and with a say in the affairs of the state. They yearned for an egalitarian state where every person, regardless of their birth status, could rise to their potential and fulfill their hopes and dreams without the yoke of limitations. They disliked the thought of royalties or dynasties.
July 27, 2005
The 2006 campaign season officially began on June 6th with the opening of fundraising, but the players have been slow to pull the trigger or at least show their hands. However, the two Democratic frontrunners for Governor, Lucy Baxley and Don Siegelman, have not been shy or reluctant. Siegelman filed papers the first day and you can bet he is fundraising and a legendary Birmingham political contributor admitted that Lucy Baxley called him at home at 7 a.m. the morning of June 6th to ask him to be one of her first contributors. Lucy may dispel doubts that she is a weak fundraiser. Lucy is the early favorite. However, the more the Republican federal prosecutors prolong the Siegelman probe, it plays to Siegelman’s advantage. He is getting a lot of sympathy support among minority voters who perceive him as being persecuted for political reasons. Minority voters make up a majority of Democratic Primary voters in Alabama.
July 20, 2005
The recent revelations of misconduct by Alabama’s Christian Coalition have brought indignation against and a lack of respect and credibility to the group. The audacious hypocrisy exhibited by saying you are a Christian group and making your hallmark issue opposition to gambling while at the same time taking illicit gambling money seems atrocious. However, in politics it is not unparalleled.
July 13, 2005
The much anticipated and necessary Special Legislative Session will commence shortly. A Special Session is imminent because the new budget year begins October 1 and the General Fund Budget has to be in place before that date or state government will shut down.