Guest Views

LETTER: Being a U.S. citizen is a privilege

By Jason Moore

Editor’s note: This is the first of a two-part series by Jason Moore. See next Sunday’s Odessa American for the second installment. Moore’s radio show runs Monday through Friday 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on KWEL-AM 1070. It has...... Full story

GUEST VIEW: Perry right about ‘Ponzi scheme’

Howard Rich

Texas Gov. Rick Perry made waves during a recent Republican presidential debate when he referred to Social Security — one of the entitlement programs responsible for our nation’s skyrocketing debt — as a “Ponzi scheme.”...... Full story

GUEST VIEWS: Entitlements meet regulations

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that one in eight Americans was enrolled in the program as of February.

America is a nation that invests heavily in its social welfare programs. One program in particular is growing so quickly that independent companies are catching on and now wanting a piece of the government-subsidized pie. Food stamp benefits, also...... Full story

LETTER: United Way helps all in our community

BY: Tom Pursel

We are very fortunate to live in a community where the economic situation is bright. While a large portion of the country is struggling, Odessa is experiencing good times. As the oil industry goes, so goes the rest of the business community....... Full story

GUEST VIEW: Do school accountability ratings mean anything?

Andy Welch

In late May and early June, nearly five million Texas school children ended another academic year, and began their summer vacation, with report cards in hand. Whether it was a “letter grade” or a “numerical grade,” the report...... Full story

GUEST COLUMN: Summer’s just not the same now

Charlena Chandler

“It is a great imperfection to complain unceasingly of little things,” said St. Francis de Sales. I agree with the unceasingly part but how about occasionally? Regardless, I’m going to whine a bit. Summer is not as much fun as it...... Full story

GUEST VIEW: Downgrade would drag states down

Bill Wilson

According to a recent analysis by Reuters’ Steven Johnson and Daniel Bases, a threatened credit rating downgrade of U.S. treasuries by S&P, Moody’s, and Fitch could drag down state and municipal bonds, leading to higher borrowing...... Full story

LETTER: Legislature fades slowly into the night

BY: JAMES M. GADDY

A couple of weeks ago, the 82nd Texas Legislative session plus one special session adjourned, sine die, until the first Tuesday in January of 2013. The successes and failures of this state government's legislative priorities are still being...... Full story

LETTER: Time to learn from mistakes

Cindy Weir

I have been trying to think of ways for young people and those new to the criminal justice system to realize the effects and potential consequences of criminal behaviors in ways that are most likely to relate to them and get their attention,...... Full story

Guest View: Tax hikes kill economy

Howard Rich

New taxes on corporate income and capital investment proposed by President Barack Obama would weaken an already anemic economic recovery, while further eroding our nation’s ability to compete in the global marketplace. Making matters worse,...... Full story

LETTER: Media plays vital role in free society

By Donnis Baggett

Pardon me while I vent. A few days before the July 4 holiday, someone emailed me two photographs that could tear your heart out. One photo depicted a Marine lieutenant’s flag-draped casket being offloaded from an airliner as the...... Full story

COLUMN: Stimulus joke keeps on giving

BY REBEKAH RAST

There is now no refuting that President Obama’s “stimulus” act was a failure. On July 1, the president’s Council of Economic Advisers released The Economic Impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009,...... Full story

CONAWAY: Self government is messy, difficult

Mike Conaway

Each July 4th Americans celebrate the birth of our nation. They celebrate not the cutting of ties with King George, but the moment when a group of men pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to the idea that all men ought to...... Full story