The Land of Opportunity

A big part of my job requires me to spend an exceptional amount of time with mayors from some of the smallest cities in our great state.

During the past two days, I've spoken, laughed, and worried with mayors from cities all across the state. We've talked about problems with sewers, hospitals, and tornadoes all while taking a moment to smile about how lucky we are to live where we do.

For those of you who have previously or maybe, currently, live here you know that we're lucky to live in a place where the people are nice, friendly and honestly care about each other. As the Governor said today, "When a tornado hits one city, the first people on the scene are the citizens from the last tornado disaster."

We understand each other and what it means to live in a place that requires, and, quite frankly expects, the love and respect of a neighbor. That neighbor may be from a city 200 miles away, but we're all in this boat together, and we'll make it to our destination only with everyone taking a turn at the helm.

The Governor also said that he's tired of hearing stereotypes about our lovely state--we're hillbillies, we're thankful that Mississippi always falls one step below us because it keeps us from being 50th in something, that visitors are always "pleasantly surprised" by what this state has to offer.

He's tired because we aren't last in the state rolls anymore. In fact, we're at the top of early childhood education, we're at the top of advanced placement education, and we're faring much better than most states during this economic downturn.

Let me be the first to agree. Aside from working with small town mayors, I also write grant proposals. To qualify for many grant applications, areas often must be "at least one percentage point above the national unemployment rate."

As I sat down to write a grant application two days ago, I felt sure that the counties selected in eastern Arkansas would far exceed this requirement. I was wrong.

The national unemployment rate is so high that many of our most poverty-stricken cities and counties have unemployment averages far lower than the national average.

Surprised?

I was.

Poverty rates here are still catastrophic and will likely continue to be for some time, but unemployment isn't as high as you'd expect.

Now, for the soap box. So, our citizens are employed, but they're wages are so low they can't actually support their families. They may, in fact, have jobs, but they can't pay the bills. They work everyday, but they still live in poverty. It's unacceptable, but...

They do have jobs.

What does this say? I have my own thoughts on the matter, and I'll leave it to you to come up with your own.

The question to ponder is: Do we need more jobs in general or do we need more high paying jobs?

One answer is linked to current stability and one is linked to education. Now it's up to you to decide which is most important to you.

Why?

Because your answer to that question answers where you want your tax dollars spent. It's a question we can only answer individually, but a question that answers where we go collectively.

In the meantime, we'll still be the Land of Opportunity even if it's no longer the state motto. If only because, we all care so much about each other that we'll make sure that the day you move to Arkansas is the day you find your long-lost family in her wonderful citizens.

L.