THERE ARE MANY POSITIVE THINGS GOING ON IN W VA

Have you ever noticed that most news we receive is negative, especially if
it is about government?

The media seem to focus on the negative. Most newspaper editorials about
government are negative or critical, as are most letters to the editor.

Statements made by public officials criticizing a program or policy are
much more likely to make news than positive statements in support of
something. Don Henley recorded a song on this phenomenon called "Dirty
Laundry," and there have been many movies that have touched on this as well.

The media are not totally to blame. During my tenure as a public official,
I have been outspokenly critical of several things. It's appalling to see
the lack of ethical standards and the selfish, self-serving nature of many
people in government, as well as the lobbyists and special interests that
want something from government.

I am the only member of the Senate to vote against all of the "Big Four."
The Big Four are what I consider the four most important proposals of the
last two years: (1) legalized slot machine gambling; (2) a state-run
medical malpractice insurance program; (3) the sale of $4 billion in bonds
to invest in the stock market for our pensioners, without a vote by the
people as required by the Constitution; and (4) the discounting of the
state's nearly $2 billion tobacco settlement for 30 cents on the dollar.

I voted against these proposals because I strongly believe they are bad for
the people of West Virginia. My votes and comments during debate on some of
these issues have been reported statewide.

However, what doesn't make the news are the affirmative votes. Upon
reviewing my voting record over the past two years, more than 99 percent of
the total votes I have cast on the floor of the Senate have been "Yes"
votes in support of numerous worthy laws and programs, many of which were
proposed by the governor and legislative leadership. The reason for this is
there are many more positive things going on in West Virginia government
than negative, and West Virginia has reason to be optimistic about its future.

During this legislative session, I was visited by three young high school
students from my district: Brittany Bennett and Ashley Given from Richwood
High School, and Suki Rogers from Webster County High School. They returned
a couple of weeks later with a video they had produced depicting problems
teen-agers face today, including drug use and lack of direction. Sadly, the
video showed discarded needles kids use to inject themselves with drugs,
and I was informed that drug use - injected, snorted and smoked - is quite
prevalent.

I was deeply troubled by the message these young women brought, but I was
also in awe of the maturity and poise they displayed. They told me they
didn't want anything from me and didn't expect me to have the answer to the
problem; they just wanted me to listen. What a breath of fresh air compared
to the lobbyists who beat on us every day for things that are usually
trivial and selfish.

I think most people would agree the best investment we can make in the
future of this state is to invest in our children. Government must ensure
children have proper nutrition, adequate health care and the best education
money can buy.

Unfortunately, however, the most important necessities for children cannot
be provided by government. These include love, discipline, guidance, a safe
and caring home and two stable parents. Hillary Clinton wrote a book
entitled, "It Takes a Village." The message was it takes an entire
community - schools, churches, neighbors, family and friends - to provide a
proper upbringing for a child. The Republicans ridiculed this book by
saying "it takes a family." The fact is, Hillary and the Republican Party
are both right.

I am so encouraged by bright lights such as Brittany, Ashley and Suki. I've
often said, only half jokingly, that rather than have minimum ages to run
for public offices, we should have maximum ages. What young people lack in
wisdom and experience, they make up for tenfold with honesty, idealism and
enthusiasm, and they do not have cynicism that comes with age.

Brittany, Ashley and Suki were right - I do not have the answer to the
problems they conveyed to me, and in fact, I don't believe government can
provide all of the answers.

But I do know that when I meet people like them, it is obvious there are
parents, teachers and communities doing something right. And that is reason
for optimism.