Pubdate: Sun, 17 Mar 2002 Source: Register-Herald, The (WV) Copyright: 2002 The Register-Herald Contact: http://www.register-herald.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1441 Author: Sen. Mark Burnette Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) 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. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom