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(Normally it would not be the case but this week’s column is in response to an email received from a concerned reader as I’ve chosen to not conceal the opinions of those who don’t necessarily agree with mine.)
Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a detailed and thoughtful letter. I’ve always believed the best part of writing a column for the Baxley News-Banner isn’t just sharing my own thoughts, but the conversation it creates with neighbors like you. Knowing you have followed my work for years means a great deal to me, and I take your feedback about my political research and perspective very seriously.
You mentioned it sometimes feels like I’m “jumping into politics half loaded,” and I appreciate that nudge to look deeper. It is easy in today’s world to get stuck in an “echo chamber” where we only hear things considered agreeable to our cause. My goal has always been to represent a “wholly American” perspective rather than a Democratic or Republican one. To me, being a writer in a small town means looking at how policies affect our actual lives, neighbors, and values, regardless of which party is in power.
I was particularly struck by your concern that I haven’t addressed the failures of the Biden administration or the nuances of the Trump administration’s policies. While I try to keep my columns focused on “accountability and basic rules to live by,” I have actually waded into these waters a few times to voice the very concerns you raised. Sometimes these topics get tucked into broader stories about our community, but I want to point you toward a few specific pieces where I’ve tried to strike that balance for which you’re looking.
For example, in my column “The Cost of the Common Man” (Published September 14, 2022), I spent quite some time discussing the “record high inflation” you mentioned. I wrote about how the rising costs at local grocery stores and gas stations were a direct result of government spending and policy choices that ignored the struggles of working-class families. Similarly, in “Silence Isn’t Always Golden” (Published February 8, 2023), I explored the dangers of social media censorship and the “banning of dissent” during the pandemic, arguing that the American spirit requires open debate, even when that debate is uncomfortable for those in charge.
Regarding the border and the “mess” we are currently seeing, I addressed the complexity of enforcement in “Laws, Borders, and Common Sense” (Published November 15, 2023). In that piece, I looked at how the lack of consistent law enforcement was putting a strain on our schools and hospitals; a point you made very clearly in your email. I’ve also looked at the “Gung-ho” nature of current events in my more recent piece, “A New Chapter or an Old Story?” (Published February 5, 2026), where I discussed the importance of returning to the rule of law to protect our national infrastructure.
You gave me a lot of “homework” regarding NGOs, the funding of protests, and the foreign entities buying up American homes. You are absolutely right that these are “great research projects.” In fact, I have been looking into the housing shortage, and your point about corporations outbidding families is something I think should be highlighted. It’s a perfect example of a problem that isn’t about “Left vs. Right,” but about protecting the American Dream for the next generation.
I may not always get the balance perfect, and I truly value your reminder that a “correction lends itself to greater reader trust.” If I present something as fact that turns out to be inaccurate, I want to be the first to own that. My closing line, “I could be wrong, bug it’s just something to consider.” isn’t meant to be a way out; it’s a sincere admission that I am a student of this world just like you are.
I hope you’ll keep reading and keep sending these emails as your perspective helps me stay sharp and ensures that I’m writing for everyone in Baxley, not just one side of the aisle. In closing; I could be wrong but it’s just something to consider.
To pose a question, comment, or share your opinion about this opinion, you can reach B. G. Howard at bg@authorbghoward.com or P. O. Box 8103, Jacksonville, FL 32239.
