State of the State (and Union) speeches are pretty consistent. A Governor (or President) throws out a laundry list of items he (or she) wants to brag about or seeks to accomplish in the future. Positive talk is thrown around. It’s not really a time for tackling major issues — most of the proposals are thrown in the trash by the end of the evening by the Legislature (or Congress).
Do I think we’ll get a lottery? I’d be shocked. But it was interesting that Governor Bryant supports one — but I guess I would, too, if I was getting a reputation for being the king of cuts. One interesting reaction was how the Legislature reacted when the governor said the BP money should be spent on the Coast. There wasn’t exactly a standing ovation for that one. The third-grade reading gate is successful? Yay! We can use all the good news we can get.
This is Mississippi’s 200th anniversary. And a lot has happened in that time — great and horrible. I’m not one who demands we only celebrate the great moments. I think we also should mark the bad ones, too. Our state is what it is because of the good and the bad. And like a piece of sand in an oyster, the bad has pushed us and defined us (for the good and bad). We are what we are. But we are also a place that produces some tough, amazing people.
I obviously love this state — I am a Mississippian by choice. But like many of you, I get frustrated by it. I know several of you will reply “well then just move.” I will reply “No.” Because that’s not what love is all about. Love is wanting the place you live to get better. To live up to its amazing potential. If you only participate in happy talk, you don’t admit what needs to be changed.
The state of the state? It’s a work in progress. And for the sake of my children and yours, I hope we don’t totally screw it up.