Columns

Advice, consolation to taxpayers

The tax season is upon us. I’m no CPA, but let me offer advice and consolation to my fellow taxpayers. Q. Dear Tom: My CPA told me that a tax bracket is a heavy, metal object that the government uses to hit you over the head every time you succeed in pushing your income up.

Hurricane season forecast blows hot, cold

In our world of polarized government and polarized media, where everything is just a matter of somebody’s opinion, we can at least count on the annual hurricane forecasts, can’t we? Maybe not. The predictions are blowing hot and cold.

To opioid hell and back​

I’m feeling human again, thanks. After three weeks of living in opioid hell - of constantly being sick to my stomach, of throwing up, of having the shakes and feeling depressed and crying - my body and brain are back to normal. I’m no longer high and messed up on pain killers.

Downside of casinos in Louisiana

Several quick financial fixes are being discussed in the current session of the Legislature involving the expansion of gambling. Here’s an interesting thought.

Medicaid fraud: Setting the record straight

I read with great interest the recent article by the Medicaid director of Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) (Setting record straight about Medicaid, The Advocate, March 31) which concluded that it is imperative that readers get the facts (rather than deliberate misinformation) when it comes to...

Where’s the vision thing in Louisiana?

There were several gatherings at the state capitol in Baton Rouge last week. Former legislators gathered for their annual reunion to catch up on old friendships and reminisce about past legislative accomplishments.

Passover, Easter make it a holy time

The Christian “Holy Week” began Sunday, March 25, and each year this period of time reminds Christians of the Life and Passion of Jesus Christ, (including Holy Thursday and Good Friday), and His resurrection from the dead on Easter Sunday….

MLK’s Legacy: The next 50 years

Decades ago, when I worked in a grocery store, I would frequently have to phone my boss and ask whether to cash a check for a stranger. The questioning would inevitably include, “Is he black?” I never dared say it out loud, but I self-righteously imagined myself responding, “Hold on – let me check.”

An obsession with a fake storm

So now it’s collusion with Stormy Daniels? The obsession by some in the media with the affair that Donald Trump allegedly had with a porn star 12 years ago shows how desperate his haters are to drive him from office.

Narcissism & the Republic - ‘Me the People?’

Boy, is narcissism getting out of hand with younger generations. San Diego State psychologist Jean Twenge examines the trend in two books: “Generation Me” and “The Narcissism Epidemic: Living in the Age of Entitlement.”