[mr.fundamental]

With the loss of the population that continues to happen to Eastern Kentucky; does anyone really think that we won the war on coal?

I would argue that the war on coal was won, the coal barrens are still making great monies while the worker has suffered.

I would also argue that Mitch and Hal need to go. Your quality of life is not that good if you live in Eastern Kentucky, hence the people are leaving. Life expectancy is down, you lose an average of two years of your life. You live in a cancer belt. You have three of the poorest counties in the nation on your back door.

Yet, politicians will tell you it is someone else's fault, usually your poor neighbor that is on welfare and as they are doing this corporate welfare (socialism) and not a word is being said about that.

Politicians will say man look at Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Texas. We should be like them.

I would argue if you are going to copy off someone copy of Massachusetts, California, Vermont, Minnesota, Colorado. Hate them are what ever, but from GDP models, life expectancy , quality of life models, they are all doing better than us and with the exception of Texas are doing better than what the politicians say to copy.

Thoughts?

[ronald reagan]

With the loss of the population that continues to happen to Eastern Kentucky; does anyone really think that we won the war on coal?

I would argue that the war on coal was won, the coal barrens are still making great monies while the worker has suffered.

I would also argue that Mitch and Hal need to go. Your quality of life is not that good if you live in Eastern Kentucky, hence the people are leaving. Life expectancy is down, you lose an average of two years of your life. You live in a cancer belt. You have three of the poorest counties in the nation on your back door.

Yet, politicians will tell you it is someone else's fault, usually your poor neighbor that is on welfare and as they are doing this corporate welfare (socialism) and not a word is being said about that.

Politicians will say man look at Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Texas. We should be like them.

I would argue if you are going to copy off someone copy of Massachusetts, California, Vermont, Minnesota, Colorado. Hate them are what ever, but from GDP models, life expectancy , quality of life models, they are all doing better than us and with the exception of Texas are doing better than what the politicians say to copy.

Thoughts?

Wait a second here...  Instead of just saying, "be like" ____ , ____, ____, and _____..... Why don't you tell us what Beshear could do right this second to turn eastern kentucky into the utopia's that you proclaim these other states to be.


Give us 4-5 bold ideas to make east kentucky a booming economy.

1)Get rid of the remaining coal jobs (among the highest paying jobs in all of the region).

Now, 4 more things. Price tags, funding sources, and research conclusions would be extremely helpful. 
Can't wait to hear them.

[mr.fundamental]

Excellent questions... without the help of the federal government most of what I will suggest can not happen.

1. Update existing infrastructure... yes, Martin County does come to mind and drinking water is important but I was thinking more in line of Kentucky Wired and the access to the internet, I currently live in one of the larger counties in S.E. KY and would probably would be surprised of how many folks do not have access to the internet.

2. Legalize Weed. Let's face it, life is better with a bag of weed (Brian off of Family Guy). Anyway, my poor attempt at humor. From what I understand we grow the best, why not let the small farmers have a crack at it.

3. We must be able to expand Medicaid and make it our mission to make sure that all people are covered. Yes, this will make people leaches (that is the argument that some will come too) but those leaches will open up markets in each county, that market will hire people, and people might spend in the local economy.

I will have to come back to you on #4.

I would think maybe the tax code. However, with Papa Johns moving to Atlanta and they pay higher taxes kinda throws a wrench in that.

Maybe reform of the educational system to be more STEM heavy. Maybe look at becoming more Union friendly, right to work has and is a disaster. I mean the only company that people seem to point to is Toyota but no one talks that they have a different set of values.

So again, doing a lot of spit balling for that four spot, let me get back to you.