As I journey through Mississippi, I often hear people express despair about the state and country’s failures. Elected politicians are piling up debt without concern, leaving many feeling helpless. Some Republicans on platforms like “YouTube” defend figures like Brandon Presley, claiming those who oppose him were not true Republicans. But consider this: if a candidate for Governor were affiliated with hate groups like the KLAN, BLM, ANTIFA, or any other divisive faction, would they deserve your vote? It’s not just about being for or against something; the character of the party or group matters. Presley’s party endorses numerous controversial stances, from recognizing multiple genders to supporting late-term abortions, issues that many Republicans vehemently oppose.

The Governor made a significant misstep by misleading the public about letting them vote on the 1894 flag. It was a simple request. If he had invested the same effort as Speaker Gunn and (LG) Hosemann did in passing a new flag without a vote, I believe the people could have decided. Instead, he seemed more interested in fitting in with the political scene.

However, we can’t afford to let the Democrats, who governed the state for 125 years, resurface. They left us at the bottom of every economic and social indicator. We mustn’t abandon our conservative values to those who blame Mississippi and the South for historical wrongs like slavery. Change will come, but handing the state to socialist Democrats is not the solution. We must stop merely lamenting our situation and start standing up, using the power of our voices like strong men and women.