FREDDIE POWELL SIMS: Southwest Georgians must work together to solve issues

There is no gentle way to enter into the conversation of governmental greed, economic growth, missed opportunities, and political posturing. Countless factions, groups, organizations and individuals as well malign the poor just for being poor.

Some folks are less fortunate because of poor career choices or none at all. They are comfortable with their status in life. And others, no matter how hard they struggle to make ends meet, are unable to get ahead. They are proud workers. They never ask for a handout, just a level playing field, with equity and fairness in the spaces that they exist. These observations especially reign true in southwest Georgia.

Political operatives inundate media with disparaging messages aligning the poor with overuse of social services or welfare, while the same folks covertly receive special “deals” from local, state and federal governments themselves. Tons of individuals received unjustifiable COVID-19 funding from the Biden administration and other funding associated with COVID recovery, but continue to oppose that same federal administration. Is that not the height of hypocrisy?

Federal funding of epic proportion in health care, education, social services, etc. create extreme hardships on ordinary taxpayers, especially low-paying wage earners and small businesses. Conversely, local, state and federal dollars create thousands of contractual agreements, small and large businesses, providers of all dimensions, nonprofits that purport to serve the public good. But the “return on government investment” is almost impossible to measure for lack of government oversight or accountability. Sometimes purposely.

Economic in southwest Georgia could see significant growth if regional, economic, political and academic leaders would work together. Collaborative discussions must take place in order to bring wholesome prosperity to the region. We must all take deep breaths and stop the “finger-pointing.” With the “kazillion” leadership organizations in southwest Georgia, there should be more than enough leaders to serve. Let us worry less about the next “kingmaker,” roll up our sleeves and do the work. True dedicated workers of substance are needed to strengthen economic lives of southwest Georgians.

Every quadrant of this great state has grown exponentially, except southwest Georgia. Have we stopped finger-pointing long enough to ask ourselves why? In 2024, there remains an unbelievable amount of human suffering in southwest Georgia. And from all indications and data gathered, this human suffering is mostly contained in working-class communities.

As we move into the new year, we find ourselves at potentially dangerous crossroads that are crucial to health care, Medicaid expansion, preschool through post-secondary education, work force expansion, affordable housing, underemployment and many other impediments to quality lifestyles. Year 2024 will present enormous opportunities for common consensus among southwest Georgians to deliver better.

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