By Traci Schmidley

Two years ago, with about 20 students in our little homeschool program, we gathered in lawn chairs and celebrated the end of the school year on the front porch. Last year, due to Covid, we were unable to finish the school year or gather at all. This year, with health, hope, growth, and the blessing of God’s provision for our new school building, we had so much to celebrate. Thanks to our generous community sponsors, dedicated parents, and extended family members, over 150 people enjoyed a feast and festivities worthy of the occasion in a beautiful and spectacularly decorated venue (The Cason Barn). 

To the many families who have made Country Day Montessori the special place it is, thank you for the time, energy, and talents you continually give. We are everything we are because of you. I feel beyond blessed to be a part of this incredible community.

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The Red River Parish School Board is accepting applications for the following position: 

• Social Worker

Applicants must have a Master’s degree in Social Work from a regionally accredited institution or equivalent listed in Bulletin 746. 

Deadline to submit applications is June 25, 2021 at 12:00 pm. All interested applicants should apply online at rrbulldogs.com.

For more information, you may contact Nicole Eason at 318-271-2150.

Nicole M. Eason 

Red River Parish School Board

Human Resources Department 

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On Thursday, JC Dickey, Principal of Red River High posted, “Seniors, RRHS Class of 2021 today is officially your last day of school, even though most of you have already finished.  I am so proud of all you have accomplished these last 4 years. 

“You are my first full class at Red River and you will always hold a special place in my heart.  I truly believe in each and every one of you, great things are ahead for each of you.  You are the first class to experience life and school pre pandemic, during the pandemic, and post pandemic.  Use those lessons and make this world a better place.  

“You truly represent the best of what it means to be a Bulldog.  Forever Bulldogs, Forever Family.  Now let’s get ready for graduation June 25th 6pm.  Congratulations Class of 21.”

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The LifeShare blood drive next Thursday at Red River High will be open for the public to donate.  It will be held in the school gym from 8:00 am until 2:00 pm on June 17th.

LifeShare’s Philip Maxfield told the Journal, “As of yesterday (June 9th) we have LESS THAN a ½ day supply of O type blood.”  All types are currently needed.  The blood supply for northwest Louisiana has been very low for the past few months.

Students who donate during their high school career may earn an honor cord to be worn at graduation.  Maxfield said, “Parents and friends can still donate on behalf of high school students who donate blood for honor cord credit.  Every unit of blood collected on campus will go toward the high school’s LifeShare Grant Fund.”

If you are able to donate during the high school blood drive June 11^th, LifeShare asks that you make an appointment.  Maxfield said, “We need to know how many are planning to donate Here’s the link to sign-up: forms.gle/vDA99ToPUa4r98Er9

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Principal Mike Peter said PBIS Celebration will be held Friday at the school. Peter said, “All students at Red River Junior High that have not had any behavior or discipline issues in the past 30 days (Major Referral, ISS, Sent Out of Class) will be invited to attend the Red River Junior High End of the Year PBIS Celebration.”  PBIS is Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports.

Student groups will rotate to event stations in groups. The events of the day are planned as follows: 

Outside Events
Location: RRJH Parking Lot
Inflatable Obstacle Course, Inflatable Bouncer, Inflatable Jousting, and Corn Hole.

Location: Football Field/Track 
Tug of War, Kickball Tournament, and Foot Races.

Location: Gaming Bus
Gaming Tournament.  Peter said this event is planned but not confirmed

Location: Concession Stand
Hamburgers, Chips, Drinks, and Snacks.

Inside Events

Location: Junior High School Gym 
½ Court Basketball Tournament, Tic Toc Challenge Wars, and Line Dance Class.

Location: Classroom 
Movie and Popcorn

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The Red River Parish School Board is accepting applications for the following position: 

• High School Special Education Teacher. 

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree, a valid Louisiana teaching certificate with special education requirements. Primary responsibility is to plan and implement an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for each special education student. 

Deadline to submit applications is June 25, 2021 at 12:00 pm. All interested applicants should apply online at rrbulldogs.com.

For more information, you may contact Nicole Eason at 318-271-2150.

Nicole M. Eason 

Red River Parish School Board

Human Resources Department 

 

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At the June meeting the Red River Parish Police Jury voted to require people or groups using the Springville Park to have liability insurance.  On a motion from Juror Jessie Davis the amount of required coverage was set at $300,000.

During discussion the $300,000 amount was mentioned as the level of liability insurance required at other events in this area that involve the public using various facilities.  Jurors felt that insurance is needed to protect the jury and others from lawsuits in the event of an accident.

Also discussed about the Springville Park was the lack of willingness of people to pay to use the electricity and water at the park.  The pavilion is closed until everything is opened back up.  There was talk of fencing off the pavilion to keep people out as well as preventing access to water and electricity.  Another concern was people putting trash in the park.

Why are these restrictions necessary?  Davis said, “They don’t want to rent it, but to just go and use it.” 

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The Louisiana Sports Writers Association has selected the All-State teams in class 2-A.  Red River placed two Baseball players and one Softball player on the lists.

Congratulations to RRHS Baseball Players who were selected to the

Louisiana Sports Writers Association

Class 2A All State Honorable Mention

Pierce Kellogg

Tyler Hughes

Congratulations to RRHS Softball Player who was selected to the
Louisiana Sports Writers Association 
Class 2A All State Honorable Mention
Elizabeth Hughes

Here is the complete list from the LSWA

 

LSWA CLASS 2A ALL-STATE CHARTS

SOFTBALL

 

P Tia Holmes Many Jr. 19-4

P Chloe Bennett Rosepine Sr. 26-2

P Marley Olivier Doyle Sr. 17-3

P Taylor Periloux St. Charles Sr. 13-9

C Maci Bergeron Notre Dame Jr. .571

IF Abigail Savoy Notre Dame Jr. .574

IF Calyn Brister Rosepine Sr. .656

IF Elise Jones Doyle Sr. .418

IF Madi Hebert St. Charles .494

OF Corine Poncho Notre Dame Jr. .590

OF Xariel Washington Houma Christian Sr. 425

OF Camryn Ford Many Jr. .443

UT Avery Parrott D’Arbonne Woods Sr. .400

UT Karlee Lyles Menard Sr. 492

UT Chloe Hamilton Kinder Sr. .510

UT Destiny Pierce Houma Christian Fr. .524

UT Kate Landry Loreauville Sr. .565

OUTSTANDING PLAYER: MACI BERGERON, NOTRE DAME

COACH OF THE YEAR: KEATON BOOKER, MANY

Honorable mention: Caitlynn Byrd, North Caddo, Sr.; Madison Cook, North Caddo, Jr.; Ella Nielsen, Lakeside, Jr.; Sydney Robinson, Lakeside, Jr.; Sara Kate Booker, Minden, Fr.; Brook Jenkins, Many, Jr.; Noelle Corley, Menard; Karley Sweat, Menard; Megan Fuselier, Kinder; Sydney Seemion, Kinder; Miya Breaux, Lake Arthur; Annslee Bourgeois, Episcopal; Reagan Legros, Lake Arthur; Callie Matrie, Notre Dame; Morgan Alleman, Notre Dame; Caylyn Henry, Notre Dame; Sarah Diaz, Lafayette Christian; Stevie Credeur, Lafayette Christian; Emma Crow, Port Barre; Alyssa Soileau, Loreauville; Laurie Badeaux, Catholic-NI; Caroline McPherson, D’Arbonne Woods, Klayr Hayes, D’Arbonne Woods; Magen Fregeau, Houma Christian School; Hailey Henry, Houma Christian; Madison Diaville, Doyle; Alexis Phelps, D’Arbonne Woods; Adriana Ortiz, Menard; Emily DeSelle, Menard; Makynli Miller, Many; Shiley Cartinez, Many; Chloe Hamilton, Kinder; Bailiegh Kellogg, DeQuincy; Ryloe Kuiper, Northlake Christian; Laney Taylor Lakeside; Frances Robinson, Lakeside; Elizabeth Hughes, Red River; Laynie Jones, D’Arbonne Woods; Hadley Lemons, Kinder; Brianna Langley, Kinder.

 

LSWA CLASS 2A ALL-STATE CHARTS

BASEBALL

P William Vice Notre Dame Sr. 11-1

P Kade Lively Mangham Sr. 7-1

P Andrew Yuratich Doyle Sr. 10-4

P Hunter Lail Lafayette Christian 9-1

C Ethan Frey Rosepine Jr. .446

IF Jake Smith Rosepine So. .421

IF Cade Pregeant St. Charles Sr. .437

IF Dom Thibodeaux Notre Dame Sr. .416

IF Jaden Collura St. Thomas Aquinas Sr. .447

OF Grant Ducote Rosepine So. .443

OF Brylan Green Lafayette Christian Jr. .432

OF Blaise Blancher Ascension Episcopal So. .330

UT Gage Hutson Mangham So. .467

UT Hadley Cooley DeQuincy Sr. .306

UT Miles Juston Lafayette Christin Sr. 1.63 ERA

UT Ethan Menard Notre Dame Sr. .368

UT Cade Lyons Doyle Jr. .350

OUTSTANDING PLAYER: ETHAN FREY, ROSEPINE

COACH OF THE YEAR: JEFF SMITH, ROSEPINE

Honorable mention: Jake Armand, Lake Arthur; Josh Tamplain, St. Charles; Parker Seilhan, Notre Dame; Cole Simon, Ascension Episcopal; Preston Ocmand, Ascension Episcopal; Riley Marcotte, Loreauville; Luke LeBoeuf, Kinder; Landon Richard, Kinder; Landon Schmitz, Kinder, Lane Henson, Delhi Charter; Peyton Forte, Vidalia; Thomas Amador, Houma Christian; Sam Zurik, Newman; Braden Trull, Rosepine; Jack Deville, Many; Trey Usey, Fisher; A.J. Manasco, Many; Casey Artigues, St. Thomas Aquinas; Rayden Rosalis, DeQuincy; Hayden Dolese, Newman; Gunner Gearen, DeQuincy; Anthony Fernandez, St. Charles; Preston Ocmand, Ascension Episcopal; Luke Hill, Episcopal; Pierce Kellogg, Red River; Tyler Hughes, Red River; Tyson Stewart, Doyle; Braden Keen, Doyle; Ashton Veade, Menard.

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West Central La Operation Christmas Child team encouraged ladies to pack a shoebox at the Ladies Loving Christ in Red River Parish.  The meeting was Tuesday at The Shop on Hwy 507.

Pansy Morgan, area coordinator, Freida Berry, church relation coordinator, and Susan Longino, drop off leader for Red River Parish gave out materials, shoeboxes, and information to the ladies encouraging them to participate in this ministry.

Lela Kay Warren won the case of plastic shoeboxes.

For more information about Operation. Christmas Child go to samaritanspurse.org or contact Susan Longino at 318-663-4769.

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Buddy Ray Roberts

May 20, 1950 to June 8, 2021

https://redriverparishjournal.com/2021/06/09/buddy-ray-roberts/

 

Publication of the complete obituary with photo is available by contacting The Journal at 318-564-3609.

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The Arena at Red River Cowboy Church is the location for a benefit roping this coming weekend.  The first event is Friday night and there will be more on Saturday, June 12^th.

Here is a reminder from Red River 4-H:  Please share with parents of 4-6th graders:  The deadline to sign up for 1 day 4-H camp is next Friday, June 18th!!  Sign up at the link or by calling the office 932-4342.  Camp is at the Northwestern Student Union ballroom.  If transportation is an issue, we can help!  nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/…

Northwestern State University’s Office of Electronic and Continuing Education will offer a Line Dance class starting Tuesday, June 22 at 5:30 p.m. in  Room 127 of the Health and Human Performance Building. The class will be held each Tuesday through July 27. The fee is $65.

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Funeral services for Buddy Ray Roberts, 71, of Fairview Alpha, LA will be held 11 A.M. Friday, June 11, 2021 at Fairview Baptist Church with Dr. Matt Endris officiating.  Interment will follow in Zion Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 10 A.M. until service time on Friday at Fairview Baptist Church.  Services under the direction of Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home, Coushatta, LA.

Mr. Roberts was born May 20, 1950 in Natchitoches, LA and passed away June 8, 2021.

 

Publication of the complete obituary with photo is available by contacting The Journal at 318-564-3609.

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Red River High School announced that Coach John Bachman has decided to step down from his position as Head Football Coach at Red River High School due to health concerns.  Jeff Harper has been selected Interim Coach until permanent replacement is found.

Coach Bachman’s statement, ” It is with much regret that I have decided to tender my resignation as Head Coach of Red River High School Football Team.  Over the past several months, I have experienced health issues that, in my opinion, would significantly inhibit my ability to continue to give the student-athletes at Red River High my complete efforts.

“I have enjoyed a wonderful experience at Red River High School and consider many of my co-workers and administration family.  I will remain in Red River Parish in a teaching capacity and will continue to support the wonderful student-athletes at Red River High School in any way possible.

“I wish Red River Bulldog football the best in the upcoming seasons to come. They are true warriors, and I can’t wait to see what they accomplish School. Coach Bachman will remain on staff as a teacher in Red River Parish.”

The school said, “We would like to thank Coach Bachman for his work with our students and the football program.”

The administrative team met and has decided to name Coach Jeff Harper the Interim Head Football Coach. We will meet over the next few weeks to plan the future of the program.

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Traffic Stop leads to the seizure of narcotics and the arrest of Coushatta man. 

According to a Task Force official, on the morning of June 4th, 2021, NPSO deputies assigned to the I.M.P.A.C.T Team conducted a traffic stop on a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado near the 2600 block of Highway 71. Upon contact, the driver was identified as, Charles Bobbitt, 44, of the 5000 block of Hwy 480. 

During the course of the investigation, NPSO utilized their narcotics detector canine, Misty, which gave a positive odor alert on Bobbit’s vehicle. Deputies searched the vehicle as well as Bobbitt’s person. Approximately 19 grams of suspected Methamphetamine was seized from Bobbitt’s person and in numerous locations in the vehicle.

As a result of the investigation, Bobbit was charged with the following charges: 

• Possession of CDS II (methamphetamine) 
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Second or Subsequent offenses
• Traffic violations. 

Bobbit was placed into the NPDC with a return court date of 9/7/2021.

NMJDTF RELEASE

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The National Weather Service office at Shreveport said Tuesday the rain will end.  The next significant rainfall forecast is for Sunday.

The last organized cluster of thunderstorms should exit East Texas Tuesday. This area is moving at a decent speed, which will help keep the rainfall totals down. Any rain will generate runoff, and will make its way into area rivers.

Dry weather is expected for the remainder of the week. Lake operators/owners will take the opportunity to coordinate their releases and all official West Gulf RFC river forecasts will include the latest guidance from our reservoir partners.

Here is the forecast from the weather service:

Wednesday

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Heat index values as high as 102. South wind around 10 mph. 

Wednesday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind 5 to 10 mph. 

Thursday

Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. 

Thursday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind 5 to 15 mph. 

Friday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.

Friday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.

Saturday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.

Saturday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.

Sunday

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.

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Sports physicals will be conducted Friday at Red River High School for the next year.  Students should have their paperwork completed prior to the physical.

Students that wear glasses or contacts must wear them to the physical. Pick up packets from your coach or sponsor.

Complete details are on the flyer accompanying this article.

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The River Parish School Board is accepting applications for the following position: 

• Social Worker

Applicants must have a Master’s degree in Social Work from a regionally accredited institution or equivalent listed in Bulletin 746. 

Deadline to submit applications is June 25, 2021 at 12:00 pm. All interested applicants should apply online at rrbulldogs.com.

For more information, you may contact Nicole Eason at 318-271-2150.

Nicole M. Eason 

Red River Parish School Board

Human Resources Department 

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A large part of a high school junior becoming a senior is the awarding of the senior ring.  Friday afternoon Red River High held the annual Ring Ceremony.  Parents, faculty and staff gathered to see the juniors move up and get their rings.

Red River High School and the Junior Class would like to extend our thanks to Col. Duffield, Sergeant Bunton and the JROTC Color Guard for their assistance in the ceremony. Big thanks goes to Mrs. Guidry, junior ring ceremony sponsor, Mr. Reyes, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Danzy, Ms. Moore, Dr. Wimberly, Mr. Wren and Mrs. Martin for all they did in making this program happen.

Big thanks to Mr. Bell and Mr. Edwards for the construction and painting of the big class ring. Thanks to the RRHS custodial staff for making sure the stage and chairs where set up and the gym was cleaned.

Also a huge thank you goes out to the junior parents headed by Mrs. Kim Hogan and Mrs. Laqueshia Barfield along with Ms. Mary Taylor and the other helpers for decorating the gym for this ceremony and for the refreshments afterwards.

You will find all the pictures taken by Mrs. Kelley Lee of our new Seniors of the Class of 2022 on the high school social media page.

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John was the son of an auto repair machinist and World War I veteran.  Like many women of that era, John’s mother was a homemaker.  John’s father was an alcoholic who, especially when under the influence, was physically abusive to his wife, John and his sisters.

In his teens, John showed an interest in politics.  In 1960, John, then eighteen years old, worked as an assistant precinct captain for a Democratic Party candidate in his neighborhood.  As an assistant precinct captain, John’s job was to help link the political candidate with the individual voters in his neighborhood.

In the following year, John enrolled at Northwestern Business College in Bridgeview, Illinois.  The admissions department at the college accepted his application although he had not graduated from high school.  He was a good student and graduated in 1963.  Straight out of college, the Nunn-Bush Shoe Company hired John as a manager trainee.  John was a fast learner.  He prospered at the shoe company and, in early 1964, his boss transferred him to a larger store in Springfield, Illinois, where he worked as a salesman.  He prospered there as well and, within weeks of working as a salesman, his boss promoted him to department manager.

Soon thereafter, John joined the Springfield Jaycees.  John showed the same work ethic with the Jaycees as he had with the Nunn-Bush Shoe Company.  He earned the position of Key Man in the Jaycees in April of 1964.  By the following year, John had risen to the position of vice-president of the Jaycees and was named the third most outstanding Jaycee in Illinois.

When John saw something he wanted, he went after it with dogged but tactful determination.  Almost as soon as he moved to Springfield, he began dating a co-worker, Marlynn Myers.  Six month later, in September of 1964, the two married.  Soon after the marriage, Marlynn’s father made John an offer that he was unable to refuse.  Marlynn’s father had purchased three Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants in Waterloo, Iowa, and wanted someone he could trust to manage them.  With his business degree and family connections, John was the perfect choice.  The position was a huge pay increase over his shoe department managerial position.  In addition to the large salary ($15,000 per year, which, adjusted for inflation, would amount to about $130,000), John would receive a percentage of the profits.

After completing the required Kentucky Fried Chicken managerial training course, John and Marlynn moved to Waterloo.  John joined the Waterloo Jaycees and often provided free chicken at their meetings.  Always ambitious, John requested that the other Jaycees call him “Colonel.”  The other Jaycees humored him with the title because he was a likeable guy and because he excelled in fundraising work for Jaycees.  In 1967, the Waterloo Jaycees honored him with the title “outstanding vice-president.”  That same year, John served on the Board of Directors for the Waterloo Jaycees.

Through the passing years, John made several career changes, each one successful, and relocated to a few different cities.  In the 1970s, John began to reconsider his political ambitions, which he had always kept in the background.  He had worked as an assistant precinct captain in 1960, and in the mid-1970s, he earned the title of precinct captain.  From 1975 to 1978, John was the director of Chicago’s Polish Constitution Day Parade.  On May 6, 1978, the First Lady of the United States, Rosalynn Carter, met and had her photograph taken with John.  In the picture, John proudly displayed an “S” pin on his lapel which indicated that he had been given special clearance from the Unite States Secret Service.

To everyone who knew him, John’s climb up the ladder of success seemed limitless.  People spoke of the possibility that John would run for mayor or even governor.  But John had a secret.  Until December 21, 1978, John only shared his secret with thirty-three people whose names are too important not to include.  Those privy to his secret included Timothy McCoy, John Butkovich, Darrel Samson, Samuel Stapleton, Randall Reffett, Michael Bonnin, William Carroll, Jimmy Haakenson, Rick Johnston, William Bundy, Michael Marino, Kenneth Parker, Gregory Godzik, John Szyc, Jon Prestidge, Matthew Bowman, Robert Gilroy, John Mowery, Russell Nelson, Robert Winch, Tommy Boling, David Talsma, William Kindred, Timothy O’Rourke, Frank Landingin, James Mazzara, Robert Piest, Unidentified Victim No. 28, Unidentified Victim No. 5, Unidientified Victim No. 26, Unidentified Victim No. 13, Unidentified Victim No. 21, and Unidentified Victim No. 10.  On December 21, 1978, police arrested John after they located the bodies of several missing boys buried under his house.  He confessed to the rape and murder of at least thirty-three boys and was eventually executed by lethal injection on May 10, 1994.  The man who seemed to be forever climbing the ladder of success was John Wayne Gacy.  His last meal included a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken.

Sources:

1. Chicago Tribune. “Here Are John Wayne Gacy’s Victims.” December 17, 2018. chicagotribune.com/history/ct-john-wayne-gacy-victims-20181215-htmlstory.html.
2. US Inflation Calculator. “Us Inflation Calculator.” Accessed May 24, 2021. usinflationcalculator.com/.
3. Wiki Commons. “John Wayne Gacy Certificate of Death.” Accessed May 24, 2021. commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:John_Wayne_Gacy_certificate_of_death.jpg.

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Trey Lewis, Red River Librarian issued an invitation to the book sale.  Come one, come all to our 2021 Library book sale.  Covid shut us down last year so we have double the books and goodies to get rid of. 

We are so excited about this one that we are having a special bargain….everything is 10 cents….that’s right one thin dime.  So bring your dimes and your dollars and stock up. 

The sale will be held in the library meeting room….regular library hours 9-5  Wednesday the 16^th through Friday the 18th of June.  We hope to see you here. 

If the streets are still blocked with construction just come down Alonzo Street in front of Bearing Service past the Baptist Church.  You can get here with no problem.

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The River Parish School Board is accepting applications for the following position: 

• High School Special Education Teacher. 

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree, a valid Louisiana teaching certificate with special education requirements. Primary responsibility is to plan and implement an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for each special education student. 

Deadline to submit applications is June 25, 2021 at 12:00 pm. All interested applicants should apply online at rrbulldogs.com.

For more information, you may contact Nicole Eason at 318-271-2150.

Nicole M. Eason 

Red River Parish School Board

Human Resources Department 

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Christian Comedian Trevor Thomas is coming to Red River in late June.  He will entertain and inspire at both Magnolia Baptist Church and First Baptist Coushatta.

For three decades actor and entertainer, Trevor Thomas, has been touring America. He creates characters that people can laugh at, cry with, and learn from.

According to his website, Trevor keeps up with a schedule of approximately 180 engagements each year. He can be seen at churches, concerts, and various special events. In each appearance, theater, comedy, music, and evangelism collide; and Broadway, Shakespeare, and Carol Burnett meet Billy Graham.

Everything varies from funny to serious; however, all of their material is worshipful, evangelistic, and edifying for the church. It is an unforgettable worship experience for the believer and a picture of salvation for the lost. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is always the theme!

According to his website, Thomas will be at Magnolia Baptist Sunday morning June 27^th.  He will be at the 10:30 am service.  Then on Wednesday, June 30^th, Thomas will be at First Baptist Coushatta at the 6:00 pm service.

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By Royal Alexander

Paying workers to stay home is crippling the recovery

It is simply impossible for business and industry (particularly small businesses which are America’s economic engine) to compete with the combined financial power of state and federal governments.  When government subsidizes people who don’t work, that will continue to be the case.  They won’t work.

Our national economy should be seeing soaring job growth but, on the contrary, it is difficult to locate any American business or industry that isn’t starved for workers—even when offering higher pay or hiring bonuses.  As a result, those who are willing to work are increasingly difficult for employers to find.

What is the root cause of this? The trillions of dollars (added on top of state benefits) the federal government has poured into the economy in the last year.  Some economists have estimated that in 22 states households that qualify can receive a maximum wage equivalent of $25 an hour.  This is why millions of American workers have simply made the deliberate and reasoned decision not to work. (It is encouraging to see that some 25 other states have now declared they will soon stop accepting enhanced jobless benefits.  These state governments have realized the lack of workers has damaged their state economies).

There are other considerations here as well.  Some speculate that this sustained subsidization of workers by the federal government is a backdoor way for the Left to raise the minimum wage or implement the Universal Basic Income, an idea fraught with economic peril.  Others believe it is an effort by the Left to get more people on government assistance (without any work requirement) so they will then be obligated to give their political support to the party providing that assistance and those benefits.

All of this is very concerning.  These massive redistribution payments undermine the hallowed American work ethic. Our work ethic has been noted, prized, and venerated and the reason that the American economy has historically always performed so well, raising the standard of living and lifting millions out of poverty.  However, the economy was only able to do that because people worked.  These last 12 months of not working have undermined the very idea of work—and whether people are willing to work at all.  However, deciding not to work is harming and delaying our recovery.

Financial incentive is what motivates human beings in a free-market economy and, consequently, giving away money causes a predictable but highly negative effect by extinguishing that incentive.  Government must now move out of the way and stop enabling, with our tax dollars, an anemic and sluggish economy.

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