Aug 4, 2017 4 min read

Editorial voices from newspapers across the United States:

Earlier this month, Hobby Lobby agreed to pay a $3 million fine and turn over thousands of artifacts smuggled out of Iraq and the Middle East in yet another unfortunate display of corporate double standards.

According to USA Today and the Associated Press, the arts and crafts supplier known for its president’s strong religious beliefs bought $1.6 million of cuneiform tablets and other artifacts in a “clandestine” deal “fraught with red flags” – meaning Hobby Lobby knew what it was doing was wrong and went to great lengths to hide it, no matter what company officials claim about their motives.

In a great understatement, President Steve Green said the company “should have exercised more oversight and carefully questioned how the acquisitions were handled.”

That’s all well and good, but it doesn’t put the company above the law – and nor should a company that claims to be so steeped in religion need a fine to be encouraged to do what is right. Yet the fact is that while the fine is more than normally issued in such cases, to a huge company like Hobby Lobby it is a mere slap on the wrist. The “punishment” is unlikely to do much to deter Hobby Lobby or other companies – “Corporate America” continues to skate when it comes to lawbreaking and illegal, predatory practices.

Life is tough for many children in Mississippi. The state rates at or near the top in numerous categories including childhood poverty, childhood obesity and lack of access to health care.

Lately, some children in the state have faced another peril: getting shot.

During last month, at least three children in Mississippi have been the victims of fatal shootings.

On July 12, a 12-year-old boy in Columbus was killed when several children were playing with a rifle. A 5-year-old died July 1 in Jackson. Another child, also 5, died July 4 in Louisville.

There was a similar incident in Greenwood in June. A 6-year-old was severely injured when he was shot by a 5-year-old playmate who found a loaded gun under the couch.

Note the common element in all of these shootings: Every victim was shot by himself or another child while playing with a firearm. But don’t put the blame on the children.

It’s up to adult gun owners to make certain guns are kept out of little hands. Yes, adults need to teach children to stay away from firearms unless they are supervised by an adult.

But at least – the very least – keep guns out of kids’ reach.

Women remain underrepresented in national, state and local governments in 2017.

And in Pennsylvania, that number is “particularly stark,” according to a May 2017 report, “Few, but Mighty: Women and Bill Sponsorship in the Pennsylvania General Assembly,” by the Pennsylvania Center for Women in Politics at Chatham University’s Women’s Institute.

The report finds the lack of female representation is detrimental in terms of representation, policy-making, collaboration and legislative success.

Across the United States, women make up more than 50 percent of the population, yet hold less than 20 percent of the available seats in Congress, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

In Pennsylvania, according to the Center for Women in Politics report, the 253-member General Assembly, only 40 women legislators currently serve in the House, and eight in the Senate.

Additionally, Pennsylvania has been ranked 46th in overall gender parity, according to the report.

The report goes on to indicate that partisan gridlock may be a function of having fewer women in the Legislature.

At the end of the day, isn’t that what taxpayers are seeking – a more effective and efficient government?

If that’s what you’re looking for, encourage women to run for office locally – and vote for them to represent you when they do.