Sound Off: June 5, 2025

Sun Herald readers weigh in on local and national topics.

Open primaries

I agree with the Sound Off that questioned the need for party affiliation in elections. It shouldn’t matter if a candidate for election has a “D,” “R,” “L” or “I” behind their name on the ballot. I‘d like to base my vote on the character of the candidate and their plan to uphold their sworn oath to “protect and defend the constitution,” not the party that funded their campaign. Many times, I agree with what I see in a candidate who may not be endorsed by my party, but I’m forced to choose between political parties in the primaries. Open primaries would solve this dilemma. Unfortunately, our partisan and privately-financed government would never allow that.

Boulder attack

Ever wondered why someone would do such a heinous act? It’s pure evil. No different than Hitler or Hamas on Oct 7, 2023. Because of recent open borders, expect more acts like this.

Sticker shock

The average new car in America cost $48,000 this year. That price isn’t driven by the average person wanting such, or being able to afford the amount. Autos are a necessary item in this country. But the average buyer is financing that auto over six years. Generally speaking, the average interest rate for auto loans is 6.8%, which amounts to $7,000 over the life of that loan. At what point will these auto prices simply be unattainable by any means for the average consumer. The used car market should be booming.

Unclean water

Once again, Mississippi is known for being the worst. Our beaches have more bacteria than all waters except the Great Lakes. We fluff up the sand and it looks pretty, but you shouldn’t get in the water.

Help wanted

U. S. job openings rose to 7.4 million in April, up 191,000 from March and higher than expected per Labor Department data. There are jobs available if citizens want to work. Find one and get off the dole. Don’t look at a job, particularly entry level, as beneath you. One thing can lead to another but opportunity won’t knock on your door while you’re sitting on the couch.

Female wisdom

President Trump and his MAGA supporters are not happy with Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett. Why? Because she does not rule based on Trump’s orders, but on the constitutionality of the issue. The nerve of her, doing the job she was sworn to do.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Hugh Keating, the new mayor of Gulfport.

Send your Sound Offs to soundoff@sunherald.com.