Opinion - The Sumter Item

Opinion: Will Trump's tariffs move us back to the constitutional order?

It has been hard this past week, of tariffs applied worldwide on April 2 to tariffs suspended except for China on April 9, to avoid reflecting on how much trouble could have been avoided if … more

BY MICHAEL BARONE | 4/16/25 06:00 AM

Editorial cartoon: Wednesday, April 16, 2025

4/16/25 06:00 AM

Letter to the editor: Discipline issues across Clarendon district create environment of fear, disruption

Dear citizens of Clarendon County, we write to you today as deeply concerned members of our community - parents, educators, and local citizens - who can no longer remain silent about the dangerous erosion of discipline, safety and respect within our … more

4/12/25 06:00 AM

Letter to the editor: Drama during Passion Week 20 centuries ago is life and death

Panic is a natural reaction. It can be useful as in suddenly avoiding a viper, but generally panic is a decision based on an overwhelming amount of information that is negative. Since information is at the core of panic, it is important to have … more

4/12/25 06:00 AM

Commentary: Why citizen involvement matters more than ever

There was a time early in my career when I believed that the single most important thing an American citizen could do was vote. But if a career engaging in politics and watching politicians at work has taught me anything, it's how much our country … more

By LEE HAMILTON | 4/12/25 06:00 AM

Letter to the editor: Some American flags across Sumter not flown correctly

I travel around Sumter, the city and the county, a lot. I see many businesses, schools and homes, with flags on display, flown in the daytime and often overnight. Many of the flags are flown correctly, but some are not. Attention should be paid to … more

4/12/25 06:00 AM

Letter to editor: Watch for signs of dogfighting

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster and Law Enforcement Division Chief Mark Keel are urging the public to report dogfighting to authorities. It is important to know the signs. They include pit bull-type dogs chained with padlocks and heavy logging … more

4/12/25 06:00 AM

Letter to the editor: It's a shame the S.C. Legislature can't be bold

Did you know that the state General Assembly is currently working on a "Flat Tax" income tax rate of 3.99 percent for the state of South Carolina in 2026? This would be different from the current tax rates of zero percent, 3 percent and 6.2 percent … more

4/9/25 06:00 AM

Editorial cartoon: Wednesday, April 9, 2025

4/9/25 06:00 AM

Opinion: Tariffs, the goose, the gander and the American Dream

Let's give the tariffs time to work. I'm as anxious as you are since everything I have is tied to the stock market. If the stock market dies, I will be working or starving the rest of my life. Let's hope things settle down soon. I believe they will … more

By Dr. Glenn Mollette | 4/9/25 06:00 AM

Opinion: President Trump seems bent on political self-harm

Is President Donald Trump bent on political self-harm? It often seems that way. His overall job approval rating still hovers within a point or two of the 50% popular vote he received last November. But he is losing support on the economy and … more

BY MICHAEL BARONE | 4/9/25 06:00 AM

Igniting the spark through volunteering

My personal journey into volunteering began in 2013 when I flew home to Texas to be by my grandpa's side before he died. Grandpa was an Army veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars and was forever changed by service. His kidneys and liver were … more

By Disabled American Veterans National Voluntary Services Director John Kleindienst | 4/5/25 06:00 AM

Letter to the editor: Sumter residents can be better stewards of money than government

I recently read another story regarding how tax dollars were used for the wonderful Sumter "Welcome Center/Hunting Retreat," which is not readily available to the citizenry. Seems like Sumter is no better than our federal government when it comes to … more

4/2/25 06:00 AM

Commentary: Abundance versus 'everything bagel' liberalism

"Imagine boarding a train in the center of a city," former President Barack Obama rhapsodized in April 2009. "No racing to an airport and across a terminal, no delays, no sitting on the tarmac, no lost luggage, no taking off your shoes. Imagine … more

BY MICHAEL BARONE | 4/2/25 06:00 AM

Column: Protecting our children from the dangers of flavored, disposable vapes

As an educator, I've watched the landscape of student well-being shift under new threats. Beyond academic stress and mental health struggles, a sinister challenge has emerged: flavored, disposable vapes. These illegal devices are infiltrating our … more

By SHAWN RAGIN | 4/2/25 06:00 AM

Editorial cartoon: Wednesday, April 2, 2025

4/1/25 04:22 PM

Column: 'A Rumor of War' - looking back on National Vietnam War Veterans Day

Editor's note: This guest column was originally published Feb. 8, 2023, in The Sumter Item. In 2023, Jan. 27 marked the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. Now, two years later, is the anniversary of the 1975 pullout. There were a few … more

By R.E. (BOB) RICHARDSON | 3/30/25 06:00 AM

Letter to the editor: Young people, if the vibe is change, then let's make it happen

As chairman of the Young Democrats of Sumter, Lee and Clarendon counties, I feel a deep responsibility to address the young people across our three counties. Our voices, our ideas and our energy are not simply welcomed, they are desperately needed … more

3/30/25 06:00 AM

Editorial cartoon: Saturday, March 29, 2025

3/29/25 06:00 AM

Editorial cartoon: Wednesday, March 26, 2025

3/26/25 06:00 AM

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