Red River Army Depot's Fate a Hot-Button Issue in Texarkana, Texas

TEXARKANA, TEXAS -- There are plenty of issues that affect our nation today for politicians to debate. Some issues are important on a national, or even global level, like the war in Iraq. However, some issues that affect our local area may not be nearly as important to the majority of the voters who will be casting their ballot for the next president.

The issues that either polarize or pull together local citizens from Texarkana and surrounding area include Red River Army Depot's fate in the Base Realignment and Closure project, the economy, and the war in Iraq. Texarkana and surrounding area citizens have worked together diligently many times over the years to keep RRAD from being closed.

Red River provides paychecks for many locals to pay for gas and groceries in the recessed economy of today, and its citizens, military and civilian alike, work here and overseas all over the world to support our soldiers and our government in wartime and in peace time. Texarkana has a very vested interest in keeping Red River Army Depot a viable job source, and in how the economy affects the depot and it's mission, as well as how the war in Iraq plays into those issues.

The first issue that affects Texarkana residents is BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure Project). BRAC is a government project that seeks to keep our military base usage balanced and efficient by analyzing current needs and performance of military bases. Red River Army Depot provides a huge number of jobs, both directly, and indirectly through contractors and subcontractors for both military and civilian employees in Texarkana and surrounding area.

Red River Army Depot ends up on the potential list of bases to close regularly. Only through the concerted effort of concerned citizens lobbying to save this local industry has Red River escaped the efficient axe of BRAC. The efforts of Texarkana and surrounding areas citizenry to keep RRAD open has effectively saved the job of thousands over the years.

In this area, being able to say you work at Red River for a contractor, or for Red River is enviable. It means you make good wages, have good benefits, and to some degree, some financial security and stability. In an area with limited industry, people aren't going to stand idly by and watch that be taken away. Of course, you don't hear an awful lot about BRAC during the presidential election. It is more of a local issue in certain areas around the country.

Of course, the economy affects everyone in our country. At almost $4.00 per gallon for gas, local citizens struggle to afford gas to get to work and back home. Smaller communities, like Atlanta, Texas have lost hundreds of residents because they work in Texarkana, and they can no longer afford the twenty-plus mile commute to work, and then the same distance back. So, they are moving closer to where tehy work. For a town who has more restaurants and car lots than anything else, higher prices for gas and groceries really hurt.

Families have to prioritize, giving up their home phone or their cell phone, their cable or their movie night, eating out or groceries, and eventually, for some, losing vehicles or homes. Servers at local restaurants feel the pinch doubly - as prices go up, their tips go down. For those of us who make a salary, or even a set hourly wage, it hurts to pay an extra dollar per gallon of milk. Consider what it does to those who work for tips or commission when people can afford to tip less and buy less... they make less money, and the money they make doesn't go as far.

Finally, another hot button issue that locals argue over is the war in Iraq. There is almost unanimous support for our soldiers overseas, as most of us are related to or good friends with at least one brave soul doing his duty in that hot, horrid war zone. However, support for the war itself is waning. Many people want the troops brought home, and brought home quickly.

Mothers with four kids suck it up and deal with being a single parent once again as their husbands go on their second tour of duty overseas in three years. Sons and daughters cry for their mothers who are bravely serving while fathers man the posts at home. Was this a justified war? This is where things get sketchy, and you see much less agreement. Either way, everyone wants to know how to end it, and bring our troops home. But how? No one really knows what the answer is, but everyone will tell you they want the troops brought home - and almost all will say that they want them brought home responsibly.

When voters go to the polls in November to elect a new leader for our country, the economy and the war will obviously be on the minds of all. We will, no doubt, hear infinite spin from both parties as to their plans to resolve these issues for our country in the coming months. BRAC and RRAD will probably be a less common debate topic. If you want to know where the candidates stand on this or any other issue, Texarkanans, get in touch with their campaign staff and find out when local rallies will be, and ask. Vote responsibly - armed with knowledge. Texarkana has a voice, and it can speak volumes.