John Hood’s column about the overestimation of poverty, and Sen.
John Edwards’ new gig at UNC-Chapel Hill, riled up readers of the
Mount Airy News. David Crawford wrote that the piece “was a clear example of how
conservative think tanks attempt to paint painful societal realities in
a light that will make their supporters feel comfortable.” Reader W.
Frank Badgett fired back that it’s obvious Crawford doesn’t understand
the free market and that “perhaps instead of chastising John Hood, he
should go back to study hall and keep trying until he gets it right.”
Last month, Hood also weighed in on Wake County’s effort to end
homelessness with a comment to the Raleigh News & Observer
about the history of failed social programs. “If we had a
straightforward, highly successful program for addressing these
problems, I think we would already be using it,” Hood said.