‘Big’ bill gets the rich richer
The new tax legislation – referred to by some as the “big, beautiful bill” – contains a tens of billion-dollar tax benefits for some of the world’s largest and most profitable companies.
The bill grants 100% first-year expensing for “qualified production property,” which includes data centers, placed in service between Jan. 1, 2024, and Dec. 31, 2026. This broad definition encompasses approximately $440 billion in already planned U.S.-located AI data-center investments by Apple, Amazon, Google and Meta, to name a few.
Policy analysts estimate that together, these companies could reap close to $100 billion in tax savings. For example, Amazon alone could gain $20 billion from these bonus-depreciation provisions of the bill.
Jeff Bezos owns about 8.5% of Amazon, so his personal gain from just this part of the “big, beautiful bill” is $1.7 billion. That is equivalent to every man, woman and child in the United States borrowing $5 more on their credit card and sending it to poor Jeff.
If his new wife had only known that the bill would pass, she might have at least had a bigger, nicer wedding.
Jan Lukens, Unaka
Showing true courage today
It doesn’t require courage to wear a MAGA hat, fly MAGA flags or display President Donald Trump signs and bumper stickers on your car because you know you and your property are safe from harm. You know those whose opinions differ from yours believe in the rule of law. You know they stand on higher ground than you, and you hate that.
In your heart, you know your support for a bully, felon, draft dodger, compulsive liar and cheat (both financially and matrimonially) puts you in the same category with the misinformed, and poorly educated masses of the MAGA cult that surround you. You know your chosen sources for information are nothing but a red-meat garbage disposal running in reverse. But you feel safe there surrounded by like-minded toadies.
I totally understand. It is safe there. It’s also cowardly. Courage means standing up for what’s right. In your case, it means recognizing that you’ve been played. For most of you, this is a bridge too far. Your pride won’t permit it.
I challenge you to shut out all those hate-filled voices around you and make an honest effort to listen to the truth from credible sources. The major networks aren’t perfect, but they use real reporters.
You already know what you’re going to get from Fox News. Even founder Rupert Murdoch admits they’re in the entertainment business, not the news business. The same goes for Newsmax, Truth Social, Outkick, et al. They tell people what they want to hear.
So show some backbone and give it a try. You don’t have to tell your friends.
A big thanks goes out to the Cherokee Scout for excellent reporting. Also, to the good people of the Cherokee County Democratic Party, who spend every day sailing against the gale force winds of hate, lies and bigotry in our county.
You want to see courage? That’s courage.
Glenn Kolp, Andrews
Faith restored with humanity
I would like to recognize a Cherokee County Solid Waste Department employee for his integrity, honesty and going beyond the call of duty.
As a resident, I use the Texana Convenience Center regularly to dispose of my household trash. Steve Golden is generally the site manager I see.
On June 26, I visited the Texana Dumpsters while Golden was working. Later that same evening, I got a knock on the door of my residence. and it was Steve. He had my wallet.
Apparently, I had dropped it at the site, and he had found it. Golden located my address from my driver’s license and drove to my home on Pleasant Valley Road to return the wallet after he got off work.
I was shocked at first as I hadn’t missed it yet, then relieved and very thankful when I realized what Steve had done for me. He turned what could have been a nightmare into a positive experience.
Steve doesn’t know me personally, but he did the honorable thing, and I am truly grateful. Thank you, Mr. Golden. You restore my faith in humanity and deserve to be recognized.
Larry Thomas, Murphy
Why no vests for officers?
I have a question about what happened June 30 in this county that needs to be answered by everyone on the board of commissioners who sit there and do absolutely nothing.
The officers were carrying guns during this transport. Why is it that an officer transporting a federal criminal, known to have previously attempted to escape, not be provided a vest for protection? Where is their body cam? Why are our commissioners refusing to fund the money for vests for any deputies who are around criminals, period?
Through their denial of funding, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and our community lost a man who protected our community, who loved his family and those around him. The denial of funding is inexcusable, and an innocent life was lost while putting many other lives in danger.
How about we ask the commissioners about this problem?
Heather Gibson, Cherokee County
Hayesville’s park is better
Veterans Park in Hayesville, a memorial to our veterans in Clay County, has got to be one of the most beautiful memorial parks in the land. You should take time, moreso if you are a veteran, to see it.
We in Murphy don’t have anything compared to this. Cherokee County commissioners are afraid kids may try to climb it, even if it’s a metal gate. We need more for our park.
Oscar Valdes, Murphy
Ready or not, Jesus’ coming
My heart is heavy for lost souls who don’t know Jesus. The time has come for us to make sure we are ready to go. Some are deceived, backslid and lost.
The Bible says, “... broad is the way to destruction, and narrow is the way to eternal life and few there be that find it.” How scary.
For when Jesus comes, it’s too late. Yeah, I’ve heard most of my life that Jesus is coming, but we have never seen the things we see now, that He said would come to pass before He returns.
It is here. Please make sure you are ready should He come today.
Some people say they don’t believe in Jesus and what He did on the cross for us. Well, if there is no God, then when we die we all will return to the dust and that will be it, if you are right.
What about if I’m right, and there is a God? Where will you be?
Don’t let Satan fill you with lies. He is a liar and the father of it, the Bible says. We that are saved, it is our job as a Christian to try and reach lost souls.
In Luke chapter 14, verse 23, the word “compel” means urgency. It is urgent to be ready to meet the Lord.
My prayer is that the Lord will continue to have mercy, and many will come to Jesus and be saved before it is too late.
Thanks for reading my letter, inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Cynthia Pinkerton, Murphy
No more big MAC wanted
Enough of The Murphy Art Center. Not everyone is as enamored with them as they are of themselves. There is little to be learned from an insipid ad of self-promotion masquerading as a “guest columnist.”
Enough is enough.
Ronald Gaynor, Murphy
Jesus is from Jewish lineage
I recently replied to a letter to the editor titled, “No risk, no $1K reward,” submitted by Mary Mason.
A brief synopsis of the letter, she asked for a Bible verse verification, made an interesting statement concerning Christ’s lineage and asked, “How can the Jews remain the chosen people when Jesus …?” including thoughts on the current Palestinian Israeli conflict.
In my initial opinion piece, I attempted to address those issues utilizing the KJV Bible. Ms. Mason informed me I misrepresented her belief that Jesus was of Jewish lineage. In her letter to the editor, she wrote, “Christ was Abrahm’s ‘one’ seed. Not ‘two seeds,’ Israel’s 12 tribes.” Also referencing Galatians 3:29 for support.
Reading those statements with a basic biblical background, one would know that Abrahm had only two “fruit bearing” seeds (Ishmael and Isaac). Having never met her, and thinking if Christ was not of the 12 Israeli tribes’ seeds, plus questioning if Jews were still God’s chosen people coupled with her view of “Zionist Christians,” the reader could arrive at the opinion that she had doubts on Jesus’ lineage. Plus, Galatians 3:29 is preceded by verses 3:26-28.
The context here is we are children of God by faith in Jesus, Who shows no distinction, but we are all one in Christ Jesus. Clearly, this section is addressing results of faith and becoming subsequent heirs with a Jewish heritage.
I appreciate the fact that adequately conveying one’s beliefs with a 300-word limit is ripe for misunderstanding. Mason said she believes Jesus is of Jewish lineage. Therefore, in good faith and with Jesus’ words, “Blessed are the peacemakers …” in my heart, I accept her message that she believes Jesus is of Jewish lineage.
I pray this clarification concerning this question will bring peace. Thank you.
Thomas Schildgen, Andrews