It’s a sad (United) state of affairs for America

The horrific scenes of death and destruction in Syria/Aleppo make me sad and outraged as I look to our do-nothing President (Barack) Obama and the equally do-nothing Congress for leadership. 

I can’t believe we can just stand around and wring our hands along with the do-nothing U.N. that is absolutely worthless and useless in this tragic situation.

I have many disagreements with President-elect Donald Trump, but I do wish him well as he takes over in January.

It’s a monumental job and I sincerely hope he can come up with a plan to end the fiasco in Syria and try to solve  the many problems facing our nation.

Daily Planet mixes it up, provding stark contrasts 

Congratulations (to the Daily Planet) on some thoughtful and thought-provoking columnists (except for Mumpower; not much of what he writes makes sense to me).

I especially liked the column by Jeff Messer this month (December’s edition). It gave me a lot to think about and put a lot into perspective for me.

And putting a column by Shelley Wright in the same paper as Mumpower? That is REALLY mixing it up. Not that I put a whole lot of stock in most of what she writes, but the stark differences between them tickles me.

I love Amy Alkon (“the Advice Goddess”). She’s been the main reason I read the paper.

Buncombe commissioners should follow Trump’s lead

With Donald Trump’s win as president, it is evident manufacturing jobs are coming back to America. Buncombe County commissioners need to be first in line to welcome these manufacturers.

They should publicly promote our resources and our citizens’ work ethic to companies.

Most importantly, county commissioners need to take lessons from Trump on how to enhance local businesses already here to grow and create more jobs.

They can start by removing the permit fees and zoning laws restricting local businesses and real-estate construction. Buncombe County commissioners need to lead by example by cutting their own salaries and the ridiculous salary of the county manager.

They should cut duplicate services already paid by the federal government and lower taxes. 

The savings should be given as raises to law enforcement and first responders.

Drain the county swamp! Buncombe County should be first!

EDITOR’S NOTE: Nesbitt is a former chairman of the Buncombe County Republican Party.

Congress must act now to repeal unaffordable ACA

The Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare) was never affordable! Plans in Georgia, on average, have increased 32 percent for 2017. In Arizona, 116 percent, and right here in N.C., we are poised for a 24 percent rate hike!

Millions are still uninsured, and hundreds of thousands have lost policies, doctors and choice. Health insurance companies are deserting ACA co-ops, costing taxpayers billions, including 1 trillion in new taxes and fees.

The Republicans are charged with fulfilling their promises to fully repeal ACA. The “two-budget” repeal strategy is the best path forward. This will allow them to use a filibuster-proof process known as reconciliation to pass repeal of the ACA with 51 Senate votes, and have it ready for President Trump’s signature upon his inauguration.

First, in January, Congress should pass the 2017 fiscal year budget that failed to pass in 2016, to include a simple, one sentence repeal of the ACA. By April, Congress should pass a second budget for the 2018 fiscal year, with which to lower spending levels, and debate conservative, free-market health care reforms to lower costs, increase competition and choice, and strengthen doctor-patient relationships.

Congress: there are no more excuses!

EDITOR’S NOTE: Bilello is chair of the Asheville Tea Party.

Anti-Trump protests reflect bad job by schools, media 

The presidential election is finally over! 

However, the demonstrations that are occurring shows how poorly a job our school systems and our news media is doing. 

Acceptance, after the people have spoken, has always been the norm, and should still be the norm.

Another norm is respect — for other people, their rights and their property.  

All that is violated when crowds take over streets and highways and start destroying government or personal property.  That is criminal conduct punishable by law.

Some demonstrators, and news media people, claim they are afraid of Trump. But if they supported his opponent, they should instead fear God.  She stood for some things God calls abomination.

You see, His Laws are just, but the penalty for disobeying Him, will be eternal damnation. First in Hell and later in the Lake of Fire forever. 

The Word of God, rightfully claims, that all of us have sinned.  That we are condemned already.  But because of His great love for us he sent Jesus Christ, his only begotten son, to die for us on the cross.  His precious blood is enough to cover all the sins of the world. 

Unfortunately, too many in America, and too many in the world, refuse to believe in God and The Word of God (Jesus). Jesus said few will go to Heaven.  Seek God, believe and repent.  Why reject God!

President Trump’s first official act should be to order all flags be flown at half-mast until this country stops the ungodly killing of the innocent unborn.