Do Republicans in the House and Senate know their voter base?

Republicans in the House and Senate supported a tax bill that was opposed by the majority of Americans. They insisted…
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I can’t stomach the hypocrisy of Trump’s enablers

Imagine, just for a moment, that it is 2010 again. The economy, which was on the verge of a catastrophic…
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The feeling reminds me that journalism matters

That feeling in the pit of my stomach is familiar. I imagine it’s something like what people with ulcers feel…
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Implore leaders to protect environment
 

Implore leaders to protect environment

To the Editor: I recently read Boyd Holliday’s letter to the editor about the environmental damage our senators are doing…
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A $4 million thank you
 

A $4 million thank you

To the Editor: As a member of the Swain County community, I believe there is a long overdue amount of…
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A rising tide floats all boats
 

A rising tide floats all boats

To the Editor: The column written by Martin Dyckman in the Jan. 3 issue of The Smoky Mountain News attacking…
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I support our state’s treasures
 

I support our state’s treasures

To the Editor: In light of Mr. Holliday’s letter to the editor on Jan. 3, I’d like to take this…
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Duke Energy rate hike request to hurt working families
 

Duke Energy rate hike request to hurt working families

Working families in Western North Carolina know that when you earn less money, you tend to use less electricity to…
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The future for this region is bright

In last week’s edition of The Smoky Mountain News we published articles about positive political and economic signs in two…
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I’m just that kind of fan

From the time I was about 10 years old, I have been a rabid sports fan. In the beginning, I…
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‘Everything ahead of me’ for 2018

I have a tattoo on the inside of my right wrist that says, “Everything ahead of me.” I got it…
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My resolve is strengthened by Trump

By Martin Dyckman • Guest Columnist This is a letter my wife and I sent to President Donald Trump: I…
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SMN’s Scott Mcleod and his hypocrisy
 

SMN’s Scott Mcleod and his hypocrisy

To the Editor: “You can’t debate with someone who repeatedly traffics in blatant lies and counterfeit bluster,” wrote Smoky Mountain…
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SMN should rethink use of cuss words
 

SMN should rethink use of cuss words

To the Editor: I always enjoy reading your fine publication with its in-depth articles about local news. Today, Dec. 30,…
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Our representatives doing WNC harm
 

Our representatives doing WNC harm

To the Editor: The League of Conservation Voters keeps a “scoreboard” that rates our congressional representatives and senators on their…
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Cartoon, Jan. 3, 2018

By Will Studenc
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If this is the new normal, God help us

As the new year dawns and I take account of everything that’s happened in the past 12 months, it’s Donald…
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Whom should we admire the most?
 

Whom should we admire the most?

To the Editor: My daddy served in the U.S. Army. My oldest brother retired from the U.S. Air Force. One…
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Thank God and Democrats for Medicaid
 

Thank God and Democrats for Medicaid

To the Editor: How can anyone call themselves a Christian and support President Trump and his Republican cronies in Congress…
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Politicians throw children to the wolves
 

Politicians throw children to the wolves

To the Editor: After 29 years as a pediatrician in Western North Carolina, with over 120,000 patient visits under my…
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This is my family, and yours

Except for the year our daughter, Kayden, got the flu and we had to make the best of spending Christmas…
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Futures of WCU and WNC are inextricably linked

By David Belcher • Guest columnist I had the privilege of presiding over Western Carolina University’s Dec. 16 commencement ceremonies…
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Kudos for “Homeless for the Holidays”
 

Kudos for “Homeless for the Holidays”

To the Editor: Kudos to Smoky Mountain News Staff Writer Cory Vaillancourt on his story, “Homeless in Haywood for the…
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An open letter to N.C. Senator Jim Davis
 

An open letter to N.C. Senator Jim Davis

District 50: Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain Counties December 14, 2017 Dear Senator Davis: Perhaps relations between…
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Caught you being good

My dad called the other day and said he had a fun Christmas surprise for my boys. Knowing my dad…
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If you’re reading this, then we thank you

In this holiday season, I have much to be thankful for. At least that’s the way I see it, though…
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Send lawyers and rubles
 

Send lawyers and rubles

To the Editor: Special counsel Robert Mueller has uncovered more Russian characters mingling with Trump campaign officials than are found…
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A stealth attack on the working class
 

A stealth attack on the working class

To the Editor: Unless Congress comes to its senses and rejects the misguided tax legislation currently being considered, working people…
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Tax cut is ill-conceived
 

Tax cut is ill-conceived

To the Editor: I’m confused! The stock market is at all-time high and unemployment is lower than we have seen…
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Is health care a right or commodity?
 

Is health care a right or commodity?

To the Editor: No one wants to talk about this question, least of all the folks who make our laws.…
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We must stop the coup
 

We must stop the coup

To the Editor: An American coup d’etat is in progress. There are no guns being fired, no booting out of…
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GOP’s tribal loyalty will be its downfall

Many years from now, Americans are going to look back on the election of the 45th President Donald J. Trump…
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Sexual violence and the workplace

By Buffy Queen • Guest Columnist “Sexual violence is a societal issue that requires systemic change. Sexual violence does not occur…
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Holiday traditions are worth their weight in gold

Growing up in Weaverville and living in Waynesville, I’m very comfortable with small town Christmases. I wouldn’t know how to…
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Vision for ‘Art of Music Festival’ is attainable

“It’s exciting to think about what Haywood County could be. The desire is there.” — Buddy Melton, fiddler/singer, Balsam Range…
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Remembering the quieter, essential aspects of a life

The day of my stepfather’s celebration of life service was a brisk, sunny Saturday morning, as good a day as…
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Tax bill is payback to wealthy donors
 

Tax bill is payback to wealthy donors

To the Editor: Make no mistake about it. The so-called tax reform is first and foremost a payback to the…
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Senate budget harms children
 

Senate budget harms children

To the Editor: I recently received a personal assurance from Congressman Mark Meadows, R-Asheville, that the CHIP/Health Choice program upon…
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Consciences and consequences

Devin Patrick Kelley, a 26-year-old Texan, killed 26 people before apparently taking his own life on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017,…
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Winners and losers in the tax bill
 

Winners and losers in the tax bill

To the Editor: Senators Richard Burr and Thom Tillis stand poised to vote for the current Republican tax bill in…
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Tax bill details just who’s pulling the strings

In a book on the nature of state legislatures, the journalist Frank Trippett coined the term “true constituency” to explain…
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A new kind of Thanksgiving

Holidays are all fun and games until death and divorce happen. Then they become an aching headache, if a person…
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Come Saturday, remember: local, local, local

I don’t like following crowds and have a naturally occurring cynicism of trends. That said, there’s one holiday promotional movement…
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Thirty-four years later, Lightning still strikes

Lightning. It’s a yellow, 20-ounce Vaughn framing hammer with one of the claws broken that I’ve owned for about 34…
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It is very tough out there
 

It is very tough out there

To the Editor: It really upsets me when I hear that the economy is doing good and the unemployment rate…
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Men can no longer just look the other way

The list of allegations is dizzying and depressing. Every day, it seems, there are new reports of predatory behavior by…
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Partnering with Asheville can only help Haywood

Asheville is red hot in more ways than I can list here. Pick up a travel magazine, visit an outdoor…
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Time to remove Trump from office
 

Time to remove Trump from office

To the Editor: By whatever authority you use one thing is clear: Donald Trump’s presidency is unraveling and accelerating faster…
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Chamber director helping Haywood
 

Chamber director helping Haywood

To the Editor: Bravo to CeCe Hipps! As a former Haywood County Chamber of Commerce employee years ago, I have…
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