Democrats keep shutdown going to save health care subsidies
As the federal shutdown drags on, Republicans accuse Democrats of prolonging it for political reasons, pointing to stalled votes that could reopen the government and fully restore programs like SNAP. But Democrats say what they’re holding out for isn’t politics — it’s protection. Specifically, protection for millions of Americans who rely on Affordable Care Act subsidies that will soon expire.
Make sure to get out and vote
To the Editor:
We are halfway through the 2025 municipal elections for Waynesville, Canton and Clyde, which will significantly influence the leadership of these towns. Unfortunately, low voter turnout continues to threaten these municipal elections.
Democrats need to stand proud
To the Editor:
Vice President J.D. Vance recently made a remark about protesters in Washington, D.C., calling them stupid white hippies who are in their nineties and need to go home and take a nap. In addition, he said they have never felt danger in their entire lives.
The GOP’s budget benefits the rich
To the Editor:
Congressman Chuck Edwards (R-Hendersonville) recently voted in favor of the president’s proposed budget bill (“Big Beautiful Bill”) that cuts Medicaid and food assistance by nearly $1 trillion and cuts Medicare by $500 million.
Standing up for our country
To The Editor:
On April 5 over 1,000 American citizens showed up at the Haywood County historic courthouse to stand up for democracy and our Constitution. We were not “bussed” in and we most certainly weren’t paid to be there. Some folks would like you to believe that all the citi-zens that were there were not locals — hate to be the bearer of bad news, many were Haywood County natives.
Unite and fight for the republic
To the Editor:
Acknowledging the fact that, yes, all Americans have a right to have and express an opinion, and that the press has a prerogative to print those (as well as its own) opinions, I feel compelled to take exception to The Smoky Mountain News providing an admitted participant of Jan. 6 (a man tried, convicted, sentenced and then wrongly pardoned by the very person who incited the riot) a platform from which to proliferate the blatant untruth that the 2020 election was stolen (“Jan.6 participant speaks,” SMN April 2).
Hurricane Helene heroes honored
Recovery from Hurricane Helene hasn’t been a partisan affair — on the ground, at least — but North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District Republicans took time out of a busy district convention day to honor those who helped.
Strike three for Trump, but Congress sleeps on
To the Editor:
The tariff disaster is the last of three major events that demonstrate that the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress are incompetent to govern the country. The deportation debacle was the first and the so called cost-cutting fiasco is the second.
Righting the ship is necessary
To the Editor:
Since adolescence, I have stood for the principles and platform of the Republican Party, especially in the area of fiscal restraint. I watched as several previous administrations bloated the national budget — recently by $2 trillion annually.
Jan. 6 participant speaks to Macon Republican Women’s Club
On Jan. 6, 2021, Nathan Baer stormed the Capitol in Washington, D.C. On April 26, 2023, he was arrested in Asheville and hit with numerous charges. On April 5, 2024, he pleaded guilty to one felony and was sentenced to four months in federal prison. On Jan. 21 of this year, he was pardoned by President Donald Trump and released from incarceration. On March 19, he spoke to the Macon County Republican Women’s Club in Franklin.
