To the Editor:

In John 8:32, Jesus said, “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” While Jesus was talking about spiritual freedom and accepting spiritual truth, knowing the truth today is so very important as we determine who we shall vote for on November 3.

Every time we turn on the television, we see and hear various claims about the economy, grocery and gas prices, the cost of healthcare, ICE, AI and data centers, freedoms of speech and assembly, alleged misinformation, etc.

If we really want to know the truth about such matters, what can we do? Our prayers for discernment may be quite helpful; however, we likely need to investigate the matter from as many reputable sources as possible.

I suspect that most of us have phones, computers, or other electronic equipment that allows access to the Internet. Asking Siri or Google likely will give us fairly reputable information upon which we can make a good decision about the following:

  • How much have grocery prices increased in the last 19 months? (How about 3-to-5% nationally, much more on some items?)
  • How much has gas, diesel, and home heating oil increased in the last year? (How about a 39% increase in gasoline, 70% increase in diesel fuel, and an expected 50% increase in heating oil?)
  • How much have medical insurance rates increased in the past 19 months? (How about 35-to-38% nationally?)
  • Who pays for the cost of the tariffs imposed on imported goods, the consumer or the country producing them? (How about consumers paying 90% of the cost of tariffs?)
  • What percent of the hundreds of thousands ICE arrests have committed a violent crime? (How about only 14%?)
  • Will AI data centers significantly increase electricity cost for everyday consumers? (In North Carolina, how about 85% of projected energy growth for Duke Energy is related to data centers as it asks for a 9.3-to-9.5% increase for homeowners?)
  • How many AI rogue security incidents have been reported? (How about tens of thousands?)
  • How many major First Amendment challenges have been brought against federal government actions in 2025–26? (How about 93 major challenges, of which 75 were found to be unconstitutional abridging speech, press or religious freedoms?)

When you know the truth about these matters and other subjects important to you, and you know where your candidate stands thereon, you will be able to vote with confidence on November 3.

Tom McNeel
Haywood County