Corker's flip-flop shows where his priorities are
At one time, bribery was illegal in America. Since the banana Republicans took over the Supreme Court, bribery has become "freedom of speech." Bribery has become an everyday reality in our politics. "Liddle" Bob Corker will tell you that the wheelbarrows of cash that he generates from selling his vote is actually "speech."
Corker's flip-flop on the banana Republican tax cuts for the rich is a good example of bribery masquerading as "speech." Corker first claimed that he was against blowing a hole in our debt just to fill the Christmas stockings of the super rich. The Republican donor class waited breathlessly for its $1.5 trillion gift.
Lo and behold, Santa came early for Corker when the congressional Republicans delivered his quid pro quo, wrapping a huge tax giveaway to Corker's real estate business into their bloated tax scam. Not surprisingly, Corker flip-flopped. All of a sudden, the $1.5 trillion increase in the deficit didn't matter.
Corker's posturing was revealed as a fraud. When it comes to a choice between what's best for America and what's best for Corker, you can bet "Liddle" Bob will choose his own interest over America's.
Terry Stulce
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Consumers will pay more after FCC ruling
Great news that EPB is committed to net neutrality and won't break out bundles of sites at an extra charge. Or maybe not.
If other cable providers do start selling the internet in bundles, charging extra for popular websites, those sites will want a cut of the action. Internet service providers will have to pay or not be able to carry them, just as cable TV does now.
I doubt those sites will be willing to let some companies, like EPB, not pay when others do. This will cause an increase in EPB's costs, which will have to be passed on to subscribers (including those who don't want those sites).
While I support net neutrality, if the current FCC ruling stands, be prepared to pay more, even for EPB.
Larry Zeh
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Practice the real reason for the season
"What'd you get?"
Our children and our culture ask this question. Retailers promote the idea as if "getting" what we want at this time of year is most important, but what if the "getting" at Christmas is about more than a temporary satisfaction?
What if Christmas is about getting to spend time with your awkward family members because they are your family and you love them anyway?
God puts us in families for a reason. We strengthen and encourage, challenge and stretch, irritate and love anyway.
On a small scale, we can kind of see a fraction of how God loves us - unconditionally. So undeserving, our true ugly colors are exposed to those who know us best.
That is what Christmas is all about. God sent his son into our sick world so that "while we were yet sinners," Christ would die for our sin, our failure, our inability to get anything right because he loves us anyway. The cry of God's heart is for us to know, to receive and share the greatest gift ever.
So let's practice. Practice being family. Practice connecting with each other. Practice living "Christ with us" this Christmas. Just love ... anyway.
Linda Dixon