Now is time to contact Congress about what you want to see happen in Washington | Opinion

Let your lawmakers hear from you

The election is over, and the Republicans have control of the Presidency and Congress. This is a good time to make suggestions to our representatives.

I sent emails to Senators Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott and my congressman, Russell Fry. The senators sent me boilerplate responses; Congressman Fry did not respond.

Here are the suggestions I sent:

– It’s time to fix the annual budget deficits and national debt.

The budget agreements between President Clinton and Speaker Gingrich, which resulted in the only balanced budgets in the past 45 years, should be reimplemented by Congress.

– It’s time to fix the border problem.

Three changes can probably fix most of the problem: Make every employer use E-Verify, which would reduce demand for foreign workers; change the criteria for asylum and only persons entering through approved entry points may apply; have expedited asylum assessments and deport if cannot make a clear, factual case. People traveling through third countries must prove they applied for asylum in those countries before being considered for asylum. People entering at other than approved entry points get deported after initial processing.

– It’s time to make fair tax reform.

A flat tax rate on all sources of income with no exemptions, deductions, or credits is fair. The same percentage for everyone. A flat tax would take much of the government out of the economy and promote real capitalism.

Please contact your senators and congressmen about these or other suggestions.

Let them know what you think.

Lewis Houghtalin, Little River

Enough with all the personal injury ads

TV news in Columbia is getting harder and harder to watch.

Not because of the anchors or the reporters.

The journalists from all four TV stations do an excellent job of delivering local news.

What’s hard to watch is the annoying excess of injury lawyer commercials.

Just recently, I endured three such commercials in a row during one break.

What makes it even worse, these lawyers pander to greed, not the justice that should be at the heart of their profession.

I grab the remote to change the station, when once again, I see the guy with his feet propped up on a desk, his tight pant legs halfway up his calves.

He exclaims his lawyer just helped him win a settlement for “a million dollahs!” as he tosses money into the air.

For a new millionaire you’d think this guy would at least be able to afford a pair of pants that actually fit him.

Spare us.

R.C. Holmes, Columbia

Good Samaritans good for our faith

A few Saturdays ago, after enjoying the Soda City Farmers Market, my family and I were riding our golf cart and my purse slipped unnoticed, from the cart—a mishap that triggered panic.

Little did I know, an extraordinary act of kindness was about to unfold.

A local bus driver, whose name will remain anonymous, found my purse containing my driver’s license, several credit cards, a blank check and $200 in cash.

Instead of seeing an opportunity for personal gain, this anonymous hero chose integrity.

She saw my purse lying in the road, stopped the bus and retrieved it.

She personally delivered the purse to my home.

In a world that often seems fraught with cynicism and self-interest, this bus driver reminded me that human goodness still thrives.

Her actions were a testament to the fundamental decency that connects us all, and serve as a powerful reminder: hope is not lost.

To the bus driver who restored not just my belongings, but my faith in humanity: Thank you.

Jenny Isgett, Columbia