There is an election coming up on May 8. (Early voting is from April 19 to May 5.) There are contests for the Republican primary, U.S. House of Representatives, five state offices, three Buncombe County offices and a statewide referendum on a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. It’s a little complicated to know exactly […]
Author: Paul King
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Dear Occupy Asheville
Dear Occupy Asheville: Here’s a list of ten things you can do that will make more of a difference and be less annoying: 1. Educate yourselves: Read three books on the economic collapse. The Big Short, The Greatest Trade Ever, When Genius Failed and A Colossal Failure of Common Sense are good ones. All of […]
A valid driver’s license should be required to buy alcohol
In North Carolina, individuals with revoked or suspended driver’s licenses can buy alcohol just like anyone else. This needs to stop. Please contact your state legislators and ask them to change the law so only individuals who are over 21 and have a valid driver’s license can buy alcohol. — Paul King Asheville
Marijuana legalization is a manifold win
It's time to legalize marijuana. Let the druggies switch to marijuana and tax it. Let Philip Morris, et al, put the cartels out of business. Let North Carolina tobacco farmers boost their incomes. Win the war on drugs, put the cartels out of business, create more legal N.C. jobs, boost N.C. farm incomes and balance […]
Unemployment in WNC: Share the pain
In recent history, employers have used layoffs to cut expenses during economic downtimes. This creates a drastic hardship on the employees who lose their jobs. A better approach is to cut the workweek and spread the pain across all employees. A four-day workweek for everyone is better than laying off the newest employees. — Paul […]
The emerging economy
Our leaders are making a fundamental error [in] working on solutions without a good understanding of the problem. We don’t need an economic stimulus to jump-start the economy. We have a systemic problem that requires a long-term approach: We are merging our economy with China. Average family income in the U.S. is about $40,000 per […]
Learning those ABCs
Thank goodness our leaders are planning more ABC stores for us. With the economy in the tank, this is just what we need. When I really want to tie one on, I don’t want to have to drive too far, so new stores will be a great convenience! Just the other day, I was sitting […]
Litterbug etiquette, anyone?
What is the proper etiquette for confronting a litterbug [for tossing] a cigarette butt into the gutter? I have seen this happen three times recently on the streets of downtown Asheville, but I don’t know the proper way to confront these litterbugs. Any suggestions from Mountain Xpress readers? — Paul King Asheville
Colin Powell for VP
Let’s get America back on the right track! John McCain for president and Colin Powell for vice president: Experience we can trust! — Paul King Asheville
Improving community-police relations
Ask not what your community can do for you. Ask what you can do for your community! Ten things you can do to improve community-police relations: 1. Sign up for the Community Police Academy program. 2. Join your local Community Crime Watch program. 3. Start a local Community Crime Watch program. 4. Join Crime Stoppers […]