A tax on cow gas? Now I’ve heard it all
I have heard of some unusual things in my life, such as funerals for pet rocks, but what I heard today I believe tops them all. A relative told me that the government was adding a new tax for farmers: For every cow you own, it will cost $85, and if you run a dairy, it will cost more than $100 per cow per year.
“Why?” you may ask.
Because the cow belches. We all know the cow swallows its food whole and later belches it up and chews it. I wonder how many thousands of taxpayer dollars they paid someone to study the habits of the cow? They claim that when the cow belches, it sends toxic gases into the atmosphere. I wonder how long it will take them to start charging people for burping?
I haven’t heard anything about the government being taxed for the pollution it puts out, or big companies that pollute our oceans and rivers with their junk, so why pick on the lowly cow for doing what comes naturally? If it polluted the air that much, I don’t think Jehovah God would have created the cow in such a way. He does have foresight, you know.
To me, it’s just another way to gouge the hardworking people out of money they need to live on. Furthermore, how do they know how toxic a cow’s belch is? Did they analyze it? Did they catch it in a jar? I’d like to know. I think it comes down to someone sitting behind a desk with nothing better to do.
ó Dot Trexler
Salisbury
Editor’s note: In response to a 2007 Supreme Court ruling that greenhouse gases (including methane) are air pollutants under the Clean Air Act, the Environmental Protection Agency drew up a lengthy list of possible ways to deal with greenhouse emissions, including a so-called “cow tax” on dairy and beef farms, and it sought public comment. The proposal, part of an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, drew strong objections from some farm groups and politicians, and the EPA has since said it is not proposing such a tax.
Changes at Knox
While in Food Lion last week, I heard two women speaking about changes at Knox Middle School. One complained about the principal making so many changes and how hard it was for them to send students out of class. I asked them how they expected students to pass their tests if they are not in class. Neither of them answered me.
If you want to complain, have a legitimate complaint. Knox students score extremely low on math. Is anyone complaining that they have taken away one of the math classes? Are teachers complaining? Parents? Is the superintendent intervening? If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.
A recent Post article spoke of how minorities fall behind in scores. That was discouraging. What was even more discouraging was the superintendent’s remark that she was not surprised because minorities historically have always fallen behind on these tests. Nowhere did I read in the article where Dr. Grissom offered a solution.
I’ve read several articles about changes the Knox principal has implemented. Unfortunately, with change comes controversy and complaints. If makes you wonder who is there for your child and who is there for a paycheck.
On Jan. 21, one of the coldest days we’ve had, a bus broke down and Knox students sat waiting to be picked up. I understand the principal gathered the teachers who had vans and large cars, picked up each student and brought them to school. They were served breakfast and went to class.
Not everybody is going to be a team player, and not everybody is going to be on board. Some may even leave, but they are the ones who need to leave. Principal MoragneEl needs to keep doing what he is doing because his efforts are not going without notice.
ó William Alexander Jr.
Salisbury
Avoiding panic
Rather than reacting with panic to volatility in the marketplace, people should follow a steady course. Deposit slowly and gradually, and make withdrawals slowly and gradually. This would help avoid rash decision-making and contribute much-needed stability to the markets and our financial system.
ó Cody Yasinsac
Kannapolis