Editor’s note: The political opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author. Neuse News encourages viewpoints from all sides of the political spectrum. Would you like to write a political column for Neuse News? Contact Bryan Hanks at bryan@neusenews.com.

Please mark your calendars concerning a very important election for the U.S. Congress featuring former Greenville Mayor Allen Thomas and Dr. Greg Murphy.

According to Dana King, director of the Lenoir County Board of Elections, early voting will begin on Wednesday, Aug. 21, at three locations in Lenoir County:

• Cooperative Extension office, Kinston, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

• La Grange, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

• Teachers Memorial, Kinston, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Except for Labor Day and Sunday, polls will be open Monday-Saturday up until the general election day of Sept. 10, on which date all polling places will be open. Please be sure to vote.

My topic for today is the Green New Deal. You have probably already heard more than you want to hear about this subject, so I will just hit the major points: This is a 10-year plan to transform the U.S. economy into an economy controlled by government. It calls for the elimination of all fossil fuel energy in our country, including oil and natural gas. This action alone would virtually destroy the American economy, since most of our energy is produced using fossil fuels.

It would result in the loss of millions of jobs. But wait, there's more.

In a supposed effort to lessen pollution, this plan would eliminate all cars, trucks, boats trains and planes. And there's still more: Under this GND, the government would provide education, housing and income to those who are "unwilling" or unable to work.

But who is going to pay for all of this? I want to repeat something I wrote in my May 29 column, which was provided to me by Marty Askew: "What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give anybody anything it does not take from somebody else. When half the people get the idea they don't have to work because the other half is going to take care of them and when the other half gets the idea it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, then that nation is in trouble."

Folks, if I had my way there would be no more suffering, no more goodbyes, no more sadness, disappointment, or pain, in a land where we never grow old. That place is not here on earth, but I'm convinced there is such a place. It's called heaven!

Now for a little humor: A defendant was on trial for murder. There was strong evidence indicating guilt, but no body had been found. When giving the closing statement, his lawyer said, "Ladies and gentlemen I have a surprise for you. Within one minute the person presumed dead in this case will walk into this courtroom."

She turned and pointed to the courtroom door. The jurors, somewhat stunned, all looked on eagerly. Nothing happened. Finally, the lawyer said, "Actually, I made up the previous statement. But you all looked on with anticipation, which shows you have a reasonable doubt in this case as to whether anyone was killed, so you must return a verdict of not guilty."

The jury retired to deliberate. A few minutes later, they returned and pronounced a verdict of guilty.

"But how?" inquired the lawyer. "You must have had some doubt. I saw all of you turn and stare at the door!"

The jury foreman replied, "Oh, we did turn. But we noticed your client didn't."

Have a wondrous day!