And a Happy New Year

By Andy Kober

With the Christmas and New Year holidays wreaking havoc on deadlines, and not knowing when this newspaper might get in your hands, I’m being careful and writing this column a bit early.
As we get older, it seems as though the days pass quicker than ever. It feels like just a little while ago we were celebrating Christmas 2024, now Christmas 2025 is upon us or might have already passed, and reassured that Christmas 2026 will here before we know it.
Personally I am glad to have made it to Christmas 2025, and all of you should be as well. Hopefully I will still be here to see Christmas 2026, and also hope all of you will be.
LOOKING back, I think most people were guardedly optimistic about 2025 as Donald Trump moved back into the White House after soundly defeating Kamala Harris in the Presidential Election.
Bombastic and perhaps a bit narcissistic, Trump does have a way of getting those things done the majority of the voters wanted done. Some of these goals are being accomplished despite extremely biased media, politically activist judges, and the opposition of a political party more interested in keeping dangerous illegal immigrants free and preying on honest people than in sending them back to their countries. This not to mention the political party that appears wanting to keep the free flow of fentanyl and other illegal drugs coming into the country.
Despite all the opposition, Trump largely eliminated income tax paid on tips, which greatly benefited working people. He largely eliminated income tax paid on overtime pay, which greatly benefits working people. He largely eliminated income tax paid on Social Security, which greatly benefits retired people – and I am one. Granted, these tax cuts are not permanent and will have to be renewed, but the opposition party has shown absolutely no interest in reducing taxes on the working people.
During the last half of 2025, the price of groceries and household goods began ticking downward. This has not been a major decrease, but it has happened and before someone asks, I do buy most of our groceries and household goods.
Then, just this week, I purchased gas for 2.399 a gallon – the lowest price I have seen in slightly over four years. As most people know, the price of gasoline greatly influences the prices of other products.
Not all the economic news is great, or even good, but from this consumer’s viewpoint prices of necessities are slowly dropping, and that could lead to a better 2026 – at least we hope so.
ON A different note, prior to the striking of midnight on December 31, there will be numerous parties with people having already started serious consumption of adult beverages. Then at some point during the early morning hours of January 1, they will take to the roads. Know that law enforcement officials will be maintaining a high state of vigilance to get these people off the roadways and their revelry will likely end badly.
If you plan on partying, don’t drink and drive. Use a designated driver or call for a ride; the cost will be much less than getting caught driving while intoxicated, or becoming involved in an accident especially if others are hurt or killed.
Even if you remain completely sober, remember that you can easily become the victim of someone who is not sober while driving. The best way to avoid this is by helping keep the drunk drivers off the road. If you see an impaired driver, call 911. Yes, your actions might result in that individual getting a ticket, or getting into serious trouble, but you might also be saving a life.
From Theresa and myself, here is hoping all of you have a Happy New Year!
That’s my opinion.
A newspaper columnist for over 35 years, Andy Kober can be reached by email at andykober@hotmail.com

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