Doc Anderson’s taxes

Regarding Hal Ritter’s Jan. 16 Trib guest column, “Doesn’t seem very honest,” I’d like to say his comparison of state Rep. Charles “Doc” Anderson to Bill Clinton and Al Capone is absolutely absurd. Anderson is known everywhere for his honesty, integrity, hard work and dedication to his position as a Republican state representative and local veterinarian. He is not dishonest.

First of all, Anderson is not accused of “income tax evasion,” as Ritter’s comparison of him to Capone suggests. Income tax evasion is when a taxpayer attempts to hide income by not claiming it on his tax return. The action taken by the IRS was not because he failed to report income on his returns.

Secondly, the reason the IRS filed a lien against his business was because he was late making a payment on an installation plan set up by the IRS. Being late on an installment does not make one dishonest or lacking in integrity. It does, however, show how small businesses are feeling the effects of a slowing economy. If the average person knew how many different taxes, fees and other operating expenses a business has to pay, he would wonder how they can stay in business at all.

Thirdly, Anderson knows he can’t get around paying owed taxes nor would he try, but sometimes the choices you’re faced with put you between a rock and a hard place. The IRS did what he knew it would do. Now he faces the embarrassment of having it announced publicly. But it doesn’t mean he lacks honesty or integrity.

Nancy Swor

Waco

Yes, Kelso is funny

I would like to express the pleasure I receive from Austin American-Statesman writer John Kelso’s columns. His humor is good-natured and not intended to hurt anyone’s feelings.

Recently, a humorless person — who was most likely from Alabama — wrote a letter saying he was offended by a Jan. 7 column (“In the redneck department, ’Bama has us beat”) prior to the University of Texas vs. University of Alabama championship football game.

Kelso doesn’t cross the line of acceptable ribbing. Ethnic jokes are neither funny nor acceptable, but that’s not the nature of Kelso’s humor.

Many years ago, I was a natural blonde. When I began hearing blonde jokes, I’ll admit they stung a little at first. Then I began to laugh at them just like everyone else and started telling them myself. No one can tell a blonde joke like a blonde. I’m a native Texan, and I grew up hearing Aggie jokes. They are just for fun. Everyone knows it doesn’t take three Aggies to really eat an armadillo.

 Kelso’s columns appear in the Statesman usually several days before publication in the Trib. Sometimes I just can’t wait, and I read them online. It makes me feel like I peeked at a Christmas present. But it’s usually all right because I laugh louder the second time I read it!

Karen Bell

Hewitt

Hill County Fair

I’m among several youths who will be competing at the Hill County Fair in Hillsboro this year. I will be representing the Hubbard FFA and am showing a market hog Jan. 28.

We would appreciate if the community came out to support us and our livestock at the fair, especially my pig.

Justin Dudik

Hubbard