TAX TIPS (and other stuff)
By Kelly J. Bullis, CPA
2025-November 22nd
Over the years, I have really enjoyed reading the “Nevada Business” magazine and I look forward to the publisher, Lyle Brennen’s commentaries. I’ve never been disappointed in what he has to say. He obviously loves Nevada, business, people, and God. He’s a good man.
Recently, Lyle wrote a commentary he titled, “Upside-Down Authority When Justice is Topsy Turvy.” I went back and re-read that commentary several times. I think he just nailed a MAJOR problem in our society, and he offered a simple solution to all of it. In this season of Thanksgiving to God for all His blessings, it is time for us to do some reflection and make some changes.
Lyle started out his commentary by quoting Walter A Henrichsen. “God charges the state with the task of justice, the individual with forgiveness. When the state seeks to be merciful, oppression and injustice reign. When the individual seeks justice, relationships are broken, for all are sinners.”
Lyle then pointed out, “Justice, once the cornerstone of law and order, is increasingly neglected in favor of selective enforcement or misguided leniency. Prosecutors decline to press charges. Petty theft and vandalism go ignored. Violent repeat offenders are cycled in and out of the system while victims are left unprotected. The state, charged with upholding justice, instead offers compassion where accountability is needed.”
The flip side is not ignored by Lyle. He wrote, “Meanwhile, individuals have taken on the role of judge, jury and executioner in their personal lives. Social media mobs demand public humiliation. Families split over perceived slights. Communities fracture as neighbors refuse to forgive or extend grace. We’ve traded humility for indignation, and mercy for self-righteousness.”
So, what happens when the state and individuals reverse their roles? Look around you. The rule of law is collapsing. You see social media anger spilling over into real life. Angry mobs beating up folks. Violent protests. Looting. Assassination of somebody over their political and religious beliefs! Celebrations of that. Civility is eroding. The fabric of our free society is unraveling!
Lyle went on to point out that there is a way back from this madness. And it starts with putting the state back in the business of justice and the individual back in charge of forgiveness and mercy.
Government needs to go back to its rightful job of enforcing the law without apology or bias. Individuals need to be willing to forgive, to stop keeping score. We all need to let go of bitterness and really forgive each other.
This Thanksgiving, let’s do our part and forgive others. Time for a restart in all our relationships. Let’s come together again. As families. As neighbors. As co-workers. As Nevadans. As Americans.
Have you heard, 2 Chron 7:14 says, “If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked says, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
Kelly Bullis is a Certified Public Accountant in Carson City. Contact him at 775-882-4459. On the web at BullisAndCo.com Also on Facebook.
