LETTERS

LITTLE ROCK — New freedom surfaces at town halls

Freedom of screech has been added to the First Amendment. People screeching in public meetings all over the nation are on TV daily. It's tragic that these screechers do not understand the basis of reason on which this nation was founded.

Fear of speech was one of my keystone lessons during 41 years of teaching speech. Essentially, I told every class early that surveys of the greatest fears in America have found that two our of three adults are more afraid of public speaking than dying, that most adults would sooner die than speak in public. When questioned, students recognized that when individuals don't know how to speak and fear public speaking, they are not free.

For years, people have confused talking with speaking. Only recently have there been efforts in some schools to teach speech for all students. When offered, speech has been an elective. How many people are going to take a class they're afraid of?

What screeching we're hearing in town halls now is the consequence of schools' failure to teach all students where, when and how to speak. Television has taught us that discussions and debates are won by those who say the most words the loudest. We are left with fearful voices screeching. Perhaps someday speech and listening will be recognized as the essential skills of not only democracy, but of business.

P.S. for Gene Lyons: Over the years, whenever the Republicans have accused the Democrats of some awful action, usually that's what the Republicans are doing, acting like Nazis.

CHARLES H. SWANSON Bella Vista

Track record not so hot

I'm confident that letter writer Roberts A. Braden of Harrison was sincere in his beliefs. There are a number of items, however, in which he is mistaken. The most recent census report is the basis of the stated 45.65 million people in the U.S. who do not have health insurance. Subtract 9.73 million illegal immigrants and the 9.1 million Americans who earn in excess of $75,000 and choose not to have health insurance and you remain with less than 27 million.

Recent polls indicate that 80 percent of Americans are satisfied with their health care. Using scare tactics to achieve legislation is not a new device. Remember when we had to have the stimulus package immediately? We were told that if we got it, we would see an 8 percent unemployment at its peak by year end. Wrong. We were told that it would create 600,000 new jobs by the end of June. Wrong. So, many of us have a credibility problem with the sales job regarding health care.

Both political parties desire to achieve insuring all deserving Americans. The difference is in how to accomplish this. We have observed how well the government has mismanaged Social Security, Medicare and the recent disastrous mortgage program. We want no government insurance provider. Regulate the insurance companies, drug companies and hospitals. That's well and good. Private enterprise and capitalism built this country and can continue to do so. The government creates zero wealth and has a deplorable financial management track record.

L.J. "MICKEY" JORDAN Hot Springs Village

Avert dangerous time

Our government and nation are approaching a very dangerous time. Laws are enacted that the lawmakers have not read and our citizens have not been informed about them until they have been enacted. Where is the clarity and transparency that were promised? Is that democracy?

The young and old are exposed to terribly decadent images on TV and the Internet, which is destroying the morals of our beloved nation. Our government is not protecting its citizens; therefore, we God-fearing people must fervently raise our voices to almighty God en masse. No mere man can help us now.

Ask your pastors all over our nation to open up our houses of God 24 hours a day and ask the faithful to volunteer to pray at any time of the day for at least one hour. If you agree with me, spread this message across the nation. Let this continue for an indefinite period. May God bless America.

LAMBERT G. SMITH Pocahontas

Snyder hailed for stand

Congressman Vic Snyder's challenge of a climate duel of wits was perhaps the highlight this 111th Congress. I thank him for taking a stand against an onslaught of climate-change non-believers and status quo protectors and voting in support of the American Clean Energy and Security Act, which will undoubtedly create clean energy jobs, decrease our dependence on foreign oil and release the grip that the coal industry has had on our beautiful Natural State.

The congressman probably was smiling when stating that opposing House members needed "floaties" and a lifeline in a debate, but he was equally confident in his ability to explain the truth behind renewable energy investment, the creation of jobs and defeating the misinformation that the opposition seems to boast. Unfortunately, Congressmen Marion Berry and Mike Ross will probably not join him in the pool because they know their arguments don't hold water.

Congratulations to Snyder for standing up for his district, his state and his country. We know what happens when businesses refuse to innovate, and we are not in a position to bail out oil and coal companies when they crawl to the government for handouts. Kudos to Snyder for keeping everyone honest and floating above the murky waters of the climate and energy debate. I hope that Sens. Mark Pryor and Blanche Lincoln meet him at the surface to bring Arkansas quality jobs while strengthening our local economy with American-made products and keeping our air healthy for future generations.

CLAIRE LAFRANCE Little Rock

System can work for all

Did you see Sen. Blanche Lincoln's recently issued statement that the health care system needs to be worked on "so it works for all of us"? That must mean that all congressmen, President Obama, his family, his cabinet, members of the Supreme Court and all federal court judges and their employees will no longer use the generous, government-financed health care program and join the rest of us in lines to wait for some party hack to decide if and when we see a doctor, enter a hospital, get prescriptions or have an operation. Surely their political standing will not put them ahead of us. Ha, ha.

I will send a copy of this letter to the editor to Lincoln and ask her to confirm that when she uses "us" she means all citizens and elected and appointed federal employees, too. Canceling the generous current health care program for senators et al. could finance much of the cost of the new system.

GUY BORDEN JR. Little Rock

Other issues need attention

I have been following the health care reform debate. I am involved with the health care industry and I see defensive medicine being practiced by physicians on a daily basis due to fear of lawsuits. Tort reform needs to be a part of the solution that out leaders are working on. Will it happen? I doubt it.

Due to the way that physicians are compensated, more tests are ordered or procedures done. Both doctors and hospitals benefit. The consumer does not question the necessity or cost as a third party pays. It is only when costs come from the consumer's pocket that demand goes down. Reform should restructure the way doctors are justly compensated and have consumers pay more out-of-pocket expenses. Will it happen? I doubt it.

The consumer who is uninsured seeks medical care at the emergency room at a higher cost to the public, driving up premiums that get charged to the paying public by the insurance companies.

It is estimated that 30 percent of one's retirement savings goes toward end-of-life measures. A cultural shift in thinking is needed so that measures that prolong a patient's suffering are terminated when death is inevitable. Utilizing palliative/ hospice care is a far better way to bring comfort to the dying patient.

Finally, lifestyle changes need to be embraced by the American public. Unless we address these issues and put aside vested interests, the country will continue to suffer long term. Will our leaders address these issues and will the public understand? Only time will tell.

PERSIS SHROFF Little Rock

Slower motorists safer

I can't explain the large number of rude and thoughtless drivers in Little Rock, but as someone who walks to and from work in Downtown Little Rock every day, I've had more than my share of close calls. These are my thoughts on part of the problem.

The debacle of urban renewal in the Sixties provided downtown with multiple islands of parking lots, a few new high-rise office towers and parking decks, and aided in the associated death of retail. Traffic patterns were then re-engineered to provide multiple-lane, one-way streets that efficiently move cars from parking lots and decks to interstates, where they wait in traffic on the way to the sub- and exurbs.

The current generation of drivers in Little Rock knows nothing of urban driving or pedestrians. They think city streets are extensions of interstate on/ off ramps. That sort of mentality plus fiddling with electronic gadgets while driving creates a dangerous scene. Pedestrians are merely a nuisance.

Enlightened urban planning practice could introduce techniques for slowing traffic and making city streets safer and more inviting for pedestrians and retail alike. How many tragic or fatal accidents will it take-River Market traffic is very dangerous-before this even gets onto the radar screen of Little Rock officials?

Happy trails to courteous drivers.

GARY EVANS Little Rock

Opinions will be heard

President Obama and Washington Democratic Party leaders are trying to portray the America people as mindless robots following an unknown leader because the people are protesting the takeover of American liberties and freedoms by the federal government.

The American people are not mice who will follow Pied Piper Obama to destruction. They are intelligent, strong and industrious, and have made the United States the greatest nation in the world. They have done this in spite of the often inept leadership from Washington. They are not going to allow Obama and the federal government to take over their health care and manage all aspects of their lives. They are not going to allow the federal government to take over the energy system and pass the cap-and-trade bill.

The people accepted this big bailout hoping it would help, but it has been a failure. They have accepted the auto takeover even though they do not want the cars that are mandated by the federal government. Now the public is totally opposed to any more government takeover of our lives.

Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and other top Democrats are deridingand belittling Americans who dare voice their objections to a bill before Congress. How dare we question their actions and intentions? Don't we know what our place is?

To Obama, Pelosi and Reid: The American people are going to make their voices heard no matter how many threats and intimidations you make against "we the people."

DOUG WILKINSON Jacksonville

Humility lost on many

We Christians express concern about the direction America is going. God is talking to us. He says that if his people will humble themselves, pray, seek his face, repent, turn from their wicked ways, he will forgive their sin and heal their land.

We are not to conform to this world. We say we stand for the sanctity of marriage between one man and one woman. Then we commit adultery by cheating on our spouses. We justify unethical business practices fueled by greed. Our word means nothing. Honor and integrity are lost virtues. Wonder why the world calls us hypocrites?

We support politicians and political parties that are pro-choice and support the gay movement. For the hope of prosperity! When a party's agenda goes against our Christian beliefs, we should reconsider our affiliation. Abortion is premeditated murder. Homosexuality is wrong. The Bible says it is unnatural. Stating that belief is not homophobic. But we will be ridiculed for it. Hating homosexuals and killing abortionists are wrong. We are to show them love and compassion.

In writing this letter, I include myself. I have my sins to account for. I invite you to join me in finding our prayer closets to seek God's face. The promise of his word is faithful and true.

STEVE PLANT Conway

Efforts are appreciated

A big thank-you to Congressman Vic Snyder for his efforts to address climate change, renewable energy sources and energy efficiency.

The news story in which Snyder challenged Congressman John Boozman and others to debate about climate change legislation was entertaining, but I hope that they will take this matter very seriously. The American Clean Energy and Security Act will boost our economy by creating manufacturing jobs and investing in clean energy in our Natural State, not to mention its potential to address global warming and improve public health.

I hope that Sens. Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor will support this legislation.

APRIL MITCHELL Fayetteville

Feedback

More details wanted

The sooner the elderly die, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid will benefit. All that money could go to a new plan. Maybe this is what Barack Obama is counting on for his health care reform plan to work.

How about the press, via Freedom of Information laws, letting us taxpayers study the health plan that our illustrious senators and representatives have in place for themselves at taxpayers' expense?

Give us some insight, please. We might want to consolidate plans.

MARY P. MAIER Little Rock

Old idea is new again

There are members of Congress who are saying that we need to slow down on the health are issue, there is no hurry on health care, there is plenty of time to address health care.

MSNBC came up with an old black-and-white film clip several days ago. It was President Harry Truman talking about health care for Americans.

Obviously, there hasn't been any rush on health care. The film was 61 years old.

GENE PETERSON Holiday Island