LETTERS

LITTLE ROCK — Marketing his loyalty

Let’s hand it to the “aw-shucks” Republican candidate for the 4th Congressional District, Tom Cotton. This seemingly sincere attorney—an occasional resident of the state—graces our television screens with an “Opie-esque” appeal for public endorsement. His high school coach and principal dang near have him blushing with the turn of a phrase.

Then the other shoe slaps the floor. Cotton is deep-pocketed by outof-state party-machine political action committees. Once again, a homeboy has put Arkansas votes up for sale. Liberty-loving Arkansans should be wary and insulted.

A surefire remedy to the retailing of Arkansas votes to out-of-state PACs would be election reform mandating that politicians at every level below the presidency/vice presidency be restricted to campaigns funded by the constituents they seek to represent.

If Cotton is elected, to whom will he be beholden? To whom will he first listen? Less than 10 percent of his financing comes from the people who will be represented by Cotton.

We won’t have to wait for a scandal to emerge concerning Cotton. His scandalous ways have already surfaced. Arkansas, be aware. He has already marketed his loyalties out of state.

RANDY NIX

Fayetteville

Directionless country

On Mother’s Day Sunday, I watched the various news shows with much dismay. The feature story was the final evolution of our president to personally accept the idea of marriage between same-sex couples as a form of union.

I had to wonder if the mothers and fathers of these pundits had not seen fit to marry as they did, if any of them would be here to make their regular Sunday appearances. They were so involved in relating the great evolution our president experienced that I doubt it even entered their mind. The fact that it was Mother‘s Day was not mentioned. I wonder if next year, as we embrace a little more political correctness, will we change the second Sunday of May, Mother‘s Day, to be called henceforth “Others Day?”

Where are we going?

JOSEPH C. BECK

Little Rock

Service commendable

Although I personally have no dog in the hunt, as far as the Republican nomination for U.S. House of Representatives in the 4th District, a television ad that has been running for one of the candidates disturbs me.

It appears that an ex-Arkansan, now a resident of Florida, has endorsed one candidate over the other two on the basis of the fact that she has lived her entire life in Arkansas, is an ex-Miss Arkansas and a former member of his staff while he was governor. His complaint against Tom Cotton and John Cowart is that one of them spent time out of state while attending college and law school, and both had the temerity to reside out of state while serving their country in the military in Iraq and Afghanistan, somehow making this factor his reasoning for their lack of eligibility to hold office.

As the uncle of an Army captain who has also served two tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and is returning next month to serve on the border with Pakistan, I am insulted that some clown from Florida thinks that absence from one’s state while serving in the military makes a person some sort of second-class citizen.

TOM M. FERSTL

Little Rock

Party’s ideal nominee

Will Rogers once said he never ran out of material as long as Congress was session. I am sure he included political candidates.

The Democratic Party has provided some great material, in my opinion, in nominating Q. Byrum Hurst for the 4th District seat. Old Q has managed 10 disciplinary admonishments by the Supreme Court Committee on Professional Conduct. A few weeks back, a bank filed foreclosure papers on one of his properties. He then blamed a potential general election opponent whose donor is affiliated with the bank, and claimed the bank was wrong.

Then we find out that old Q has $22,000 worth of tax liens, some over 10 years old. Of course, he has been fighting against corporate interests, which must be why he has not paid those taxes. Last, he says he is a responsible and outstanding citizen. Dear reader, you can judge that last one for yourself.

I contend that Hurst is the perfect Democratic candidate fully representing the true beliefs of the party. First, he ignores his clients; second, he does not pay his taxes; third, he blames someone else for his problems; and fourth, he has a spin machine that casts blame in more directions than an octopus.

I hope the Democrats elect him in next month’s primary. I can have some great fun with a guy like him during the general election campaign.

DENNIS L. BOSCH

Hot Springs

Moment of integrity

It seems to me that Joyce Elliott had a brief moment of integrity when she resigned from that $80,000-a-year job that Bill Walker hired her for.

I remember when Elliott and Blanche Lincoln were running for office and, oh, how they cared for the people of Arkansas. And both were hugging Arkansas’ favorite son. Son of what? Neither Elliott nor Lincoln were elected.

I also remember when Elliott, holding up a Bible, said, “Thou shall not bear false witness.” Apparently she did not know that not paying her taxes for many years is wrong and that the Bible says, “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s.” Apparently she did not read that part in the Bible. And Elliott wants the people of Arkansas to feel sorry for her?

LYLE THOMPSON

North Little Rock

Schools need support

With budget cuts, the first to suffer are typically children. Education cuts are always on the top of the list of cuts for federal and state tax funds. This leaves it up to the local taxpayers to support education, and this is what must be done. Any time there is an opportunity to vote in a millage election to increase taxes to fund schools, you should go vote “yes.” Schools cannot function properly when over capacity. Even if you do not have children in school, it is the right thing to do. Schools are the most influential aspect of society, on both a large and small scale.

Don’t look at it as extra taxes; look at it as an investment in America’s future and go vote “yes” when a millage to help fund schools is on the ballot. Help schools, help the children and the community.

SHANE HAMPTON

Fayetteville