LETTERS

LITTLE ROCK — All political maneuvering

It seems the Democrats are in full blame-the-Republicans mode. The first cut to be made if the Medicaid expansion is not done is level 3 care; state Medicaid Director Andy Allison says he doesn’t know how many might die if that happens. The insinuation is that Republicans will be responsible. Standard Democratic playbook—expand first, then fight the proposed cuts and blame Republicans for not caring about the poor.

I think the proposed cost-saving cuts from Human Services should be done upfront. Gov. Mike Beebe should tell John Selig to implement the proposed program restrictions and the 3 percent cut in provider reimbursement ASAP. Let’s see how many Democrats in the Legislature will sign on to do the cuts upfront. That would take away the blame game.

Beebe said the expansion would forestall the need to get rid of level 3 care. The key word is “forestall.” All the expansion does is keep Beebe from having to cut Medicaid or raise taxes while he is in office. Let the next governor deal with it. Democrats also know that once the program is expanded it will be politically impossible to cut it back.

This and the theme of Medicaid deaths likely will be front and center after the Medicaid expansion. Does anyone believe that Democrats will support program and reimbursement cuts that Beebe and Selig put forward to control the cost after the extension?

You would think that Republicans would catch on to this Democratic trick.

KEN SPARROW Conway

Spirit is in everything

Can you make something out of nothing? No.

Then how did God make the universe? He blew himself up in the Big Bang 13.7 billion years ago.

Ask people how old they are, and they will tell you the number of years that have passed since they were born. Where does that come from? It comes from the Bible.

“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” That word “soul” means person: mind, body and spirit.

The New American Bible states that God “blew into his nostrils the breath of life.” The King James Bible is correct. The spirit of God was inside the man, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.

The spirit of God is everywhere. He took your first breath, and is with you always. The spirit of God is in every living being.

Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

Draw near to him, and the holy spirit will draw near to you.

He is in all people and every living being. We have this in common with all creatures.

Look into the eyes of any living being, and you will see the spirit of God, Alpha and Omega, looking back at you.

RUUD DuVALL

Fayetteville

Only one hope is left

How can we expect God to bless America when he does not bless immorality, same-sex marriage and killing unborn babies?

Our only hope is what he told his people many years ago: “If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray, seek my face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin and heal their land.”

This is our only hope. I hope you will join me and trust him to hear us and answer our prayer.

LORENE LEJEUNE

Fayetteville

Find a place of honor

Another Arkansas soldier has died in Afghanistan, and this paper saw fit to note his death with a picture on page 1B and a short note inside. Spc. Joseph Richardson, 23, of Booneville gave his life so you would be free to print your newspaper and we would be free to read it. It seems to me that the bravery of this soldier and the many others who have died for their country and our freedom should be more newsworthy.

Certainly it is more important than the story about used-home sales rising in October, which appeared on the front page the same day. I am sure Richardson’s family and friends would have appreciated a more detailed account of his life. Was he married? Did he have children? Where did he receive his education?

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have gone on for a long time, but the deaths of our military men and women in far-off places, more than likely, keep the terrorists from killing us in our own backyards. I believe these brave sons and daughters deserve to be honored prominently by your paper, as well as the local television stations.

JOE SEFFENSE

Hot Springs Village

Keep the only fair tax

Gov. Mike Beebe seems to be very proud of the plan to remove the sales tax on groceries. I don’t understand this kind of thinking, for the simple reason that sales tax is the only fair tax and the only tax the illegal people pay, and groceries are by far what they spend money on in Arkansas.

President Barack Obama is always talking about taxing the rich. The way he could get this done is eliminate all the taxes that have loopholes and replace them with a national sales tax. The one that spends the most pays the most tax. Simple.

I hope Beebe will reconsider this foolish project and remove some other form of taxes that we are paying and leave the only fair tax in place. In fact, it would be a good idea to reinstate the sales tax that we have already removed and give tax relief from some other place such as state income tax.

HAROLD STUMBAUGH

Russellville

Thanks for the turkey

I enjoyed the article about Thanksgiving in the Hispanic community. But as a fan of both Hispanic culture and good food, I feel like the article missed an important point: Turkey probably wouldn’t be Thanksgiving’s main course if not for our neighbors from south of the border.

The turkey was domesticated first in Meso-America, and though it’s not absolutely conclusive, evidence strongly suggests that the Maya of present-day southern Mexico, Guatemala and Belize were the first to tame the wild turkey more than 2,000 years ago.

On behalf of everyone still recovering from Thanksgiving’s turkey hangover, I express deep and heartfelt gratitude to the ancient Meso-Americans who made it all possible.

Or to put it another way: Muchas gracias y viva el pavo!

TREY REID Little Rock

Immigration solution

Why don’t we close our doors to immigration just until everyone has a job? There will be more people on the dole and more crime.

MARION LIMPERIS Prairie Grove

Stop all the handouts

When Alexis de Tocqueville came to America to observe that phenomenon called democracy, he was amazed at a land of independent, self-reliant people who believed that with the freedom and opportunity in America, they could set any goal they chose for their life.

That America is gone.

It defies common sense that Barack Obama was re-elected after four years of these failures: stagnant economic growth, millions still unemployed, more in poverty, more on food stamps, $6 trillion more in national debt, 40 cents of every dollar borrowed—and people want more.

I believe the selfish and ignorant won the election—those wanting government sustenance from someone else’s pocket: minorities; unionized workers with inflated benefits bankrupting companies and governments; empty-headed young people wanting freebies; older people who imagine they’re voting for FDR’s Democratic Party; those ignorant of economics and what would get us out of this mess.

Compare the words of Karl Marx (the father of Communism): “From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs”; and Obama’s words to Joe the Plumber: “When you spread the wealth around, it’s good for everybody.”

Look at Greece—the wealth eventually runs out. You people with your hands out better start remembering the words of President John F. Kennedy, “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”

BARBARA FOREMAN

Siloam Springs

Outpacing our growth

A recent article in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette regarding state payroll sparked an interest in comparing the number of state employees and their salaries and benefits with how the state has increased its gross domestic product and its population growth. Hopefully you will follow up with this kind of reporting so the citizens of Arkansas can determine exactly what is going on with their tax dollars.

The population of Arkansas increased from 1988 through 2010 by 25 percent while the number of state employees increased by 62 percent, almost 2 1/2 times as fast as the population. When you compare the GDP of the state to the increase in the cost of salaries and benefits of the state employees, GDP increased 60 percent while the cost of state salaries and benefits increased 260 percent during the same period.

Is there any doubt that the state government has outpaced and outstripped the growth in the general population of the state? In addition to that, businesses have managed to accomplish more with less while the state continues to bloat. I would like to see a similar report for the cities of Arkansas.

I’ll bet the general population of the state would be shocked.

MIKE CLIFFORD

Rogers

From our paychecks

Regarding Mildred Shores’ letter about secession petitions, I believe some of her assertions are incorrect.

My country or state will not pay my Social Security or Medicare—I will and do, with every paycheck that I earn. It is taken from my paycheck and if my government doesn’t squander it, I will get some of it back.

Do not make the ignorant statement that this is welfare. It is far from it.

BARRY CROWLEY

Rogers

Feedback

Treading a fine line

Tom Kennedy’s Voices letter as to the scrubs-clad, licensed-tocarry vigilante gunman should be questioned.

That man may have had heroic intentions, but this action was rather irresponsible. Vigilante justice is usually not justice at all.

If I am a gun-control liberal, so be it. I am also a gun owner and a U.S. Army military police veteran and have had practice using guns.

Some licensed-to-carry avenger-type people shoot first and think second. This also includes some of our police officers. Many times there is a fine line between self-defense and homicide, as well as when trying to defend others with a gun.

More guns and shooting does not necessarily make this country safer or more civilized for our children’s future.

RICHARD SNIVELY

Fayetteville

No mythology here

Re Curt Anderson’s letter: He says that all Christian Republicans who prayed for America by praying for a Mitt Romney victory should realize that our God is a mythical creature.

I say to Mr. Anderson that my God is not a myth. He is very much real and he is coming back one day.

I will keep on praying.

FAYE HILL

Conway