LETTERS

A question to answer

With the city of Little Rock having the luxury of having both a mayor and city manager, how would the city explain the apparent complete lack of oversight on its part of the fiasco at the Little Rock Wastewater Utility?

BARBARA E. GAROT

Little Rock

Must be loads of fun

In her recent letter, Linda Farrell of Bella Vista complained that, during the State of the Union address, “Republican expressions were dour and sullen,” and she said just about everyone she knows “remarked about it and were universally upset at the divisive atmosphere.”

Huh. Ain’t that something? I bet her acquaintances are universally a fun bunch. So, hear ye, hear ye: Let all who hear the Obamasiah be proud and happy-nay, thrilled-to be under the sound of his voice.

Elsewhere on the day’s page, Don Bert Omundson of Holiday Island seemed unhinged by the fact that an editorial cartoon depicted Barack Obama “with Dumbo-like ears,” which he felt transgressed “the boundaries of effective caricaturing and human decency.” He goes on and says that the cartoon made him feel “disgust and revulsion.” Holy Moly! This from a cartoon. And no, I am not making this up. I think if ol’ Don Bert isn’t one of Ms. Farrell’s buddies, he oughta be. I’m sure he would add to the general gaiety of their gatherings.

He goes on to complain that the paper’s opinion pages do not represent both sides of political issues because Paul Greenberg’s editorials are consistently conservative. Apparently he doesn’t feel that the likes of John Brummett and Paul Krugman can adequately counterbalance the scales against the mighty Greenberg (not to even mention Bradley Gitz).

I actually agree with that, but am a bit surprised that Mr. Omundson would admit it.

RICHARD BEARD

North Little Rock

Why blame the GOP?

Usually I don’t question the opinions of a Voices letter-writer, but I’m compelled to respond to the recent diatribe by Karl Hansen. He attacks Paul Greenberg, a columnist for the Washington Post, Darrell Issa, and state Sen. Bryan King. Further, he refers to the Republican vendetta against the first black president, and asks if readers aren’t getting a belly full of “garbage and racism.”

Why blame every disagreement of import on racism or Republican intransigence? What are citizens to think about news from the White House and Congress-gross inefficiency, distrust, stonewalling, misrepresentation and outright falsehoods about major issues, and using governmental power and positions to promote personal agendas and gain party votes?

Where is our country headed with absolute out-of-control spending, a fiscally critical and unsustainable debt and congressional deadlock? Does Mr. Hansen see these things that are tearing our country apart being caused solely by Republicans and their racism?

Is there not enough hate, negativism, and divisiveness among us? Wouldn’t it be great if together we could direct all our energy to ensuring the United States remains the greatest country in the world instead of leaving our children and grandchildren with apparently insurmountable problems?

JACK MURPHY

Little Rock

The better alternative

The private option is a hot issue, but what are the alternatives? The current system is breaking our state.

Arkansans will be able to buy affordable health insurance through the private markets. Yes, we need more doctors; we need to stress preventative care and exercise. We need more nurses, and more health-insurance choice, but I believe none of this will happen if we do not have the private option.

The federal money that will come to Arkansas is a repatriation of tax dollars. If Arkansas does not fund the private option, our money will be sent to other states. The federal government will manage our exchanges, will penalize taxpayers, and our state government will have a massive shortfall. Promised tax cuts are in jeopardy and deep cuts to K-12 education could occur. Tuition for a college education will skyrocket, pricing many Arkansans out of a college education. Teachers could lose their jobs, dangerous prisoners could be released early, and local hospitals and clinics will cut staff or could close. ARKids could be at serious risk of cuts.

I know the president is very unpopular here, but we must place the best interests of our state over any unpopularity for anyone outside our state.

The last time the federal government had control over a large portion of our state’s economy was during Reconstruction, which hurt everyone, and we still haven’t healed from its effects. By saying no to the private option, we will cede control to the federal government.

ROMERSE BIDDLE

Texarkana

Defund private option

Will Upton’s guest column gave good financial reasons why Arkansas’ private option should not be extended. However, it didn’t mention one important fact: Many studies have shown that people on Medicaid have worse health outcomes than the uninsured. Don’t believe it? Read Avik Roy’s book, How Medicaid Fails the Poor. Mr. Roy reminds us that having access to health insurance is not the same as having good medical care. Medicaid’s low payment schedule will likely “insure” that more doctors will refuse to treat Medicaid patients, and their care will suffer.

I believe Arkansas legislators should defund the private option for both financial and humanitarian reasons.

ROBERT GLOVER

Lepanto

Continue the program

As one who appreciates the hard work of our Arkansas legislators and something of the intense pressures they face, I pray for them the wisdom, farsightedness, and courage-political, but more importantly, moral-to continue the unique, bipartisanly crafted “private option” plan that through private-enterprise insurance companies would make health insurance available for many who have not previously had it, especially those Jesus called “the least” of our neighbors.

GORDON GARLINGTON

North Little Rock