LETTERS

Creepy psychic power

Ms. Brenda Looper is right. It is creepy Rush Limbaugh reading Barack Obama’s mind, especially since it seems he has gotten it right for the past five years.

ROLAND SCHUTZ

Benton

Certainly wasn’t classy

Re a letter written by Linda Farrell: She accuses Republicans of having no class because of some behavior she observed during the State of the Union address.

It seems hypocritical to me for her, in the same letter, to say what I believe to be vile, hateful and degrading things about Phil Robertson, a man I feel sure she has never met nor spoken to. I found that to be prejudicial and certainly not classy. It seems to me like the pot calling the skillet black.

N.E. PIERCE

Little Rock

In praise of service

I would like to add my voice to those praising the service of the paper carriers during the recent inclement weather.

SARA GARRETT

North Little Rock

Not an intrepid carrier

I see an occasional letter to Voices where someone is commending their newspaper carrier for delivering their paper on time, regardless of rain, sleet, hail, snow, ice, wind, thunder or lightning.

I can only wish for such an intrepid carrier. Take February 8th for example. A dinky little one-inch snowfall, and no newspaper. On such days, I am lucky to get a paper at all, and if I do, it will be the middle of the afternoon. I have to go to my nearest convenience store, only a mile away, to purchase a paper.

I have subscribed to this newspaper, or its predecessor, for over 40 years. I can state, categorically, the carrier I now have is the worst I have had over all those years.

MIKE BURSON

Little Rock

Where the trouble lies

I see they are getting some of the governors together to see how to fix Washington.

Well, I think they should start with the electorate, for they are the ones electing and sending the problems to Washington.

JOHN W. WILSON

Jacksonville

Hoping for a miracle

I wonder how many of the Arkansas legislators voting “no” on the Medicaid private option would be in church in the morning, praying that God will help them rid this state of Obamacare and put 100,000 poor Arkansans back in their place-sick, helpless and afraid.

JACKSON JONES

Harrell

Another use for pins

The TV guide pages also are curling up. I am using clothespins on both sides!

CHET DANIEL

Heber Springs

Money belongs to us

Re Roger Pritchett’s recent letter: He commented, “While I know what he meant …” regarding a comment in a letter that the private option is “free money for the state budget,” and then proceeded to criticize that statement, saying it perpetuates the myth that anything is free.

I feel I know what both authors meant, and those meanings were: Yes, it is tax money spent by Congress that will go somewhere, and yes, it’s not “free” in the sense that it is ultimately taxpayers’ earnings reapportioned in Washington, so in no sense of the idea can it be considered newly created manna from heaven and free.

That said, I would like to ask: Is it money collected by the federal government from taxpayers and in reality a part of Arkansas’ fair share of the monies spent on national domestic programs? If so, then I think our representatives in both Little Rock and Washington are failing their responsibilities to our state if they vote against taking it.

Chew your political philosophy bones at the local cafe or the country club. The only problem that activity produces is raising carbon dioxide or blood pressure levels. But if monies that belong in programs in Arkansas are being refused because it’s not coming from a source meeting some philosophical test, then I think that is an immoral, illogical act.

If it is monies in excess of Arkansas’ fair share, then yes, take the stand-we don’t need charity from Washington, thank you. But don’t tell me we won’t have it to spite federal government or the will of Congress. Those monies belong to our citizens, and in Arkansas programs, not in another state. After all, we paid them in, so why not use them as best we can?

GERALD K. O’BRYAN SR.

Springdale

Be fair and objective

People of this state and nation will have much opportunity this year to initiate and support helpful changes to lifestyle and culture. Let’s try to be extra thoughtful and vigilant in assessing those opportunities and encourage the educated involvement of others.

Let’s require answers to cost-versus-value questions about state positions like lieutenant governor and others to re-evaluate their need and desirability rather than continuing something because it’s there.

Let’s push ourselves to consider the larger picture: Who does a tax or fee increase or reduction hurt and help the most? What problems will it create or solve? Who needs the most help in our society today? Is it you? What help do you need the most?

Are we being fair and objective, considering the benefits of all, or self-centered, trying to exclude others? What do we need to change?

KAY CARPENTER

Little Rock

Editorial, Pages 17 on 02/26/2014

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