Letters

Don't raise the wage

Many people believe that minimum wage should be raised so that they will be able to support their families and have a better life. Although many people want this, I think there are many problems that can make a big difference.

Minimum wage is not supposed to support you and your family for your whole life; it's supposed to be a starting point that you can build on. Right now minimum wage is $7.25 an hour and people want to raise it to $10.10. They say that by doing this it will help more people support themselves and their children, and give more job opportunities, but I believe that by doing so you also raise the prices on other things. Fast food is supposed to be a cheap and quick alternative, but by raising minimum wage, this raises the prices of the food.

One big issue that people are debating over is the unemployment rate. Some people believe that if you raise the minimum wage then more people would want to work and the unemployment rate would decrease. On the other hand, though, if it is raised, then employers won't want to hire as many people because they are having to pay them more, which would make the unemployment rate increase; all of this is based on the employer.

I think raising the minimum wage would have very few benefits, so why should we raise it? We have more to lose by raising minimum wage than we gain.

MADISON RYE

Benton

The existence of evil

I do hope David Bryant's recent letter to the editor concerning two fine young men running for office was "tongue in cheek" rather than something he really feels.

If not, I'm sorry for him. Neither political party is free of evil members.

CHLOYE POGUE

Little Rock

Misdirected record

Tom Cotton is a fine young man, though I believe the path he's taken is too early and his voting record misdirected, for it does not reflect the path our maker has put forth for all of us to take, and should be expected of a person representing us in Congress.

May I quote two passages Solomon wrote in Proverbs? He who oppresses the poor reproaches his maker. But he who honors him has mercy on the needy. Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will also cry himself, and not be heard.

Rather than treading down the campaign trail, I wonder why Cotton didn't spend some congressional time planning how our nation can provide homes for the many veterans who are sleeping on the cold, hard sidewalks of our cities' streets. He certainly has expounded, in his political ads, on his military life. I know he has some compassion, but how is he showing it? Is he going to let those homeless, mentally deteriorated vets continue in extreme poverty, or leave it up to Pryor, who's already written bills to help many?

DIXIE ANN COLE

Fayetteville

Find common sense

I got pulled over in southeast Texas at night for a burned-out license-plate light. I was irritated and told the officer I had missed a turn and that's why I swerved a little bit.

The officer asked for my registration. I asked him if I could open the glove box. He asked me to exit my car. I asked him if I could get out just to make sure. Remember, it was nighttime.

We have a bunch of people who have no common sense nowadays. If the police tell you to get out of the road, get out. If they tell you to lie down on the sidewalk or exit the vehicle, do it. Doing these things should prevent anger and stupidity from taking over.

By the way, I am sick of liberals and sick of right-wing extremists. Things get done when we find common ground, often in the middle of the political spectrum. And yes, I have been profiled and falsely accused, also.

STEVE WHEELER

North Little Rock

Learn to be careful

Waiting two weeks to reopen the top-viewing area of the Little Rock Zoo "Big Cat" exhibit makes me wonder about the blessed fact that for all of the previous years this exhibit has been open, I have heard of no one falling in it. Now there has been an accident.

It is indeed a tragedy, but why close the exhibit to the public? I would have thought being vigilant of one's children around dangerous animals went without saying, but then, I'm an old guy.

To me, this is another example of the overly cautious, knee-jerk reaction our culture has developed in response to isolated incidents. Suddenly a way needs to be found to govern everyone some more. Like requiring that peanut butter sandwiches be taken away from the whole school because one child is allergic to peanuts. Or seeking to make the hard ball softer because a child might get hit.

Where will this mindset take the next generation? How will they learn to be careful?

DUANE BARBOUR

Little Rock

Give Bielema a break

I think that Razorback fans need to lay off of Bret Bielema.

We all get mad when the Hogs lose a game or play terrible. How do you think Coach Bielema feels? He has enough on his hands with preparing from week to week, not to mention dealing with crazy fans that really do not know anything about coaching football. The Hogs are starting to look good, and we need to let them do their thing. All the fans that say we need to fire Bielema after one bad game need to shut their mouths.

There is a reason why he is the coach and they are just watching the games from their couch. I believe that he knows that he is a good coach, and he knows what he is doing.

So, everybody needs to just calm down and enjoy the season.

BROOKS ELLIS

Bryant

Need more who care

Recently, I took my dad to the doctor for a checkup after eye surgery, as he could not drive. When we returned to the car, a handwritten note was on our windshield saying, "You have a nail in your right rear tire." It was signed: "A caring citizen."

To that caring citizen, I want to say, "Thanks!" We need more citizens like you.

CHRIS WILLIAMS

Little Rock

Editorial on 10/21/2014

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