Some relief from ads
I have an idea that I believe everyone will like, regardless of their political affiliation. The people who vote early should get some benefit other than not having to stand in long lines on election day.
Here is how my idea would work: After casting your ballots during the early voting period, you would be given a code as you leave the polling place. You would then call your cable or satellite provider and give them your code. The provider would then block all political advertisements from your television(s) from that day until after the election. Since you have already voted, the point of the political advertisements is rendered moot.
I believe there are two benefits from rewarding early voting in this way: (1) The most obvious is that the voter would be spared these disgusting political advertisements and, (2) many people who don't normally vote would be enticed to vote, and vote early, to rid themselves of the political advertisements that we long ago grew tired of.
Two weeks isn't a terribly long reprieve after the months we have had to endure the mudslinging. But my tolerance meter is pegged and any relief at all would be welcomed.
MICHAEL BERGER
Benton
Cotton's clear choice
Attention all conservatives: Vote, vote, vote for Tom Cotton for U.S. Senate!
I believe he is the clear choice over a nice guy who needs to retire. I think Mark Pryor's voting record shows that he follows the liberal Democratic Barack Obama line virtually all of the time. Tom Cotton, with his deep conservative roots and smart practical intelligence, is the obvious choice for me. However, the Democrats' ground game is strong and well-funded. So, be wise; vote and urge your friends, neighbors, relatives, church members, etc., to vote for Cotton for Senate.
ROY VANDERPOOL
Fort Smith
Running on empty?
Mr. Asa Hutchinson said that when he is governor, he is going to hit the ground running.
What is he going to be running for? President of the United States?
JIM WILLIAMS
Prattsville
A nightmare scenario
It is troubling to think of what will happen if, this election year, the Senate flips to Republicans.
I fear bills will be passed that wage war on American workers. Kiss a raise in the minimum wage goodbye.
If unemployed for a long time, don't expect benefits to be extended to the long-term unemployed.
There will be cuts in access to health care.
Taxes will be cut for millionaires, leaving us middle class to carry the load. We always have, and the load gets pretty heavy.
Want good schools for your kids? Expect cuts to education.
A handful of states hold the cards in this election. If you do nothing else, vote for candidates that have your welfare in mind. Please vote.
ELIZABETH FOSTER
Hot Springs Village
What we don't need
David Bryant's letter may have been a result of religious indoctrination or he may be a Karl Rove wannabe. Either way, I think he is wrong.
If there is anything Arkansawyers need, it is not additional merging of religion and politics. It seems David's theory of defeating Mark Pryor and Mike Ross along with all other Democratic candidates is an Americanized version of the ISIS reasoning for beheading those failing to support their interpretation of the Koran.
I grew up in solid Democratic Arkansas, and contrary to popular belief, the South was switched to solid Republican by Lee Atwater's "Southern Strategy" and merging the Republican Party and religious fundamentalists. As a registered Republican since 1952, voting almost a straight ticket through 2000, I split my ticket in 2004 and voted my very first straight Democratic ticket in 2006. I intend to continue until some degree of sanity returns by my party's leadership.
I believe the spewing of hatred by the leaders of my party (and I am still a registered Republican in Benton County), has been without example in American political history even though the hatred for Bill Clinton came close.
Now, having failed to stop President Barack Obama, failing to create an image of him as the devil incarnate, my party is now turning to building fear that the world will be destroyed unless he is defeated, and he ain't even on the ballot. By now, I am sure you have realized that I am not a happy-camper Republican. However, I am proud of the leadership of the state Republican Party, having adopted the unique law to extend Obamacare to uninsured Arkansawyers. The bipartisan support for the selection of Davy Carter as speaker of the House was a great example of cooperation of the parties.
BOB SCOTT
Rogers
Rid of carpetbaggers
As the general election is fast approaching, I felt compelled to address an issue concerning Asa Hutchinson. Many of your readers will remember the events that unfolded in late 1998 and early '99 when there was a major effort by a group of 13 Republican carpetbaggers to remove President Bill Clinton from office.
And guess who was one of the most vocal of these hypocritical men? You guessed it, none other than Asa Hutchinson.
I can never overlook the fact that he not only turned his back on a fellow Arkansan, he apparently sincerely wanted him to be removed from office. If he would do that to Bill, what do you think he will do for you, fellow Arkansan? Certainly not stand up to defend or support you. I believe he simply can't be trusted. Please go to the polls and vote Democrat for every position.
We got rid of carpetbaggers 140 years ago; we sure don't need to resurrect them again in the great state of Arkansas.
JAMES CALVIN WALKER
Conway
Good people in world
This is my first letter to a newspaper. I wanted to publicly thank the person(s) who found my iPad in the Springhill Baptist Hospital parking lot and turned it in to security. I also want to thank a nurse named Leslie who followed up and notified me when it was located. There are good Christian people still in this world.
The pictures on the iPad mean so much to me and I will take Leslie's and the security people's advice and back up the photos now. May God bless you.
JANE ERWIN
North Little Rock
Editorial on 10/25/2014