Move roads forward
I was so glad to see Gov. Asa Hutchinson address the need to find revenue for our state highway system. For too long we have been behind on keeping our highways ahead of the growth in this state.
We are getting six lanes to Conway from Little Rock; we have six lanes from Little Rock to Benton and Bryant; we need six lanes to Cabot from Little Rock, a four-lane highway to Hot Springs, Interstate 49 needs to run down our western border to Texarkana and Interstate 40 to Memphis needs to have six lanes desperately (semis in the left lane, please).
I understand there are no perfect solutions, but the governor mentioned toll roads as a potential option. In my opinion, a great option. Some immediate advantages would seem to be added jobs and tax dollars as well as a source of revenue we have been missing out on, tourists. We could be bringing in tourist dollars as they would pay a toll as well. Let our tourists help build our roads.
We pay $1.50 for a bottle of water and the people I talk to would gladly slow down for 30 seconds, drop six quarters in a basket, and move on down the road. I hope we can agree it's time to get a vision and purpose for our highway system and move forward.
GEORGE WINGO
Paris
Pay for some mowing
I am compelled to write a short note of complaint. The state of Arkansas ended the fiscal year June 30th with a $191.6 million surplus. Now would be an ideal time to fund a little dab of that surplus to our highway department so it can afford to buy some diesel or gasoline and go back to mowing our highway shoulders like in the good old days.
It is a disgrace to us Arkansans, let alone the out-of-state travelers passing through our state, to see the shoulders and bar ditches so overgrown. They are very unsightly, as well as dangerous. Deer can and do suddenly step out and you cannot see them until they are in the road. It has gotten ridiculous and sloppy the last couple of years as the highway department has neglected the mowing.
Of course, by funding the mowing, the politicians cannot divide up that amount to buy votes back home with.
RICK O'DONNELL
Pocahontas
Thanks for good work
With all the terrible things going on in the world today, it feels good to acknowledge something positive for a change. The Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department has done a wonderful job on the nearly completed Interstate 430/630 interchange in west Little Rock. This was a major project, constructed with little interruption to the flow of traffic during the process. It is a pleasure to navigate the new overpasses and arrive at your destination in a more timely manner.
Many thanks to all those involved in this much-needed and appreciated Big Rock Interchange.
BEVERLY ANN SUTTON
Little Rock
Hillary ignoring men
My wife is the executive administrator to a major nonprofit. My mother was a schoolteacher and mother of 15 (five sisters). Both of my grandmothers were housewives. I love, admire, and respect each one.
I am glad to see a woman has a strong chance of becoming president of the United States. I am a strong liberal Democrat and have voted Democrat in every election since I could vote 20 years ago.
However, all I'm seeing from Hillary Clinton's Facebook, emails, website, and accessories for sale is for women, minorities, and the LGBT community. Barack Obama, who I think is doing a good job, does not only talk about African Americans and minorities, he speaks about everyone. No matter race, religion, or gender.
As a white, middle-aged man, I feel like Hillary is ignoring the white men in this country. That is wrong.
Hillary, maybe you don't care about middle-aged white men. I don't know. I just know you are ignoring men like me. I haven't decided who I will vote for. You might not have my vote when the time comes.
PATRICK GRAY
Cabot
Take action to save us
I am writing this letter because I believe the news indicates that we are fast becoming a Godless nation and he will permit us to be destroyed completely like Sodom and Gomorrah.
When the leadership of our beloved nation makes it a law that two people of the same sex can have a lawful marriage then they are permitting sodomy, which I believe God hates with an almighty vengeance.
I ask all Americans who love their families and their country to love God by rejecting this law which can only bring down God's vengeance. Tell the leadership of this country to reject this Godless law. Otherwise, I fear the worst. The time is near for God to show his anger. Take action now and pray for God's mercy.
LAMBERT G. SMITH
Pocahontas
What flavor was it?
So President Barack Obama's flip on the gay-marriage issue is being considered philosophical enlightenment, huh? Wow, that Kool-Aid must have really been tasty to buy into that line of hooey.
I think a majority of us understand that the president's stance on most issues is based on political expediency, plain and simple. Most politicians these days don't know any other kind of behavior regardless of their party affiliation. Sadly for the American voter who wants to be well-informed, it's sometimes difficult to wade through the hooey to get to the real deal.
Just think, we've got 16 more months of this. Kool-Aid, anyone?
BRENDA LEE JOHNSON
Hot Springs Village
Editorial on 07/13/2015