Elected to represent state
When I contact my congressmen, they always explain their personal beliefs based on their personal religion and then they say, "I am sorry we disagree on this matter. I hope we can agree on issues in the future." Half the time their automated response only tells me that someone in their office sorted my email into the "abortion" or "environment" or whatever pile it belongs in because of the assumed topic, and the response really has nothing to do with what I just wrote about. It is a stump speech in email form. However, it always tells their "personal beliefs."
The real problem with this is that members of Congress are not elected to move forward with their "personal beliefs." They were elected to represent the people of Arkansas, even those who didn't vote for them.
So to write about their personal belief on some matter is to tell me they don't care to do their job, which is to uphold the Constitution and listen to the citizens they represent. Many times I wonder why I even bother to write my congressmen at all, knowing as I do that they have no interest in representing me (I'm not a fetus, male, or wealthy). I do it because I want to believe I can matter and that my representative is actually interested in representing me.
I'm not asking that they agree with me or pander to me and my causes. I only want them to earn their paycheck. Take a moment and look at both sides. Look at the constitutional issues that come with it and the actual effects any action will have on those of us who live in the state they are supposed to represent.
Is it asking too much to have elected officials actually make an effort to uphold the Constitution? Have we come so far with money in politics that there is no hope? I'm certainly feeling that way.
KATHRYN LOYD WILSON
Little Rock
A breath of fresh air
Tom Cotton is catching criticism for his letter on Iran. I support what Tom Cotton is doing in telling the president that any deal with Iran should be brought to the Senate and OK'd and not bypass Congress and go to the UN. If this is done, I think it will be a slap down for the American people.
The world leaders say they are negotiating; I call it appeasing because Iran likely will get all they want and not give in on anything. Remember when Neville Chamberlain of Great Britain was appeasing Hitler? How did that work? Hitler just kept doing things his way until Churchill replaced Chamberlain as prime minister.
Tom Cotton is a breath of fresh air in Washington. About time someone started looking out for the good of our country, and I believe this is not treason.
BILL SCHEIDERER
Forrest City
Myth dissemination
Robert Burney is yet another writer who is spreading misinformation about homosexuality. Such errors must be vigorously refuted. He portrays homosexuality as something like Ebola that infects civilizations and eventually destroys them. This is homophobia at its worst, and it is completely untrue.
Contrary to Burney's assertions, no credible historian has claimed that homosexuality was a factor in the decline of the Greek and Roman civilizations or any other civilization.
This sort of demonization of a small minority of our population does nothing but harm.
SANDY WYLIE
Bella Vista
From Peanut Gallery
I was concerned about Tom Cotton the minute I saw that ad with him bouncing up and down on the tailgate of his daddy's pickup. I know he thought it made him look "down home," but he came across like Howdy Doody. It seems he's so desperate to get his name out there now that he's a senator; first it's the claim that we need to seal our southern borders to prevent terrorists from entering the country. Really? How often has that happened? Now he has taken it to a new level.
His letter to the leadership of Iran is beyond dumb; it was reckless and dangerous. Not qualities that most Arkansans are looking for in our senators. We know that he doesn't like the president, but we didn't know that he disrespected the office of the presidency and the diplomatic responsibilities that go with the office.
He is so desperate for the sound bite and getting himself "out there" that he disregarded how our country has done business in the international community for 200 years.
Oh, and that military option that he wants to so casually keep on the table. He might need to remember that those "boots on the ground" are made up of Hispanics, blacks, and middle- and lower-income whites. Those are the people that need the social programs and entitlements that he so desperately wants to eliminate. Just so he knows, as a voter I have no interest in a military action with Iran.
Now the smart people in the Republican Party are putting a little distance between themselves and him. He has embarrassed himself and his office, the state of Arkansas, and his country. We are looking for a statesman, not a Howdy Doody.
JOHN K. GREEN
Eureka Springs
Repeating our history
What has happened to this once great state of Arkansas? Now I am embarrassed to say that I live here, in the state that hates.
It's really hard to believe that we have gone backwards and are repeating history. Our governor did not veto the new anti-gay law, so it automatically became law without him having to sign it. That's riding the fence. How could anyone knowingly allow such cruelty to other human beings?
I am the mother of two great sons of whom I am equally proud, and one happens to be gay, not by choice. God made him exactly as he wanted, perfect! He is intelligent, successful, kind and loving. I am proud to be his mother.
My heart aches knowing this law doesn't consider my son to be a human being who deserves equal rights and protection.
Maybe we all need to look around at our own families and friends. Maybe your son, daughter, niece, cousin or grandchild you love so much is gay/lesbian. What would you say then? How would you vote?
If this new discrimination law was passed to protect freedom of religion, then what happened to separation of church and state? This law allows hatred and judgment of others. Arkansas is going to have to learn the hard way all over again.
We need to be asking for forgiveness instead. Why not strive for peace, acceptance and, most of all, love? All people of faith should remember the Bible's Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
KARAN LAWSON
Wynne
Available to anyone
Responding to a letter by Ashton Miller III regarding University of Arkansas students, I had thought about an angry reply. But, as in an old Burl Ives song, "a little bitty tear let me down" (this tells my age).
I was one of those low-income, outclassed, poorly educated students that he mentioned, but I was very proud that I was able to attend the U of A and even prouder that I was able to graduate. This was made possible by the G.I. Bill after serving as a U.S. Army paratrooper.
I would hope that Mr. Miller could be a little more considerate of those that are less fortunate than himself. After all, the U of A is a taxpayer-funded land-grant college and should be available to any who wish to attend.
GRADY MARTIN
Damascus
We owe them best
I'm a lifetime Republican and proud of it. It makes me sad to see and hear the Tea Party, a self-righteous bunch, attempt to control all manner of politics in the state capitals and in the national one.
Those elected to office owe their constituents their greatest endeavors as responsible Republicans. There should be no place for serving special interests unless all benefit from the action voted on each time. This is a great country led by dedicated men and women. We owe them our best for Americans everywhere.
ANITA C. GATZKE
Little Rock
In grave danger
Marvin Smith expresses concern in his recent letter for those who help the same-sex community maintain their rights, saying they do their eternal souls grave danger. He bases this concern on the "abomination" argument.
This "abomination" argument also concerns me. On a recent day while shopping in Wal-Mart, every lady that I saw placed their souls in grave danger because they were wearing pants. I must confess my own grave danger because I recently ate catfish.
BOB BRYANT
Rogers
It's only in America
Isn't it prec-i-ous when conservatives accuse others of hostility, bullying, and not acting classy?
Only in America can people who never loved America enough to bear arms in the active military demand that the government protect their right to keep and bear arms, while denigrating that same government. (Try that in Russia, China, or many Third World countries.)
Only in America can the COMMies (COnservative Media Machine) manage to get Brian Williams suspended for six months for his war story; yet, when fellow correspondents showed multiple transgressions by Bill-O, fail to demand similar integrity from his network.
Only in America can a serving U.S. congressman say "you lie" while a guest at a presidential speech and not be made to disappear.
Only in America can those over 65 years old whine about "government programs" while they spend their Social Security checks, use their Medicare benefits, and get their low-cost medical prescriptions filled at taxpayers' expense.
Only in America can people who are protected every day by the courage and sacrifice of the men and women in their police departments, fire departments, U.S. armed forces, and Homeland Security complain they aren't receiving adequate benefit for their tax dollars.
Obviously, you've never worked outside the good ol' U.S. of A. You'd have a stroke if you had to pay the tax rates in Europe or Japan.
This Sunday, when you practice your freedom of religion, quit your whining about what's wrong with America long enough to thank God you were born here.
JOE MARTIN
Fayetteville
Disgusting, not funny
I was stunned on a recent morning reading my paper. Not by the news from Iraq or what political ploy is being run. No, I was stunned by all things, the comic-strip section.
The comic strip Wumo depicted Jesus preparing to walk out on the water wearing goggles, a snorkel and flotation devices, with the caption saying that it took Jesus some time to build up his confidence.
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette should be ashamed to have allowed this strip to be printed and should immediately remove the Wumo strip from the paper. I call for all Christians to take a stand and demand the removal of the comic strip Wumo and an apology from the paper for allowing such disgusting so-called humor. If we do not stand up now, we will not be able to stand at all later.
CHARLES JENNINGS
Bella Vista
The lack of reverence
I'd rather be a peacemaker than a critic. But on a recent day, the comic strip Wumo was sacrilegious and distasteful to me. The non-reverence of Jesus broke my heart and probably the heart of every Christian who read it.
SHIRLEY BALLARD
Little Rock
Editorial on 03/21/2015