True guilt, false guilt
In his column "How we use guilt," Mike Masterson describes guilt as "the greatest emotional manipulator of human choices and actions" used to control our behavior and that of others. He then provides good suggestions of how to speak directly to issues rather than by using guilt.
His column raises the question: Is all guilt bad? Wherever there are standards of behavior, as in our laws, isn't guilt necessary and in fact what our courts are charged with determining every day?
The second dimension is that from a Christian, biblical perspective, God also has standards of behavior, as described in the Ten Commandments in the Old Testament, and the higher standard of loving our enemies in the New Testament. In addition to comforting and guiding us, the Holy Spirit also convicts us of our sin.
From a biblical perspective, true sin is disobeying God's laws. So when the Holy Spirit convicts us (pricks our conscience) of true sin, we experience true guilt. In contrast, false guilt is when another person tries to get us to do something that is ungodly or merely fleshly. If a high school student tells his parents that they should give him a car because everyone else has one, that would be false guilt, designed to manipulate his parents into getting him a car.
We can live lives free of guilt by dispensing with false guilt because it is false, and repenting of our sin to eliminate true guilt.
MARK PETERSON
Little Rock
It's not good manners
In the letter by Chase Michael Taggart about his low wages and poor tips, he states that he uses high-quality manners. It is not good manners to address people (especially older people) as "you guys." It really grates on my nerves to be addressed that way when a simple "you" would be more respectful, especially since I am not a "guy."
Drop the "you guys" and your tips might improve.
SUSAN MINK
Mountain View
Learn proper address
In a recent day's letters, I feel for the waiter regarding those who do not leave a tip. I always leave a tip; however, the size will be affected by the service I receive.
That being said, I am an 80-year-old woman, frequently with other ladies of similar maturity. Addressing us as "you guys" will guarantee you a smaller tip. You used those two words not once, but twice, as an example of your opening comments to your table. I find those words irritating, if not disrespectful of people of a certain age. You would get a larger tip from me by addressing me as "ma'am," as properly brought up young people do. My young grandchildren have been taught proper forms of address to their elders.
Sadly, the use of "you guys" has become ubiquitous, even from TV newspersons who are paid a lot more than you are. Makes me grit my teeth.
Just some advice to all waitpersons from a granny.
CAROL GREER
Eureka Springs
Derelict in their duty
A recent edition reported on Sen. John Boozman's meeting with Merrick Garland. How nice of him to tell the nominee to his face that he opposes his nomination and he won't be confirmed.
While Boozman and all the other brilliant opponents are speaking out against confirmation, they seem to forget that it's the duty of the president to appoint a nominee under the Constitution of the United States of America, and I believe those GOP senators refusing to hold a confirmation hearing are derelict in their duties and should face dire consequences.
These misguided people offer the shallow excuse that they believe that the American people should have a say in filling the vacancy. This type of "logic" begs the question: Who do they think elected President Barack Obama? Didn't the American people already have a say when they elected our current president? In doing so, we showed that we have every confidence in his ability to hold the office, including nominating Supreme Court justices. So it's safe to say the American people have already had a say, as they do every election year. And last I checked President Obama's term isn't up for months now. As long as he's commander-in-chief--and they're not--he gets to fulfill his duties.
If these silly senators can't see that, maybe they should submit to drug tests or psychological evaluations--at their expense, of course.
PATRICIA PERCY BANKS
Little Rock
African employment
By international standards, Africa has very high rates of unemployment and several factors contribute to that. The majority of people in African countries are uneducated and have no skills for any particular job. The educational system is poor. Most instructors emphasize theoretical rather than practical knowledge. The African governments should require schools to teach practical skills that will enable workers to find jobs.
The rapid population growth also contributes to unemployment, making it difficult for all workers to find a job. There is only so much land to farm and only so much equipment available for these workers. African countries deal with a shortage of capital. They need a huge amount of investment for new buildings and factories before firms will have more workers. With machines, people become more productive and firms want to hire them.
The leadership issue must also be solved to guarantee a better quality of life for the population and reduce the unemployment rate. Individuals in power are corrupted and use the money dedicated to raise capital and make improvements in the quality of life for their own needs instead of thinking about the needs of the population.
Political instability also increases the unemployment rate. When a government may not stay in power, foreign investors are not willing to invest in a country and some of the established investors may move their factories elsewhere.
For African governments to reduce the unemployment rate they have to control the population growth, increase the incentive for the private sector to create more jobs, increase investment and improve the educational system. They need to solve corruption and become politically stable to attract investors. Doing so will improve the lives of the people in these countries.
NANDE ENOCH OUATTARA
Conway
For none of the above
I was just wondering if there was a law that would allow the American citizens to reject all of the presidential candidates, as they all are unfit to serve America, in my book!
RON SMITH
Little Rock
Editorial on 04/12/2016