Not really reflective
Our federal representatives are currently playing the "Advise and Consent" game with the pending nomination and approval of an additional Supreme Court judge. Per the usual scenario, it becomes a tit-for-tat exercise in politics.
I note that the current court is composed of two Jews and six Roman Catholics--a nice mix of different backgrounds and, from my point of view, jurists who reflect the mores of the majority of the United States electorate in believing in a supreme being. In stating the above, one is at loss to note the absence of a jurist of the Protestant persuasion.
The body politic has been repeating hammered by the mantra of "diversity" and "inclusiveness," yet I find it totally absent in this third and major branch of government.
The nominee put forth by the president, Merrick Garland, is yet another jurist of the Jewish persuasion. Were a similar court to exist with an absence of African Americans, Jews or Roman Catholics, one could predict the furor. Somehow this peculiar lack of a representation which should reflect the background of our current population is mystifying.
WAYNE ELLIOTT
El Dorado
Where focus should be
We are fast approaching that time of the year when we all should sit down and give serious thought to who we want to represent us in Congress and the government.
If you look at who we have had to represent us in the past, we have been very fortunate as far as Congress is concerned. We had John Paul Hammerschmidt, Vic Snyder, Chairman Mills, and in the White House, Ronald Reagan. Compare these men with what we have now. This is not about Republican or Democrat. Frankly, I think too much emphasis is on what brand a person has and not enough on what someone has done for the people.
If you look into the history of our country, you see how the first Constitutional Congress came about. At that time the people had no protection from the government. Congress was about giving the people a buffer, if you will, against the government and its agencies.
You don't have to be a Whig, a Tory, a Democrat or a Republican. What you are supposed to do, if you are in Congress, is represent and stand up for the rights of your people. That means all the people.
Do we have anyone who measures up to the men of the past? You can answer that for yourself. I don't care what party someone is in. I don't care if a person is a man or woman. What I would like is someone who has the guts to stand up for the people. I don't appreciate anyone who goes around badmouthing someone's sex or sexual habits. It does matter how well someone does their job.
I went to Washington, D.C., for the first time at the age of 5. I've been around politics most of my life. My opinion is that this is the worst Congress in my lifetime. We the people have no representation.
When we go to vote, let's try to concentrate on what someone has done and not spend so much time on what party someone belongs to.
ALLAN DISHONGH
Little Rock
Now political football
I was really sad to see the news of Baker Kurrus being run off as superintendent of the Little Rock School District. That Johnny Key, head of the Arkansas Department of Education, can apparently act like a dictator with no accountability should be an affront to any people, as it is to many citizens here in Little Rock.
I have several friends who work in the district and they had the feeling things were starting to get better after the turmoil of the last few years. What the district sorely needs is stability, and I believe the Hutchinson administration's education department isn't providing it. In their rush to say that charter schools are the panacea to all the district problems, they aren't doing anything to improve the district. The school district has become a political football, and that is sad.
I believe this publication and its owners and editorial editors are also at fault, supporting this undemocratic takeover of the district. I don't profess to know what needs to be done to correct this injustice, but federal court action against the state education department and the Hutchinson administration would be a start.
RICHARD MOORE
Little Rock
Extend them welcome
Thanks to the Democrat-Gazette and reporter Doug Thompson for the informative article on the worldwide refugee crisis, and refugees living in Fayetteville.
While estimates vary, up to 60 million people (half of whom are children) have been forced from their homes due to war and persecution. Concern has been expressed about the process for vetting refugees for resettlement. But, as the cases of Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Sen. Tom Cotton demonstrate, once people understand the stringency of that process, their fears are allayed, and they support resettling refugees in our state.
We have a wonderful place to live in Northwest Arkansas--a beautiful natural environment, a strong economy, and (most importantly) kind, caring people who look out for the needs of others. So let's reach out to families whose lives have been turned upside by the horrors of war, and help them start new lives as our neighbors. You can find information about how to get involved at canopynwa.org.
TOM SENOR
Bentonville
Spending far too much
When are Arkansans going to say enough? It seems Mr. Jeff Long continues to buffalo the state with his penchant for spending. As far as I can see, we spend a lot of money for a break-even or slightly better football team, and basketball is right there with the same record. Give me better seats, and those with money will buy.
Perhaps we should produce a product before we continue to spend. Is there no control at the university?
JOHN LEONARD
Fayetteville
Editorial on 05/27/2016