Make dream a reality
I have a dream that someday a presidential campaign lasts for only six months instead of two years. That there are more than two parties in the debates. That the candidates talk about important issues facing Americans now and in the future. That they present specific policies.
I dream that the media don't cover the campaign as a personality contest, a horse race, or as entertainment. That there are no television campaign ads. (The U.K., Ireland, and Switzerland have already banned them.) That smear campaigns are a thing of the past. That no candidate would ever demean a minority of any kind, or women, or the poorer members of society, whether directly or by code words.
I dream that citizens do not argue about politics in terms of soundbites, or use single phrases or sentences taken out of context. That they are well-informed and are civil toward those who disagree with them.
I dream that elections are back to the gold standard of hand-counted paper ballots with public observers--as in Canada, Germany, Australia, Ireland, and many other democracies. That we use ranked-choice voting (instant runoff voting) with or without the Electoral College to ensure election of those candidates truly favored by the majority.
I dream that every citizen is automatically registered to vote at age 18 and almost everybody turns out to vote. I dream of elections that would make the founders of the nation proud of us.
CORALIE KOONCE
Fayetteville
Keep the opinions out
I watched the debate Monday night and read your account of it the next morning. You clearly don't know the difference between objective and subjective reporting. Shame on you! Which author or editor is responsible for "Clinton seemed thrown off-guard" and later "still seemed caught off guard"? Seemed so to whom? Certainly not to me. Please just report the facts. Put your opinions on your editorial page.
In my opinion, she said "Whoo!" after a particularly incoherent and inarticulate tirade that wandered far from the question Donald Trump was trying to answer. The look on her face prior to her exclamation seemed to be a mixture of astonishment, repugnance, and embarrassment for her opponent's behavior which was so unsuitable at a forum for potential world leaders. As she managed to remain dignified, I would not describe her as being "caught off guard."
Take heart, you can still present facts and remain biased at the same time. That night Hillary spoke briefly about global diplomacy; the Donald spoke briefly about Rosie O'Donnell.
PAUL WEXLER
Little Rock
Humorous morning
I'd like to thank the letter-writers for their humorous letters that start my day out with a good laugh, especially ones like Mr. Howell Medders from Fayetteville. His comments that Hillary Clinton "has an excellent record as a genuine, accomplished, highly qualified, honest, trustworthy, and patriotic citizen and public servant" were so funny I nearly spit my morning coffee laughing.
I could just see him sitting there snickering as he typed those comments, knowing that anyone familiar at all with her exploits would be laughing themselves silly.
Just wanted to let y'all know that your humor is appreciated, and it's always nice to start the morning off with a good laugh.
JOHN YATES
Conway
In step with priorities
It was interesting to watch the give-and-take over the stopgap spending bill. Since this is a must-pass-bill, it started with more riders than an ice cream cone with a stack of sprinkles balanced precariously on top. Which ones would survive, which ones die? Sacrificed for the greater good: Internet issues, the right to pesticide application secrecy, the war on Planned Parenthood. The rider to restrict contraceptive payments for the women in Puerto Rico during the Zika virus birth-defect epidemic was so absurd on its face one can't seriously mourn its passing.
The Democrats appear primed to accept a Republican IOU on the Flint lead poisoning issue. Now that we're "fix'n" to do something about this problem, both Republicans and Democrats can return home and boast that they signed the "black and white children's lives matter" pledge.
I worry, though, that this Congress is overloading itself. With the postponed Supreme Court justice hearings pending, the postponed work fixing Flint, Mich., infrastructure and the normal slow congressional pace--demonstrated admirably when Congress jumped on the Zika virus threat in February--Congress may be forced to work overtime in December. I guess it's progress that the lead poisoning is acknowledged rather than denied like climate change.
One unpleasant detail appears to have survived and will flow quietly downstream, unnoticed and well-protected by Senate Majority Leader McConnell: The SEC still cannot require public corporations to detail their unlimited campaign spending. This bill ultimately will promote secrecy and protect the political power of big money--both major Republican priorities.
DANNY HANCOCK
Lonoke
The choice seems easy
The choice this November seems pretty easy to me.
Hillary Clinton promises to continue and even expand the extremely liberal policies of the last eight years. Donald Trump promises to do things differently with a more conservative point of view. So if one is pleased with what has been happening the past eight years with regards to the economy, the nation's security, and all other aspects of American life, then vote for Clinton to get more of the same.
If one is displeased with the lackluster economy, the lack of action against terrorists and unrestrained immigration, then vote for Trump and hope that he can lead us in a different direction.
FRANK LATIMER
Sherwood
And the difference is
Jane Walker of Cabot wrote: "I only have one question (out of many) for Hillary Clinton: "Do you own a dress?"
Just to show Ms. Walker how absolutely foolish her letter is, I ask this: "Does Trump own a dress?"
What difference does it make if either of them do or don't?
SUZIE RIDGLEY
Little Rock
Editorial on 10/02/2016