The surveillance state
Regarding Tom Knight’s recent letter about the NSA: I believe the only way the U.S. surveillance state can justify keeping a secret file on every citizen in this country is by keeping us in a state of perpetual war psychosis and claiming that it’s for the sake of national security.
I think nothing could be further from the truth. The NSA keeps files on all of us because it can. It really is that simple. Power corrupts. Political dissidents, civil rights groups, rival corporations, unions—all are the victims of unchecked surveillance used in service to the corporate state, without regard to the Fourth Amendment right to privacy. Edward Snowden is a hero because he showed the world just how ubiquitous and corrupt these intelligence agencies really are, how they lied through their teeth about the true scope and nature of their criminal activities.
If our country has become so totalitarian and Stasi-like in its collection of everything about you and me, then it’s already begun its death throes. We don’t need the Russians or the Chinese to finish the job. Our country will fall, not in spite of people like Tom Knight, but because of them, because of people who dedicate their lives not to the citizens of our country or to the Constitution, but to systems of power that circumvent both on a daily basis.
We’ve become the enemy that our founding fathers fought against.
BRAD BAILEY
Fayetteville
Prosecutorial power
On reading Noah Feldman’s column about special prosecutors, one is left with the impression that elected officials (and, I suppose, other swells) should not be held to the same legal standards as the rest of us.
Maybe I should seek elected office so I could play fast and loose with the law. The existence of this mentality is the power of the Donald Trump campaign. I’ll vote for him just to see if Hillary Clinton actually is prosecuted.
DAVID ROBINSON
Tuckerman
Read up on Truman
In my youth, I remember the presidential election of 1948. The pollsters flatly predicted that New York Gov. Thomas Dewey would beat President Harry S. Truman. I do not remember President Truman saying the election was rigged. Truman won. Donald Trump should stop his accusations, slurs, insults and brush up on President Truman.
WILLIAM C. KRAMER
North Little Rock
The questions to ask
When I hear people complain about the quality and cost of their health care, I am tempted to ask, “How did you vote in 2008?”
In the future when I hear people complain about an ultra-liberal Supreme Court for the next 30 years, I am rehearsing my question for them. “How did you vote in 2016, and how important is what Donald Trump may have said or done in the 20 to 30 years before that now?”
PHIL PHILLIPS
Fayetteville
Elections important
We cannot overestimate the importance of our national elections. However, very important elections are happening in Arkansas. We already hear talk by Gov. Asa Hutchinson and some members in the Legislature about a large tax cut. Before that occurs, what do we really need? Let’s name a few things.
I believe one of the greatest benefits to Arkansans would be preschool for all children. Which candidate supports that? We have one of the most rapidly growing prison populations in the United States, yet we do not have an adequate number of parole officers or public defenders, or enough assistance for people entering and leaving the prison system. UAMS has not been given the funding it asked for. Folks, in all probability, that’s where your current doctor and your future doctor will have been educated. Your life may well depend on that doctor. Look up Best Hospitals. Can you find UAMS ranked? We are first in teen pregnancies. Our teachers could use a raise. Special-needs children need more help.
Enough! Obviously, we have many, many needs that need to be met now. Let’s all work on these problems. Who you vote for may have a lot to do with solving them. We can start by not voting for a political candidate because he or she belongs to a certain political party. If they are already in office, how have they voted on these issues? If they are currently running for office, ask them how they will vote on these issues. Please vote for the candidate who assures you that he or she will try to work on all of these problems. Watch how they vote in the future. It will save money in the long run and some of the best people in the country deserve it.
BONNIE BARTON COOK
Fayetteville
Make promise to quit
I think a sure way (and probably only way) for Donald Trump to win would be if he would promise on his first day in office as president of the United States that he would resign.
This would give many people who would otherwise have to hold their nose to vote or not vote at all a very good reason to vote. We would not have Hillary Clinton for president and he could go and build his presidential tower since he was president for a day and made the best decision a president ever made.
I know it would be impossible for him to do this, but I can dream, can’t I?
GERALD GRUMMER
Sherwood
For change in Senate
The people of this nation seem to be most upset about the inability of Congress to get anything done.
I believe that John Boozman has been part of a group whose main goal was to make President Barack Obama fail. He wouldn’t cross the aisle on anything, and his actual presence in the chambers was not really necessary because you always knew how he would vote.
If you really want change, elect Conner Eldridge for Senate on Nov. 8.
I did hear that John is a very good optometrist, however.
BILL PASCHKE
Fayetteville