Details are distracting
Will the Trump tax bill reduce taxes for the middle class? According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office and the Joint Committee on Taxation, over the next 10 years those in the $40,000-$50,000 tax bracket will pay $5.3 trillion more than they do now, while those who make more than $1 million annually will pay $5.8 trillion less than now.
It seems the bill is an efficient pipeline that pumps cash from the middle class to the deserving rich.
To be fair, that is an unintended consequence of the bill. The Republican Party is not anti-middle-class; I believe it doesn't care about us one way or the other. (Except at voting time, and only then.) Its real interest is to pump those dollars on over to the coffers of the Republican Party. We know this because Rep. Chris Collins, R-N.Y., told us: "My donors are basically saying, 'Get it done or don't ever call me again.'"
Instead of draining the swamp, Donald Trump and his party are draining the pockets of middle-class Americans.
Meanwhile, the editor distracts us from all this with editorials about how making laws is messy so don't worry about the details. Don't pay attention to those Republicans behind the curtain who once again and again and again talk about "middle-class tax cuts" while doing the exact opposite.
LARRY COLEMAN
Little Rock
In defense of Reagan
In response to Mr. Gene Mason's letter, I would like to offer a defense of President Reagan. Mr. Mason refers to the president as "a wobbly-headed senile old actor."
I would like to remind Mr. Mason that under Reagan's policies, including tax cuts, the U.S. economy boomed for over 20 years, the greatest growth since the 1950s.
He also is generally credited with ending the Cold War and the destruction of the old Soviet Union.
President Reagan, Margaret Thatcher and Winston Churchill were the greatest political leaders of the 20th century. They stand head and shoulders above the leaders we have seen in the last 10 years.
President Reagan was also a moral man and the most beloved president since President Roosevelt.
PATRICIA L. BABB
Springdale
Date lives in infamy
Dec. 7th: I seem to recall that this is an important date in our history. How disappointing to see that space on the front page was taken up by the "top Hog" rather than a remembrance of what happened on this date. Also, there was no editorial about it.
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette is a good newspaper, but this time you left me with a sinking feeling.
B.A. FLINT
Hot Springs Village
Job open: Comedian
One has to admit it would put many unemployed comics to work if Roy Moore should end up in the United States Senate.
I mean, someone that looks like Elmer Fudd impersonating Yosemite Sam could make us laugh all the way through the coming recession.
EUGENE BUCHANAN
Scott
Efforts to understand
I have been reading these letters at breakfast for years and finally decided to write one. When I read a letter that I agree with, I usually know most of what's in the letter before I read it. On a good day, I get some insights and, if I'm lucky, a few facts and arguments to hit my adversaries over the head with.
When I read a letter I don't agree with, I find it aggravating because it doesn't make sense to me. When I read a letter I don't agree with and it does make sense to me, it's even more aggravating because then I am called upon to think and this is usually before I have had coffee.
But I still read them every morning because I think it's important that we try to understand each other, not for the sake of kindness, but for the sake of survival. We are facing some very big problems, some of them so big that it is going to take all of us to solve them. We can't leave anybody behind because we can't afford to. We need the help.
Here's something that might help and wouldn't cost very much--we could listen to each other. Not talk to each other. Listen to each other. And maybe we could give each other a little slack. We could start with the assumption that, right or wrong, we are all doing our best to figure things out.
STEVE HOLST
Fayetteville
Time of moral testing
With the tsunami of sexual-assault reports, I would hope that everyone shares with me (1) sadness at the extent of this largely hidden problem, (2) happiness with the widespread agreement that such behavior is inappropriate, and (3) a profound disappointment when the person accused of misbehaving is a public figure we respected and admired.
At the same time, I hope everyone has the clarity to realize that the various accusations differ in degrees of seriousness. For me, the sexual molestation of children is more serious than an adult groping or kissing another adult--though both are wrong.
Finally, I would hope everyone is sensitive to the differences in the reactions of those accused of inappropriate sexual behavior. Some express remorse and apologize. We have seen some politicians voluntarily relinquish their positions. At the same time, others respond to credible accusations with flat denials, often calling their accusers liars, insulting the accusers' sexual appeal, and promising proof to support their denials--proof that never comes.
This is a time that tests us all; testing whether our moral integrity exceeds politics and party.
EARL BABBIE
Hot Springs Village
U.S. likes to move it
What a great idea: moving capital cities. Why stop there? Madrid could go to Germany. Paris would look good in the U.K. Berlin goes to Sweden, Oslo ... well, Ireland looks good this time of year. And London, the sky's the limit. What about Moscow? There is an endless source. Canberra to China. Beijing to Washington, save a lot on imports.
My oh my, what larks; makes a change from losing votes in the Senate. Happy days are here again.
DEREK PLUMRIDGE
Bryant
Editorial on 12/10/2017