Dignity and discipline
John Brummett's column, "Grade on different curve," has keen insight. He quotes President Clinton, "Work organizes life. ... We cannot, I submit to you, repair the American community and restore the American family until we provide the structure, the values, the discipline and the reward that work gives."
Idleness is indeed the devil's workshop. We must get people working. I say explore the idea of getting a plan like FDR had in starting the WPA again. Action needs to happen because the status quo is no good. With work brings dignity and discipline.
KIRK NETHERTON
Conway
A world full of chaos
Welcome, chaos! You were the primordial and most ancient of Greek gods. It is said you were the source of creation of the universe and of all matter and energy, which can neither be created nor destroyed. You have visited this earth since its beginning, evolving earth itself and its inhabitants. You created mankind in your image, each of us with mind, heart (to be used together), soul and a wondrous, intricate body. You gave us the knowledge of good and evil and the freedom to be as we choose in our lives. You created time as we know it, but there are no limits to time or power in your being. You are the all powerful mystery of all life.
When many of this human race get stuck in clumps of discord, confusion, discouragement and anger, you thrust your wrath upon us, demanding change and order. You work in us and through us, strengthening those who know you, all in your infallible love. On the top of the mountain, a mystified Moses asked your name to tell the people below. You breathed: "I am that I am ... tell them I Am sent you." We live and move and have our being in you. Many know that.
I want to thank the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, its community of editors and columnists, especially Paul Greenberg and David Brooks, and the letter-writers for the beliefs, inspiration and laughs shared.
And I think President Trump should release his tax information and stop his tweets. I pray for him and for Mr. Putin, ISIS, etc., giving them all to God so I don't have to worry about the rest of us.
JUDITH BAUM
North Little Rock
Handicapped parking
I am a handicapped driver. I have heart problems, knee problems and sometimes breathing problems. I have a handicapped plate on my car.
One day recently, I went to the Wal-Mart Supercenter next to the Northwest Arkansas Mall in Fayetteville. I went at lunchtime, so the lot was full and I had to park way out in the distance. Walking in, I passed the handicapped parking slots. Only half the cars had handicapped plates or the mirror card. When I complained to the greeter in the store, he told me the only thing that could be done was for me to call 911. The store employees apparently were instructed to do nothing about the problem.
Since Wal-Mart is required to provide these spaces and they are there for a specific set of customers, it seems to me that this is an issue that needs to be addressed.
PAUL WRIGHT
Bethel Heights
No to free health care
I am disgusted by the whiny letter-writers defending freeloaders who want free health care. My family and I have paid for the best plans because of our hard work and ability to do so. Why should I subsidize someone else's health plan who has no desire to work or the ability to succeed and rise to the level of accountability in which they pay for their own? There is no other business model in our capitalist society (including other types of insurance) that demands the more affluent to put the monetary costs of others on their own backs.
My grandfather buys a new Mercedes every other year. Would it be fair to charge him triple the price so people who don't want to work as hard can drive one as well? Should my family vacation be in Branson instead of Hawaii, but pay the same price so people without jobs can vacation as well? Of course not.
We own numerous businesses, and don't offer health care to our employees. They are paid well enough to make their own decisions, not have the government shove it down their throats. What we do, and have found to be very beneficial, is offer significant (up to $1,000 annually) bonuses to employees who take fewer than three sick days each year.
This country has become a bunch of crybabies who want and feel entitled to something for nothing. They cannot do it for political reasons, but I think Tom Cotton and John Boozman feel the same way. If given their druthers, I think they would just as soon the government get out of the health-care business altogether. I agree.
ASHTON MILLER III
Hot Springs
Gosh, do something
The letter of July 2 by Mr. Peter Trabant of Hot Springs Village should be a wake-up call for all of us. l had heard before that Congress changed the law so that petroleum produced in America could be sold on the world market. What I didn't hear is that the United States is still actively buying oil on the world market just like before. Something stinks.
Mr. Trabant has done us a great service by exposing this. I suggest that everyone start contacting their senators and congressmen and demanding answers. And a tweet to Mr. Trump wouldn't hurt. He likes tweets.
It would be interesting to learn just how and why we as a nation are buying oil for gasoline while at the same time selling oil we have produced in America and possibly Canada. The answer had better be good. I'm not online but that is the best and fastest way to deal with this.
Mr. Trabant, we are indebted to you; thank you! To everyone else, contact your congressional representatives and senators and demand answers. And don't wait. This is most important. An investigation by an outside group like Judicial Watch or a similar group could get to the bottom of this, the sooner the better.
WALTER SKELTON
Little Rock
Editorial on 07/06/2017