Hill's been a failure
French Hill made the most disingenuous statement I think I have ever heard. He thinks it's time to bring pharmaceutical manufacturing back home, and it's time to act now. What has he been doing the last four years other than being a shill for President Trump and his failed leadership?
The so-called tax cut he strutted around bragging about was a tax increase for most. They cut taxes and at the same time eliminated deductions, so most realized an increase. He has always voted along party lines and even voted against the stimulus package. He will not address the fact that the Trump administration owes the Postal Service millions of dollars, so Trump brings in a political donor with a serious conflict of interest to immobilize the Postal Service. Now those of us who depend on the USPS for medicine, checks, etc., will be left in the lurch.
French Hill came in as an agent of change for the better. He has failed miserably. We could replace him with a soda machine and save money.
J.E. JACKSON
Hot Springs Village
Foundation weakened
Nasty bugs, termites. Consumers of carrion of the flora, eating away at dead wood. Termites are eating away the foundations of this country of ours. Imagine the pillars of freedom eaten out by incessant munching away of critics, pointing out freedom's dangers, omitting freedom's challenge, by which we learn wisdom.
Consider the moral pillars weakened by the omnipresent slogan "It's all about me," insisting my comfort is most important, and by scoffers at religion and objective truth.
Reflect on the abuse of the word "equality," a concept of legal implications, groaning under the weight of divisionist interpretations leading to cultural unrest.
Mark how free speech seems to be free only as long as one doesn't speak freely about certain things. A nonpartisan tactic, freedom to disagree under any power structure, may be quashed, in any setting, whatever the political or economic stance.
A basic ingredient in the word "civilization" is the concept of civility. Without civility, "truth" as a weapon, instead of setting us free to be unified, brings division. Termites have eaten away at the civil heart of us.
I heard that in the last century's tyrannical states a common factor was that everyone lied. Whether out of fear, or greed, or artificial "niceness," dishonesty was allowed to flourish. Many lied for gain, but many lied by not speaking up, not speaking the truth, when it was either dangerous or inconvenient.
Psalm 11 says, "If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?" Well, what can we do? Morally strong individuals and strong families make a nation strong; overweening governments don't make a people strong. The dead wood comes from being abandoned, left to rot.
DAPHNE BEREND
Subiaco
So, are you better off?
On election day, "all of you will go to the polls, you will stand there and make a decision. I think when you make that decision, it might be well if you would ask yourself: Are you better off than you were four years ago? Is it easier for you to go and buy things in the store than it was four years ago? Is there more or less unemployment in the country than there was four years ago? Is America as respected throughout the world as it was? Do you feel that our security is as safe; that we are as strong as we were four years ago?"--Ronald Reagan
This is one of the most familiar quotes to ever come from a presidential campaign debate. It is from the 1980 debate between Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan. I say those same questions must be asked in the current presidential campaign because they are more relevant and appropriate today than in 1980.
I am asking Trump supporters to look in the mirror and ask yourself those same questions before you cast your vote in November. Your answer should be based on your honest assessment of your and our country's current situation today. That will require you to look at the facts and not listen to the Trump lies, fantasies, and exaggerations which are only "true" in his mind.
So, are you better off than you were four years ago?
RAY SCOTT
Little Rock
Threats to our rights
The people resisting masks, sheltering, and social distancing to limit the spread of covid-19 insist they are just defending our individual American freedoms.
It would be interesting to know if the people opposed to the anti-covid protections are equally worked up about threats to some other freedoms. For example: a woman's reproductive choice; same-sex marriage; transgender bathroom choice; including birth control in a health plan; burning the American flag in protest; athletes taking a knee in protest; or peaceful BLM marches and demonstrations.
How do they feel about the government interfering with these freedoms?
EARL BABBIE
Hot Springs Village