Keep tax temporary
In 2012 a "temporary" 0.5 percent additional sales tax for roads in Arkansas passed. We were told that the temporary pain from this tax would provide the funds needed for numerous specific road improvements. Best thing about it was the assurance that this would be a temporary tax, lasting no more than 10 years.
It can expire in June 2023. Although more than two years away from expiring, some proponents want us to vote for Issue 1 on our coming ballot. Issue 1 would extend the "temporary" addition; not a couple more years, not another 10 years, but as another permanent tax.
Some proponents are claiming that Issue 1 won't raise taxes and/or would not be a new tax. What if you had a 10-year mortgage almost paid off, then a banker suggested you continue paying the same monthly amount permanently? Would you feel like that would not be costing you more? Maybe try their same line of reasoning with an inmate serving a 10-year sentence; seven years in they could suggest extending the sentence duration to life. They might try to assuage the prisoner by explaining that no new charges are being levied against them, and yet the prisoner might still feel they are being asked to pay more.
Is it just me, or does this seem like we are being asked to pay more? Increasing the duration from 10 to 20 years would be doubling. Increasing from 10 years to permanent is a much bigger increase than that.
For once let's make a temporary tax actually be a temporary tax. To keep it temporary, we must first vote against Issue 1. With more than two years remaining on this "temporary" tax, we need to be ready to vote against extending this tax on future ballots.
RON KEW
Hot Springs
U.S. deserves better
By now you have probably heard Trump's remarks at a recent--non-distancing, most not wearing masks, numbers larger than the recommended--rally regarding covid-19. He stated, "It affects virtually nobody, it's an amazing thing."
I have a few questions. If it hurts no one, why do we have over 200,000 deaths across our nation? Over 1,000 deaths in Arkansas? Why has covid-19 moved to the third largest reason for deaths in America behind heart disease and cancer this year?
Why did Arkansas Governor Hutchinson mandate masks be worn in public and highly encourage their use at his weekly covid-19 press conference? Why have our schools been turned upside down? Why will there be only a small percentage of Razorback fans in the stands today against Georgia?
These remarks are extremely disrespectful to those that have lost their lives, battled the disease, lost jobs, and lost income. Disrespectful to our medical workers, essential workers, and our teachers.
From the beginning, he has downplayed the virus. As we approach the fall and winter, the UAMS covid-19 model projections paint a dire situation. Couple this with the flu season; we all need to be cautious. It would help, hell, it is expected, that the president would shout from the highest mountain that we need to take all the necessary steps to combat this deadly virus.
I expect more from the leader of our country. I expect that when we are in the fifth inning of this pandemic the president will lead, not throw the game. He wants to put this behind him as we have huge risks ahead of us.
I write because of the frustration on how this nut is leading our country. Just like how the covid-19 pandemic has been handled, leadership through these challenging times does not have to be this way. We deserve better!
JIM LEWIS
Lincoln
Not such good work
How do you spell hypocrisy? Make abortions illegal, and 200,000 American dead and counting. Stepping over dead bodies to reach four more years!
"I think in a certain way, maybe our best work has been on what we've done with covid-19."--Donald Trump
ANNCHA BRIGGS
Little Rock
On wartime leaders
At the attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States suffered 2,403 dead and we went to war.
At the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center, the United States suffered 2,977 dead and we went to war.
So far covid-19 has killed over 200,000 Americans and the president gives himself a "A+". To be celebrated as a wartime president, you must first win the war.
JOEL BUCKNER
North Little Rock
Betraying our ideals
I've got to hand it to Donald Trump. In four short years he has redefined what it means to be an American. So I suppose it's time for us to update the ideals we inherited from the nation's founders to match our brave new identity. Here goes: "We hold these truths to be self-evident ..."
1.What is truth? 2. Might makes right. 3. The object of power is power. 4. Win at any cost. 5. Me first, me next, you last. 6. Greed is good. 7. There's a sucker born every minute. 8. Never give a sucker an even break. 9. Grab whatever you want (when you're a star, they let you do it). 10. Only the little people pay taxes (or obey the law). 11. Burn, baby, burn. 12. What, me worry?
Like it or not, this is the new America, led by the ugliest American since Joe McCarthy. Whatever is left of the old America that is good, decent, and true to her founding principles lies trapped between a suffocating layer of corrupt thugs at the top and a deep sediment of brainwashed dupes on the bottom.
So lap up the Kool-Aid and keep chanting "We're No. 1," "Send her back," "Lock her/him up," "12 more years!" But remember, great nations do not remain great by betraying the ideals that made them great in the first place.
ALEX MIRONOFF
Fayetteville