No free college for all
To respectfully add to Sunday's letter by Louis Burnett of Little Rock: I couldn't agree more. Just the thought of free college for all is ridiculous and appalling.
I am a graduate of UA Fayetteville 1977, and LSU school of dentistry 1983. Never once was I eligible for any sort of assistance. I personally paid out-of-pocket for a doctorate degree and my education at Fayetteville. Like Louis Burnett, after graduating from dental school, I escaped with a low-interest loan: $202.28 a month for 10 years. Now at age 65, I still remember writing those checks, 120 of them till the note was paid in full.
By the way, I always had at least two jobs after school and weekends, and any and all ways to make an extra buck. Washing cars, fueling airplanes, flipping burgers and no telling how many other dirty jobs. I really appreciated how much a semester hour cost. Skip class? No way! I was getting my money's worth. No time to bar-hop, vacation, or get tattoos ... or get into trouble.
Remember, something without a price has no value. Entitlement? Wasn't in my vocabulary ever. I have no problem giving assistance to the truly needy to give them a leg up and a chance, but this is getting ridiculous when I see blatant waste of education time for people who really don't want to be accountable.
MICHAEL ZWEIFLER
Maumelle
Protect solar access
Across Arkansas, I see and hear about more and more residences, businesses, and schools happily converting to solar energy due to the substantial benefits it provides as opposed to traditional electricity. Close family friends of mine were ecstatic to hear that they could convert their homes to solar and not only save thousands of dollars but also help preserve the environment.
Undoubtedly, the 2019 Solar Access Act has brought a lot of opportunity financially to Arkansans and has allowed us to fight to keep our Natural State clean. Unfortunately, during this legislative session, we are seeing attempts to roll back and repeal parts of this groundbreaking policy from utility companies and electric co-ops through a new bill in the Legislature, Senate Bill 23/House Bill 1055. If this bill passes, co-ops would not be under the jurisdiction of the Public Service Commission and could then "self-regulate" or set absurd rates for customers with rooftop solar to further their monopoly on electricity.
I urge the state Legislature to protect the Solar Access Act. This legislation will continue to create new jobs, save Arkansans money, and preserve the Natural State. If utilities succeed, Arkansas loses out on living to its potential as a national leader in solar energy.
LUKE STAGGS
Bryant
Third party is needed
I did not bother to watch the vote on the impeachment trial because I knew the Republicans would not vote to convict a fellow Republican. I also know that with the same evidence they would have convicted a Democrat. The Democrats would also vote to convict.
The two parties are not alike. I believe the Republican Party has always been more partisan and authoritarian than the Democratic Party. However, today's Republican Party has degenerated into a totalitarian cult with Trump as fearless leader. It is past time for honest business-oriented conservatives to separate themselves from this cult and form a third party that has some integrity and believes in American values.
JAMES SAWYER
Fayetteville
Just another Harry
I appreciate reviews that help me choose a movie, but not so much rankings for most stuff, like shoes (high heels are all stupid), fingernail clippers (more expensive is better), tattoos ($13 for a small one on Friday the 13th, I'm told) or presidents.
President Trump was legitimately the greatest to his fans and, of course, himself. He did what they and he wanted. Rough language and tactics were required to deal with his and their enemies. Can't argue with that. You can, but you can't win.
Trump's lying was and is in service of making America great again. I don't know what "again" refers to, or "great." They must be something Trump fans just know without having to think about it.
I believe President Biden just wants to do a good job. His idea of a good job probably mostly agrees with mine. I think he wants us to end the pandemic and make progress in areas such as climate change, racial justice, policing and criminal justice, immigration, women's rights, public health, the economy, environment, international relations, defense and education, to name a few.
It won't be easy. Almost as many Americans and members of Congress say they are against progress as those who are for it. Progress seems to frighten them. They prefer whatever "again" refers to.
I don't think Joe aspires to greatness. I expect him to be just another Harry. That's good enough for me.
HOWELL MEDDERS
Fayetteville
Can wait for the mail
This letter is in response to Ray Hanley, who was complaining about no mail delivery for three days.
Mr. Hanley, I'm glad that you were able to get out and in the process assist your neighbors. I'm guessing that you have some kind of vehicle that drives reasonably well in the snow and ice. The last time I looked at the vehicles USPS drive, they certainly did not appear to be appropriate vehicles to drive in the snow, nor did they appear to be four-wheel-drives.
I live on a hill and it was really only Saturday that the road was anywhere satisfactory to drive, and I saw the mail van making its way up the hill. Any car that ventured up the hill prior managed to gouge out a trail, but left a significant amount of snow on each side of the road next to the mailboxes. As we are not considered a major thoroughfare, we had not received any road clearance, as I suspect many neighborhoods were the same. We were also strongly advised to stay off the roads if at all possible for our own safety, other people's safety and the ones left to come to the rescue. So I really do not mind that we did not receive the mail. I can wait for bills, magazines and general junk mail until it's safe to venture out.
SUSAN TURTON WEEKS
Sherwood
Won't miss him a bit
So Jim Hendren is leaving the Republican Party? Good riddance! One less Democrat in the state GOP. They must be doing things right.
KIM SANDERS
Everton