LETTERS

LITTLE ROCK — Tag hard to acquire

This is a heads-up to whoever might need to get a permanent handicapped hang-tag for his relative to use following an illness that has left the relative weak and on oxygen.

The state motor vehicle office now requires an applicant who is not in bed or in a nursing home to appear in person at the revenue office with his ID to obtain a hang-tag.

The application that was filled out by my husband’s doctor says in its instructions that the photo ID number or driver’s license number of the person with a disability is necessary. It also says that a Social Security number, driver’s license number or state assigned identification number is needed to obtain a temporary placard.Nowhere on the form does it state that the person seeking the hang-tag must show up in person. Indeed, if he is capable of showing up in person, why does he need a hang-tag?

I am now faced with a dilemma. Do I lie and say that, yes, he is in bed? (Actually, he is on the couch or in the recliner.) Or do I put him in the car with his oxygen, park way across the lot and make him walk in the hot sun and sit in a hard chair for 40 minutes or more to satisfy the motor vehicle office? I am badly in need of an ethicist.

This is a great example of the “no common sense” approach of state, federal and local government agencies and why we have plenty to fear in the years ahead.

MARY P. CHODRICK Fayetteville

Take a tougher line

I once headed a federal institution before retirement. As head of the Justice Department facility, I was authorized the use of a government-owned vehicle for official business, which included to and from my home.

My home was on a federal reservation quite near the facility and it was because of the nature of the businessand was for emergency use only.

This policy has been in place with the Justice Department system throughout the country for over 66 years that I’m aware of. I’m speaking of the federal Bureau of Prisons, and there are over 100 facilities in the United States.

Anyone requiring the use of an official car is required to make his request to the designated car pool agent at each location and it is returned to the agency at the end of the day unless in case of an overnight trip, no exceptions.

I suggest a somewhat strict policy be inaugurated in Arkansas. The current policies are way out of line, and I might suggest that the governor establish a committee of outside sources to make recommendations for change.

RALPH L. AARON Hot Springs

Clean energy needed

Senators have been given a choice. They can stand with Big Oil or they can stand with real Americans who want a clean energy future. They can let polluters off the hook again or they can make them pay for their pollution. They can choose to delay or they can enact comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation.

Unfortunately, at every juncture in the debate a minority led by the Republican leadership has obstructed the opportunity to solve America’s energy problems, preferring to leave the big polluters and petro- dictators in control of our energy policy. This puts America in even greater peril.

The last decade was the hottest on record, and NASA predicts that 2010 will be the warmest year yet. We need to cut carbon pollution that causes global warming, not give in to Big Oil and the special interests. Now is the time for the U.S. Senate to embrace sound climate and energy policies and work to limit carbon pollution and invest in clean energy sources that will put Americans back to work.

KATHY WEBB Little Rock

Griffin for Congress

Having worked my entire career around the military, I have the utmost respect for everyone who has sacrificed to serve our country, including the families back home. Our men and women in uniform protect and defend our flag, our Constitution and our way of life. They provide the freedoms that so many take for granted.

As a nation, we must do right by our military and our veterans. I want to know that veterans are represented in Congress by someone who understands what it means to serve, protect and defend this great nation.

Tim Griffin is that person, having served 14 years in the U.S. Army Reserve. But don’t take my word for it. Read the words of Tim’s superior officers on the military records he has posted to his website. To quote his commanders, Griffin is of the “highest caliber” and a proven leader.

Our veterans, active military and families deserve a proven leader representing them in Washington. Having earned the praise and respect of his fellow Army Reserve officers, Tim has proved to me that he is the candidate we need in Congress. I amvoting for him this November and I ask everyone tied to the military in Central Arkansas to join me in supporting one of our own.

BETTYE DALEY Little Rock

Taxpayers shamed

Re your news story, “Bank-pay czar says shame ample penalty/Official feared lawsuits if funds recouped”: I thought I had heard all of the lame excuses for government officials not holding responsible the top executives of bailed out banks and AIG for its devious behavior, which has cost taxpayers billions of dollars.

I was royally flabbergasted when I read Kenneth Feinberg’s explanation of his actions in this matter, as partially captioned in the headline. Why was this man appointed to represent taxpayers’ interest in this matter? Not forcing these top executives to repay this lavish compensation, about $l.6 billion, shames the taxpayers who themselves have no way to fight this mess and no one in the government who is speaking for them.

So be it if recouping this lavish compensation exposes banks and AIG tolawsuits from shareholders. They deserve anything punitive heaped upon them for their actions. Feinberg’s assessment makes a mockery of personal integrity and only sends the message that those top executives are “too big to fail.” The Obama administration’s bank-pay czar should become extinct along with others in the administration who share his assessment of this matter. This is government bureaucracy at its worst. What a whitewash. Score another win for the large corporate campaign contributors and another huge loss for the taxpayers.

LOUISE HENDERSON Hot Springs Village

Humor appreciated

I am so glad that the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette carries the “Pickles” cartoon strip. Life is a lot more fun if we don’t take ourselves too seriously, and “Pickles” makes me laugh.

A lot of what people call humor today is really putting down or ridiculing, but positive humor, as in “Pickles,” builds and reinforces relationships. Please continue this feature.

NATALIE EDGAR Maumelle