LETTERS

LITTLE ROCK — It’s still George’s day

The first paragraph of your editorial, “Land of Lincoln,” is incorrect, i.e., “Officially, there is no more Lincoln’s Birthday. Or Washington’s. The old holidays have been telescoped, flattened, mixed and matched, their identities melted into a generic Presidents’ Day. . . .”

Washington’s Birthday is the name of the federal holiday we celebrate on Feb. 21. According to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management: “This holiday is designated as ‘Washington’s Birthday’ in section 6103(a) of the United States Code, which is the law that specifies holidays for Federal employees. Though other institutions such as state and local governments and private businesses may use other names, it is our policy to always refer to holidays by the names designated in the law.”

Washington’s Birthday doesn’t change simply because some people refer to it by another name. The federal holiday has nothing to do with other presidents.

JEFF WILLIAMS Sherwood

Drastic cuts needed

My future is banking, literally, on your choices. As an 18-year-old freshman at the University of Arkansas, the debt crisis threatens my economic future even worse than my grade-point average.

The responsible answer to this looming disaster is to trim the budget-drastically. Tinkering with discretionary spending is a great start, but it should be coupled with systemic changes like entitlement reform (even the scary kind), replacement of the PAYGO system and line-item veto or balanced budget amendments.

However, before anyone makes it that far, those of us who voted for less spending have to prove that we mean what we said. The Republicans’ Spending Reduction Act of 2011 is the pivotal first step, and Sen. Mark Pryor’s criticism is predicated on the assumption that voters will run scared if they have to sacrifice any arcane programs or subsidies-because obviously we’re going to be petrified if we all can’t fly out of Harrison on tax dollars anymore or if PBS starts having to sell ads like every other media company in the world.

For my sake, and the sake of my peers, i.e., your kids, call the opposition’s bluff. Support spending reform. Support an economically sustainable future.

WILL SIMPSON Fayetteville

Change was stunning

I am told that Republicans are reading the Constitution these days, and in Congress no less. Seems they have become very assiduous and exacting that nothing should be done in violation of said Constitution.

This turnaround is staggering in its improbability, perhaps on par with St. Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus.

Would it not have been a grand thing if GOP congressional types had discovered the Constitution when W. was president?

For instance, Article 1, Section 8: “The Congress shall have power . . . [t]o declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning capture on land and water. . . .”

Republicans during the ancient and unhappy time of that former president thought the clause said, “Congress shall shirk its constitutional responsibilities and defer any decisions about going to war to a mendacious, all-powerful executive as long as he is a Republican.”

DAVID AINSWORTH Hot Springs

Cooperation a must

Re the dismissal of the U.S. Justice Department’s lawsuit against five Arkansas human development centers alleged to have violated the Americans With Disabilities Act: You reported that the federal judge who dismissed the suit said the national agency should have tried to resolve the problems it found before taking matters to court. The news story further reported that Gov. Mike Beebe criticized the Justice Department for even becoming involved.

However, though absolutely not accusing anyone, does it or does it not take the threat of and even actually of strong and swift legal action to ensure that the horrendous institutional abuses of the past do not repeat themselves?

There must be effective checks and balances for any agency offering assistance, refuge and/or medical treatment to people who may not be able to speak for or defend themselves to the fullest extent; therefore,state and federal agencies must work together willingly, responsibly and in a timely manner toward this imperative day-to-day goal.

KERRIE WHITE Fairfield Bay

Further competition

I was intrigued about House Bill 1282, passed by a House of Representatives 92-3 vote, which would kill franchising of liquor stores in Arkansas. If I understand the purpose of the bill, it would prevent an out-of-state “brand” from appearing on licensed liquor stores in Arkansas.

The bill was written at the request of the Arkansas Beverage Retailers Association, of which multiple store operators, including the Springdale Liquor Association, are members.

I’ve got no dog in this fight, but I truly do love competition. I don’t need the Legislature passing laws that appear to protect a good-ole-boy network of retailers.

Somebody should ask state Rep. Robert Dale what the difference is between requiring a liquor store to be locally owned and a restaurant that serves liquor. Locally, Red Lobster, Olive Garden and Texas Land & Steak House, for example, all serve liquor. What is the difference?

People choose a retailer based on service, assortment and price. There is a value equation here and that is why potential Arkansas tax dollars continue to end up in Missouri. I don’t need state Sen. Sue Madison to worry about what liquor store appears on my corner. Let competition and Arkansan consumers determine that.

Lawmakers all should be involved in legislation that promotes competition, not curtails it.

JOHN GREEN Rogers