LETTERS

LITTLE ROCK — Change is for better

A few years ago the big comment from many in the American public was, “Why can’t we have the same kind of medical coverage as Congress?” Where did that desire go? If seniors-to-be (under 55) would pay attention, they would realize this is what Rep. Paul Ryan’s revision of Medicare would provide.

A selection of private insurance policies vetted by the government would be available to this group of citizens who could choose the plan most suitable for their specific needs. No one size fits all. In addition, funds provided based on their needs would allow them to purchase the policy that best suits their situation. People who did not need help would be expected to pay for their own. People in dire straits would be provided the full cost of the plan. This amount of money would increase from year to year but not necessarily as fast as the costs are rising now. People would be expected to provide some of the coverage cost themselves. They would have some skin in the game, as the saying goes, and not be on a “grab all I can get” basis, as a lot of people view present-day Medicare.

All people 55 and older would be covered with the existing program. The overriding fact is, unless something of this type is not adopted, when the present people in the younger age group become eligible for Medicare, it likely will not be available for anyone.

JOSEPH C. BECK Little Rock

Ounce of prevention

If I may get on my soapbox again, I promise not to take up too much time.

First of all, what is the deal with all the super-high heels? It’s a miracle we didn’t see several young ladies break their necks during their high school graduation at Barnhill Arena. Several of the girls also caught the sleeves of their robes on the top of the handrail of the steps as they came down. It was very scary to watch.

Secondly, I believe smoking is an invention of the devil. What better way to get people to commit suicide and kill others at the same time? It’s also a great way to start fights and feed the greed of the tobacco companies.

I’m thankful we are not yet forced to buy health insurance. The insurance companies have been scammed until they are forced to raise rates and cannot be much help to those who legitimately need it. I have never wanted to depend on the government, either. Even when our kids were in school and were eligible for free lunches, I would not accept it. I told them as long as I was able to pay, I would.

If any of my comments can prevent even one person from breaking her neck or dying from cancer, it will be worth it.

DOROTHY SMITH Huntsville

Three more opposed

I would like to add one small addition to Tom Dillard’s excellent column on Arkansas statehood. Not only did John Quincy Adams oppose Arkansas statehood in the U.S. House of Representatives as the column mentions, but three legislative giants in the U.S. Senate were also against Arkansas’ admission. Daniel Webster, John C. Calhoun and Henry Clay all voted to table for a variety of reasons including opposition to slavery and not wishing to bring into the Union another state that was strongly sympathetic to Andrew Jackson and his politics.

At any rate, it shows that Arkansas’ entry into the Union was not without its problems.

CAL LEDBETTER Little Rock

Ideals in back seat

America is teetering on the edge of economic collapse, due in no small part to the Republican Party’s unhealthy obsession with lowering taxes. Republicans believe in a failed proposition, which states: If taxes are kept at a low level, revenue will magically increase. This nonsense has been thoroughly debunked, yet they continue to flog that dead dog.

The American economy would be healthier if certain taxes were higher, particularly corporate taxes. Since lower corporate taxes usually mean higher profits, corporate bigwigs are tempted to stick those profits in their back pocket instead of reinvesting that money in their company. When corporate taxes are set at a reasonably high rate, corporate bigwigs are discouraged from profit-taking. Instead, they will use that money to help the company grow, and eventually hire more employees.

Since higher taxes can be productive, we should ignore the Republican Party’s Chicken Little scare tactics. Unfortunately, Republicans would rather have the elderly pay higher health-care costs and here’s why: When the rich are allowed to keep a larger percentage of their taxes, they make much bigger contributions to whichever political party works the hardest to lower their tax rates. Simply put, when money and power are dangled like grapes in front of a hungry politician, their ideals are put on the back burner.

JAY DALTON JENNINGS North Little Rock

More tax cuts needed

George W. Bush’s tax cuts were extended not to make things worse, but that alone won’t restore employment. There has to be another across-the-board tax cut to infuse cash into the private sector.

Supply-side has never been the policy of any administration. Presidents Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush cut taxes on all sides of the income scale. Every tax payer received a tax cut under Reaganomics, whereas supply-side reduces taxes on only the top rates.

Gene Lyons faults Reaganomics for not erasing the budget deficit. No economic policy exists that can raise revenues as fast as health care providers and hospitals can pass their costs on to Medicaid and Medicare or as fast as Democrats can expand social and education programs. Nevertheless, it came close in 2006 when the deficit was below $200 billion.

Lyons attributes the jobs of the 1990s to President Clinton’s tax increase. If that were the case every depressed nation could raise taxes and generate a recovery. Instead, almost all of them are fearful of raising business taxes.

Lyons ignores the tax-cut-driven low unemployment rates of the Reagan and Bush eras. The low wage growth he criticizes is mostly related to the post-World War II reemergence of foreign competition and considerable legal and illegal immigration rather than Reaganomics. Obama’s not cutting capital gains, dividends and marginal rates is the reason the U.S. is still stuck in recession and in such big trouble today.

THOMAS POPE Little Rock

A different definition

Definition of an atheist: First person to start praying in an earthquake.

BUTCH BLANCQ Stuttgart