LETTERS

LITTLE ROCK — Can’t be career path

In the past I have been very interested and followed politics. I no longer seem to care. It now depresses me, so I try not to listen. We are no longer the leader in much of anything in this country other than the political game that is played. Our president has spent his last three years campaigning for re-election and both parties spend their time trying to undermine the other.

I am not happy that my husband and I have paid more than twice the percentage in taxes in recent years than Mitt Romney. That is not Mitt Romney’s fault. That is our tax law. I would do the same if in his shoes. He is following the laws which have been put in place. I am certain that President Barack Obama would have done the same had he been in the same position.

It is clear that the only way to change the course of our country is to have tax reform and energy reform, as well as Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid reform, just to name a few. This will never be done by our elected officials until we have, most importantly, term limits. It is a no-brainer.

Until our elected officials are put into a position of having to live with the decisions that they make for others, things will never change. I suggest a four- or six-year limit. This should also include reform of their benefits.

If these elected officials are allowed to make a career out of their service, then it becomes more about their survival and livelihood than what is best for all. Serving the public cannot be a career.

LISA ESPOSITO

Little Rock

Every dog has his day

Since I have had six Boston terriers over the past 60 years, I’ve loved reading Zack Hill because of Cagney. I’ve especially enjoyed seeing how the mannerisms and unique personality of these wonderful pets are captured in the strip.

It’s obvious to me that there was a dearly loved real Cagney. I hope he will live on with Zack.

BONNIE HOLMES

Little Rock

Attraction isn’t choice

In addition to erroneously comparing homosexuality to prostitution, bestiality and adultery, Brenda Kelley opines that she is sure that there are some people who will become gay “later in life.”

Exactly how does one become gay? It is true that having sex, dating and marriage are choices. However, most people make those choices based on their physical attraction to others. Physical attraction is not a choice. It’s either present or it’s not.

Just because a person chooses not to act on an attraction doesn’t mean that he or she is not homosexual or heterosexual, or any less so.

MICHAEL MORRISSEY

North Little Rock

Would ease suffering

As a staunch conservative, this is a letter I thought I’d never be writing; however, life’s circumstances have dictated otherwise. I support the medical marijuana ballot proposal as a matter of human dignity.

I’ve had back surgery and have suffered from debilitating back pain for several years. Like the vast majority of others who have long-term pain, I have been prescribed Oxycontin and have become addicted. In the past I would have said, “Tough it out,” and voted against the marijuana measure.

But it’s not that simple.

I hate taking this addictive medicine. When/if I’m able to get off it, I’ll have horrific withdrawal symptoms. I’ve also had the misfortune of losing three friends to cancer in the last five years. Their pain was such that they had to have morphine, which made them incoherent, rarely awake to visit with family and friends.

Prescription marijuana, available in tablet form in many cases, could address our suffering and would not have the excruciating withdrawal symptoms of narcotics. Until you’ve been affected by it personally, you don’t appreciate the effect it has on your quality of life.

There will be a lot of money spent to advertise against this ballot item, especially from big pharmaceuticals and well-meaning organizations.

You have to make the choice based on your own conscience.

CHARLES AXTELL

Fayetteville

Apology not needed

U.S. Rep. Todd Akin has not disgraced himself or his party. He does not owe an apology in the form of removing himself from the Senate race in Missouri. In fact, we the people owe him an apology for condemning his ability and right to run for an office because of one comment taken at face value and not examined more thoroughly.

Why haven’t we the public been more obviously informed of Akin’s apology and his acknowledgment of his having been “misinformed” of a pregnancy from rape? That comment was indeed bad judgment on his part and truly reveals a mindset that would cause voters to think for themselves.

The Republican Party of Missouri chose Akin with the knowledge that he could and would represent them well. Now they should support him rather than let the press, the Democratic Party, or the opinions of outsiders dictate his political moves.

Akin should stand firm and show his best abilities.

OUIDA PETERS

North Little Rock

War got him after all

Thanks to Pam Mills and Keith Lloyd for their letters concerning the $43 million cleanup of Agent Orange in Vietnam. I called our congressman twice to encourage him to not dishonor our veterans by allowing this miscarriage of justice. I did receive a letter telling me how much our veterans are appreciated and how hard they are working to help them. Apparently actual help is not a great priority, especially for Vietnam vets.

My husband died of cancer in 1996. He served in the Mekong Delta and was sprayed with, and lived in, Agent Orange-sprayed areas for his tour. We registered at the VA for Agent Orange exposure and watched a video assuring us that Agent Orange was “not that harmful.” Why are we cleaning up something that isn’t harmful for a country that committed such atrocities on our young men?

My husband shared a hospital room with a man who had served with him who was also dying with cancer. Coincidence?

Did my husband believe Agent Orange contributed to his death? When the doctor left after telling him he was dying, he looked at me and said, “I guess Vietnam got me after all.”

HELEN STEED

Prescott