LETTERS

LITTLE ROCK — Tune out those bozos

Well, they’re at it again.

Now that the election is over, the Republican Party’s foes smell blood in the water and seek to destroy the party once and for all. But it’s not the Democrats or their allies in the press or other members of their alliance that seek to kill the GOP. It’s the commentator class of the far right who apparently seek the GOP’s destruction.

The usual cast of characters like Rush, Sean, Glenn, Ann and Laura are railing against the House Republicans over the fiscal-cliff negotiations. “Don’t give an inch,” “walk away” and “let’s go over the cliff” are the mantras these modern-day Barry Goldwaters chant. These gutless wonders are willing and eager to crucify any Republican who so much as holds a polite conversation with a Democrat instead of getting into a physical confrontation. These characters don’t have the guts to run for public office themselves, yet know exactly what to do at any given moment.

I urge all my fellow Republicans (yes, I am one), conservatives and Tea Party members to just turn the radio station or television station when one of these bozos go into their “There is no difference in the parties” rant. I have been a proud conservative and Republican all my life, and proudly voted for Mitt Romney.

These commentators don’t care about conservatism, the Republican Party or America. They only care about themselves and the money and power they can acquire through their rants.

ROBERT YEAKLEY

Springdale

Two prime examples

I want to thank columnists John Brummett and Bradley Gitz for being such perfect examples of their respective types.

But for Best of Show, I cannot choose between them.

JOHN ROACH

Harrison

Farewell to great man

Although Dave Brubeck passed the day before his birthday, he has a new birth in heaven, playing with all the other musical greats there.

As a teenager and through my life, I have listened to Dave Brubeck’s style of jazz and reveled in it. Saw him at one jazz festival in Chicago. I love all forms of music, and Dave presented the best he had during his career. I have continuously had his albums on records and CDs since my teen years and have enjoyed them through that time and will continue to enjoy them.

To a jazz great, a music great and one who left his legacy for all of us to enjoy, we celebrate your life. See ya, Dave!

GEORGE WILKEN

Maumelle

Dangerous? Prove it

Okay, here is an idea: Since the Republicans keep saying that they need to save America from President Barack Obama, then why keep trying to block his efforts to fix the economy?If Obama’s approach to the deficit is so bad for America, then give him free rein. Let him do what he wants to do, and if he falls on his face, then you have shown the American people that his plan did not work.

The fact that the Republicans keep trying to block Obama’s economic plan and policies, and have done since he was elected in 2008, makes it look as though the Republicans are afraid Obama will succeed and save the American economy. He already has accomplished so much, in spite of being blocked at every turn.

What is so horrible about a 4 percentage-point raise on taxes for the wealthy?

Forget this pledge to Grover Norquist. Who is this guy, other than a wealthy man protecting his own interests? He is also threatening to stop his support of any Republican, in their re-election, who does not sign his pledge.

I am not aware of any significant bills Norquist has passed in his tenure. I find his pledge comes very close to an act of treason against the American people.

Let Obama get on with his presidency; see how it works. Let the American people decide.

SHARON WILLIAMS

Little Rock

Rather old-fashioned

Perhaps it’s my age. I suppose it’s my declining mental ability. That must be it. Otherwise I would understand the persistent “make the rich pay their fair share” rhetoric coming from the administration.

Try as I might, I can’t seem to understand why raising rates on folks making over $250,000 a year could have even the smallest real effect on either our national debt (trillions, no less) or our budget (also a trillion or so).

If we confiscated all of the income from those people, I’m sure we still wouldn’t make a dent in either debt.

So what’s the purpose? Is it jealousy? Vengeance? “You got your millions on the backs of (insert your favorite have-not here).” I really would like an explanation.

Also, can someone tell me what their “fair share” amounts to? Is it 25 percent, 40 percent, 50 percent or more? No one seems to know; it appears to me that it’s just a “Yeah, let’s get ’em!”

But then, at 83, I guess I’m just not as sharp as I used to be. Also, in our household, when we run short of money, we stop spending as much.

Guess that’s rather old-fashioned, too.

WILLIAM H. PRAETORIUS

Bella Vista

Right greeting for day

It’s that wonderful time of the year again to celebrate the Christ child’s birth. Christmas is a very important holiday, but we keep hearing the expression “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas.”

We don’t say “Happy Holidays” on other holidays that we celebrate, such as Presidents Day, Veterans Day or Martin Luther King Day. December 25th is Christmas Day, so we should be saying Merry Christmas, the appropriate greeting for that day.

Tradition tells us gift-giving was started when the three wise men traveled from the East to worship the Christ child. This is the time when we open up our hearts and our pocketbooks to show Christian charity, peace on earth and good will toward men.

So, this year I will be celebrating Christmas and saying “Merry Christmas” to everyone, not “Happy Holidays,” which is such a generic term for such a special holiday.

BEVERLY WILLIAMS

North Little Rock