LETTERS

— It’s a low ball estimate

Years ago, I recall attending a meeting of the American Society for Metals, at which the keynote speaker was the great Walter Reuther. The little redhead stepped down the aisle to the podium, flanked by several burly bodyguards. Hearing his address was a memorable experience in which he managed to develop a splendid rapport with his audience.

He told us of a visit to the Soviet Union during which Nikita Khrushchev called him the number one lackey of American capitalism. He suggested that perhaps we were the number one lackey, which had us all laughing.

Then he mentioned a visit to Ford Motors during which executives showed him an automated facility for making engines. They asked: Do you think you can collect union dues from these machines? No, he replied, but do you think you can sell them cars?

Reuther wasn’t there at the Michigan state Capitol on the sad day when a lame-duck session of its legislature enacted a “right-to-work” law. I’m sure members of Americans for Prosperity pondered how they might dodge paying their country club dues and then stepped aside as furious workers tore down their tent.

Years ago, P.T. Barnum opined that a sucker was born every minute.

Today, the Koch brothers assert that Barnum’s estimate now is low by at least an order of magnitude.

JOHN R. PIAZZA

Bethel Heights

Selling a bill of goods

I share Steve Carter’s fiscal pain. I have had six procedures over the past two years; the first three were billed as an office visit with a doctor’s co-pay of $45.

Then the medical clinic was purchased by the hospital-then boom-the last three procedures were billed to the insurance company as outpatient procedures with a co-pay of $300.

Same doctor, same clinic, same procedure. Makes one believe that this shenanigan is merely a way to fleece vulnerable patients.

The clinic’s business office blames the insurance company. I cannot agree since it was the clinic that did the billing.

I don’t fault my doctor. I believe the subterfuge lies with the system that reclassified the procedure to outpatient status.

My humble advice is to check the billing process before any procedure is anticipated to avoid being blindsided after the fact.

DON GIBSON

Searcy

That’s why they do it

With the presidential campaign over, we may now find out what the payback is for the contributions given by CEOs, lobbyists and the people of the party.

The candidates spending $2 billion to campaign for a job that pays only $400,000 a year just does not make sense.

After watching the History Channel program about Air Force One, I have a new outlook on this situation. The president of the United States is the most powerful man, not only here, but throughout the entire world. He has airplanes, limousines, staff, Air Force pilots and crew, members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Secret Service personnel and newspaper and broadcast journalists to travel with him around the U.S and to Europe, Asia and Afghanistan.

This is just a small example of the fringe benefits that come with the job. The candidates do not worry about the $400,000 salary. They are after the most lucrative job in the world.

It brings up the question: How much does one of these airplane trips cost the taxpayer?

CHARLES McNUTT

Little Rock

Enough of the ranting

The University of Arkansas’ Division of Advancement mismanaged $3.1 million-a story that cries out for in-depth journalistic research. Unfortunately, all the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s editorial page has to offer is a cheap diatribe.

The blame heaped on Brad Choate, the administrator at the center of the scandal, is deserved, but I believe the editorial writers’ ideological attack on public service is dishonest. If you believe them, financial mismanagement would never happen at a private corporation. They must live in a parallel universe where they have never heard of golden parachutes for incompetent corporate managers. Their fairy-tale version of capitalism is laughable in light of the recent financial industry meltdown and taxpayer bailout.

The writers have it backwards: The university doesn’t need to act like a corporation; it needs to be a public institution dedicated to the common good, and accountable to the people. The tendency of chasing rich donors and hiring higher-paid administrators is not a healthy one.

This year, when the university awarded merit pay raises, many faculty members got about $2,000 more per year. Yet dozens of individuals, including Choate, were awarded raises in the tens of thousands, according to the open UA portal. Is there adequate oversight over these disbursements of public money?

The Democrat-Gazette could help foster transparency by researching the university’s pay structure. Less ranting, more quality reporting!

TONI MENNINGER

Fayetteville

It’s over-deal with it

It seems that everyone shoots off their mouths about the election. It’s over-let’s get on with our lives. Barack Obama won the electoral votes from Ohio, Virginia and Florida. This is why he’s a second-term president. It’s hard to defeat a sitting president. You can’t do anything about it until 2016. We have to accept it. I wanted Mitt Romney, but I have no other choice but to accept it.

Get off your high horses and face the music.

DONALD L. PUTMAN

El Dorado

In spite of that, a light

I would like to comment on the one complaint from a member of the Arkansas Society of Freethinkers for looking after the best interests of the children of Terry Elementary School. I’m sure the Merry Christmas Charlie Brown play, presented by members of Agape Church, might have a negative effect on these children, with the theme of spreading peace on earth and good will toward men. Just another suggestion for you, what about the people who vote in a church with the big parking lot versus the school buildings, etc., with the small parking lot? You know it might spread some Jesus on them as they enter the building.

Also, to the Eureka Springs City Council who succeeded in stopping the charter buses from going through downtown, congratulations on succeeding in having a part of shutting down the historical Passion Play. I’m sure it’s really helped the business in that city. Isn’t tourism the number one source of income there?

Yes, the statue of Christ is dark right now, but throughout history, just like the day the Christ child was born in darkness, his light will shine in the heart of the ones who know him. Merry Christmas.

J.L. ROBINSON

Little Rock

Editorial, Pages 13 on 12/17/2012

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