HOW WE SEE IT: Interesting Times Ahead In State Politics

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Count us among the amused a couple of days ago when we read a story focused on the potential shifts in political power the state may witness at the Arkansas General Assembly after the Nov. 6 election.

Republicans predict they’ll take the majorities in both houses in the Legislature, which would be a fi rst in Arkansas history. Democrats say they’re confident they’ll hold on to enough seats, but there’s no swaggering confidence behind their words.

The amusing part of the story, however, was the very different perspectives it elicited depending on whether one’s name was followed with a D or an R.

Sen. Larry Teague, the Senate president pro teem elect, is a Democrat.

“Hopefully, we’ll all keep our eye on what is right and what is best for the state and for our people,” Teague said. “If we do that, then I just don’t see it being a big issue.”

That’s sweet.

Then you have state Rep. Bruce Westerman, a Hot Springs Republican and the House Caucus leader for his party. He said he expects a political shift of historic proportions. “If we have a conservative majority, I think you’ll see more conservative legislation passed than ever before,” he said.

Which begs the question: If it’s a conservative majority, wouldn’t less legislation actually be more in keeping with their stated political philosophy? But we digress.

What it all means is that the state is in for a ride unlike it’s seen in decades.

Democrats, of course, see the gains made by the GOP as a worrisome development. They’ve had utter dominance in the governance of the state for, well, ever. It’s not easy watching it slip away or to consider how to govern from a minority role.

Republicans say the Democrats couch their fears in comments about what’s best for the state, but GOP members interpret the statements as “We’ve known what’s best for the state for years; who are these guys to come in and change it?”

If the minority becomes the majority, it won’t be the end of the world. Indeed, it will happen because it’s the choice of the people of Arkansas. We’re sure neither party would complain about the people’s will being fulfi lled. Right?

Buckle your seatbelts, folks. Nov. 6 marks just the beginning of very interesting times in Arkansas politics.

CASUALTIES OF WAR

To honor the men and women in our armed forces and remind our readers of their sacrifices, the

Northwest Arkansas Times is publishing Department of Defense announcements identifying Americans killed in active military operations. Two soldiers died Sept. 5, in Logar Province, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered when their aircraft crashed. Killed were Chief Warrant Oft cer 2 Jose L. Montenegro Jr., 31, of Houston and Chief Warrant Oft cer 2 Thalia S. Ramirez, 28, of San Antonio. They were assigned to the 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

U.S. Army Sgt. Kyle B. Osborn, 26, of Lafayette, Ind., died Sep. 13 in Muqer, Afghanistan, of wounds suff ered when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Camp Ederle, Vicenza, Italy.

Opinion, Pages 5 on 10/11/2012