LETTERS

LITTLE ROCK — Isn’t in best interests

I will not vote to elect a millionaire to the presidency of our United States. Rich people do not have my best interests at heart.

ERNEST ROOKS

North Little Rock

Take America back

I am opposed to the Democrat thing to do. I am opposed to Obamacare. I am opposed to Barack Obama’s radical agenda. I am opposed to Obama’s assault on traditional values.

I believe I am opposed to everything that Obama stands for. And come on. Obama, admit it: You are not from America, are you?

People of America, we cannot stand another four years. Please vote, people. Let’s vote together and get America back to the people.

JOHN WYATT Pangburn

Nightmare lies ahead

Let’s go ahead and re-elect the current administration. That may be the only way to bring those who believe in a quasi-socialist dream world to reality. We will all have to suffer the inevitable nightmare together.

BRUCE GIBSON Yellville

Legalization bad idea

In the recent front-page “pot” article, there was a persuasive description of how marijuana made it possible for a woman to tolerate chemotherapy. I fear that people will react to her situation with a heartfelt desire to help, and thus vote to allow ill people access to marijuana.

I believe the problem with such a vote is that it will open the door for addicted users and the curious to get easy access to a dangerous drug. Furthermore, because of the legal costs associated with marijuana, folks might vote for legalization trying to save some money. Worse, voting for the farcical law would put Arkansas in opposition of federal law.

A yes vote won’t solve problems. Rather, it will create new problems and increase costs. “Medical marijuana” is an oxymoron in the same way that “medical bourbon” is an oxymoron.

A better solution would be to amend current law to allow people with a qualifying disease to be part of ongoing research testing the effectiveness of marijuana. As such, they would be closely scrutinized. Close supervision would substantiate the research results and eliminate hanky-panky. There is only meager evidence that marijuana has any medical benefits but documented evidence of risks. I hope that people will take an enlightened approach and create legislation that will make sure its use only affects qualified people. That is both a humane and intelligent answer to the problem. Vote “no” on legalization and write your legislators to amend the current law.

RICHARD EMMEL

Little Rock

‘Pot’ risks overstated

It comes as no surprise that the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette has published an article and an editorial with cherry-picked scare information about teens and marijuana. Readers should note the following information:

The Congressional Research Service examined this issue in its April 2010 report, “Medical Marijuana: Review and Analysis of Federal and State Policies.”

The report stated: “A statistical analysis of marijuana use by emergency-room patients and arrestees in four states with medical marijuana programs—California, Colorado, Oregon and Washington—found no statistically significant increase in recreational marijuana use . . . after medical marijuana was approved for use. Another study looked at adolescent marijuana use and found decreases in youth usage in every state with a medical marijuana law. Declines in usage exceeding 50 percent were found in some age groups.”

In June, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a study in which researchers examined the relationship between legalization and marijuana use at school. It provided no evidence that medical marijuana legalization led to increases in “pot” use at school, the likelihood of being offered drugs at school, or the use of other harmful substances such as alcohol or cocaine.

Plenty of excellent and accurate information is available through online searches, and is certainly less prejudiced than whatever this newspaper advocates.

DENELE CAMPBELL

West Fork

It’s all a war of words

A recent Voices letter pointed out that Mitt Romney, in his rich, privileged, younger life was not inconvenienced by military service. A comeback from a right-winger pointed out that President Barack Obama also did not serve in the U.S. military.

The difference seems to be that Obama was not obligated to an active military draft, as Romney was.

Romney spent two years in France as a Mormon evangelist, as well as using student deferments to dodge the draft.

Romney seems to like war now with his saber-rattling, wanting to go to war with Iran to appease Israel and escalate our war on terror, as well as expand our Pentagon budget.

It is said that all is fair in love and war, but shouldn’t we—who claim to be God-fearing, civilized humans—spend more time trying to love our fellow man and less time trying to kill him in a war? Do we glorify some unnecessary wars too much?

My three brothers and I were not as fortunate as Romney was at dodging the draft, nor did we want to. We felt it was our patriotic duty. The four of us served out our required tours of duty. My two older brothers and I were drafted into the Army. Our youngest brother joined the Air Force.

Our combined service spanned three wars, including World War II, Korea and Vietnam. We all have recorded honorable discharges to prove it.

RICHARD SNIVELY Fayetteville

Neighboring on rude

Re Jack Mayberry’s recent letter: OMG!

Since when is caring for your neighbor a “Marxist idea?” Since when does caring about your neighbor make you a creep?

As for putting God and Jesus Christ back in the U.S.A., I suggest, in all honesty and love, you put them in your heart and home first.

DELLA CURRAN Conway

Spending into poverty

Re Ruth Kiehnau’s letter: I used to be a “Blue Dog Democrat,” until the party left me. Democrats’ vision is to spend our way out of debt. Try this on your own checking account, borrow money you can’t pay back, spend like a drunk sailor and see where you will be.

I have worked for many wealthy people for over 30 years. They don’t spend like people think they do. Many drive older cars and their drapes and carpets are old; they save their money, not spend.

An older man once told me the difference between the rich and poor is that the rich save as the poor spend.

Our current president is spending us into the poorhouse.

JAMES LEE

Bryant