LETTERS

LITTLE ROCK — Vote-but first, think

Citizens of Arkansas, vote. It is your right, your privilege and your duty. Ohio is not the U.S., so vote; make Arkansas count. Call to make sure you are registered to vote. If you see any signs of voter intimidation or suppression, call the voter protection hot line toll-free at (877) 523-2792.

Please vote for your own self-interest. If you or anyone in your family is ever going to need Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid (which also pays for nursing-home care), and a prescription drug program (minus the huge doughnut hole), you need to vote Democrat. The Affordable Health Care Act is, in truth, Medicare for all.

President Barack Obama is not only protecting us with his foreign policy, he is looking out after everyday ordinary people, not corporations, and he is protecting us here at home. There have been great improvements in our economy. Check out the statistics.

If you have more money than you can spend in your lifetime, vote for Mitt Romney. And women, do remember that you may very well lose your right to use birth control. Note that the GOP has not issued a threat to men that they will disallow their condoms.

Please don’t be a one-issue voter. Before you cast your vote based on your belief about a single issue, look at what it may cost you and your family. Listen to different channels, read different articles with different views, and for God’s sake, think. We must save the middle class, for we are the conscience of America.

SHARON WILLIAMS

Little Rock

Better off? Far from it

The next time you go shopping, check out those prices, everything from dish soap to milk. Are you better off than you were four years ago?

How about the cost of heating and cooling your home? Better off now?

How about the cost of insurance, going to the doctor? Are you better off?

How about the national debt? Are we better off?

I don’t think so.

DONNIE ELLINGTON

Bentonville

The important issues

Every day, I and everyone else seem to be bombarded with what many consider the “serious” issues of the day-foreign policy, the economy, coming elections, and many others.

Yes, these are topics of vital importance and should not be taken lightly. However, events occur every day which task our patience and require our attention just as much as those listed. Those daily happenings sap our energy and have the potential to drive us crazy.

For example, my microwave door won’t open, my cats (two of them) thrive on tracking litter out of the litter boxes, the Kansas City Chiefs are only 1-5 as of this morning, the Hogs are wearing horrendous uniforms that bring the wrath of the football gods, and I can’t decide on a final menu for tailgating at Arrowhead Stadium.

I believe it was John Lennon who said, “life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” Never forget that those seemingly trivial events of the day are what truly matter and are actually the most important.

For me, the most important question is whether honey mustard or sweet-and-sour sauce needs to go on that pork chop. And do I slow-grill those ribs or smoke them?

DAVID KELLEY

Fort Smith

Got hope and change

Republicans have asked over and over again where our “Hope and Change” is. My view as a member of a minority group:

The change came to America when Barack Obama was elected as our first American president with African heritage. The monopoly of only white citizens elected to the presidency was broken when Barack Obama was elected. The demographics of America have changed, and this is a very important example of that change.

Barack Obama gave all minorities the hope that they, too, have a chance to become the president of the United States.

There you have your “Hope and Change.”

You might have missed these two important changes if the flag you are carrying obstructed your view of the things happening right in front of you.

PORFIRIO GUTIERREZ

Bella Vista

Character destroyed

As I drive around my hometown of Bearden, I get distressed at all of the Obama signs and I wonder what is wrong with good Americans.

Do they not know that they are already under the care of his socialist medical program? If allowed another four years, they will be unable to recognize the difference between their country and any other European entity.

America has stood strong for nearly 240 years, but its citizens have apparently lost the desire to remain American. They are more interested in the government dole, which will destroy the character of our country within a short, few years, if it has not already done so, considering that we all come under socialist Obamacare now.

If you are one of the supporters of Barack Obama and socialism, please study the European countries and seriously consider which is better, an independent, self-reliant America or a socialist Greece.

BARRETT A. METZLER

Bearden

Omission very telling

Re Gail Knudsen’s letter criticizing Mitt Romney and his sons for going on mission trips and not serving in the military: I am so tired of reading letters like this, especially when they disregard the fact that President Barack Obama also did not serve. I would like to know why she and others think that is just fine. I don’t remember The View asking the Obamas that same question. I think that is very telling.

Re the letter from William Shelhart: He thinks great perils lie ahead if Romney is elected? What about the perils that our men in Libya endured, while our president stood by and did nothing? They pleaded for help and were ignored. I think we already know how much his administration cares about our military.

JAN MILLSAP

Springdale

Frauds and hogwash

Jobs will increase when demand increases, as per Warren Buffett and noted economists. Supply-side/ trickle-down economics is a proven hoax, and I believe the term “job creators” is also.

If you want to know who created these propaganda frauds, follow the money.

MILTON DAVIS

Conway