LETTERS

Their better solution

Re Barack Obama attacking healthcare doubts: He blames Republicans because they can’t come up with a better solution to his problems of dismantling a system that worked better than his.

I believe they demonstrated their better solution when they chose not to fund it.

Where are Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter when we need someone to define what malaise is?

Of course, on the other hand, you have a thumb and four fingers.

BARRY TATE Houston

But they are people!

Re Judson Hanson’s letter: He believes Hobby Lobby couldn’t refuse the edict of Obamacare about giving contraceptives to its employees because it is a company, not a person.

He might want to contact the Supreme Court since it declared companies are people, thereby giving them permission to donate large sums of money to our candidates, thereby controlling them for their benefit.

The Supreme Court sure boggled that one.

HELEN BRANDENBURGER Springdale

Those who love war

There aren’t any of your powerful analysts bitterly opposing the war lovers who mistakenly assume that they have the wisdom to strut the world over pretending that they’re in a position to teach all foreigners how to function. This while millions of Americans are miserable, victimized, existing behind closed doors, with millions locked away in oodles of institutions, and far worse, locked away in ignorance while the noble President Barack Obama’s foes enjoy ranting that it is they who can solve all problems. Up front are the wordsmiths howling eagerly, supporting the war lovers, a role they’ve joyfully performed since 1917 when Woodrow Wilson became the war lovers’ hero.

H.E. HARVEY Clarksville

Back public schools

I was indeed saddened, but not at all surprised, by your recent editorial with its snarky tone toward public school teachers in central Arkansas and their wishing to receive a raise for the next year.

School teachers have to deal with so much more than they did when I came through school in the ’80s and ’90s. They still don’t get paid that much; I certainly wouldn’t do what they do for what they make. They are unsung heroes in my book. They deserve a raise. This publication’s apparent war on public education is unfortunate, but is not going unnoticed.

You guys up there at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette have even bemoaned Pulaski County Special School District head Jerry Guess for coming up with a plan to upgrade facilities in that district. Facility upgrades are needed there, but also, and more importantly, they represent a piece of the puzzle to finally get the state out of the decades-long desegregation suit with the three Pulaski County school districts, something that is very badly needed.

I have long been a supporter of public education for all. Public schools served me well in K-12 as well as four years of college. We need to do all we can to build up public schools for future generations, not tear them down-a policy which this publication’s editorial page seems determined, unfortunately, to pursue.

RICHARD MOORE Camden

Factor in common

Gearhart needs to go! There, I said what hundreds of people are probably thinking.

I just reread all the articles written by Bill Bowden. If you read all these articles plus the audit report from the state you can only draw one conclusion: The common denominator is Dave Gearhart, University of Arkansas Chancellor.

Gearhart promoted Joy Sharp to the budget officer position. It is no secret she was promoted way beyond her capabilities. She even told auditors that “she lacked the skills to perform her job duties.” So whose fault is that? Gearhart’s.

Brad Choate should have provided better oversight of the budget. Who hired him? Gearhart.

John Diamond, university spokesperson, reported that Gearhart ordered the destruction of budget-related documents. Chris Wyrick fired Diamond over that and then Gearhart said he had been unhappy with Diamond’s service as far back as January. Why? Because Diamond and Gearhart disagreed on how to respond to media demands for information on the deficit.

So the common denominator is Dave Gearhart. But, look at Gearhart’s background and compare it to previous chancellors. Can you find much actual college administration experience? It appears he has been an excellent fundraiser. I’m not sure how that qualifies one to be a chancellor of the state’s largest educational institution.

Note to Bill Bowden: Keep up the excellent reporting. It will be interesting to see how long it takes the board of trustees to figure out that Dave Gearhart needs to go. I believe he lacks the management expertise to perform his duties.

JOHNIE WOOD Bentonville

Lazy, shiftless workers

Barack Obama wants to raise the minimum wage to $10 an hour, and I agree. But when you go into Wal-Mart, Sears, J.C. Penney or Target and the employees are just standing around by the counters or in the aisles, you do wonder.

If you ask for assistance and the employee just walks off, they are not worth 10 cents an hour. You can go into a grocery store and ask for help locating an item and the employee standing around just walks off or is busy on a personal cell-phone call. I think if these people are paid 50 cents an hour, they are overpaid.

Will these employees have an incentive to actually do their work if they are paid $10 an hour? I doubt it. Oh, I know there are employees that actually do their work and they take up the slack for the lazy, shiftless ones.

I guess Obama wants to continue giving handouts to these lazy, shiftless employees at the expense of the employers and the taxpayers. Maybe employers should keep a tight rein and an open eye on these employees to make sure they really deserve $10 an hour, and if not, clean house. And these employers should reward the employees who actually work and are doing more than their share.

JOYCE HOOVER North Little Rock