LETTERS

— Follow will of masses

The Electoral College recently elected the next president of the U.S., but Barack Obama will not be re-inaugurated until January 21st, so there is still time for one last political-season swipe at Republicans.

We can agree that a republican party is not a democratic party, right? Just admitting this logic brings into question the Republican Party’strue feelings toward democracy.

President George W. Bush pronounced it with feeling: “dumb-mock curse-ee,” as if the word meant being militarily occupied by the U.S. and NATO.

Actually, Bush may have redefined democracy for much of the world, but republic was redefined decades ago. Most extended lexicon descriptions of the word “republic” reveal that the body of electors in a republic is smaller, centralized and may be exclusive to the masses.

By contrast, a democracy can have many bodies of electors, and the idea is to involve as many as possible. This sort of activity would not allow a republic to thrive, especially if the masses gained control of the bulk and flow of political power.

Some say pure democracy does not work. They are wrong. Tainted, compromised democracy is worse.

Pure democracy reflects the will of the democratic masses, and election officials work diligently to keep it pure.

Face it, Republicans are forced by our Constitution to submit to the will of the masses. Let’s keep it that way.

GENE MASON

Jacksonville

Preserving our history

Land Commissioner John Thurston is to be commended for his effort in preserving the state’s land records, protecting and keeping them in the state. These documents are priceless.

Pope County has historical records from before the Civil War just because someone was wise enough to hide them in a cave north of Dover during the Civil War. What a treasure.

SUE ROBERTS

Pottsville

Part of price we pay

I continue to see editorials about the September 11th Benghazi attack on the U.S. Embassy. It seems the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette will fan flames of confusion until the dead horse has long been buried.

Suddenly everyone needs to know what transpired at Benghazi. There are many details we need not know that place existing intelligence operations and personnel at risk.

From much of the reporting done by the Wall Street Journal and New York Times, a reasonable person can determine that our intelligence agencies still do not communicate with each other very well. Our embassies are not secure. In Libya, there is little infrastructure. Securing areas in Iraq and Afghanistan took years and billions of dollars, and still there are bombings in both places nearly every day.

The Democrat-Gazette editorial writers have said the administration has failed in its duty to protect American lives. If this is true, why have U.S. soldiers been spread over the world and continue to return in body bags?

In reality, our foreign policy trumps American lives. The U.S. has determined that there is a need to establish policies as we see fit across the world. This is part of the cost to be involved.

WILLIAM POKORNY

Magnolia

Want milk with that?

The Senate voted to give aid for Hurricane Sandy victims. Mark Pryor and John Boozman both voted no. Later, Pryor changed his vote to yes, apparently when he realized that he was the only Democrat to vote with the Fruit Loop Party.

I am willing to bet you a pound of farm-raised catfish that, had the storm damage been in Arkansas, both would have voted yes without reservation.

The do-nothing Fruit Loopers have even filibustered their own bills and held the American people hostage by refusing to bring bills to the floor for vote by all representatives, who, by the way, represent the same number of voters/constituents. This is simply not the American way.

John Boehner is more like the so called dictators we have destroyed numerous lives trying to get rid of. I also realize it’s a proud moment for them to beat their chests when going against the president, but that’s not what they are there for.

KENNETH McELROY

Lonoke

Shelter from a storm

Our thanks to all who helped us along the way after the winter storm, to the tree trimmers and linemen who worked under trying conditions to restore our power, to our friends who were able to put us up, and to the hotel folks who were always cheery and showed true professionalism.

FRANK BARRY

Little Rock

Applause is deserved

I would like to say a big “thank you” to Carroll Electric for being proactive. I know there are people who get mad at Carroll Electric for cutting trees back from power lines. Instead of getting mad, they need to be thankful.

I was in Little Rock on Christmas Day and I had to extend my stay due to the ice storm. Judging from the number of trees down across power lines, you would be hard-pressed to think that Entergy had done anything proactive, like trim trees. But I noticed Entergy has already announced that it will have to pass the cost of the storm on to its customers.

It is like a lot of things nowadays. No one wants to take responsibility; they want to pass the buck.

Again, thank you to Carroll Electric for a job well-done.

EDIE LANGLEY

Bella Vista

Wonders never cease

According to Bob L. Warner of Hot Springs Village, apparently women fornicate and become pregnant all by themselves.

Fascinating. I did not know this was biologically possible until I read his letter.

DEANA NALL

Bryant

For a dangerous man

Re the misogynist who, after popping too many Jesus pills, sent in that rant about female fornicators: Please find a really good psychotherapist and get yourself some help. You could be dangerous.

Females do not, nor have they ever, become pregnant without a male involved.

He didn’t say anything about male fornicators, but that’s okay, as we know there are none.

Onward and upward, at least with one finger!

DOROTHY MEYER

Maumelle

Editorial, Pages 73 on 01/06/2013

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