LETTERS

Workers merit better

I moved to Arkansas earlier this year, leaving a federal job in D.C. to start a family here, and a business in the private sector. Today, I was kind of surprised to realize that even though many federal workers live in Arkansas, including in Fayetteville, few people seem to sympathize with them and what they’re going through.

These Arkansans have been doing their duty with honor every day despite knowing that this shutdown was coming, and now through no fault of their own, they’re about to lose daily income. Their mortgages won’t be put on hold, nor will their car payments, or utility bills or anything else-just their income.

Too many folks think of the private sector as “us” and the feds as “them,” even though we’re all Arkansans. Feds serve farmers through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, help small businesses get loans through the Small Business Administration, evaluate research grants (including many at the University of Arkansas) at the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health, track diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and conduct literally hundreds of other services that too few people take the time to learn about (take a peek at usa.gov/directory/federal/index.shtml; you can find agencies you don’t like, but you’ll find dozens you could not live well without).

The federal government’s “non-essential” employees are anything but, and I’m tired of them getting treated like secondhand citizens. Please step up your coverage of what federal government and a government shutdown really mean.

JOSH CHAMOT

Prairie Grove

Not Republicans’ fault

Would someone, anyone, please explain to me why the Republicans are being blamed for the shutdown? It was Harry Reid and the president that refused to negotiate with the Republicans. It was to be their way or no way. It reminds me of stubborn little children that must have their way or no way.

I have always believed that our senators and congressmen were supposed to work for the good of the American people. I believe the majority of Americans do not want Obamacare, but it is being forced down our throats and we are supposed to like it. I think not! May God have mercy on America, for our government will not.

FREDDY BOEN

Fordyce

Thanks for great time

I just wanted to pass along my appreciation to the directors, volunteers, support staff, police, corporate sponsors, etc., who all pitched in to help make the Big Dam Bridge bike ride such a tremendous success. My wife and I came over from Fort Smith and had a great time. We rode the 62-mile course, and it was a beautiful ride and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Thanks again!

MARK MEADOR

Fort Smith

Blame the Democrats

It is simply a matter of basic math. Yes, the government shutdown can be accurately defined by math. You see, there are three branches of government that are responsible for determining the direction of our great country. The House, the Senate and the president-count them one, two, three. The Democrats control two thirds of the decision-making bodies of government.

It therefore is logically apparent to me that the Democrats in the Senate and the president are solely responsible for the shutdown.

JOHNNY K. RHODA

Clinton

Our weapons are safe

Eric Schlosser has published a new book, Command and Control: Nuclear Weapons, the Damascus Accident, and the Illusion of Safety. While I have not read the book to date, I listened to his NPR interview and attended his presentation at the Clinton Library. There are one or two issues I would like to expand on in concern for questions raised on both occasions.

There was an impression that the nuclear weapon at the Damascus accident was close to going “high order”-a nuclear explosion. I was the squadron commander at the scene when the explosion occurred, and I found the weapon about one hour afterwards. It had hit the bottom of the 740-ton door when the explosion occurred and ricocheted into a ditch alongside the missile-site access road. It was cracked and broken in many places but still in one piece.

I placed a radiation detector on the skin of the weapon and there was radiation being emitted. This indicated that the core of the weapon had been cracked, and in this condition, it certainly could not have imploded and begun the process of a nuclear explosion. The core of this nuclear weapon had to be imploded (squeezed) to initiate a nuclear reaction.

For nearly 70 years, American nuclear weapons have been exposed to many hazards around the world, and to date, we have yet to have one weapon stolen or go nuclear. America’s reliable control of nuclear weapons will continue to be a reality.

JIMMIE D. GRAY

Sherwood

Legacy will continue

It was with great interest that I read the article on the proposed use by Jody Hardin and his organization of the St. Joseph Orphanage property. It is a beautiful piece of property and his idea could benefit many people.

I have been familiar with St. Joseph’s for many years. During my career as a North Little Rock fireman, I was privileged many times to tour the building from top to bottom. Its long life is full of history about several phases of its existence. I’m glad to see its legacy will continue.

BILL RHOADS

Cabot

Someone must pay bill

I am a proud Tea Party member for the last five years. I donate, vote, picket and I get discouraged. I read a few letters on the Voices page the other day that were very critical of us. Please note: We are not Republicans or Democrats. We are conservatives. If we could find a conservative politician, we would support one. TEA stands for Taxed Enough Already.

Headlines have recently stated that Arkansas’ health-insurance exchange rates will be 25 percent less than estimated, with stories explaining that a 30-year-old making 150 percent of the federal poverty level will pay $57.45 per month for health care and taxpayers will kick in $227.29 per month. Two 40-year-olds with two kids and a $35,000 income at 150 percent of poverty level will have a premium of $948.82 per month. They would pay $117.75, leaving $831.07 per month for the taxpayers. If this family cut its income by $2,500 per year, they could qualify for a 100 percent paid plan by Medicaid using a private insurance policy. And it goes up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level, which would be approaching 80 percent of Arkansas residents.

The Tea Party has worked hard to elect conservatives, but when elected, they seem to join the establishment. How are we going to pay for this? Politicians can’t admit we are broke because that might insinuate we need to cut spending. Cutting spending might endanger their re-election. Our state officials seem to think we are getting something for nothing, but numbers don’t lie. Someone must pay soon.

CHARLES JOHNSON

Little Rock