LETTERS

A new look at the law

We are relieved to hear that Sen. John Boozman came through surgery nicely and is on his way to recovery.

When a patient has a major health event, it often prompts taking a new look at what he thinks and does. The next time Senator Boozman is ready to cast his vote on repeal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, he might first ask himself the following questions:

If, like hundreds of thousands of his constituents, he did not have affordable access to good insurance, would the outcome have been as good? Would the hospital have allowed the surgery to proceed without expectation of being paid? Would a highly qualified doctor have performed the surgery knowing the patient had no insurance and could probably not pay the amount billed?

Would the hospital and doctor “print” money to cover the uncompensated care, or pass the cost along to insured patients? Since the senator now has a pre-existing condition, would an insurance company renew his policy or issue a new one, at an affordable premium, without the legal requirement to do so? If so, would future episodes of similar problems be excluded? If he had the assets of a typical uninsured Arkansan, would he have to consider medical bankruptcy because of the bills?

WILBUR MAURICE RANKIN Farmington Think for ourselves

I was particularly interested in the disgust and outrage expressed by many Republicans over the comments concerning the military service of Tom Cotton. It seems they were absolutely shocked that Sen. Mark Pryor would question if such military service would bestow some special qualification on someone running for elected office.

As a veteran of Vietnam, I could not help but remember the treatment of John Kerry when his service in that war, for which he was awarded the Bronze Star, the Silver Star, and three Purple Hearts, was widely denigrated as unworthy and unearned. I do not remember any Republicans of that era coming to his defense.

In the final accounting, the military issue should not be an issue at all. Instead, we should be looking at the two candidates’ stated positions and voting records. Should Cotton get elected and all of his positions become law, what would happen to us in our everyday lives? The same thing for Pryor. Both of these guys have enough of a record for us to make some very good educated guesses.

Let’s tune out all the misleading and dishonest ads, look up their records, and think for ourselves.

RICHARD PICARD Little Rock

Dedicated Americans

It is great that you fly the American flag in honor of the U.S.A. and the millions of our men and women who have served our country since World War I until the present time, especially those who have died so that Americans enjoy freedom.

As a reminder, do not fly the American flag when it is torn, faded or at night unless you have a light on it.

It is amazing and deplorable how many Americans across our great nation never, ever fly the flag but profess to be such dedicated Americans!

God bless our country and our troops.

CHARLES A. METZGER III Sherwood

Forgotten his message

The Bible refers to Jesus entering the temple, overthrowing the tables of the money-changers and saying they had made the temple a den of thieves. Should Jesus appear today and enter our esteemed capitol in Washington, D.C., I believe every last one of our legislators would be cast out onto the Capitol steps. He would be so disgusted with their actions, or better yet, their non-action.

Jesus was a compassionate and loving person who looked out for the poor, the afflicted and the underprivileged. Pope Francis, much like Jesus, shows those same attributes and says the church has to step back and show compassion for those who walk to a different beat. Today a lot of us have forgotten the message of Jesus. Skewed thinking and ideas of equality and compassion have arisen.

There are those who think that “as long as one believes the way I do,” everything is hunky-dory. Trying to force everyone to accept ideas and beliefs has created a quagmire. One size does not fit all.

Bizarre tactics such as those demonstrated by the wacko state of Arizona are unacceptable. At least the governor had the good sense to veto that bill which would have given retailers the right to refuse service to homosexuals. Arizona has already passed a law that discriminates against Hispanics. As my skin is a little on the dark side, especially during the summer, I’d better be careful driving through that state.

Would this have been the way of Jesus? No. We are all his children.

Read between the lines, fellow Christians, and practice what Jesus really taught. Hopefully, common sense will prevail and reign for us all. FRANK SWEGHEIMER Benton

Cotton is right for job

I am patriotic and I am religious. That apparently makes me a scoundrel, according to Samuel Johnson and Mr. Howell Medders. Also, I am a Vietnam veteran, as is Mr. Medders.

Congressman Tom Cotton’s military service is an important part of his resume. The United States Senate could use someone who has contemporary knowledge of our military. For Mr. Medders to say he will vote against him because he advertises his military service as a qualification for office seems a stretch to me.

What Mr. Medders apparently is really saying is that he is satisfied with the direction of our country, Obamacare, our defunct foreign policy, IRS and other scandals, the possibility of another Supreme Court justice being nominated, and, of course, Sen.Harry Reid staying a majority leader.

Then in that case, Mr. Medders needs to go ahead and vote for Senator Pryor.

RUSS BAILEY Little Rock

Be wary in obituaries

A letter printed recently said that an obituary should include cause of death and when the person was born. I believe including birth dates is actually dangerous, since it is a gift to identity thieves. And cause of death may be nobody’s business.

MICHAEL KLOSSNER Little Rock