A small sum for care
After reading about the budget cuts that the city of North Little Rock is going to have to make to nonprofit funding, I couldn't help but share my opinion.
My husband and sons have all benefited from the North Little Rock Boys Club, and I have done volunteer work there. All four of my grandsons have gone to private day care, so did not need their summer or after-school program.
My boys would have been absolutely thrilled if they could have spent $30 per year for day care. Three thousand dollars would have been a bargain. A family of four probably spends more than $30 per month on toilet paper!
By giving up one fast-food meal a month or a few packs of cigarettes, recipients of their programs could easily pay $30 per month, not per year, or even $300 per year. Problem solved. The city need not be involved at all.
I see no problem feeding the hungry, but I draw the line at providing almost-free day care.
SANDRA DIAL
Sherwood
Is there a point here?
What's the goal of politicians? Why do they run for office--money, fame, for a lifetime job, to better their city, state or nation?
For too many years, politicians have helped make law after law and added to these laws (notable example, the convoluted IRS). Here's a thought: Why not elect someone whose goal is to eliminate some laws? Bunches of 'em. Simplify 'em. It's amazing how a TV reporter can tell us in a soundbite what it takes lawyers 1,001 pages to explain.
Whatever happened to common sense? What happened to common courtesy? Who do you trust anymore? Where's Johnny? Playing with friends somewhere in the neighborhood. What? Are you crazy? You let him go off to play unsupervised? That's dangerous! Don't you read the papers or watch TV?
Are politicians trying to make laws to make everyone think, play, act, and walk look the same? How dull would that be? Kick diversity out the window. Bring in sameness.
As one former president might say, "Not going to happen. Not at this junction. Not on my watch."
It's frustrating living in these lawful times. It's getting harder to play in your own backyard without interference. It ain't getting any better, folks. There are more questions than answers. Too many politicians thinking that, to do something, you need more laws.
Is there anything that can be done? Cannot the present and the future learn from the past? Law, law, have mercy, law.
GORDON SWAIM
North Little Rock
To do what we won't
We originally encouraged illegal aliens (mostly Mexicans) to come to this country with the excuse that "they would do work that Americans won't do." Now they are here and it seems they have been accorded the same rights and privileges as natural-born Americans--free this and that and the other thing. Soon we will hear that these illegals won't do work Americans won't do.
Maybe the next group will be Muslims. However, I'm sure they will be glad to have Americans do the jobs they won't. Read the Koran.
JOHN W. NEWBURY
Huttig
To save our republic
Clearly, Dana Kelley's constitutional literacy is evident in a recent column that describes, in part, what I believe to be the ongoing and systematic dismantling of our Constitution. He carefully constructs the persuasive argument that it is the duty of "We the People," not that of government, to preserve our republic. But how?
I believe the answer lies in the bipartisan, state-led movement that is gaining momentum nationwide to rein in Washington, restrict its power and jurisdiction, and restore state sovereignty through the "emergency cord provisions" of Article V of the Constitution.
Article V provides two ways of amending the Constitution: the "traditional" way where amendments originate in Congress, and the state-led way where amendments originate in a Convention of States. In both methods, the ratification process by the states is identical, preventing any possibility of the "runaway convention" hobgoblin of naysayers.
Think of a Convention of States that could propose amendments to limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, impose fiscal restraints on it, and restore state sovereignty. Think balanced budget, tax reform, regulation reform, and a Superior Court of the States over the Supreme Court.
Operations of the Convention of States Project are underway in over 40 states. Three have completed the application process and legislation is proceeding in several others. The citizens of Arkansas and our state legislature are asked to stand up, step out and speak up in support of this initiative which arguably may be the last best hope of saving the republic.
MARK ALSPAUGH
Hot Springs Village
Rights of protesters
I think the recent Supreme Court decision regarding abortion clinic protests didn't go far enough. What's needed here is no less than a Protesters' Bill of Rights.
For example: I have the right to stay out of your face. I have the right to stay out of your personal space. I have the right to speak in a conversational-level volume of voice. I have the right to mind my own business. I have the right to keep my opinion to myself until such time as it is requested. I have the right to not make a traumatic situation even more traumatic by ranting and raving and confronting other human beings. I have the right to practice the Golden Rule, and if I don't know that rule, I am in the wrong place. And finally, I have the right to go away, mad or not.
DON SHORT
Farmington
A culture of violence
The United States of Armed and Dangerous!
How many more people have to die before our lawmakers stand up to the NRA and enact sensible gun laws? When will the state, country and gun lobby start to value life over the right to bear arms?
The culture of violence has to end. What will it take?
DORRIE MECKES
Cabot
Editorial on 07/11/2014