In the last quarter of the 20th Century, it seems the global progressive movement began to set parameters for the control of our national political and societal conversations. These parameters (commonly known as political correctness) act as electrically charged fences within which all public dialogue must be confined. They are promulgated and reinforced by national and international media, the academic community, the entertainment industry, and the progressive faction in control of the Democratic Party in Washington.

The ever-expanding list of restrictive fences include racism, affirmative action, sexism, multiculturalism, homophobia, Islamophobia, illegal immigration, global warming, God, and Christianity. Apparently being erected at present is a "nationalist" fence wherein any favorable reference to the U.S. and our Constitution in contrast to other nations is deemed ignorantly regressive. Those who find themselves on the wrong side of one or more of these fences are condemned, ridiculed and ostracized.

Political correctness is not an end in itself. In my opinion, it is a "defensive shield" for use in a political battle to replace America's constitutional, free-enterprise system as established by America's founders with a socialist economic system envisioned by Marxian thinkers and promulgated by Vladimir Lenin, with the ultimate goal a global economic system centrally planned by a governing elite. I believe the socialist redistributive ideology now permeates every important institution in our country.

Although many are aware, too many continue to ignore the elephant in our culture.

DENNIS LEGGETT

Batesville

No matter the costs

I would like to speak out against the representatives who spoke out against the exchange of prisoners being held at the Guantanamo facility in exchange for Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, a U.S. soldier held by the Taliban since June 30, 2009.

Not knowing the full truth of his capture, my horror at those who are saying this should never have happened. I would love to ask: If this was their son, brother, daughter, sister or just a friend, what would be their stand?

When we are involved in a crisis like Ukraine, they are at the forefront, rattling their sabers. No matter the cost, whenever there is a chance to bring any soldier home, we should by all means assure that it's done, especially when it's us who sent them to dark, bloody battlefields.

I think this protest is the equivalent of the VA health-care scandal.

TITUS ARNOLD

El Dorado

Make boss look good

President Barack Obama ought to be mad as heck. His staff have let him down.

At one time, I worked as an assistant to a corporate vice president. Your primary responsibilities in that position are (1) help to make the boss look good and (2) help to cover his backside.

With the Bergdahl case, it looks like they have done neither. Using their logic, they would have traded for Benedict Arnold and not given it a second thought.

JOE WHALEN

North Little Rock

Exercising freedoms

In reply to Sallye Martin of Fayetteville, she stated that she believes "the Constitution guarantees the separation of church and state. Any pulpit that preaches politics should lose tax-exempt status."

Please reference U.S. Constitution, Amendment 1: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

I believe a preacher in the pulpit is not Congress making a law to establish a religion, but only a person exercising the freedoms given in Amendment 1 of the U.S. Constitution.

MARGARET JONES

Conway

Absurd observation

Mr. Roger Webb writes that he had returned from a college reunion where he hung out with "well-informed people" and that "Republicans are responsible for almost all the national debt."

I think it is inconceivable that a well-informed citizen could make such an absurd observation. To list the myriad number of wasteful and fraud-laden government-sponsored programs I believe have contributed to the financial crisis this nation finds itself in would be a waste of time for well-informed citizens.

While the uninformed might benefit from such a list, I find it almost bizarre that Democrats would not be referenced as a major cause of the national debt problem. Being well-informed seems a reasonable expectation in this age of mass and almost instant communication--especially among college reunion groups.

RICHARD WILHELM

Little Rock

Upheld Constitution

I just read Judge Christopher Piazza's opinion in Wright v. Arkansas. I found it intelligent and well-written. In it he finds Arkansas' legislative ban on same-sex marriage to be unconstitutional.

Last Sunday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette contained state Sen. Jason Rapert's guest column. Since it seems his column made no substantive reference to the opinion or the Constitution, I've summarized Judge Piazza's constitutional conclusions:

The U.S. Constitution is the supreme law in the land. A large majority of voters approved it. That majority intended that future majorities could not target unpopular minorities. The Equal Protection Clause forbids a state from denying to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws, and promotes the ideal that all persons similarly situated should be treated alike.

Our Supreme Court has singled out a few fundamental rights, including privacy (Griswold v. Connecticut), and freedom to marry (Loving v. Virginia). States may abridge these rights only for valid governmental purposes. In Wright v. Arkansas, the state argued such a purpose, but failed to convince Judge Piazza that banning same-sex marriage would make heterosexual marriages more successful.

A judge who applies existing law should not be labeled an activist. In making the decision he did, I believe Judge Piazza upheld the U.S. Constitution. He and Senator Rapert both took an oath to do so.

DONALD P. BALLA

Siloam Springs

See how districts live

I was disappointed in the negative vote for the increase in the minimum wage by our four U.S. representatives to Congress.

What is their hourly rate? They would need a calculator to figure it, I believe. What are their benefits, and are they deducted from their monthly payroll?

I suggest, during their summer recess, a visit to their own districts to see how the low-income people live weekly, monthly. Many schoolchildren receive free school meals due to their parents' situations. What will they eat this summer?

It is imperative that they represent all the people in their own districts and not serve special interests only.

Integrity was a pledge given at the time they each took office. I wish they would review it now.

ANITA GATZKE

Little Rock

Not enough time

I don't know why you printed that endless screed by Jason Rapert. If you could have printed it in December, it could have warmed my house all winter. All that hot air. What a waste!

I don't have a job. I don't have a pet. I no longer have family or children. I don't do my own yard work, and I don't do windows.

Yet I can't find one second in the day to nose into my neighbors' affairs.

How does Jason do it? He needs to get a job, a real job. Being a legislator doesn't count.

DOROTHY MEYER

Maumelle

Good in diversity

I watched a TV special with President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle as guests. The entertainers were mostly black, as was much of the audience.

As I listened and watched, I could feel the difference in the soul, in the response, and I felt left out.

There is much good in diversity, more than in integration.

CLARA FISHER FIELDS

Bentonville

Forcing their lifestyle

I have grown tired of seeing the repeated references everywhere that call out opponents of same-sex marriage as hypocrites if they oppose homosexuality but are OK eating pork, or catfish, or shrimp, or what have you. It is mind-numbingly tiresome.

I personally (and the people I know) am not opposed to this behavior because of the law passed down to the Hebrews (which I am not), but based on the law given to Christians of all nationalities (which I am) in Romans and numerous other New Testament references.

Additionally, there have been recent statements that we should not be trying to force our beliefs on anyone else. "You don't see Jews forcing people to eat kosher" and the like. I'm sure you don't see Jews suing photographers just because because they'll shoot a birthday but not a bar mitzvah. You don't see Jews dragging bakers to court because they aren't willing to provide a cake for a Jewish wedding. You don't see Jews having people drummed out of counseling school because they won't do marriage counseling for Jews.

I believe that is exactly what it would look like if they were trying to force their lifestyle on people. They don't do these things because they know they can go elsewhere for these services.

I believe there is one group that has done all of these things; one might be led to believe the homosexual lobbyists are trying to force their lifestyle on the rest of us ... food for thought.

JAMES ALLEN

Gentry

Hope for movie lovers

My initial enthusiasm upon reading that the Riverdale 10 Cinema was to reopen with a mix of mainstream and independent films was dampened when I learned that the current owner of Market Street Cinema was behind the reopening.

Addicted to foreign and independent films, I was for many years a devoted Market Street patron. For a city our size to have a movie theater showing such a wide variety of indie films was truly extraordinary. Regular patrons put up with uncomfortable seats and poor sound and lighting because we craved the product and did not mind paying first-run prices for films shown on shoddy equipment in an uncomfortable environment.

Time passed. Market Street began to sell alcoholic beverages, which was a necessary addition because one needed the sedating effects of alcohol to endure the foul-smelling restrooms, broken plumbing, dirty floors and generally seedy atmosphere that exists today. My wife and I finally said "no more." The dirt and darkness overwhelmed our desire to see the often excellent films on display.

Since he is starting with a better facility at Riverdale 10, I genuinely hope the new owner will live up to his promise of improved sound and film quality. The seats at Riverdale were always comfortable and roomy. All the factors for success appear to be present if we can count on a clean, comfortable and well-maintained environment.

Although skeptical, I plan to be first in line when the revamped Riverdale 10 reopens this month. I hope others share my enthusiasm and help pack the house.

DAVID COCKCROFT

Little Rock

Editorial on 06/09/2014