On citizen scapegoats
Watching some of the Republican presidential candidates demonize citizens of this country who happen to follow the Muslim faith reminds me of one of the darkest times in human history. Hitler demonized those of the Jewish faith in Europe, which led to unimaginable horror in the 1930s and '40s.
The Republicans are such a dour bunch. So filled with bitterness, anger and hatred. What happened to that old Reagan religion of the city on the hill?
Perhaps Republicans today are just constipated.
President Barack Obama recently said at the Islamic Center in Baltimore that Americans who scapegoat fellow Americans who are Muslims represent the worst of humankind. I couldn't agree more.
RICHARD MOORE
Little Rock
Just pull the string ...
It's interesting to see the differences between what happened in the Republican debate in New Hampshire and what was initially reported on by some wire services.
One of the highlights of the debate was Chris Christie pointing out the canned robotic responses that Marco Rubio gives to questions. Rubio then went on to give the same verbatim canned response three more times, making himself look like an utter fool.
I believe the exchange between Rubio and Christie wasn't a minor one and should have been reported because it seems to get at the essence of Rubio's campaign. Rubio is talented at memorizing lines but doesn't seem to do as well at thinking on his feet.
He reminds me of the old "Chatty Cathy" dolls. Pull the string and out comes a recorded response.
MICHAEL FOX
Russellville
He will have last word
I do not think anyone who has supported gay marriage is going to be happy when they stand before the almighty God and have to give an answer, when they are asked, how they could agree with something that he has condemned.
I believe God made man and woman equipped to propagate mankind, not to use as entertainment. What a fool man has made out of God's commandments.
We all need to remember that the Bible says it will be an awesome thing to stand in front of the almighty judge at the Judgment Day, and this judge will have the last word. There is no repeal.
MARY BARNES
Magnolia
Ditch comics, please
It is about comics, again. I believe Zack Hill, Wumo and Lio are poorly drawn, insipid, sophomoric, annoying and dreadful. They should be discontinued. I am surprised that the stately Arkansas Democrat-Gazette tolerates them.
My favorite comics are Pickles, Hi and Lois, Blondie and Beetle Bailey.
Yes, you guessed it, I am over 80.
RICHARD CLARK
Little Rock
Don't subsidize buses
You have probably already forgotten another little ol' tax up for a vote today, the one for the Arts Center. Trying to keep up with them is confusing. The bus tax I am talking about here is in the next few weeks.
Not that you have to be there. Just stay home; have some more coffee.
Public buses are a large public expense, and about to become bigger if this proposed tax increase is approved. I note that at least two of the proponents refer to three million riders. My own calculations tell me the number is probably closer to about 11,000 daily users in the entire county.
We don't regulate taxi companies all that much, and their customers seem to be getting good service. Why not license private companies to provide public bus service and the cities just get out of it? The costs of maintaining and subsidizing it would be eliminated, and the riders would still get the same service, maybe better. It's not free, you know; the riders still have to pay. Why should the taxpayers have to keep subsidizing a service that costs so much and serves so few? The answer is they shouldn't.
The same is true for all of the restaurants in Little Rock and North Little Rock that have to collect and pay the 2 percent hotel-restaurant tax on every meal they serve. That's another municipal flim-flam that everyone pays but which benefits only the few downtown hotels and restaurants that have the convention business.
Find out who your elected city director is and give them two ears full. And don't vote for them anymore. Term limits for all. Pass it on!
WALTER SKELTON
Little Rock
How policies are seen
The recent letter by Paul Wagener expresses concern that we just don't see President Barack Obama's accomplishments. Let me try to enlighten you, Mr. Wagener, on how I believe the typical Arkansas voter sees his accomplishments.
We see higher taxes, tax penalties, higher insurance premiums and higher medical deductibles. These same voters also saw that the railroading of Obamacare through the Senate cost both Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor their jobs.
When Obama was elected president in 2008, Arkansas had a Democratic governor, both senators were Democrats and so were three of the four House members. Today, in a total sweep, Arkansas Republicans control the governor's office in Little Rock and every Senate and House seat in Washington, D.C. If that wasn't enough, voters elected Republicans in all of the state constitutional offices besides governor.
But since I am a fair and open-minded person, I have to admit that if I received free health care, food stamps, SSI or welfare checks, I believe I would see his accomplishments in a totally different light.
JAMES GARRETT
Russellville
Editorial on 02/09/2016