A conflict of interests
How in the great state of Arkansas can Rep. Dan Sullivan, R-Jonesboro, be chief executive of a child-care company that reportedly has been shown to be complicit in child neglect and recently in a child's death, and be able to be a sponsor of Act 576, which stripped the state commission of its authority to regulate child-care centers?
Can there be any greater evidence of a conflict of interest for an elected representative's care for his constituents and his own wallet?
I believe Representative Sullivan should either be an advocate for the profits of his company or looking out for the health of the children in his district--not both. Given the choice between the two, it seems he has already made it clear which is of greater importance to him.
JEFFREY DeSANTIS
Little Rock
Fight for middle class
In response to John Yates' letter, he talks about the majority of that class that does not pay into the system, apparently referring to the fact that about 47 percent of Americans do not pay any income tax. Which is true because most of that 47 percent are children, retirees, or do not make enough income to pay the income taxes. Income taxes are used to make sure the rich pay their fair share of taxes, even though with their influence on our political system I believe they still do not pay their fair share percentage-wise.
He also said that everybody should pay for their own health care. Most Americans do, but since the Reagan era, middle-class income has shrunk substantially, I believe because of the Republican attacks on unions and workers, while the top 10 percent's income has risen greatly. If the rich would allow more income to go to the workers, they could afford to pay for their own health insurance or maybe have it provided by their employers.
In the good old days, when unions were stronger, more workers had health care and pensions provided by the employer, but today because of Republicans, it seems most jobs do not. Republicans do not care about people's needs; only the needs of the rich and tax cuts for them, and that is sickening. The middle class prospers under Democratic presidents and Congresses, and as Casey Stengel said, "you can look it up." I am proud to say I support Democrats because they fight for the middle class and the poor and enact laws that do that. Without Democrats there is no Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and other programs that help average Americans.
LEE LEWIS
Bella Vista
Affordable health care
This "administration" is advocating letting "Obamacare" implode. It seems it wants to withhold payments to deliberately impede the insurance market.
This feels like it is almost illegal but, if not, it would be mean and evil to watch fellow Americans being tortured. Besides that, the people who need it the most are the ones who voted for this administration.
It seems to me a better idea would be to drop "Obamacare" and work earnestly to fix the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
LEDRIDGE DAVIS
Hot Springs
If repeal is warranted
The Affordable Care Act increases access to health insurance for Americans, but does little to control costs. At around $10,000 a year per capita, America spends two to three times as much on health care as other well-to-do countries. And for all that money we receive fewer doctor visits and suffer higher death rates.
Now that the fight to repeal "Obamacare" is over, we should find ways to lower costs.
The outrageously high prices Americans pay for prescription drugs is no accident. For 30 years administrations of both parties have enacted bad legislation to give the pharmaceutical industry unfair advantage and raise prices: 1987, ban on re-importation of prescription drugs; 1997, direct to consumer adverting permitted, 2003, Medicare prohibited from bargaining on drug prices; 2010, patent rights extended for prescription drugs.
If somebody wants to repeal something, they should repeal those four laws--tomorrow--and the prices we pay for prescription medicine would come way down closer to where they should be. And I think most Americans agree with me.
People have strong feelings for their own political party. But in this case I think it's clear that both parties are responsible for causing this problem.
We become better people and more able to get past the rough spots when we own our mistakes. I believe we're all a lot more alike than different. And I know we get more accomplished working together than we do fighting among ourselves.
OWEN REIN
Mountain View
Solve violence in city
I watched Asa Hutchinson's presentation of his "task force" that's gonna solve the violence problem. I looked in vain for black folks in Asa's group of speakers. Chief Buckner was at a funeral. That accounts for one. No other black folks were in the line of speakers and none visible in the audience.
At 77 with a decent memory, I recall the school integration mess.The black folks were informed by the whites in power what they were going to get, what to expect from whom. They were given to know if we wanted you black folks' opinion, wishes, needs, or anything else, we'd have asked for it, so keep in your place and don't get "uppity."
And we've been in court ever since.
Want several more years of being in court because the chamber and the caudillo and his echo chamber in charge are doing it all over again? Keep up the present approach to the violence problem among black folks and you'll get it. Until you ask for their help, cooperation and full participation, you are barking up the wrong tree. Without it, you haven't a ghost of a chance.
Get off your damned high horse, swallow your pride and ask for their help. Attitude from both sides is the key.
KARL HANSEN
Hensley
Editorial on 08/08/2017