Letters

An outsourcing trend

On Thursday, the Democrat-Gazette reported on the layoffs of nine workers at the state Capitol. These people were on the night maintenance staff. They earned from $26,000 to $28,860 per year, according to the article. A 10th worker resigned before the layoff notices were delivered.

The work is being outsourced to a company named 21st Century Janitorial Service. It will be paid $20,928 per month.

Assuming for simplicity that all 10 workers were at the $28,860 level, their wages for 12 months would have totaled $288,600. The outside company's payments will total $251,136.

A spokesman for Secretary of State Mark Martin said that the outsourcing would save about $100,000 a year. The discrepancy of roughly $60,000 was not explained, but I assume it represents savings from benefits that won't be paid.

Saving tax dollars is a good goal, but this action seems to me terribly hard-hearted.

At their salaries, the 10 employees were probably among the working poor. Even if they find new jobs at similar pay, they are unlikely to find similar levels of health and retirement coverage. Perhaps some will be able to take advantage of the Affordable Care Act, but that option may disappear soon.

This kind of outsourcing is no different from what companies everywhere are doing now. I am afraid that those of us not directly hurt by this trend are becoming very callous.

MARY LOWE KENNEDY

Little Rock

Another way to see it

Let's take another look at this Russian influence in our election thing.

I am of the belief that there can be little doubt that they tried, and succeeded, to influence the election. I don't think they directly changed any votes, but instead, their influence was felt as a general aura of distrust in Hillary Clinton that was fostered by the continuous and timely release of information chosen to cast doubts on her leadership ability.

In addition, there was a coordinated attack on her in social media that included many falsehoods and rehashes of Clinton myths going back to her days as first lady of Arkansas. I believe this was orchestrated by the Russians in an effort to weaken her as president and they were as surprised as us when their efforts instead resulted in her election loss.

It could very well be that her loss may turn out to be a good thing for the country. Just imagine what would be going on in the country now if she were president. The very partisan House of Representatives would be investigating her every move and Articles of Impeachment would be drafted on a monthly basis. Republican town halls would be filled with chants of "Lock her up." Total gridlock would be the order of the day, like we are seeing now.

But now I believe even the most casual observer can see, beyond any doubt, the incompetence and unsuitability of President Trump. Thus, his removal from office may wind up being a popular bipartisan action that, for a short time at least, could unify the country. Hallelujah!

RICHARD L. PICARD

Little Rock

The party atmosphere

Not only are the Republicans and Democrats not on the same page, they aren't even using the same book!

May God have mercy on the un-United States of America.

YVONNE SAMONS

Little Rock

Not really 'American'

It's not only that millions of Americans would lose their health-care insurance under the so-called American Health Care Act. Not only would that bill eliminate tax revenue currently paid by rich investors, insurers, pharma, and medical-device manufacturers. Not only would it no longer require coverage for essential services like hospital care, prescription drugs, and dental and vision care for children.

The bill also slashes Medicaid, the federal-state health-insurance program for the needy. And if you think you're not needy, think again. Anyone could end up in a nursing home paying around $64,596 a year for care. Medicaid is the program that steps in to help with those staggering costs.

The pending bill would eliminate the three-month grace period that currently pays during the Medicaid application process. That would cost applicants around $16,149 for nursing-home care over the three months it can take to compile and approve applications. The bill also abruptly cuts off federal contributions when allocated funds run out. States would either have to pay or deny Medicaid to people who would otherwise qualify.

Rep. Steve Womack whipped votes for this bill, and all four Arkansas congressmen approved it. Those Arkansas votes mattered in the four-vote margin by which this thing squeaked by in the House. Now the Senate working group, including Sen. Tom Cotton, will either tinker with or throw out this thing altogether.

Let's see whether massive cuts to health care and tax breaks for the rich really are the American way.

ANITA SCHNEE

Fayetteville

Support disappointed

Rep. Steve Womack emphasized his loyalty only to the folks who voted for him at his "coffee" in West Fork on Feb. 21 and many other times. Yet he recently voted to repeal the ACA and replace it with Trumpcare.

With this vote, it seems Representative Womack gave Donald Trump a few political points without regard to the life-threatening consequences for his own constituents. I believe Trumpcare harms the poor, children, women and families, persons with disabilities and pre-existing conditions, immigrants, and even persons with employer-provided coverage. The only benefit is to the wealthy and corporations.

The hasty vote on this bill was held without hearings, without analysis from the Congressional Budget Office, and without giving members enough time to even read the bill. Perhaps Representative Womack is unaware that 24 million Americans will be uninsured, that people with pre-existing conditions could be no longer protected, that older Americans will likely experience a 750 percent increase in premiums, and that $880 billion will be cut from Medicaid.

I am extremely disappointed in Representative Womack's support of this bill, and I hope that our senators, Tom Cotton and John Boozman, will act with more care as the bill moves in the Senate. The health and well-being of the people of Arkansas, our very lives, depend on it.

JAN M. VANSCHUYVER

Fayetteville

Editorial on 05/23/2017

Upcoming Events