About our differences
I would like to reply to RL Hutson of Cabot. The agreement can start with the statement made by Hutson that the general populace left and right want basically the same things. We all want good schools for our kids, access to affordable health care, good jobs, and some economic security in our old age.
However, our differences arise with Hutson's statement that the difference is the general populace left wants these things for everyone, while the general populace right only wants them for people like themselves. My opinion is the general populace left wants the government to force policy on everyone, while the general populace right would prefer to have the freedom to choose what is best for each of us no matter our political view.
B.R. GOODWIN
Beebe
Must be like Einstein
"To do nothing is to be complicit." Those are words attributed to the great Albert Einstein, words prompting me to take action.
To that end, I will be actively involved in voter registration to get folks signed up to participate in the Nov. 6 general election. The deadline to register is Oct. 8.
Contrary to popular belief, felons who have fulfilled all their obligations can vote. Just go by your county courthouse with your adjudication paperwork. Also, teenagers who will celebrate their 18th birthday before Nov. 6 can register now and vote in the general election. To those who say "our votes don't count," that is not true. Every vote counts. Why else would both political parties fight over redistricting and voter suppression? They know the power of the voting public. Don't be swayed to believe otherwise.
According to Einstein, who fought for civil rights here in America after fleeing his Nazi-occupied Germany, "The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing."
Let your voice be heard this November. Participate in the political process. Be like Einstein. Do something. Vote!
ANNA MATTHEWS
Eureka Springs
Sure, forget about us
My satellite television provider, after an hour-long call, informed me Sunday that because I was a loyal customer for the past two years, my rates would be increasing. I pointed out its advertisement in this paper, only to be told only "new" customers were eligible. Obviously, years in sales and marketing have proved my theory that a current and loyal customer is the most valuable one has been deemed obsolete.
Ironically, while on hold, I was reading the Sunday editorials, and discovered this paper apparently subscribes to the same premise.
The "Missed opportunity" editorial advocates a plan in which "new" residents moving to Arkansas would be given a five-year waiver on any and all income taxes. In other words, loyal Arkansans, sorry, keep doling out your normal rate (unless you're wealthy and Asa and the Legislature have a new plan on the horizon for you), but new residents, hey, five free years.
Wonder how longtime Arkansas residents and taxpayers would feel about that?
ANTHONY LLOYD
Hot Springs
Arrange annual game
Being a lifelong resident of Northeast Arkansas, all of my life I've had to put up without receiving any sign of respect from the rest of the state, in particular the central part of the state, for the football program at Arkansas State University. Because of that slight, I have to admit that I took no small amount of pleasure in seeing the latest preseason rankings of NCAA Division I football by CBS.
If you will take the time to see that ranking, you will see that ASU is ranked 54th in the nation and that the University of Arkansas is ranked 64th. I am not implying that this ranking necessarily means that ASU would or could beat the U of A, but I am inferring that the rest of the nation is starting to recognize the caliber of football that ASU is capable of playing. Unlike the majority of states around us where the top-tier teams will play the mid-level teams in that state, Arkansas still refuses to move out from the shadow and the philosophy of Coach Broyles, who thought there could only be one major football team in each state.
Since the U of A will not play ASU I would submit to the citizens of central Arkansas, because for the most part the U of A has stopped playing games in Little Rock, that it is time for ASU to start playing one game each year in Little Rock. Teams like Tulsa, Missouri or Ole Miss, all teams that have or will have played ASU by the end of this year, would more than likely come to a larger venue like Little Rock to play Arkansas State. This could be a win-win for the state, as it would enlighten the central part of the state to the level of football that ASU is capable of and would bring in much-needed revenue.
I therefore issue a challenge to those in charge of scheduling events at War Memorial Stadium and to Arkansas State's athletic director to arrange such an annual football game. Try it; I think you will like it!
ROBERT E. GARDNER
Jonesboro
Honor their sacrifice
Every Wednesday five or six successful retired men (usually at least one has a doctor's appointment), meet at Sam's Club for "Dogs Day" (hot dogs and drinks). All of us are in our 70s and 80s, and all of us are veterans who volunteered our services to our country.
Last year all of us made a commitment not to watch NFL football as long as some players, as we felt, were disrespectful to our nation's flag and national anthem. We will do so again this year as the disrespect continues.
For just a few moments, why can't this country stop, come together as a nation, and honor those who served and are now serving, and most important, those who made the supreme sacrifice so that we may have the freedoms we have today?
ED BUFORD
Hot Springs
Editorial on 08/16/2018