Letters

Hypocrisy in politics

Thank you for your editorial last Monday pointing out hypocrisy in government. The piece might have been more impactful if it had presented a more balanced view of hypocrisy in elected officials. While I don't expect you to point it out every time you see it--merely pointing out the hypocrisy in Tom Cotton's public pronouncements would be a full-time job--you could, for instance, have mentioned the hypocrisy of Mitch McConnell, Paul Ryan, and their Arkansas acolytes, deficit hawks all when a Democrat occupied the Oval Office, who then proudly celebrated their votes for a corporate tax cut and an inflated defense budget that greatly accelerated the growth of the deficit.

Now that they have taken care of the donor class, of course, they are "concerned" again about the deficit, and will be exploring ways to reduce spending at the expense of their constituents whose reliance on static paychecks or Social Security does not afford them the luxury of hiring lobbyists or making large campaign contributions.

Hypocrisy? You bet.

MARK STENGEL

Fayetteville

Hurt by his policies

Our president is pursuing a doctrine of cruelty, fearmongering, and divisiveness that is tearing the country and our society apart. By itself this would be not a good thing, but to make it even worse, a significant part of the electorate thinks this is something to be celebrated. They seem to feel that only by destroying the current system can progress be made toward an equitable solution to their problems. And they do have real problems.

In my opinion, the current income gap between rich and poor is at the root of the current troubles. From Wikipedia: From 1950 to 1980 the top 1 percent of households received approximately 10 percent of this country's pre-tax income and by 2013 this had increased to 20 percent. The president has tapped into a feeling of being left out of the economic "good times" felt by some and used it as food to feed his need for ego-enhancing adulation. His hard-core supporters cheer when he denigrates the free press, the judiciary, and the "elite" because they feel the current system is not working for them.

I guess the sad part of all this is that the system really is not working for them. And the irony of their support is that the policies of the Trump administration have made their income inequality even worse. A tax cut that significantly helps the wealthy, in addition to conservative federal judges that favor business interests over low-income assistance (welfare), will inevitably make it even worse in the future.

President Trump has managed to get the very people who are most negatively affected by his policies to be the core of his most adamant and vocal support. At the same time those most helped by his policies quietly watch and take it to the bank. Who could have guessed?

RICHARD PICARD

Little Rock

All part of Putin plan

It seems not only is our tyrant president trying to destroy our democracy and rule of law, he has our boot-licking congressmen doing the same. Are they all working for Vladimir Putin? It sure seems like it. Everything Putin has wanted is being done by our own leaders. Does that make any sense? Trump would surely love to be one of his admired dictators, and it looks like he's well on his way unless we start insisting our spineless congressmen start standing up for us.

We are on the wrong highway going the wrong way. Start defending our country, people.

VIC JOHNSON

Mount Ida

Forgotten teachings

There have been a number of letters of late from conservative Christians. I am an Episcopalian and therefore not a conservative Christian. In my church we do not dwell overly much on the book of Revelation. I do have a question for those of a conservative bent who support Trump: Have you forgotten the teachings about the Anti-Christ? As I understand it, the Anti-Christ would basically perform actions which would be directly opposite to those Jesus would do. So ... lying, cheating, being cruel to others, bigotry, perhaps? Hmmm ... sound familiar at all?

He would, apparently, be destined to gain power, but I have decided that I would not wish to support this process. Therefore, I will do anything possible to obstruct the agenda of Donald Trump.

Actually, I think there is enough demonic about Trump without the biblical references.

CATHERINE LAMB

Little Rock

On cross-lined road

I walked along the cross-lined road from Bigelow to Little Rock. From each one a torn body in agony hung, each man claiming to be Spartacus, the man who "desecrated" Jason Rapert's graven idol; each saying virtually the same thing:

"I did it. I used Jesus' words to upset the ungodliest holy shaman in the state."

"I did it. I covered up Old Testament words with the New Testament words of J. Christ, a peace-loving Galilean carpenter and community organizer."

"I did it. I covered the naked stone so that the world would not see our shame."

One crucified rebel after another called out: "I am Spartacus. I did it. I did it."

Upon the state Capitol grounds, I reached the last cross beneath which was a torn banner that said "Thou shalt love thy neighbors as thyself," tossed there by a sneering acolyte guard.

As he was dying, this final Spartacus spoke: "Crucify us, Jason. We all did it. Hang us to your cruel crosses. Hammer our hands and feet with your nails of hate, stab our side with the spear of your bigotry. Line our pain-wracked bodies along your misbegotten road to self-righteous glory.

"And if you dare walk 'neath our suffering forms, we will all scream in your ears: I did it!"

JEROME TIDMORE

Little Rock

Editorial on 07/09/2018

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