Vote 'no' on Issue 1
The U.S. Constitution provides, "In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed $20, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved ..."
The Arkansas Constitution provides, "The right of trial by jury shall remain inviolate, and shall extend to all cases at law, without regard to the amount in controversy ..."; "Every person is entitled to a certain remedy in the laws for all injuries or wrongs he may receive in his person ..."
Now special interests are trying to deprive Arkansans of rights guaranteed by our forefathers. These special interests control politicians who are trying to decide, in advance, the value of human life by violating the right to have juries decide these matters based upon the evidence they hear in each jury trial.
The framers of the constitutions, while the framing quill was still dripping ink, could have added, "... provided, however, no person shall ever recover more than $250,000."
The fact that they did not illustrates the fact that they trusted jurors to decide what remedy and how much each person is entitled to when they are injured or wronged. The framers set a lower limit--$20--but no upper limit because they knew they could not predict, in advance, the damages, injuries, loss and compensation a person is entitled to, guaranteed by our constitutions, and the framers knew politicians in Little Rock cannot, shall not, ought not be allowed to violate the Constitution as lackeys for big business.
Vote "no" on 1.
JOEL PRICE
Fort Smith
Is not American way
I often wonder about Gary Lemon of Cabot, and his ideas of President Donald J. Trump. As a conservative Democrat, I know Democrats can't win all the time; however, if Jeff Flake from Arizona, a moderate Republican, won the election, we would have no problems. Trump is too far to the right. Building walls along the Mexican border. His son Donald Junior trying to dig up dirt on Hillary Clinton so she could lose the election. I have a concern about North Korea. If Trump made Kim Jong Un angry, it could be all-out nuclear war.
As I see it, Trump's way isn't the American way.
DONALD L. PUTMAN
El Dorado
Wisdom of ancestors
To those who cannot let go, Hillary lost the election while amassing more votes than President Trump along with those opposed to the electoral college.
Mrs. Hillary tallied a total of 2.865 million more votes than Mr. Trump. She did so by crushing him by 4.269 million votes in California. I ponder the thought: Do "we the people" want a presidential election decided by the voters of California? Don't believe so, but it seems the Democrats and established D.C. swamp do.
Another case of the wisdom of our founding fathers.
ROBERT McNEAL
Walnut Ridge
Thinking randomly
Three thoughts: 1. The best-kept secret in Congress is how much money is paid annually by the U.S. to other countries, and unknown (to us) causes and people. A recent news article revealed our president urging the president of Nigeria to remove trade barriers to allow the U.S. to make more investment in Nigeria. Then we find we already give hundreds of millions of dollars annually to Nigeria--for what? For nothing, that's what! Some of the countries on our gift list are Middle East countries that hate us, like Pakistan, Iran and most of the African countries, and God knows what else. So why do we keep on giving to them? Another congressional practice is the giving of "remittances" of all kinds. My requests for information about all of this are just lost somewhere. It is obvious that this is the top secret of all top secrets. What about an annual list of every payment to these countries, as well as the payments to every class of citizens who receive benefits? It's our money, so why can't we see for ourselves who and what is getting it? Be prepared for a long wait. However, an election is coming soon. Don't let this opportunity go to waste. How about term limits for Congress?
- The pig-farm controversy has become never-ending. It might be better for the state to just condemn it, pay the owners, give a pig to each citizen who wants one, then tear down the entire structure and swear to never again permit a pig farm to be located in Arkansas. It has been obvious from the start that some very influential folks have benefited in one way or another by allowing it to even get started. It's time to cut our losses and never let it happen again.
- End the UN.
WALTER SKELTON
Little Rock
Taxes and elections
The primary election ballot has several school districts' mill tax. For example, Bryant School District's 40.8 mill school tax states that the total proposed school tax levy represents the same rate presently being collected. Vote for or against the tax. However, the vote means nothing, regardless of the vote. Nothing changes. This entry on the ballot is required by the state Constitution and reflects a total waste of time and taxpayer dollars. The Legislature would have to change this and should do so as soon as possible.
On taxes, if the Legislature wants to reduce taxes, there is one tax that is so negative that I believe it is the most unreasonable tax ever created by man. I am referring to the personal property tax. This tax is on top of the sales tax you pay when you buy a boat or car for as long as you own the property. This needs to be changed as taxes are paid upon purchase and should not be charged after the initial payment is made. This change would benefit all Arkansas taxpayers.
TOM OLSON
Benton
No stuntmen, either
A real firefight is not orchestrated, as they always are in the movies.
NEIL B. ULLERY
El Dorado
Salute to our heroes
Memorial Day will soon be here, and we want to hear from you about your military heroesdad, brother, mom, aunt, whoever. Who do you think of on this solemn day?
If you haven’t been published in the past 30 days, tell us in 300 words or fewer and send it to us by 8 a.m. Thursday, and we’ll do our best to get it in the Memorial Day edition. Details on how to send in letters are in the policy box on this page.
Editorial on 05/21/2018