Letters

His gentle goodness

Even those of us who only knew Michael Storey through his work find it difficult to say goodbye to such an endearing man. Many lovely tributes have been written, and it's likely there will be many more.

But one brought simultaneous tears and smiles to me. That was John Deering's drawing published on Oct. 10. It seems fitting to picture Michael and his beloved Otus reunited on a beautiful celestial walking trail, possibly reminiscing and musing on the foibles of the still-earthbound. Many thanks, Mr. Deering, for this happy vision.

And thank you, Michael, for the smiles and gentle goodness you left behind to so many who never had the pleasure of knowing you personally.

CAROLYN B. LAROUSSE

Conway

Ballot box term limits

OK, this old Republican is now campaigning for putting term limits on all federal elected officials. The way we do this is pretty simple, really--just never again vote for an incumbent. In all cases and all political races at the national level, check the box for the other major party candidate. Stick to this every election, even if you have to hold your nose.

Most of you have seen this scenario your entire lives: The challenger will attack the programs of the incumbent while promising free bubble-up and rainbow stew; the incumbents will have long since abandoned all attempts to deliver on their versions of these visions, and have had an ample feeding at the pig-trough of public monies and lobbyists' cash. They have enjoyed the best retirement and insurance programs in the country, and will continue to enjoy these perks even after they leave office. Meanwhile, we watch the national debt grow like a California wildfire, the entitlement programs which we depend on (Medicare and Social Security) drop over the edge into insolvency, as we watch the fake hate grow ever more bitter in a sick national trend toward no-concession politics.

So join me. On the local level, go find out about your candidates. Vote your gut feelings about the best candidates for the jobs at hand. But on the national level, vote the rascals out. We are most secure when there are no entrenched politicians.

Be sure and vote. But remember, the incumbents have had their chance at personal enrichment. The occasional dedicated politician has burned out after two years, anyway. Let's call 'em all home. We need to do this if we are, at heart, still a nation of reason. See you at the polls?

CLIFF HARRISON

Hot Springs Village

Such a masterpiece!

Well, I see that our White House now has a Trump personally chosen work of art depicting himself and past Republican presidents (some great, some not-so) sitting around the table enjoying a drink. What's next, elephants sitting around the card table smoking cigars?

I'm so proud.

RUSSELL LEMOND

Little Rock

Pinocchio politicians

When politicians try to scare us with lies, they should be ridden out on a rail. We are witnessing lies coming from the White House and from right here in Arkansas in the campaign for the 2nd Congressional District. The lies are about Medicare, one of the most successful government programs in this country's history.

Several newspapers have outed President Trump for multiple lies about the Democrats and Medicare in a recent op-ed written by him for USA Today. The Chicago Tribune stated that "In Trump's 'Medicare-For-All' op-ed, nearly every sentence was misleading or false."

Here in Arkansas, an ad for Congressman French Hill is running, attacking Clarke Tucker for supporting a Medicare option that would "bankrupt the government, costing trillions of dollars," a lie that is designed to scare us away from voting for Tucker.

No one, not Tucker, not anyone anywhere, is suggesting that Medicare be provided free to everyone and paid for by the government. The new Medicare proposals are for an option to allow people to buy Medicare instead of buying private insurance. These proposals are revenue-neutral, with the added costs to the Medicare program covered by the premiums paid. This plan would save small-business owners thousands of dollars a year.

French Hill wants the 2nd District to believe that he is protecting them instead of the profits of big corporations and the millionaires like him who run them. Do you see the lie? If you do, vote the liars out!

A.J. ZOLTEN

Little Rock

Constitution safe now

When did it become a fact that what one person believes makes it so? I challenge you voters out there: Is America winning again, is America gaining more respect again after a former president kept apologizing for us? Are more folks employed? How about less folks on welfare? Do you like sanctuary cities and Democrats acting like crazed fools because their choice of president didn't win?

We Republicans held our disdain when Barack Obama was elected. What our Constitution stands for is being held safe by the present administration. If Democrats take over, you can kiss it goodbye.

LaVERNE WELCHER

Hot Springs

Editorial on 10/17/2018

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