LETTERS

LITTLE ROCK — ‘Free’ cars not for all

I would like to know if the state treasurer has any idea of how many dollars have been invested in the cars that have been provided for what seems to be all the offices for the state of Arkansas.

Even some workers for that officer had “free” cars to drive to and from work. No wonder we need more taxes-to pay for all the free cars these officers have had to use over the years.

How many of you reading this had a free car to drive to and from work? I find this so hard to believe, that it took this long to find this out. Thanks to the Democrat-Gazette.

EDNA M. JOHNSON Hot Springs Village

Police force does job

Any law enforcement agency worth its salt will occupy three impeccable police functions: order maintenance (keeping the peace), proactive law enforcement from a legalistic gauge and providing social services to the public.

I wish to pay homage and extol Fayetteville Police Chief Greg Tabor and the Fayetteville Police Department on their notable police and community relations to the Fayetteville area. Tabor’s department is a vital asset to the community.

BILL BOATRIGHT Fayetteville

Energy fuels progress

The U.S.A. is first worldwide in undeveloped fossil-fuel energy that allows cheaper energy for us. Nothing is more responsible for higher standards of living and job creation than cheap energy.

China and the rest of world are reaping benefits from under our noses. “Drill, baby, drill” has never made more sense for our economy than [it will] in the next 10 years. While global temperature just might increase one degree in 10 years, it’s unlikely to be changed by anything we could do. Why should we watch the rest of the world pass us by while we flounder?

Nothing is closer related to increasing our standard of living and job creation than the cost of energy. Higher energy kills jobs.

During 2009, China used 2.25 billion tons of oil equivalent. The U.S. came in at about 2.17 billion tons. I don’t think we have ever before been second since we discovered oil in Pennsylvania. This is a fundamental change that no American should desire.

GROVER KNOLL Clarendon

Try to buy American

Re the economy and so many people out of work: I find it difficult to think that so many companies are still getting so many goods from China.If they would only stop that and open their companies back up here and put America back to work, in a couple of years our economy would be back on track.

I see where the Chinese are now using more oil than the U.S., buying more cars and getting richer.

All the shoes I find in stores now are made in China. Some shoemakers that did make shoes here are now in China. Most of Mason, Knapp and Stuart McGuire shoes are gone to China, the workers now out of a job.

I challenge you to find any clothes in any store that are made in the U.S. You see what is happening to America? It’s time for us to wake up. Don’t buy from China. If you don’t absolutely need it, forget it. Love the good old U.S. Time is running out.

WILLIAM H. MITCHELL Guy

Exposé appreciated

Thank you for your exposé of the extreme greed of state officials who receive a generous salary plus a stateowned vehicle that they drive for personal use while complaining about paying too many taxes. What has happened to doing the right thing?

SARA L. GARRETT North Little Rock

Special interests rule

The politicians we elect to serve us go to Washington and join sides. It’s never our side. United we stand, divided we fall. This policy will never stop so long as the politicians are allowed to accept anything of value, even a cup of coffee.

Our national debt is now huge. Taxes must be raised, spending cut. Pork must be eliminated. Giving industries, companies and individuals favorable treatment must be eliminated to curb the debt.

Politicians accepting gifts are in debt and hold allegiance to the giver and are unable to vote for the good of our country. What politician will cut Social Security and defense spending and raise taxes and ever expect to get elected or re-elected?

LAYTON JACKSON Fort Smith

Picture incomplete

A recent news story painted an incomplete picture about the work of the Humane Society of the United States.

The HSUS celebrates the human animal bond and provides direct care to more animals than any other animal welfare group in the nation, spending more than $20 million annually supporting local shelters and running our own hands-on care programs. We have major advocacy campaigns to combat animal cruelty, dog-fighting and cockfighting, Canada’s notorious killing of baby seals and large-scalepuppy mills. We make no apologies for our efforts.

Regarding agriculture, we work to promote food safety and curb the worst factory farming abuses, which led us recently to expose the shocking abuse of sick and injured dairy cows slaughtered for the National School Lunch Program. We campaign vigorously against inhumane slaughter and confinement of veal calves, breeding sows and laying hens in crates and cages so small the animals can’t even turn around and stretch their limbs, practices that many farmers agree are abusive and unacceptable. We are pleased to have many family farmers as our allies in these efforts.

We worked collaboratively with agricultural leaders in Ohio, Michigan, Maine and Colorado against inhumane confinement practices, and urge the Arkansas Farm Bureau and other leaders in the state to seriously look at animal welfare issues.

DESIREE BENDER Conway