Letters to the Editor

Why are taxpayers funding a private religious college?

I have decided I really want to be a politician. I have been reading about this fiasco concerning the Ecclesia College for the past couple of months. Until I cracked open my paper on

Jan. 29, I had not made up my mind to become a politician. I worked for about 45 years prior to retiring and never once did one of my employers give me a bucket of money to deal out to anyone who presented me a request. Did you know the taxes we faithfully pay each year is divided up amongst our elected officials to dole out with little or no accountability. I probably could gin up a few good friends if I had big wad of cash to pass out at will. Being a politician probably is a much better and profitable part-time job than I ever dreamed it could be.

If readers have not read about this Ecclesia College deal, I strongly urge them to dig out the Jan. 29 paper and give it a quick reading. I am totally disgusted the vast majority of our elected representatives think the General Improvement Fund is free money to be handed out. If we are having that much extra money in the state coffers we should either lower tax rates or use the excess funds to pay off existing obligations. Is there a law that requires Arkansas to always owe money or can we operate as we common citizens are encouraged and put a little into a savings account or trust fund for the future?

First, I recommend our governor or one of the elected representatives to look at this General Improvement Fund and either eliminate it entirely or modify the law to require accountability.

We always are being bombarded about separation of church and state. Why are my tax dollars going to a religious organization that is apparently able to purchase vast amounts of real property in the Elm Springs area? A small college of less than 200 students probably does not need 200 acres. I believe the property purchased with my tax dollars will dramatically increase in value in the near future when the bypass is completed. I would have been glad to sell them my little chunk of Northwest Arkansas at the price they were paying. Looks to me as if the Ecclesia College may be using taxpayer dollars to purchase real estate as an investment.

I would like to get on this gravy train. It seems to work very well until someone gets greedy and throws the train off of the track. I honestly cannot believe the Legislature in the past had the gall to pass legislation to allow this type of mischief. What other little tidbits of legislation gets signed into law that we are not aware of.

We can only hope an elected representative will do something really stupid and then we will find out what really goes on the state Capitol. Here is hoping someone will act to protect our interest.

Amos Carver

Lowell