Letters

Money disappeared

President Clinton balanced the federal budget with taxes. It was just that simple. The Congressional Budget Office can verify that the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 raised the top individual income tax rate to 39.6 percent and raised the corporate income tax to 36 percent. These collections eventually swelled the U.S. Treasury to the point that Congress was able to pay its debts and build up a surplus. Indeed, from 1998 to 2001, the U.S. government had enough money to go around for Social Security, Medicaid, Veterans Affairs, and all the other "socialist" programs. What happened to all that money? George W. Bush and his Republicans cut taxes. After that the U.S. suffered the inevitable Great Recession.

What did we learn from all this? Nothing. Today, President Trump and a Republican-dominated Congress have spent all the government's money again and must borrow money to keep going through the holidays. After that, Congress and the president may be forced to shut down the government again. Trump already holds the record for the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.

Trump stated a year ago that he would be proud to shut down the government. Maybe Democrats can bring back a capital gains tax on really rich folks, like the Trumps.

GENE MASON

Jacksonville

About that narcissist

I admire Mike Masterson's candor about his recovery from narcissism. After reading his column, "The Great 'I'," I would love to sit down over coffee with Mike someday; I think he and I have a lot in common.

He writes that he hears the term narcissism bandied about more often lately. Part of our "sharply divided days," he says. Seems to me that no matter what side of the divide you find yourself on, you'll see our president in any description of the narcissist. Here's a summarized list of the applicable traits from Mike's column: pursuing gratification from vanity; egotistically admiring one's own idealized self-image and attributes; the need to be recognized as superior when actual achievements show otherwise; exaggerating accomplishments and talents; a chain of troubled relationships; a lack of empathy; a belief that they deserve to be with special people--the only ones who can appreciate them completely; a tendency to turn on those who disappoint them; frequent talk of their own greatness; thriving on compliments; a lack of empathy (I know, he already said this); a tendency to gaslight--they lie, falsely accuse others, spin the truth, and distort reality; and finally, never apologizing when they are wrong while believing they never are.

Thanks, Mike, for providing a handy reference to help us identify narcissistic traits in ourselves and in those around us, even, perhaps especially, that guy in the White House. And let's grab that cup of coffee sometime.

RANDY HAMM

Bella Vista

Would've been easier

Re Mike Masterson's piece on narcissism: Mike, a picture is worth a thousand words.

You should have run a photo of your favorite president and called it good.

TIM BUCKLEY

Fayetteville

Is it happenstance?

The psalmist said, "The heavens declare the Glory of God." It's a mistake to think this just refers to the awe-inspiring views of the night sky or a beautiful sunset. It's more than that; much more.

Consider: The tilt of Earth's axis is about 23 degrees away from being perpendicular to the sun's rays. As I understand it, without this tilt we would not only not have seasons, we would not even have the concept of seasons. Summer, winter, spring, and fall would not be in our vocabulary. Perhaps an Einstein would develop a "Theory of Systematic Changes in Climate," but few would understand it. I suppose Earth would still be habitable, but think how dull it would be.

Then there is our big brother of the solar system, the giant gas planet Jupiter. Some astronomers label it "the solar system's vacuum cleaner." Because of its massive size and strong gravitational pull, it attracts nasty things that would otherwise smash into Earth, making life extremely unpleasant, or more likely impossible, for us carbon-based life forms to exist.

Consider also the moon. What if it did not exist? Great holes would appear in our literature, our poetry, our music. No "Moon River," no "Moonlight Sonata," no werewolves, no space race. But more importantly, scientists calculate that if it were not for the moon's gravity slowing down Earth's spin, our day would be about six hours long. Imagine three hours of daylight followed by three hours of darkness, over and over, with devastating effects on the weather.

Now tell me again, O Muse of Astronomy, Urania by name, how this precision is merely the result of happenstance, fortuitous circumstances--nothing more. Yes, tell me again--but pardon me if I don't listen.

JOHN McPHERSON

Searcy

His leadership role

My family and I are thankful for Sen. Tom Cotton for his leadership role on criminal justice issues. Senator Cotton was instrumental in forcing the First Step Act to be amended to stop sex offenders from getting early releases. An Arkansas law enforcement organization presented Senator Cotton an award for his efforts in reducing crime in Arkansas.

We are blessed that Senator Cotton stands with our police officers and victims, and not with criminals.

DIANNA L. LANKFORD

Bentonville

For benefit of the city

I want to give a "Thank you" to the Little Rock Board of Directors. Even though I may not agree with some of their votes, I am impressed with their dedication. They attend monthly meetings, stay informed regarding issues/problems pertaining to our city, and listen to their constituents regarding their concerns. Just for example, at a recent board meeting, Director Joan Adcock mentioned several calls she had received, and Director Erma Hendrix has served 12 years!

It is impressive that our directors are willing to give so much of their time for the benefit of the residents of Little Rock.

LINDA BELL

Little Rock

Editorial on 12/08/2019

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