Letters

What the nation needs

Most freedom-loving Americans like options, some more than others, of course. We like our comfortable ruts too, sometimes. They can make life easier and most of us need that edge. Ruts can be boring, though. They can trap, even cause degeneration due to absence of healthy growth. This process can sneak up on us, and often does.

Look at the time's most overwrought subject--politics. Oh, and it's an election year. Goody. I can't wait to hear infinitely more about what someone thinks I want to hear. By the way, I don't. Can we please just talk about how to really solve a real problem?

Back to options, we don't really want to be all alike. That's boring and unhealthy. Differences, which are healthy, lead to growth and improvement. Options make life interesting and more fun.

Back to politics, have you noticed how many people dearly want the same things out of life and are willing to work for a just reward? We are of all descriptions and backgrounds, but basically are as much the same as we are different.

Let's remember this in the election process. Don't let it be about who looks like you or inflames most effectively in rhetoric. What do you, your state, your country need? What do you want? Try to decide who may actually be able to get us there. Surprise yourself, if necessary.

KAY CARPENTER

Little Rock

Debt imperils country

Wednesday's article "Expanding deficits pose threat to the U.S." was right on target and should be a critical wake-up call for every American citizen. It quotes a Texas congressman saying the "national debt is awful, horrible, and ... our spending spree is out of control." Further, he adds, the national debt is the "greatest threat to the future of this country" and suggests that lawmakers may be too cowardly to confront it. In other words, we can expect more uncontrolled spending for every conceivable purpose adding to the $20 trillion debt. Projected annual deficits the next few years are expected to be $1 trillion, and future interest costs could become the second highest budget expenditure.

What can change the Washington mindset that out-of-control spending has no consequences--just kick the can down the road--so let the next generation worry?

Granted, our country's economy needed a vigorous stimulus to add jobs, bring back and add businesses, and grow--but recent legislation, intended to accomplish that through large tax cuts, is actually projected to decrease federal income and add greater deficits ... go figure.

What can be done to turn this awesome problem around? It must start with the president and our congressmen accepting responsibility to act now. Next, it might be wise to stop listening to Paul Krugman's ultra-liberal theories on governmental spending. Lastly, I feel strongly that only citizens can make a difference by taking a stand, speaking out, and staying on their representatives in Congress until they act. God bless America's future.

JACK MURPHY

Little Rock

Judge not, lest ye be

John Jefferies missed one point. Christians don't "judge" others. Pseudo-Christians do.

WR CORLEY

Benton

Threat to our security

Thank you for your ongoing coverage of the State of the Union address. Although Mr. Trump talked about threats in his speech, he left out climate change, one of the biggest long-term threats to our national security. His own military leaders have identified climate change as a clear and present danger. In 2017, Secretary of Defense James Mattis told the U.S. Senate, "Climate change is impacting stability in areas of the world where our troops are operating today."

In its 2014 Quadrennial Defense Review, the military warned that climate change is a "threat multiplier," aggravating poverty, political instability, and social tensions. The Defense Department has identified key Atlantic Coast facilities threatened by rising sea levels. The Norfolk naval base is already experiencing unprecedented flooding.

In a January bipartisan letter, 106 members of Congress urged Mr. Trump to include climate change in America's National Security Strategy: "It is imperative that the United States addresses this growing geopolitical threat."

Republicans and Democrats both understand that the failure to act on climate change endangers our nation. Conservatives and liberals are both supporting a Carbon Fee and Dividend approach. This policy puts a fee on fossil fuels and gives monthly rebates to Americans. It reduces CO2 emissions, creates jobs, and puts money into the pockets of hardworking Americans so people can adapt and prosper.

Ask Senators Cotton and Boozman and Congressman Hill to work for the passage of bipartisan climate legislation, which would make the state of our union truly safer and stronger.

LORIEE EVANS

Little Rock

Students merit praise

Last week at the LifeQuest lunch program, I and lots of other seniors had the privilege to be entertained by a group of black students from Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School. They read excerpts from stories by several black authors, which they put together themselves, adding theatrical touches of foot emphasis and echoes together of declarations of promises for their lives. They were impressive, articulate, talented and earnest.

I thought how I wished they got the publicity and news coverage as a part of all the black students who take education seriously and focus on making their futures what they want them to be. It's sad that we don't hear and remember those positives enough and, in my humble opinion, for every negative story there are many more people living the same lives but going in completely different directions. As the drama teacher who introduced the group said, they are looking for community support, and I know they added some fans last week as the standing ovation reflected.

Blessings to them and to all who work to make Little Rock a better place to live and be educated.

HARRIET POWELL

Little Rock

Editorial on 02/13/2018

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