No useful purpose
Debates serve no useful purpose. Are they supposed to be educational or informative? No. Who wants to see candidates demean their opponents to try to make them look bad? Do these debates make voters feel better by watching them?
We are inundated with too much negativity from the media and very little positivity. Good for any candidate who refuses to participate. Politics has turned to money machines who furnish millions to fund their favorites and most comes from super PACs who embrace negative tones.
It will be such a relief when the coming elections are over and we finally get a break from constant campaigning on TV.
JOCEIL WOODS
Searcy
A toxic atmosphere
I'm an independent voter. I vote for the person I think will do the best job for our country, not for a political party. As elections near, I'm plain mad. I want people to remember what our country was like BT--Before Trump.
I have never voted for him. I don't believe he cares about, or relates to, everyday Americans. I think he's on an ego trip with a goal to grift as much as possible for himself, family and friends.
Donald Trump crossed my red line on Jan. 6, 2021, when he violated our Constitution. He was willing to watch police be attacked, congressional members threatened and his own vice president possibly killed so he could remain in office.
Today, as Americans face $4-plus gas and $6-plus/lb hamburger, he's on a spending spree with our money. While slashing vital programs, he's wasted billions on vanity projects, demolishing the White House East Wing and his failed "6-week war." His unqualified Cabinet picks, anti-election efforts, attempts to ban the press, the immigration mess and a $5,000 voter bribe, along with many other inappropriate comments and troubling activities, prove he doesn't deserve to lead our democracy. He's skirted our laws and ignored our Constitution, which he swore to defend. His need for attention, praise and allegiance is disturbing. He's accomplished some good things, but they are mostly overshadowed by the constant chaos and toxic atmosphere he's created. Now many Americans fear for our country's future. We shouldn't feel this way on our 250th anniversary.
When I vote, I'll consider all this turmoil. And I'll remember those members of Congress who have shirked their responsibility to represent us and to keep the president in check. Many have stood by silently, as complicit or as cowards, during this tumultuous time in America.
JOYCE WILLIAMS
North Little Rock
On harsher penalties
A (rhetorical) question for our gubernatrix: How about harsher penalties for pederastic Baptist preachers? Pretty sure there are more of those in Arkansas than illegal immigrants.
STANLEY JOHNSON
Little Rock
Can't say that word
There is one word that can sum up Ukraine's years-long defense against Russia, its much larger, vicious attacker. That word is valiant.
There is a word I would apply to someone who uses the resources of the United States to make a self-serving deal with Russia and try to cripple the Ukrainians' defense.
It is a word this newspaper would not print.
MARY LOWE KENNEDY
Little Rock
Use surplus for good
I live in North Little Rock and am preparing to vote early next week. One interesting race is for the full term for the seat in the Arkansas House of Representatives vacated by Carlton Wing when he resigned. I was happy when Alex Holladay won the election to finish out the remainder of that term.
The other day, I received a campaign flyer from Holladay's opponent, Bo Renshaw. On one side, it outlined tax surpluses our state accumulated over the past six years. On the other side, it boldly asked "What do you want to do with the surplus?" It gave me two choices: 1. Give it back to Arkansas taxpayers, or 2. Let the government keep it.
That is a bogus choice. I say, "Let the government use it." I want it to be spent on social services that are sadly lacking, while taxes are being cut by our Republican supermajority in the state Legislature and the executive branch.
Were it not for our state's natural beauty, I'd be almost embarrassed to say that I live here. We're near the bottom of all 50 states in childhood hunger, and in maternal and infant mortality. What with Medicaid cuts, rural hospitals and clinics are closing all across the state. SNAP benefits are being reduced.
I'll for sure be voting to keep Alex Holladay in office this time around, and I hope to do so again in two more years.
ARTHUR BROWNING
North Little Rock