Devious political enviornment as national debt balloons over 3 trillion

Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette two echo opinion letters to the editor:  "Vladimir Putin laughs...." (Maine Writer agrees. I suspect there are vodka fountains inside the Kremlin!)

1.  Ethics in government

Our country was founded to represent a strong moral code. It was intended that our government would represent a wide range of occupations and interests: farmers, doctors, landowners, lawyers and businessmen of all types. As a group, they would share a mutual respect for truth, honor, and our American code of conduct.

Today I note that a majority of our politicians are attorneys by trade and background. We have entered into a devious environment where moral ethics hold little or no weight. The question has shifted away from, "Is it right or wrong? to "Is it legal?"

We are a nation of law, to be sure, and that is a good thing. But I would suggest that Lady Liberty holds scales which are meant to maintain the balance between law and justice.

So is there a solution? I believe there is. The era of the professional politician must come to an end. We need to re-establish the diversity of our representation. We must establish term limits.

So is there a solution? I believe there is. The era of the professional politician must come to an end. We need to re-establish the diversity of our representation. We must establish term limits.

Wayne Gisler, Springdale

2.  National debt grows

How many people have noticed that our huge national debt has increased by over $3 trillion since Donald Trump took office? 

I personally heard Trump say that if elected he would reduce the debt, which then was $20 trillion. It's now over $23 trillion. The United States nation has to borrow from China to make payments on the debt. If the largest country in the world ever cut off loaning us money, our nation could go bankrupt.

It seems terrible that we must depend on a communist nation for loans when we reportedly spend more on defense than China, Russia and eight other top industrial nations combined. Our military-industrial complex, in my opinion, calls the shots on military expenditures and Congress, with the exception of GOP Sen. Rand Paul and a few others, does nothing to stop it.

Russia's Vladimir Putin sits back and laughs while we go broke trying to fund 905 military bases around the world. Presidents Trump, Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton all made feeble attempts to rein in our military spending, but none was successful because of the industry's power through lobbyists and the pocketbook.

I'm sure all of us want an adequate defense, but money alone won't make it happen.

At least Trump appears to be making an effort to get other nations that we allegedly defend to pay their fair share. I doubt, however, that those who don't pay will be punished.

Vernon McDaniel, Ozark

Arkansas ~ echo opinion about keeping schools safe from guns

My random searches through the nation's newspaper opinion pages always (and I mean always) produces some glimmer of hope for the future or out nation.  Every newspaper carries more than a few letters from thoughtful people who understand big picture perspectives on the current issues, like guns. A reasonable point of view about gun safety in schools.

This is a hopeful point of view from the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Arming teachers won't make anyone feel safe

I have written to our governor concerning Donald Trump's suggestion that we arm teachers to shoot back at an active shooter that might attack their school. I find this complete and utter lunacy. I strongly oppose this suggestion. Kids are already stressed out enough by lockdown drills. 

Who knows what effect adding another level of danger and anxiety in school will have on them? This doesn't make me or my children feel safer. This only makes me feel more afraid to send my kids to school.

I'd like to see more done to protect my children at school, however this is not a reasonable means of protection. An armed sheriff did not deter the shooter in Parkland, Florida. 

I would like to see metal detectors put in schools and better locks before we even consider bringing guns into the classroom. Is that something you'd be willing to consider to keep our children safe? I sincerely hope the Arkansas governor will think about it.

Ellen Dinger ~ Rogers Arkansas