OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Awaiting the answer | Russian propaganda | Keep electoral college – Arkansas Online

Awaiting the answer

In the last election a TV show host, billionaire, businessman, perfect gentleman, or a con-man carnival barker was elected. Whatever he was, you had the opportunity to see what he did for this country. As I await the conclusion, I am wondering: Did we, as a voting society, learn anything? We observed our president, who ran on a platform of "Draining the swamp," appoint only those persons who would be loyal and protect him. Does a strong and honest leader need people who will agree, prior to appointment, to be loyal and protective?

One of the fundamental principles of democracy is that the voting people get to pick their leader. Why would any political party do everything possible to suppress the vote?

A very prominent person said: Tell me where you get your news and I will know what you think. I personally agree. It appears too many people see better than they think. The show, and not the content, is what keeps them from turning the channel. People have turned out in record numbers and were willing to stand for hours to vote. Either people enjoyed the last four-year show and want more, or they want to change the channel. We will know in a few days or weeks when the final vote is recorded.

JERRY PEIRCE

Conway

Russian propaganda

I understand your right as a newspaper to express political viewpoints, but your three-page text of Fox News commentator Tucker Carlson's interview is irresponsible and sickens me. I'm sure you know that all reputable news and intelligence sources have found no reliable support for these charges. You have probably printed the largest single unsubstantiated propaganda pieces in the history of journalism. Where is the "Fact Checking" you run weekly? Where is the fairness in running this four days before an election?

As a journalist you should hang your head in shame. You have irreparably sullied the historical reputation of the Arkansas Gazette for truthfulness. I guess this is what we can expect in our future as readers since you have a virtual monopoly in the bereft newspaper market in our state.

DAVID WILSON

Fayetteville

Keep electoral college

The electoral college is in the Constitution for a reason. It's called the United States of America, not the United People of New York and California.

Some people have claimed it is in the Constitution because of slavery, but they have not provided much evidence to that effect.

What is evident is that it would be very difficult to persuade small states to give up power to vote to abolish the electoral college. It would take a supermajority of states to amend the Constitution to abolish the electoral college. In no way is it logical for the people or legislators of small states to want to do that.

To my knowledge, none of the people who wish to end the electoral college have ever provided any logical reason to their argument that small states should cede their power.

JOSEPH G. BARSOCCHI

Sherwood

They served us well

My "hat's off" and a big "thank you" to all of the poll workers.

BOB and PAT TUCKER

Austin

Best choices for heart

A recent opinion piece by Vic Snyder reminded Arkansans of their biggest health threats. The article cited, "Ten-Year Differences in Women's Awareness Related to Coronary Heart Disease," was co-authored by American Heart Association board member and UAMS researcher Jean McSweeney.

Dr. Snyder is correct: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) do not stop for a pandemic. Approximately 10 women in Arkansas lose their lives to cardiovascular diseases and stroke every day. Nationally, nearly 60 percent of Black women over 20 have CVD, and over 40 percent of Hispanic women over 20 have CVD. Hispanic women in their 20s are nearly eight times more likely to die from CVD than breast cancer.

Heart disease can strike at any time and at any age. It is so important for women to take charge of their health and consciously make choices toward living longer, healthier lives. While that may sound like a daunting task, it can be boiled down to three simple things: Don't smoke, eat healthy, and move more.

Many of the risk factors for heart disease are also conditions that impact covid-19. According to the CDC, nearly 3 out of 4 patients hospitalized with covid-19 also had a high-risk condition. Nearly 7 in 10 had high blood pressure, 1 in 4 had cardiovascular disease, and 4 in 10 had diabetes. In addition, nearly half of adults age 65 or older hospitalized with covid-19 had underlying cardiovascular disease.

Our goal at the American Heart Association is to create cultures of health and be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We can't do it alone. We depend on others to help move our mission forward in advancing research and treatments, and citizens to make the best choices for their health.

JOYCE TAYLOR

Little Rock

Joyce Taylor is executive director of the American Heart Association-Central Arkansas.

Plaudits on election

I want to thank the election board for providing more early voting sites and for allowing voting on Saturdays during the early voting period. We voted at the Terry library, and everyone was kind, friendly and professional. It was clear that every effort was being taken to keep voters safe. A huge thanks to the poll workers for this.

My only complaint, or concern, is that Joe Biden's name appeared on the second screen of presidential candidates, buried among a slew of people I've never heard of. Donald Trump's name was the first name on the first page. If a voter didn't receive instructions to click on "more" at the bottom of the page, then it's possible he or she might not find Biden's name. I have to wonder about this. Thankfully my poll worker was stellar and made sure I was aware of this. I hope this held true for all other voters.

JANET NEILL

Little Rock

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OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Awaiting the answer | Russian propaganda | Keep electoral college - Arkansas Online