Almost eight months ago, as the national elections were looming, I dredged up a little bit of political science folklore.
Taking only the last two sentences of the Letters to the Editor in the state-wide newspaper, can we deduct the political conscious of the state?
We tried back then. Let's try again.
Well, let us look one more time, over the past few weeks, and see, shall we, what the Letter To The Editor writing public has to say?
Here is a sampling from the Letters to the Editor.
Remember, these are the last sentences of the letter. Some will say the real "meat" of any issue falls there.
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What is next? Congress outlawing common sense and double- or triple-trailer driverless tucks on the road?
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Nothing to give? Then care for the earth and all living beings with your vote.
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I deplore bragging about the '50's smear. But what the hell... let's go fix up the hulks just off the front law and pretend the gunfire is ....fireworks.
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Join with me to send the message loud and clear. Stop wasting taxpayer money holding special elections.
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No more "guess which nut half-shell the pea is hid under." It is time for responsible national elected officials to be the adults and provide the health coverage all Americans deserve.
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All research findings are not equal. Be aware and do your own homework.
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I regard myself as a sinner who has been saved by God's grace! This is sincerely shared without ill will.
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In a 2015 study by the International Monetary Fund, the unpaid costs of fossil fuels are upward of $5.3 trillion annually. Meaning that, as a global community, we're giving the fossil fuel industry $10 million per minute to destroy our environment.
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Trump said, "Make America Great." Instead, it seems Trump and the Republican Senate make America sick.
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What a difference we could make in this world if even most of the people would just try and show a little more respect, especially in unexpected circumstances to a complete stranger. Respect... it's free to try.
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His son said that the Trump Organization made a lot of money in Russia and owes a bunch to China. There is a problem with being a naïve bully and a powerful president who also has no inner compass for what he believes.
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Leaving the Paris Agreement hands foreign powers control over our destiny, and leaves our military in jeopardy. It's bad for American business and it's bad for American citizens.
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It's your right as a voter -- and now is not the time to get complacent about your role in our future as a nation. Accountability should still matter!
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You all did not pull the trigger on this attack, but not speaking out about violence is the same as saying it is OK to do this. This is just my opinion.
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You have betrayed us. Congratulations. Your families must be incredibly ashamed of you. I know I am.
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The Republican administration will have to stand in judgment for its sins and the people who are supporting them are just as guilty. I pray you see the light before it is too late.
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What Arkansas needs is growth in take-home pay -- not growth in government as well as careful performance and outcome monitoring of government programs not unfocused spending. That is how Arkansas can help children thrive in the 21st Century.
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As Louis Armstrong so eloquently stated, "and I think to myself, what a wonderful world." Priorities, dear voters, priorities.
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Next Week: Back to the usual column writing grind.
MAYLON RICE IS A FORMER JOURNALIST WHO WORKED FOR SEVERAL NORTHWEST ARKANSAS PUBLICATIONS. HE CAN BE REACHED VIA EMAIL AT [email protected]. THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHOR.
Editorial on 07/05/2017