LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Where has party of Lincoln gone?

PEA RIDGE — As we sort the political rhetoric, already knowing why Romney will not release his tax returns, a strong consistent message exists. The new Republican Tea Party wants to cut taxes on the richest and penalize the poor. This message is validated by the choice of vice president, Rep. Paul Ryan, author of the Ryan Act which was passed twice by the current Republican House and supported by Arkansas Republicans Rich Crawford, Tim Griffin, Steve Womack and Sen. Boozman.

The Ryan Act would slash Medicaid, Pell grants, food stamps, subsidies to food banks and low income housing. The Ryan Act would destroy Medicare aswe know it today forcing individuals to buy private health insurance. It is estimated that 62 percent of these Republican budget cuts would directly affect the poor. The Ryan Act would cut taxes on the richest of individuals and corporations from 35 percent to 25 percent after extending the Bush tax cuts.

With strong support from the so-called religiousright, one would question how and why any church got mixed up in the Republican politics of penalizing the poor while protecting the rich. Could we be talking about the “money changers” Jesus spoke of?

How did any church get mixed up with denying health care, promoting hate groups, prejudice or discrimination? Where has theparty of Lincoln gone?

Gratefully, progressive Christian churches promote loving your neighbor as yourself even if they are poor, hungry, disabled, uninsured, old, gay, black, Hispanic or from a different cultural or religious background.

We are Americans, let us unite and move forward and look for and embrace the spirit of a living God within us. The Bible says, “By their fruits ye shall know them.” THURMAN METCALF Rogers, Ark.

Response regarding religion

Editor,

In response to the editorial on letters regardingreligion - I don’t agree with the Aug. 8, 2012, view on setting aside letters of religion apart from other letters to the editor for this newspaper.

The Times of Northeast Benton County is a great hometown newspaper exactly as they have it set up now.

This letter comes from a person who had been a member of different faiths - me. I say if you don’t like my letter to the editor, or the Aug. 8, 2012, letter to the editor (letters regarding religion) then just don’t read that particular article, if you choose to do so.

Thank you, for your time, if you’ve decided to read this view that I have.

PATTI WILHELM Garfield, Ark.