Address critical issues

If black lives mattered, we would spend whatever it takes to resolve the issues that result in extraordinary crime rates in clearly defined minority neighborhoods in Little Rock and elsewhere.

I believe the biggest Republican lie is that we can’t afford to adequately address critical issues such as crime and punishment, courts and justice, health care, mental health, poverty, education, safe and efficient transportation, scientific research, immigration reform, global warming and environmental protection among others. The lie says we must spend what little we can spare on weapons, which is already more than the next dozen or so countries combined spend.

Consider also the following. Reducing legal immigration, especially of unskilled workers, equals increasing illegal immigration. Rejecting Muslim refugees from wars where we contribute to the killing and destruction is cowardice, above all, but also religious intolerance and stupidity. Vetting all but guarantees refugees are good citizens.

If Lady Liberty could swim, she would be back in France. A real-life gilded Daddy Warbucks is the current, but temporary, symbol of America.

A solid economic foundation in the U.S. and abroad is the engine of current economic growth.

Governments that consider a free press an enemy: Russia, Argentina and the United States, to name a few.

Leaking military secrets is one thing. Leaks about Trump staff backstabbing are another. Putin election meddling is yet another.

Republican tax reform means the rich pay less.

Trump tweets about Charlottesville were smart. He can’t afford to lose a single bigot from his base.

HOWELL MEDDERS Fayetteville