Where decision made

In two presidential elections (1952, 1956) when war hero Dwight Eisenhower ran against egghead Adlai Stevenson, Arkansas voted for Stevenson. That was the solid Democratic South that had existed for over a century.

Around 1960, the national Democratic Party could no longer abide Jim Crow and began backing civil-rights legislation. By 1964, most of the South had flipped Republican. Arkansas was slower to convert because of some outstanding Democratic personalities, but we’re solidly Republican now with no sign of change.

The May 24 primary will be our real election, and in November, Arkansas will send a Republican to the Senate — hardly matters which one — four Republicans to the House, and elect Republicans to all statewide offices. We will get little benefit from those choices.

For years, our representatives in Congress have obstructed efforts to make things better for the people of Arkansas. As Dave Dingler recently pointed out on this page, we need $500 million to expand highspeed Internet access in the state, and all of our members of Congress voted against federal help. All voted against Biden’s popular infrastructure bill. There are reportedly about 200 bills passed by the Democratic House, including things like expanded child tax credits, being filibustered by Republicans in the Senate. Asa turned down $146 million in much-needed rent assistance. Our next governor, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, wants to eliminate income taxes that account for about half the state’s revenue. Our representatives have, of course, voted to cut taxes for the rich, increasing the national debt.

I plan to vote in the Republican primary on May 24 since that is where most electoral decisions will be made. In the Senate race, I think I will vote for Jake Bequette rather than boring John Boozman. If we are not going to get any benefit from our senatorial choice, we might as well go for entertainment value. Bequette and Tom Cotton could contend for most heinous senator. The gun lady would be even more fun, but I don’t think she has a shot. Pun intended. ROGER A. WEBB

Little Rock