Steve Bannon should study Flake’s record, not attack it

I think Steve Bannon and Laura Ingraham need to look at Jeff Flake’s record before they attack him. From the very first time he was elected to serve the people of Arizona, he has done just that, and tirelessly.

He has not always agreed with Trump, but he has always held his constituents in the highest regard. He does not think of conservative voters, as Bannon suggests, “as a group of morons.” Nor is he “trying to shut you up.”

Jeff Flake would never say or do that about Arizonans he serves.

— P. Anthony Rolla, Phoenix

Now it’s the right’s turn, so sit back and enjoy ‘Art of the Deal’

For the past eight years conservatives suffered watching Barack Hussein Obama take down America’s long standing prestige in the world while empowering rogues like Iran, Russia, ISIS and N. Korea.

America stood passively as Christians were slaughtered overseas, while at home the government was preoccupied with harassing the Little Sisters of the Poor and other Christian groups.

Behind the scenes the Clinton’s were making million-dollar speeches, funneling uranium to the Russians and laundering all this dirty money to the corrupt Clinton Foundation.

Well as they say on Survivor, the tribe has spoken and as of last November you’re outta here! So sit back lefties and watch the “art of the deal” master bring back prosperity and prominence to America.

— Dennis DeVriese, Scottsdale

Media need to stick to issues, including raid on entitlements

I am tired of the media paying so much attention to Trump’s tweets, especially the feuds he has with people who treat him “unfairly.”

The media need to stay focused on the issues, the latest being the budget that Republicans are trying to pass.

They plan to pay for tax cuts with cuts to Medicaid and Medicare over the next 10 years. How is that supporting the forgotten people in America who Trump campaigned for?

— Dean Stover, Scottsdale

A show of gratitude for McCain, the maverick who stands tall

I just want to thank Senator John McCain for his courageous and rational leadership during this nation’s darkest times. — Ed Lamson, Phoenix

A primer in political expedience by Hannibal the Cannibal

If you’re not a political junkie, thank Gov. Ducey for educating you about how the system works.

Here’s the process:

1) Support and donate to the campaign of a candidate.

2) Once the candidate gets elected, they hire you for a government job and repay your loyalty with raises and bonuses paid by the taxpayers.

As Hannibal Lecter said to Clarice Starling, “Quid Pro Quo.”

— Don Drooker, Surprise

State has no business coming between doctors and patients

Since when did the State of Arizona become qualified to act as a doctor?

I have been told after two failed back surgeries that to continue getting a prescription for pain medication I may be required to see a state appointed “pain specialist” who will only write a prescription for 10 days of medication.

I am 65 years old, have never had a drug problem, am in no risk of an overdose and rely on pain pills to remain at all active.

I wonder how much this state-run program will cost the taxpayers of this already cash-strapped state, and how effective it will actually be.

I understand the severity of the so called opioid crisis, but this poorly planned program will harm many other senior citizens and those who rely on pain medications to function on a daily basis.

Since I would be forced to see this specialist against my will, who will pay for these state required visits? Insurance companies certainly won’t like paying and neither will I.

Good intentions or not, the state has overstepped its authority this time. The government has no business coming between a doctor and patient and dictating who will receive what type of care!

This is bad medicine and should not be allowed to happen!

— Robb Kask, Phoenix