We’re entitled to that

For decades now Democrats have believed that all people are entitled to certain benefits. Even the U.S. Declaration of Independence lists life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as unalienable rights, and that the government is designed to secure these rights. Republicans, on the other hand, want government out of everyone’s rights and business.

Democratic President Franklin Roosevelt offered his Second Bill of Rights which guaranteed employment, farmers’ rights, housing, medical care, Social Security, education, and freedom from monopolies. Republicans want the free market to handle all these things. In 1965, President Lyndon Johnson and his Democrats gave us Medicare and Medicaid.

Today Democrats agree that Americans are entitled to Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, unemployment and welfare programs. Republicans are trying to unravel and privatize these programs. Here in Arkansas, Gov. Asa Hutchinson and his Republicans practically kicked 60,000 Arkansans off Medicaid. Hutchinson says these poor Arkansans will buy health insurance on the “Obamacare” market, which Republicans are trying to destroy. Meanwhile, health providers across Arkansas have lost 60,000 customers.

To make matters worse, Hutchinson has also signed a punitive act to remove a tax exemption on unemployment benefits. Newly unemployed health professionals will be less likely to exist on unemployment income. It seems more than half a million more poor and unfortunate Arkansans are targeted for future neglect. Republicans will not allow these people to live, be free, and pursue happiness. GENE MASON Jacksonville