Can’t blame Democrats
The fact that Texas Democrats, duly elected in districts all over the state, have fled the state is 100% on Gov. Greg Abbott. Anyone can see he’s following orders from Washington.
The Texas House and Senate have a lot of important work to do to respond to the flooding along the Guadalupe. It was Abbott who put redistricting on the agenda, and he was fully aware of the repercussions.
Many of us long for the day when our Texas elected officials will once again respect each other and work together — despite their differences — for the good of Texans.
That’s unlikely as long as Abbott occupies the governor’s office. When your style of governing is “my way or the highway,” eventually they will choose the highway.
Bob Buckel, Azle
Goal: Random redistricting
The only fair way to divide congressional districts is to use random sampling software to generate districts by the number of representatives allotted by the population of the state. The software would automatically generate random district outlines and would be totally free of any manipulation by any party. No fighting, bickering, or influence. Oh, well, I must be dreaming.
Thomas Polsfoot, Sachse
Anti-vaccine stance perilous
Re: “22 vaccine development projects to be halted,” Wednesday news digest.
By pulling $500 million of funding for mRNA vaccine development, Robert Kennedy Jr. will cause untold thousands of medical complications and even deaths that are avoidable.
The mRNA technology is not new. It has been proven through literally millions of vaccinations that it is safe and effective. The advantage of the technology is that it significantly reduces the time required to create and deliver a vaccine modified for the latest rapid virus mutation. Kennedy’s anti-vax stance is a danger to all Americans.
Ernie Stokely, Far North Dallas
Pitch for Texas independence
Politics have heated up recently, and we can all tell that big changes are on the way. Before every major revolution there is an atmosphere of discontent hanging over the general population, much like we have now. The American people search frantically for economic, political and cultural solutions to our degrading society. The United States is a collapsing empire gearing for chaotic destruction, but what will it become — ruthless dictatorship, anarchy, worse?
I propose to the reader a drastic, yet realistic and painless solution to the failure of the federal government — Texas independence. We were a republic once and we could rise again.
Daniel Miller and the Texas Nationalist Movement propose a taxless, safe and united Texas, freed from the tyranny of Washington. The U.S. won’t live forever, so why should we all go down with it? Instead, let’s come together and forge our own future.
Rylan Taylor, Fort Worth
Losses greater than poker
Re: “Cruz takes stake against surprise tax hit — Trump bill reduces amount poker players can claim in deductions,” Tuesday news story.
How interesting. Sen. Ted Cruz didn’t read the big ugly bill carefully before voting. He’s likely not the only one. There are so many harmful effects that will come from the bill but he either hasn’t read them or doesn’t care.
But it does seem he cares about those who “make their living at the card tables.” Now, they will be able to deduct only 90% of their losses rather than 100%. Is that really the most important “re-do” that should be accomplished?
What about the millions of hungry children and families who lose health care? What about Medicaid eligibility requirements that have already been proved unworkable and will result in many more losing health care?
Either he hasn’t read that section or it’s not important. What about the fact that the most important factors in the bill are ICE and the military? The people who are paying the taxes simply don’t matter.
Carol Stephenson, Mesquite
Cartoon a new low
The Dallas Morning News has sunk to a new low with the cartoon in Tuesday’s editorial section showing a librarian throwing the Bible into the trash while advertising “NO ‘Woke’ Books” on her desk.
In the 1970s, the term “woke” came to refer to a broader awareness of social inequalities such as sexism and denial of LGBTQ rights. Woke has also been used as shorthand for some ideas of the American Left involving identity politics and social justice, such as white privilege and reparations for slavery in the United States.
I can appreciate the people who identify with some of those concepts but to connect the Holy Scriptures in this scene depicted by the author is poor judgment and downright repulsive. This reader will not tolerate such a display of disrespect. I plan to make this shameless blight on reasonable thinking apparent to everyone who reads my emails.
Ted Hart, Frisco
Meyerson was magnificent
Re: “Dallas’ quiet business giant — Philanthropist orchestrated symphony hall,” Wednesday news obituary.
Although not unexpected, I was saddened to learn of Morton Meyerson’s passing. I had the honor and privilege of becoming acquainted with him while serving as vice president, general counsel and secretary to ENSCO International Incorporated, a NYSE-listed Dallas-based offshore drilling company upon whose board Meyerson served.
We worked together for a decade beginning in 2002. There were no airs about Meyerson, affectionately known as “Mighty Mort,” who was without pretense or artificiality. A humble true thinker, Meyerson radiated intellect, integrity and compassion.
One of the greatest compliments I ever received was when he referred to me as a mensch. May this magnificent man rest in peace knowing that he touched the lives of many of us who were fortunate enough to have known him.
Cary Moomjian, Frisco
