Letters to the Editor
We are proud of our members who take the time to write thoughtful Letters to the Editor of our local print dailies and weeklies. Below are the most recent. Find our members’ Letters to the Editors archive here.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
I wish someone would explain to me how Gov. Rick Perry and the last session of the Texas Legislature could cut $5.4 billion from public education, cut funding for women’s healthcare services, decline federal funds, obliterate funding to Planned Parenthood (which provides healthcare services to low-income women and men), not fix the structural deficit in the state budget, not provide for additional revenue to the state’s coffers, and then think that they will be able to fund a women’s healthcare program (or anything else).
– Tina Penney, Bedford http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/09/18/4269715/explain-please.html#storylink=misearch?storylink=addthis#storylink=cpy
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Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Thursday, June 28, 2012
The corrupting value of money in politics
The Supreme Court ruled that corporations and unions could spend unlimited amounts on ads designed to help or hurt a candidate. Well, there goes any value of my vote.
Corporations and unions are not persons even though there was a ruling saying that they are. Can they vote? No! They have no business messing with politics. Oh, that’s right, they want to buy them.
– Jack Brocious, Grapevine
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Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Saturday, June 23, 2012
The Problem with Majority Rule
According to the Southern Baptist Convention’s resolution, “same sex marriage” does not qualify as a civil right. Marriage is a civil right set up by governments to give people’s unions legal status. The Constitution and the Pledge of Allegiance call for liberty and justice for all. Three branches of government were created to make sure the “majority” did not decide what a “civil right” is. If the majority had that right, women would not vote, children would work in sweat shops and people of color would still be slaves.
Majority rule does not always work.
– Lynn Johnson, Fort Worth
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April 18, 2012
Franking privileges
So our Republican U.S. Rep. Kenny Marchant spent $122,000 of our taxpayer funds to send us superfluous polling material? Up to 10 times more spending than his colleagues? (See: “Incumbents get edge at expense of taxpayers,” The Watchdog, April 15) And Tea Party Republican Grant Stinchfield wants to increase our sales tax to more than 20 percent?
I’m looking forward to the November general election so I can vote for our Democratic Party candidate, Tim Rusk.
I’ve met Tim and it is obvious he is the best choice for an honest and sane representative to move our country forward.
– Tari Sanchez Bauer, Colleyville
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Fort Worth Star-Telegram
April 05, 2012
Commissioner’s race
I’m glad to hear that Northeast Tarrant County has a county commissioner candidate like Norm Lyons who will finally listen to the people. Our current commissioners are building roads without making the hard decision to pay for them, relying on future tolls to pay for them instead. Our commissioners have also led us into municipal bond defaults — with many of these projects outside of Tarrant County.
Norm Lyons has experience in our community and helping to lead successful organizations like the Texas Rangers baseball team. I’m voting for Norm Lyons for county commissioner, Precinct 3.
– Mark Bauer, Colleyville
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Fort Worth Star-Telegram
March 21, 2012
Facebook at work
Employers are asking for your Facebook username and password. That’s as bad as asking what your total worth is, a copy of all of your bills, other sources of income, copies of all bank accounts, child support, what kind of car you drive and where you vacation.
I thought the KGB and the SS were done away with. Even the police and FBI can’t spy on you without a subpoena.
They seem to be afraid that you might say something bad about them. I have had a bad experience with a company and wish I had a place to warn others to stay away and why. Businesses have blackballed workers in the past and probably still do. How about some equality here?
What happened to our right to privacy?
– Jack Brocious,
Grapevine
Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/03/21/3826810/us-troops-in-afghanistan-galveston.html#storylink=cpy
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Fort Worth Star-Telegram
March 16, 2012
Taxpayer abuse
Texans believe in hard work, honesty and doing what’s right.
Parks beg for handouts from taxpayers. Soldiers need food stamps to eat. Students are shortchanged in school.
Gov. Rick Perry and others of the “elected class” get pension money while “working.” Politicians who collect pension money while in office should resign and stop abusing taxpayers.
– Robert J. Torres, Colleyville
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Voter ID laws
Free speech, individual freedom and escape from the European religious and dictatorial leaders were the motivation for many people who endured the hardships of leaving everything they had to migrate to this new country. But even then, our Constitution excluded most people in favor of the landed gentry. As the Bill of Rights began to flesh out, we became more and more open and free.
The Legislature wrote the voter ID law to address a problem that does not exist. I ask that we support “freedom and justice for all” and stop spending taxpayer money on an invisible issue.
– Lynn Johnson, Fort Worth
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Fort Worth Star-Telegram
February 4, 2012
Which America?
Newt? Romney? Whoever? All want to be president. No one actually wants to run the country. Fix problems. Get members of Congress to act like adults.
And the Tea Partiers? They all want the America of the past? America where slavery was legal? America where women were jailed and beaten so they couldn’t vote? Two World Wars? The Depression? America before unions gave us rights as workers? Assassination of its presidents? America that hates every immigrant? Pick one. Tell me that any of those Americas are the Americas of your dreams. And you want that America back?
– Jeanne Owers, Bedford
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5:46 PM on Wed., Feb. 1, 2012 | Permalink
If Catholics obey …
Re: “Protect churches’ freedom,” by Catholic bishops of North Texas, Saturday Letters.
Growing up in the Catholic faith, I have to differ with our area bishops, who believe that female employees of the Catholic Church should have fewer reproductive choices than other Americans. Their concern is that their health care premiums could be used to pay for women’s reproductive choices.
Ideally, if the Catholic employees followed all the dictates of the church, there would be no problem. Alas, we live in the real world, and Catholics use birth control and other women’s reproductive services at the same rate as other Americans.
I suggest a compromise: Allow your female employees to have the same rights as other Americans but continue to preach the dictates of the Catholic institution in the hopes that they don’t ever need to use them.
Tari Sanchez Bauer, Colleyville
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Dallas Morning News
January 27, 2012
Re: “Focus on the Basics — Rawlings right to stay out of gay marriage d ebate,” Wednesday Editorials.
You say Mayor Mike Rawlings should stay out of the gay marriage debate? We’re talking about treating American citizens differently because of who they are. If African-American citizens were forced to ride the back of the bus, would Rawlings stay out of it because it is just too partisan? I would hope not.
Both The Dallas Morning News and Mayor Rawlings support gay rights — unless it actually involves doing something courageous about it.
Mark Bauer, Colleyville
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Fort Worth Star-Telegram
January 25, 2012
Civil reminders
Americans must remember that the war to stop slavery in America ended in 1865. Recent political debates and Bud Kennedy’s “reminders” (See: “Two recent reminders that for some Texans, Civil War goes on,” online bit.ly/xChbPU) show that Americans and Texans need to understand:
Why the American “civil” war was really fought.
Feelings toward others of different color, religion, race, etc.
Jesus commanded us to love others as he loved us (John 13:34).
Ditch the hate-filled speech and actions to become more American, Texan and/or Christian.
– Robert J. Torres, Colleyville
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Fort Worth Star-Telegram
January 25, 2012
SOTU seating
Ever since I started watching State of the Union speeches in the 1970s, it was disconcerting to see one side of Congress jump up clapping and cheering with the other side grumpily remaining seated at various comments from the president. Americans welcome the new “prom date” seating arrangement at the speeches. Having Republicans and Democrats paired up and sitting together is a small but meaningful attempt at bipartisanship.
But not for our Republican Sen. John Cornyn or our Republican Rep. Michael Burgess. Apparently it was too much an effort for these men to attempt a semblance of bipartisanship and cooperation. The fact that they can’t find it in themselves to sit with colleagues from across the aisle is indicative of the obstacles and mayhem they have created to keep the other side down — with all Americans paying the costs of their petulance.
– Mark Bauer, Colleyville
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5:51 PM on Thu., Dec. 29, 2011 | Permalink
Re: “A letter to the left wing,” by David K. Johnson, Thursday Letters.
Dear right-wing Letters to the Editor writers:
No, the Democratic Party is not perfect, but if I were a Republican , I would think long and hard before voting for any of the current Republican presidential candidates. None of them have any solutions, and most of them change their answers depending upon the current public opinion polls.
Admit it. Your party has been hijacked by the tea party right-wing extremists who are more enthralled with the idea of blocking our president’s attempt to move our country forward, even at the cost of destroying the United States.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
December 10, 2011
Stand-alone bills
President Barack Obama has vowed to veto a GOP proposal that would attach the controversial Keystone XL pipeline project to his proposal to cut payroll taxes.
Way to go, President Obama!
It doesn’t matter whether one likes or dislikes either bill. They are in no way related and should not be combined.
This is a sleazy tactic to pass something that would otherwise not be passable. If a bill can’t stand on its own, that’s just too bad.
We have had too many of these bills that waste taxpayers’ money. It’s time to make this practice illegal.
– Jack Brocious,
Grapevine
Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/12/11/3587079/fracking-pollution-keystone-xl.html#ixzz1gKcd9tw9
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
December 10, 2011
In response to “Bitter Payback,” two wrongs do not make the world a better place.
Years ago, when the Democrats had the power in Texas, they also had the attitude of the Republicans today: every man for himself.
It did not work well then because it minimized the “least of these,” and it is no different today.
Extending power for more power, eliminating the voice of those in need, will not make us a better country. It will only show us what we really want: a “benevolent dictatorship” where the voices of the poor and minorities are not allowed to bear witness to their issues.
If they have no healthcare, they will just pass away. If the children have no food, they will just reinforce our ideas about them by getting into trouble.
When hope is gone, people become desperate. And desperation causes most of our society’s ills.
Why not just be fair? Why not be better than the past?
– Lynn Johnson, Fort Worth
Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/12/10/3584553/partisan-politics-amr-bankruptcy.html#ixzz1g8oXKueD
Fort Worth Star – Telegram
November 28, 2011
Expensive Appeal
I thought this state was broke. After all, we can’t afford to educate our kids, pay our teachers or provide healthcare for those who can’t afford it.
But we evidently can afford to hire expensive outside attorneys to fight interim redistricting plans drawn by a three-judge federal panel in San Antonio.
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott appealed the court-approved lines to the Supreme Court and hired a lawyer from an elite Washington law firm, a former solicitor general in the George W. Bush administration, to help. Surely Abbott doesn’t think the panel’s maps are partisan. The panel is made up of two judges appointed by Republican presidents (Reagan and George W. Bush) and one appointed by a Democratic president (Clinton).
Please, Mr. Attorney General, don’t waste our money.
– Jo-Ann Zimmerman, Euless
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
November 22, 2011
The congressional “supercommittee “of six Democrats and six Republicans was charged with coming up with $1.2 trillion in “cuts” by today in order to reduce the country’s deficit.
Admittedly, the budget deficit is worrisome, but it seems to me that 14 million people unemployed and an additional 12 million underemployed are much more worrisome. The supercommittee instead should have been charged with developing and implementing job creation programs (think Works Project Administration and Civilian Conservation Corps), with allocating funds for education and training in order to increase employment opportunities, and with bringing back to this country the 50,000 factories that have relocated overseas in the past 10 years. The jobs thus created would enable the formerly un- and underemployed to pay additional taxes, thus increasing federal revenue and taking a few steps to reduce that worrisome deficit.
– Tina Penney, Bedford
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
November 17, 2011
Boo Marchant
According to the 2009 and 2010 “Statements of Disbursements” published by the U.S. House of Representatives, it cost taxpayers an average of more than $1.26 million per year for each member of Congress. This includes $174,000 for his or her salary, more than $40,000 for mail, more than $50,000 for travel, more than $50,000 for “other services” and $785,000 for staff salaries.
In his almost seven years of service, Rep. Kenny Marchant has been unable to get a single bill passed in Congress. He has gotten only one out of committee.
Although he lists several co-sponsored bills, a good legislator selects co-sponsors from three groups: committee members, well-respected members of Congress and people who do little or nothing else. The third is probably Marchant’s group. It is easy to get these members to co-sponsor a bill and give the appearance of a high level of support.
Marchant threw senior citizens under the bus when he voted to create a voucher system for Medicare. He also failed our youth by voting to drastically reduce Pell Grants for college education.
Is this the best we can do? Don’t we deserve better?
– Joe Hudson, Bedford
Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/11/17/3534655/animal-shelter-occupy-wall-street.html#ixzz1edfMJ700
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
November 9, 2011
Creating jobs
Republican senatorial candidate Tom Leppert says he can create jobs. Where, in China and India? The way to bring back our jobs is to repeal NAFTA and raise import taxes.
– Jack Brocious, Grapevine
Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/11/09/3513692/congress-gas-prices-healthcare.html#ixzz1dKyoyCBF
Dallas Morning News
October 29, 2011
Obstructionism will fail
Re: “It’s Grand Bargain or bust for Obama — Demonizing GOP just feeds ideological fires, says David Brooks,” Wednesday Viewpoints.
Brooks must be kidding that the Obama campaign is turning “viciously negative” now. I’ll bet the tea party laughed so hard they dropped their “Obama is a Nazi” signs. Republicans can hardly hide their glee at America’s deep recession and high unemployment rate.
Their spokesman Rush Limbaugh said that he hopes America fails so that President Barack Obama loses. The Republicans don’t care about the poor or middle class, and they are hoping that the voters will not notice their obstructionism.
Brooks’ definition of “viciously negative” apparently means telling the American people the truth about the current Republican Party. Hopefully, Obama’s message will enlighten the American voters.
- Mark Bauer, Colleyville TX
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Saturday, October 30, 2011
Perry on Obama
In a TV interview, Gov. Rick Perry said he doesn’t “have a clue” about what President Barack Obama’s birth certificate says. This is a clue to us that he doesn’t look at pictures in newspapers and magazines or he is being dishonest.
Perry is clueless about too many things to be a Republican presidential candidate. But Republicans will hold their noses and vote for him anyway. Again. Go figure.
– Robert J. Torres, Colleyville
Star-Telegram
June 28, 2011
Susan Schrock’s Monday article about Arlington officials seeking to ban cellphone use by drivers illuminates the paradox of Rick Perry’s beliefs and actions as governor. On this issue, Perry opined (in his veto of a related bill passed by the Legislature in regular session) that the law “was a government effort to micromanage the behavior of adults.”
How is it Perry has not used, and likely will never use, that very argument to defend the rights of committed same-sex couples who live in Texas? If Perry has an issue with the Legislature’s effort to mitigate a known hazard and threat to persons using our roadways, how can he possibly justify his governmental interference in the private lives of our citizens? Could it be his bigotry is in evidence?
– Rob Leeper, Hurst
Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/06/28/3186344/american-airlines-formula-one.html#ixzz1QsMKw8mR
Star-Telegram
February 28, 2011
Education Funding
Texas has a $27 billion budget shortfall over the next two years, according to the state comptroller. Cuts have to be made to the state budget, but leave education alone.
Texas schools are facing a possible $9.8 billion budget cut in the next biennium. This is with a projected increase of at least 160,000 students statewide over the two years. Gov. Rick Perry and the Legislature can balance the budget without touching current education funding levels. Use the $9.4 billion “rainy-day” fund for Texas education. It’s “pouring” right now.
The comptroller has said that state sales tax revenues are on the increase, so the fund will be replenished. Texas can also receive an $800 million education grant from the federal government if Perry agrees to spend it on education. Agree and use it for what it is meant for. This covers the entire amount of the projected state education cuts. The amount spent per student will decrease, but teachers have learned to adapt.
Please let our state leaders know the importance of investing in our children and the state of Texas. Make necessary cuts, but leave public education alone.
Chris Utchell ~ Richland Hills TXStar-Telegram
February 25, 2011
Union News
What’s with the Republicans? Why are they always against the American worker?
Republican Sen. Alan Simpson wrote the NAFTA bill, and the GOP pushed it through. That caused a mass exodus of our jobs.
Now, they are trying to push through bills that will limit workers’ rights and make it easier to bust unions. Ronald Reagan tried to bust the air traffic controllers’ union.
Labor unions and workers are what made this country great.
What next? Will they try to repeal child labor laws and return us to sweatshops?
Jack Brocious ~ Grapevine TX
Some politicians love making tough decisions — tough on the poor, hungry, sick and old.
One in six Texans is in need.
Why waste $21 billion on “business development” (travel, fancy hotels, lavish meals and drinks, gifts and who knows what)? (See: “State’s funds for economic development face cutbacks,” Jan. 31).
It’s not as if heads of big businesses don’t know we’re here. Spend this tax money on Texans in need.
Robert Torres ~ Colleyville TX
He sounded like a committed American when he said “we should be willing to challenge old assumptions in order to lessen the prospects of violence in the future.”
But he sounded like the president of the United States when he said “we should do everything we can to make sure this country lives up to our children’s expectations.”
I thank him for his most inspiring words.
Juana Byrd ~ Keller TX
