Your Wednesday editorial noted that Texas received $32.9 billion in federal money for the budget year that ended in August and asked who would pay for highways, schools and health services such as Medicare and Medicaid if Texas seceded. (See: "Secessionists get attention through White House site")
Because Medicare and Medicaid are established by federal law, I assume there would be no Medicare or Medicaid in the country of Texas. In fact, wouldn't all current federal programs end in an independent Texas? No Social Security, no Small Business Administration loans, no FEMA assistance when hurricanes hit our coast.The U.S. Border Patrol would no longer patrol our southern border. It would patrol our other borders to ensure no undocumented Texans crossed into the United States.In an independent country, Texas industry probably would be allowed to compete for U.S. government contracts (like the F-35 fighter), but there is no guarantee. Certainly, all those who currently receive preferential treatment for federal contracts, like small disadvantaged businesses, American Indian-owned businesses and women-owned businesses, would lose their status. -- Terry Ray Talbot, KellerHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
