It’s not right that you have to publicly declare your political party in Texas

Health costs would soar

Proponents of “Medicare for all” claim the system would cost less than what the U.S. currently pays for health care. They fail to explain the increase in taxes that would reach deeply into the middle class. They leave the impression that money employers save on premiums would end up in workers’ pockets. That is naive.

When has a government program cost less than service provided in a competitive market? The Affordable Care Act took away much competition and has been a windfall for the insurance companies. Paying health-care providers at Medicare rates would bankrupt many hospitals, outpatient services and physicians at a time of physician shortages in many rural and inner-city areas.

Medical professionals like me need to be at the table.

- Charles Andrews, Fort Worth

Party ID should be private

In Texas, as in most other states, a constitutional provision guarantees secrecy in voting. It is difficult to see how the current voting system requiring voters to commit publicly to party preference meets this requirement.

What is secret about the unfortunate voter who must run a gantlet of opposition party members in order to vote? The two major parties are pleased to agree on this system in primaries because it essentially limits independent voters from participating.

It is time to pay attention to the intent of the Texas Constitution.

- David Roll, Colleyville

Ranked choice efficient

In several races in last week’s primary elections, no candidates received the required majority, so there will be runoffs May 26. Runoffs cost a lot and generally draw many fewer voters.

There’s an alternative: Ranked-choice voting is gaining momentum around the country.

Voters rank candidates in order of preference: first choice, second choice and so on. If no candidate wins outright, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and votes for that candidate are moved to voters’ second choices. This process is repeated until a candidate has more than half the total vote.

This produces an instant runoff that eliminates the additional costs and time of more elections. And for early voters whose candidates drop out of the race before Election Day, their votes would automatically go to their second choices rather than be wasted.

- Michael Jenkins, Fort Worth

Horned Frogs are on a roll

Congratulations to the TCU women’s basketball team for the 96-71 victory against Oklahoma in an exciting game on Senior Night. The season-high score reflected the team’s intensity, skill and tough defense. Coach Raegan Pebley and her assistants have led the team to a 21-7 record going into the Big 12 Tournament. Go Frogs!

- Maggie B. Thomas, Fort Worth

Schumer should be punished

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer threatened two U.S. Supreme Court justices in a speech last week. (March 5, star-telegram.com, “Schumer: I ‘should not have used’ critical words on justices”)

What exactly is his plan to execute his threats? This should not be tolerated. What a sad day for America.

- Angela Benvenuto, Arlington

This story was originally published March 8, 2020 at 5:00 AM.