Renters and landlords alike are in trouble from the pandemic. They need a bigger fix

Pay attention to the words

Taking a knee during the national anthem is neither hateful nor disrespectful. It demonstrates belief in the principles and values of our country: liberty and justice for all. Unless that is a reality, the lyrics are just empty words, and repeating them automatically is the ultimate disrespect.

- Christina Davis, Fort Worth

Only a temporary measure

President Donald Trump, in his efforts to help those most harmed by the shutdown, signed an executive order Aug. 8 to allow employers to defer payment of payroll taxes for employees making less than $100,000 a year. He has promised to protect Social Security — not end it, as Democrats would have you believe — by finding alternative funding sources, such as general government revenue. Any permanent changes to the way Social Security is funded would have to go through Congress.

- Vicki Tidwell, Weatherford

No, haven’t seen this before

Has President Donald Trump kept his promises? He said we will have health care “like never before.” Six million people have been infected with the coronavirus, and more than 195,000 have died. I suppose you could say Trump was right — this is health care “like never before.”

He also promised to build a wall and have Mexico pay for it. I haven’t seen any money from Mexico. Maybe the check is in the mail.

- James Farrell, Fort Worth

Rental problems go deeper

The four-month federal moratorium on evictions of individuals who have lost their jobs or lost income because of the coronavirus pandemic will not solve the deepening rental crisis. Instead, it transfers the immediate pain to landlords, many of whom are small-business owners already hemorrhaging cash, and postpone the burden on tenants, whose back rent will eventually have to be paid.

Congress must immediately pass legislation that includes $100 billion in emergency rental assistance to allow landlords and tenants to stay afloat until the crisis abates.

- Marian J. Barber, Austin

Can’t investigate themselves

A wise person once said that we are all the children of God and are all equal in his eyes. But evidently not in the eyes of the law and the police training manual. We must demand independent investigations into officers’ questionable actions. They are not above the law.

- J.W. Sullivan, Arlington

Throw caution to the wind?

I just read that restaurants, gyms and retail stores can open up to 75% occupancy. I turned the page and saw that 2,344 Texas students have tested positive for the coronavirus since the school year began. (Sept. 18, 4A, “2,344 Texas students tested positive for virus”)

We might as well open up everything if we’re not going to pay attention to the numbers.

- Bonnie Hromcik, Benbrook