Want to follow the Founding Fathers? Then ditch the ‘In God We Trust’ signs, Texas
The founders’ true intentions
“In God We Trust” has replaced “e pluribus unum” in public spaces and institutions. Now, it is going to be in every North Texas public school whether all Americans want it or not. (Aug. 17, 4A, “Cellphone firm gives ‘In God We Trust’ signs to Carroll schools”)
E pluribus unum was first suggested by the Second Continental Congress in 1776 as the national motto and became the de facto one after that. In God We Trust was passed by Congress in 1956 as the official national motto, in reaction to the Cold War.
If we are going to call ourselves patriots, originalists and followers of the Constitution and Declaration of Independence as written, then companies such as Patriot Mobile should donate e pluribus unum signs to Texas public schools, not In God We Trust.
The neo-patriot movement uses the cafeteria-style approach to documents and laws from the late 1700s: Pick what you like and ignore the rest. Many Americans like me believe in God, but we don’t force it on anyone else.
- Gabrielle Gordon, unincorporated Tarrant County
I don’t want to pay
President Joe Biden, please pay off my home mortgage. I didn’t know I would have to pay it back.
- Dale Peterson, Keller
Nobody helped our family out
Why should I have to pay off college debt for students? My wife and I paid for her college program and to educate three children at the same time. We did not ask or expect other taxpayers to pay any debt we had.
My wife has three degrees. I have three degrees. Our three children each have one degree. My wife and I paid for it all. My neighbor did not have to pay my debts.
-Harold L. Smith, Arlington
College costs out of control
As a parent of three who took on parent-plus loans, I am grateful for any debt relief. I went to college 30 years ago, and the price has since skyrocketed. Overzealous lending led to schools increasing tuition for so long that only the wealthy can go debt-free.
When we reduce taxes on the corporations or provide tax breaks to Wall Street or the real estate industry, I never hear certain groups complain about the federal budget. This small gesture affects 43 million people. It’s right, it’s fair and it helps.
- David Jones, Arlington
Holes in affidavit argument
There was a lot wrong with Henry Olsen’s column arguing that the Justice Department affidavit for the search at former President Donald Trump’s home should be open for everyone to see. (Aug. 24, 13A, “Let voters read virtually all of Mar-a-Lago search affidavit”) If it were opened without redactions, it could jeopardize ongoing investigations or informants. Olsen argues, without facts, that the search of Mar-a-Lago was a political move.
Trump had plenty of time to return all the documents that the National Archives requested. A subpoena was issued but no other boxes were returned, so the department had no recourse other than to obtain a search warrant to retrieve documents that belong to the government, not Trump.
The Justice Department wasn’t going to publicize the search, but Trump did.
- Charles Clines, North Richland Hills
IRS bashing is a danger
We should all be concerned about what Republicans such as Sen. Ted Cruz are saying about the IRS supposedly coming after all of us. These individuals know better. They also know that this kind of talk could provoke people who are on the edge of mental illness to do something horrible and irreversible.
They can say what they want on Fox News, but some responsibility should be required.
- Carolyn Sawyer, Fort Worth
It’s not an opportunity
I was appalled by the Aug. 21 letter to the editor whose author says she got pregnant in 2017 and the Roe v. Wade gave her the “opportunity” to continue her education. (4C) Millions of women have become pregnant, brought precious babies into this world, finished their education and embarked on careers.
She also wrote: “Now is the time to talk loudly and proudly about your abortion.” Some abortion advocates talk about what a somber and life-changing decision an abortion can be for women. Apparently not this writer and her ilk. Ending a pregnancy should not be cause for celebration.
- Susan Sprinkle, Granbury