I used to call myself conservative. Then I realized we can’t do away with government | Opinion

Why people aren’t satisfied

I’m 86, and I’ve voted in lots of elections, sometimes for Republicans and sometimes for Democrats. I considered myself a conservative, but that changed. And I was so thankful I could vote for Joe Biden in 2020. I have not been disappointed in how he works to make government of the people, for the people and by the people.

As I listened to the president’s address Tuesday, I was especially impressed with how much good has been done by mostly Democratic members of Congress. Nicole Russell wrote that 71% of Americans say the country is headed in the wrong direction. (Feb. 9, 9A, “With happy talk on economy, Biden shows he’s out of touch”) I wonder if that is partly because there is so much division in Congress and right-wingers can’t abide spending money on programs to help ordinary Americans.

- Peggy Syrus, Benbrook

Realities of non-compete

For those who missed President Biden’s State of the Union address, he explained non-compete clauses in employment agreements this way: If you’re a cashier at McDonald’s and you signed one, you can’t quit to take a better-paying job at Burger King. While those clauses are common in fast food employment contracts, they are rarely enforced. This guy is hilarious. He should take his act on the road.

- William R. Kenny, Cresson

Don’t increase property taxes

I served as a teacher, administrator and professor for 57 years. I fully support pay raises for teachers and other school employees. But we can’t have the Texas Legislature and governor approving pay raises that local districts have to raise property taxes to pay for.

A salary increase doesn’t do much if teachers find their property taxes increased to pay for it. If Austin approves a raise, Austin needs to pay for it.

- Harold L. Smith, Arlington

‘Choice’ means more work, too

I couldn’t agree more with Kate Wisniewski that “vulnerable and nuanced problem solving” is essential to move our education system beyond today’s political rancor. (Feb. 5, 4C, “Partisanship, not school choice, is the biggest threat to Texas education system”) But I couldn’t agree less that school choice should be among the “tools” to do so.

It’s easy to check boxes in a poll and daydream about going elsewhere. It’ll be much harder to participate in reality.

So, before we hand out tickets to open schoolhouses, let’s hammer out some pretty fundamental details, such as who administers the countless enrollment “choices” by parents and who sets limits when schools say enrollment has maxed out.

And most important of all: What happens to the children and families left behind when “public” money drains out of already underfunded districts?

- Caryl Sherman-Gonzalez, Fort Worth

Clear choice for White Settlement

During this time of hypersensitivity, renaming the Fort Worth portion of White Settlement Road in honor of any person, living or dead, would doubtless offend some residents. (Feb. 4, 6A, “White Settlement Road name on hold, but change needed”) So, let’s look at the map and note that the road is near the confluence of the West Fork and Clear Fork of the Trinity River.

We have a fabulous corridor named Clearfork Main Street. So why not consider renaming this important artery West Fork Road?

- Ron Parrish, Fort Worth

For the GOP’s best chances

Several Republicans are considering running for president. This concerns me because it increases the prospect of Donald Trump again being the party’s nominee.

In Trump’s first go-round, the other candidates essentially canceled each other out and left Trump as the nominee. If Republicans cannot settle on a leading contender (such as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis), Trump is likely to prevail again.

But Trump won’t win the presidency — he has too much political baggage, including the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection. For the sake of the party and the country, I urge others to defer to the best alternative.

- Thomas F. Harkins Jr., Fort Worth

Basics getting too expensive

I am one of the rare people who isn’t happy with the cost-of-living increase of the Social Security and disability benefits my son and I receive.

For a measly $100 plus change between both of us, we no longer qualify for any other assistance. It puts us over the maximum annual income.

My gas, electric and water bills are way higher than $100 per month, so I don’t see where this increase makes it any easier to make ends meet. The system gives with one hand and takes away with the other.

- Laura Bowe, Bedford

This story was originally published February 12, 2023 at 5:00 AM.