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Letters to the Editor

Don’t Tarrant County Republican leaders care about will of the people anymore? | Opinion

What about the will of the people?

Tarrant County Republican Party Chairman Bo French seems to have forgotten that determining the will of the people is why elections are held (Sept. 18, 1A, “Tarrant GOP attacks Republicans on college polling sites”). In criticizing Republican County Commissioners Manny Ramirez and Gary Fickes for approving early voting sites on college campuses, he shows the GOP is no longer interested in the will of the people. Instead, it appears he is pushing the agenda of subjugating the majority to a controlling minority.

Perhaps French and his fellow Republicans should concentrate on convincing more people that their policies are best for the county, the state and the country and spend less time trying to suppress voters who may disagree with them.

- Dan Scarborough, Hurst

Our miserable political choice

William Cooper’s opinion article (Sept. 20, 11A, “Our 2-party political system is failing us”) is the best I have read about the mess in politics today. I am 91 years young and fear for the younger generations that will have to deal with what is happening in our politics.

In all my years of watching politics, starting around 19 years old, I have never feared for our country, but I do now. The pope is correct: Our choice is between “the lesser of two evils.”

- Charles Carlson, Hurst

On felons voting, what about Trump?

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton recently declared it illegal for convicted felons to register or to vote in the 2024 election (Sept. 19, 1A, “Paxton’s warning on voter registration, what the law says”). It makes me wonder: If the convicted felon Donald Trump lived in Texas, would Paxton send his Republican buddy to jail for voting for himself? Of course not. Paxton is only trying to scare Democratic voters away from the polls.

- Sharon Austry, Fort Worth

Abbott’s role in schools’ woes

School districts in Texas are struggling to hire teachers with classroom experience. The Fort Worth ISD’s board of trustees, city leaders and families are concerned about the education system in Fort Worth. Gov. Greg Abbott is one of the big problems. He has not allowed added funding for schools, and he says he will not do so until a voucher program is law.

- Harold L. Smith, Arlington

End long-running baby-powder case

You’ve likely seen on the news that claimants just had an opportunity to vote to settle the case alleging Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder causes ovarian cancer in women. There’s so much speculation about this opportunity to end this case for good.

One hypothesis is that trial lawyers have built their cases on flawed expert opinions and faulty evidence, meaning the scientific integrity of the case has been dissolved.

For this plan to go through, it must clear a 75% hurdle of claimants in support. If claimants want to end this lengthy process and move on with their lives, then the number of votes will be in their favor. My hope is that enough will see it that way and vote accordingly.

- Mona Bailey, North Richland Hills

Money drives pols to stay quiet

Perhaps readers remember Mark Twain’s quote, “We have the best government money can buy.” Could there be a connection with the refusal of public officeholders to speak? (Sept. 8, 4C, “What’s with local pols who won’t answer questions?”)

Too much talk might reveal who bought one’s path to power. They must be cautious in implementing change benefiting constituents, as it may offend donors. Maybe not talking or doing leads to reelection.

- Loveta Eastes, Fort Worth

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