Sorry, Texas Democrats: It’s time for you to take your lumps | Opinion
Local needs
Was the exit of Texas Democratic state representatives leadership or theatrics? I believe the latter. Gov. Greg Abbott can call as many special sessions as he wants. The Democrats cannot stay away forever. They have families, careers, property and ultimately responsibilities to their constituents. Now that the new map has passed the House, they can then move on to more important issues such as flood relief and early flood warning systems. The people in Kerrville are in limbo and at risk.
It was time for Democrats to come home and take their lumps. Midterm reapportionment is wrong but inevitable. Other blue states may try to offset the losses. Meanwhile, it is time to address critical needs in Texas.
- Charles Andrews, Fort Worth
Not leadership
I am alarmed at the effort to deliberately damage minority Texans’ voting power. I’m represented by Rep. Jasmine Crockett, and the 30th Congressional District will be affected dramatically if the proposed U.S. House map is signed into law.
I do not respect any of the Republicans involved in this process: not any of the state House or Senate members, nor Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick or Attorney General Ken Paxton. Their collective machinations are the peak of deliberate efforts to reduce minority influence in state politics. It is the exact opposite of sober, moral civic governance, both self-directed as well as following the orders of President Donald Trump.
- Christopher Currie, Grand Prairie
Whose home?
Since when have state representatives been allowed to take up residency in the Capitol? What House rule specifically addresses who can or can’t take residency in Capitol office buildings?
- Curtis McJunkins, North Richland Hills
American dream
I believe that each and every human being has intrinsic value to Jesus. One’s societal value in American culture today, however, is often based on their work. Consequently, immigrants are treated as a disposable and replaceable commodity.
What if Jensen Huang, an immigrant to the United States at the age of 9, had been treated as expendable and not allowed into America? His company, Nvidia, which is at the forefront of artificial intelligence and employs countless Americans, would not exist. And his American dream would not have occurred, as he became one of the richest and most influential people in the world.
- Brent Neuenfeldt, Fort Worth
Past models
I came of age in the 1960s. Under Presidents John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Baines Johnson and Richard Nixon, the U.S. pushed the boundaries to explore space, science and technology and improve international relations, justice and our national identity. Petty, all-encompassing xenophobia grounded in fear that the Trump administration promulgates is unworthy of America and of Americans.
- Paul R. Schattman, Arlington