Want to get rid of radical candidates? Then we need a little less democracy | Opinion

Primary tactics

To decrease division in our country and politics, we need to get rid of political primaries and return to party insiders choosing candidates in “smoke-filled back rooms.” Primaries result in candidates who appeal to the extremists of each party. The winner is whoever best energizes the party’s base. In the general election, voters face a choice between radicals.

Party insiders want to win the general election, not make a statement. They would choose centrists. It would result in a rush toward the middle instead of the extremes.

Ironically, to save our democracy, we need less democracy.

- George Michael Sherry, Fort Worth

No more hate

It is deeply disturbing to hear President Donald Trump say that he “hates” another individual, as he said at Charlie Kirk’s memorial. Why would anyone want to create such discord and divisiveness, especially when referring to a fellow American? This is very dangerous to our society.

Trump says he is a Christian, so how does proclaiming hatred fit in that mindset and culture? Did Christ ever declare hatred for another? Absolutely not. He professed love and kindness, never hatred.

Charlie’s widow, Erika, reminded us to love our enemies. This is how we eliminate violence from the world, up to and including killing our fellow human beings. If Kirk’s killer had grown up with this belief, we would not be having this discussion.

As a society, we need to teach conflict resolution and nonviolence.

- Leonard Ellis, Arlington

Bar is low

In response to James Rosen’s “COUNTERPOINT: Lionization of Kirk is all wrong” (Sept. 19, Edition) President Donald Trump is the true king of dumbing down. Charlie Kirk, like fellow hater Rush Limbaugh, is just the latest in Trump’s line of severely partisan and unworthy picks for the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Whether it’s nominating people for positions in the federal government or honoring people for awards of high esteem, Trump lowers the bar as far as possible. Utmost consideration is given to nominees or honorees if they have criticized prior administrations.

- Preston Matthiesen, Fort Worth

Drone warning

After every North Texas hailstorm, roofing companies fly drones over houses without asking, hoping to sell a new roof. Annoying? Absolutely. But it’s also a warning.

If private companies can do this, imagine what government agencies are doing around the clock. They collect, store and share your data — all while claiming it’s for your safety.

Censorship and surveillance are justified as protecting the public, yet the rules are often applied inconsistently. Rights that exist only when officials approve are not rights — they’re privileges. Privacy, free expression and the ability to participate in civic life should belong to everyone, always.

If we wouldn’t tolerate drones flying over our homes, why accept constant surveillance of our email, phone calls and online activity?

Texans deserve civil liberties that are guaranteed, not conditional. It’s time to treat them that way.

- Darren Hamilton, Little Elm

Not condoning

Editor’s note: Due to an editing error, two points were omitted when this letter was published last week.

I am a Christian, parent and Democrat who is devastated by the assassination of Charlie Kirk. I didn’t agree with his politics, but he was a son, husband, father, and fellow American.

Fort Worth City Council member Elizabeth Beck pointed out the sad irony of Kirk’s own words and his manner of death. Kirk said in 2023: “It’s worth it to have a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the Second Amendment.” Kirk compared the situation to accepting the traffic deaths that come with our transportation systems. Beck did not offer words of regret or condolence, but the post was not “essentially condoning violence,” as Mayor Mattie Parker stated.

Tarrant County Republican Chairman Bo French has no standing to call for Beck to be removed from office. He is known for using racial, misogynistic, ethnic and religious slurs against whole swaths of people. Let’s work on unity, not accusations, starting at the top with President Donald Trump.

- Martha J. Dowling, Fort Worth

This story was originally published September 28, 2025 at 5:07 AM.