GOP “monster;” Conlon for board
GOP ‘monster’
I first joined the GOP as a high school and college student in the late 1960s. I campaigned and voted for Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford and George H.W. Bush while working throughout the 1980s to turn Texas red.
I was too young to fully understand the significance of the “Southern strategy” that my party used to draw Southern voters through the use of “dog whistles” like “states’ rights,” which signaled to bigots and segregationists we had a place for them.
By the end of the 1970s, we had drawn in religious extremists and abortion foes who refused to compromise even in areas where most reasonable people could agree.
Instead, we continued to court voters from the most extreme fringes of the political sphere, drawing in groups that were so far afield that they would have once been considered anathema to any political group other than the likes of the John Birch Society or the KKK.
Through our desire to take power in Washington, we’ve created the monster that now controls our once-proud party.
We must never forget that while we are responsible for its creation, we can also be responsible for its demise.
We can get our party back, but it may only come after one terrible loss after another that we finally decide to act.
T.E. Turpin, Bedford
The CNN town hall on March 29 was very telling. I’m sure Donald Trump wants no more debates.
When asked about the nation’s top three priorities, he appeared unprepared and named three: national security, education and healthcare. When pressed further, he said security, security, security. His demeanor reflected he had given this no prior thought.
The Constitution outlines the priorities as providing for the common defense, preserving and protecting our liberty and embracing a system of laws to provide for a civil society. Trump should read it.
Typically, Trump resorted to vague answers and vocal bluster. As Anderson Cooper pointed out, his actions can appear childish and lack discipline.
We owe Trump thanks for raising important issues, but electing him because he draws large crowds is foolhardy. We did that twice in the past two elections.
A great country requires a knowledgeable and disciplined leader.
That is not Trump.
Kenneth M. “Ken” Sapp,
North Richland Hills
Conlon for board
I support Ashley Duncan Conlon for the Weatherford school board.
Having worked with Ashley her first year on the board before I retired as superintendent, I’ve witnessed her intelligence, tremendous work ethic, high ethical standards and managerial ability.
Ashley will provide leadership and knowledge. I encourage your support.
Deborah Cron,
Weatherford
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This story was originally published April 5, 2016 at 5:46 PM with the headline "GOP “monster;” Conlon for board."