Transgender; Waybourn win; voter ID; who’s qualified?; IRS scam

Transgender

In the May 22 Star-Telegram, an editorial and a separate commentary proposed urgent topics for the 2017 legislative session: our broken mental healthcare system and critical needs of children, including quality early childhood education programs and human trafficking protections.

It’s disheartening to know that precious time and energy will be devoted instead to efforts to further marginalize a tiny group of transgender people by banning their use of the appropriate restroom for them.

Transgender people will always use the restroom they identify with, regardless of unenforceable legislation.

Those fear-mongers who have conjured up the ridiculous image of a little boy putting on a dress in order to get a peek into the girls’ restroom are totally ignorant of the nature of transgenderism.

They’re using an emotionally charged non-issue to promote their true agenda, diversion of public school funds into school choice and voucher programs.

Shame on our state leaders!

I liked Emma Burgher’s Wednesday guest commentary about the Fort Worth school district’s guidelines that would shut out parents from what is perhaps the most major decision their child or an adolescent could make — changing to the opposite sex.

Another problem with these guidelines is that they prevent teachers or others from discussing this crucial issue with the child or teen.

I mean, you can discuss a course of study, which has some impact on a person’s life, but not whether they should live life as male or female, affecting almost everything?

It is just wrongheaded to say that this “silence” is best because it is “acceptance.”

Quite conversely, helping students work through such emotions with a view toward what is ultimately best for them in life shows just how much you care about them and their best interests.

Waybourn win

Congratulations to the former police chief of Dalworthington Gardens, Bill Waybourn, on winning a runoff election for sheriff of Tarrant County!

Do us proud, sir!

Voter ID

U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey should put his efforts to better use by forming a caucus to see that all voters are assisted in obtaining one or more of the seven personal photo identifications required by the state. (See Tuesday news story “Veasey to announce that he’s forming Voting Rights Caucus.”)

Everyone could benefit from having a copy of their birth certificate on hand.

With that document they can obtain a free photo ID card from the Department of Motor Vehicles.

All responsible citizens should be able to prove who they are.

Who’s qualified?

Donald Trump says Hillary Clinton is not qualified to be president, and Hillary says Donald is not qualified to be president.

They’re both right!

Medicare

Just one question to Republican seniors: Would you vote Republican if you knew for sure you would lose your Medicare?

Remember, Republicans have been against Medicare since it started under President Lyndon Johnson, and now, they want to give you a dollar-amount voucher for your doctor and hospital.

But don’t take my word for this. Just look at the Republican platform and the Paul Ryan budget.

So, let me ask again: Would you give up your Medicare to vote for the GOP?

For me, the answer is an emphatic no!

IRS scam

I have received several phone calls with a message along these lines: “This is the IRS, Internal Revenue Service, and you are being prosecuted.”

How many people fall for this?

I was told by the Southlake police that these scammers get $4,300 for every person who calls them back.

Do not fall for it. The IRS does not call people.

This story was originally published May 27, 2016 at 6:25 PM with the headline "Transgender; Waybourn win; voter ID; who’s qualified?; IRS scam."