A pedestrian is silhouetted against sunrise as he walks through the U.S. Flags on the National Mall and past the US Capitol Building in Washington in 2022.
J. David Ake/ASSOCIATED PRESS
Serve the people
I recently wrote to our Texas senators and am sharing these concerns publicly because many Americans feel Congress is not focused on their real needs.
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Families are struggling with high gas and grocery prices while corporate profits remain strong. Congress should act now to lower costs, curb price gouging, expand the supply of affordable housing and invest in clean domestic energy to stabilize long-term fuel prices.
We also need humane, effective immigration reform that strengthens due process, ensures professional standards and accountability for ICE and border personnel, and provides a practical pathway for long-term undocumented residents who contribute to our economy and communities.
Before entering or expanding military conflicts, Congress must reclaim its constitutional authority to debate and authorize the use of force only when there is a clear, imminent threat and a defined national interest.
Finally, multiple investigations have found no widespread election fraud. Proposals like the SAVE Act risk creating new barriers to voting and federal overreach into state-run elections.
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Practical plans for Fair Park
Dallas Park and Recreation’s new plan for a revenue generating development replacing Fair Park parking lots is another ill thought-out scheme like 25 past years of consultants’ pricey fantasies. Raising $30 million for a community park is commendable. Expecting that and a $2.5 million budget for building and grounds improvement will make significant activity growth semi-delusional.
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The State Fair of Texas might have a little problem. Parking generates revenue that helps fund Fair Park operations.
Setup/tear down for the State Fair limits access to Centennial Exposition buildings, museums and the aquarium for almost three months. Then, it’s a lonely walk from the community park through a closed Midway and Livestock area to the dreary core.
Instead of expanding, start there. Visualize with me. The old aquarium annex is now a family reunion facility. The Magnolia building is an Exxon Mobil funded Texas Oil History Museum. A memorable wedding site at the lagoon. Improv at the Band Shell. Children’s Aquarium includes the Oceans Petting Zoo. Butterflies. Weekend trade days. The best preserved Art Deco Exposition buildings historical trail.
Future visitors say, “What a day! That hotel brochure was right!”
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Plans don’t have to be grandiose —just targeted and practical.
Texans in the military
T. R. Fehrenbach’s book Lone Star shines light on the history of Texans serving in the U. S. military and highlights our disproportionate service to the rest of our country. Many sacrificed their lives for our country, impacting countless family members.
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Veterans returning home face steep obstacles normalizing into our communities for many years. Texans are serving on a modern, missile ranged battlefield today.
I won’t doubt Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is passionate about Texas, but clearly he has shadowed political limits. Reconsider your decision to build another obstacle for a Texas veteran, and give Sen. Taylor Rehmet committee assignments.
Devin Johnson, Bridgeport
The same colorless mold
Dallas city fathers disappoint us in their acquiescence to Austin, and Washington demands that we erase all traces of human variability. There was joy in those sidewalk rainbows, a reminder that there are many different ways of being human. I pity those who demand that we all be pounded into the same colorless mold.
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Miriam Foshay, Dallas/Lake Highlands
Is the U.S. a civil society?
Is it not that, at the heart of a civil society, the imperative that every member acts in ways that do not compromise the freedom of others? And does it not follow that, in a civil society, nobody can compel anyone to violate that imperative?
Is the United States a civil society? Does our Constitution not spell out how to structure a civil society? Is the opposite of a civil society an autocratic society?
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And does autocracy presume there is someone with authority to order others to obey them?
So, we are looking at a world in which someone in the White House ordered someone in the Pentagon to order the military forces to go to war. My question is this: Where is the evidence that such a process is part of a functional civil society? How can such a chain of actions be activated by persons who have taken an oath to the Constitution and not a person? And are we not an autocratic society at the highest level of government?
Stephen Leroy Love, Dallas
Media monopolies
While we are busy living our lives, wealthy conglomerates are taking away our independence slowly but surely. The latest example is the loss of independent news station WFAA.
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Nexstar’s goal is to own about 80% of local news across the country. Regardless of political affiliation (in this case conservative), hearing approved news stories rather than the news in general is a giant loss. Unfortunately, I will no longer be watching.
Barbara A. Mackoy, Cedar Hill
The price of gas
Gas prices are rising, the complaining has begun. That’s never been one of my top priorities when voting as I know a sitting president — whether Democrat or Republican — has limited direct control over the price of gas. Plus, I drive energy efficient vehicles because I don’t need a monster truck or SUV to get around town. Just saying!
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But this time is different. There is one man and his administration to solely and totally blame for this spike. And I hope every voter remembers that come November.
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Much more importantly, remember how he accomplished this with an unnecessary and ill-conceived war that has cost human life. For what? His latest whim? To further enrich himself and his family?
Think about it and do some real complaining about these actions. And vote like you mean it!
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Sara Miskimins, Dallas/Lake Highlands