Paxton is one to talk
Re: “AG claims securities violations — Paxton seeks to sue developers of Muslim-centric community,” Wednesday news story.
I just read this story that says Attorney General Ken Paxton plans to charge the developers of EPIC City with violating state and federal securities laws. My first thought was, “He is one to talk.”
As I recall, Paxton was accused of violating those same securities laws and agreed to pay about $300,000 in restitution, although he still maintained his innocence.
He also had to perform 100 hours of community service and take a legal ethics course. This case was one of the reasons that Paxton was impeached by the state Senate. Perhaps he needs yet another ethics course.
Opinion
Sue Rentz, Plano
Leadership sorely lacking
Re: “Gateway was my church, and I saw pastor’s descent — Morris’ unraveling shows how charisma without character corrupts our institutions,” by Ronell Smith, Sunday Opinion.
Smith succinctly and accurately identified the primary cause of the divisions in our society — the lack of true leadership.
“True leadership,” writes Smith, “is formed in service, not in spectacle. That means congregations, voters and citizens must value integrity over influence and truth over tribalism.”
Jerry P. Knippa, Dallas/Lake Highlands
City Hall part of solution
Re: “Dallas, Consider Razing City Hall — It’s not only about the building; it’s also about the future of downtown,” Monday editorial.
Keep it. Dallas City Hall is part of the solution, not part of the problem.
Your vision for a brighter, revitalized downtown is welcome and much needed. Vision has been in short supply downtown for a very long time. However, incorporating Dallas City Hall into that future is essential.
Dallas City Hall represents not only modern architectural achievement, but also the story of Dallas’ transformation after a defining moment in our history.
Great cities build upon what came before, integrating important civic spaces, buildings and their stories into vibrant new urban environments.
Deferred maintenance, though significant, need not force us into a false choice. With vision, City Hall can be an integral part of the new plans. I hope we can come together to embrace such a vision.
Norman Alston, East Dallas
Balance security, accountability
Re: “Citizens Caught Up in ICE Raids — With Supreme Court’s blessing, detention comes for how you speak or maybe no reason at all,” Wednesday editorial.
This editorial rightly states that we can have a safe border and a lawful immigration system without sacrificing our constitutional rights. Yet no system is free from error. In the rapid decisions these cases require, mistakes will occur — both in failing to enforce the law and in wrongfully detaining citizens.
When that happens, fairness demands more than apology. Those wronged must be compensated, both to uphold individual rights and to strengthen public trust. At the same time, making false statements to officials should carry firm penalties. Together, such measures would help reduce error rates and speed justice.
A system that balances security with accountability honors both the Constitution and the people it protects.
Aaron Jo Davis, Dallas
Fiscal health requires cuts
When President Barack Obama signed Obamacare into law, they named it the Affordable Care Act. Now, the Democrats have declared that it is not affordable after all. They have shut down the government because the Republicans refuse to continue subsidizing it.
How did we get into this situation? Originally, the ACA was paid for by taxes on the wealthy. Then in 2021, the Democrats passed the America Rescue Plan, which added temporary subsidies to assist people who were in financial stress because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Then in 2022, they extended the subsidies in the Inflation Reduction Act. Then this year, the Republicans eliminated them in the One Big Beautiful Bill because they were adding about $33 billion each year to the national debt.
Now, the Democrats are demanding the subsidies be restored. They are ignoring the national debt which is $37 trillion and increasing about $1 trillion a year.
Congress faces a choice: allowing the restoration of subsidies at the cost of higher debt or making difficult but necessary cuts to avoid an ever-growing fiscal crisis. The future of our country’s fiscal health depends on decisions such as this.
Charles Jackson, Richardson
Golden rule covers all
If the governor and Legislature of Texas are truly interested in the moral development of students, a better idea than requiring the Ten Commandments in every classroom would be to post this instead: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
This ancient thought covers everything in the Ten Commandments and much more besides. It includes everyone and offends no one.
Margery Hunter, East Dallas/Hollywood Heights
Add context to city survey
Re: “Praise for Portland, Chicago,” by James Palma, Wednesday Letters.
I have to respond to this letter from a reader that cites a study from a travel industry service that portrays Chicago and Portland as “Best Big Cities.” The study surveys those who travel then leave a destination, not those who live, work or raise their families there.
I’ll bet the house that if you surveyed those who are most affected in the crime-riddled neighborhoods we read about and see on the TV news, these two cities would be ranked at the bottom of the barrel. Context given to studies is important.
Jack Bailey, Tyler