Worried about ‘socialism’? Watch which party is rushing to spend in Tarrant County | Opinion
Big spenders in Tarrant County
Tarrant County commissioners are butting heads over a proposed new law enforcement training facility. (July 19, 1A, “Proposed law enforcement training center comes under fire”) The budgeted cost is $45 million. It would be paid for by the American Rescue Plan, crafted by the Biden White House.
As we all know, far-right politicians have called President Joe Biden’s spending plans (largely meant to help American cities with infrastructure) “socialism.” And yet it’s the Democratic commissioners urging caution and further study before spending that large amount and the Republicans on the Commissioners Court who are ready to rush forward.
Go figure.
- Owen Daniel, Fort Worth
Texas should do it like Arizona
I recently moved to Texas from Arizona, which passed universal education savings accounts last year. Before that, the public school we were zoned for was poorly rated, so we chose to home-school for two years with no funding. Our final year in Arizona, we received universal funding, and it opened a world of possibilities for us: field trip, chemistry kits and rich online courses with certified teaching credentials.
My kids love to learn now. I would be thrilled for Texas to take on a child-centered funding approach like Arizona did.
- Heidi Nelson, Greenville
Small towns are about love
I see nothing referring to race in the lyrics of the Jason Aldean song “Try That in a Small Town.” It’s just a fact that people in small towns take care of one another. If something tragic happens, we pitch in and help one another. We do not try to burn our town or businesses.
Come to a small town and feel the love and compassion we have for one another. There’s nothing like waving at a car passing by or checking on your neighbors to ensure everything is fine. Try that in a big city.
- Lisa M. Vaccaro, Nocona
Government can’t cut the fat
I had to laugh when I read the July 22 headline, “How the government can solve America’s obesity epidemic.” (6A) Seriously? Sure, it sounds like a good idea, but given our government’s limited abilities and often misguided efforts, putting it in charge of obesity would only end up with more people overweight. Let’s let the government do what it does best, which is — well, I’ll get back to you on that.
- Steve Himes, Fort Worth
Risk of harm will teach them
As a fifth-generation Texan, I think Gov. Greg Abbott is doing a fantastic job trying to fix the border problem. He has no help from the federal government saps. Abbott has taken a stand.
When you are doing an illegal thing (no matter your age or sex) and there are no consequences, you will continue to do illegal things. When people understand how they can be harmed trying to enter the country illegally, they will eventually stop. It takes a consequence to break a habit. People can come into this country by legal means. Texans, stand with your governor.
- Vanita Floyd, Hallsville
Abbott has no authority to injure
Does Nicole Russell consider herself a conservative Christian? Then how does she praise Gov. Greg Abbott’s inhumane and cruel anti-Latino policies at the border?
Texas doesn’t have the “constitutional authority” to violate international laws and treaties with Mexico. (July 27, 11A, “Texas is doing the job on border, and all Biden does is sue over it”) Neither Texas nor Abbott owns the Rio Grande, and they cannot just install artificial barriers on an international boundary. Aside from the danger to human migrants, it also endangers nature and wildlife in the river.
- Luis Torres, Fort Worth
