Politicians choosing their voters
Re: “Maps could reshape politics — Redistricting proposals fuel fight over gerrymandering for Commissioners Court," Tuesday news story.
Tarrant County Commissioner Matt Krause claims gerrymandering is constitutional, but extreme gerrymandering, which we have here, is not constitutional and explains why the country is so divided: Politicians want to choose their voters instead of vice versa in order to perpetuate one-party rule, be it in Texas, New York or California, Republican or Democrat.
Tarrant GOP officials’ claim that there is no racist intent behind their redistricting plan to target a popular Black commissioner who is a fierce advocate for her community is disingenuous at best. Approval of this GOP plan in a non-census year will surely result in a lawsuit under the federal Voting Rights Act, saddling Tarrant County taxpayers with avoidable legal costs.
Bernard Diemer, Saginaw
NPR is superfluous
Re: “NPR sues Trump over cuts to funding — istration says broadcaster’s reporting promotes a liberal bias," Wednesday news story.
It is ridiculous for taxpayers to pay for an additional news, information and entertainment organization such as National Public Radio. It doesn’t matter what you are politically — there are dozens of stations operating 24/7 for your information and entertainment sources. Taxpayers’ ing NPR is not necessary and only adds to the federal debt. NPR should be defunded.
We don’t need NPR to learn how to make a pecan pie in Texas.
Don Skaggs, Garland
How to address Trump issues
President Donald Trump has been caught in another scandal: He just pardoned a man who pleaded guilty to tax crimes just one month after the man’s mother attended a $1 million-a-head MAGA fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago. This is a blatant quid pro quo — the sort of thing that would have led to the impeachment and conviction of any other president. With Trump it is par for the course.
Sadly, few Trump ers will care about this suspicious action. MAGA folks will, however, take great joy in watching Trump detractors whine and complain about this fishy pardon. As one of my friends wondered: Are we witnessing the death of outrage?
Democrats can’t regain control if their message is exclusively or primarily a not-Trump one; they must convince Americans that they will fix the problems that negatively impact their lives the most. This then can be contrasted with what Trump has and hasn’t done. Such a message offers the best persuasive strategy for Democrats.
Richard A. Cherwitz, Camas, Wash.
THC ban vs. pro-business stance
Re: “Abbott receives THC ban bill — Governor still quiet on proposal targeting hemp-derived products,“ Tuesday Business story.
How does business-friendly Texas Gov. Greg Abbott reconcile his “Texas economic miracle” with the bill that is now on his desk to put 8,500 hemp-based businesses in jeopardy and alienate thousands of Texans who rely on their products to relieve stress and pain?
In August last year, Abbott said at the Portland Chamber of Commerce fireside chat, “Last year, I signed into law House Bill 5, which gives local jurisdictions the economic tools they need to attract businesses to come to Texas or grow their operations within our state.”
Forgetting all that now, Abbott will possibly close 8,500 businesses with this bill sent by the small-government Republicans in Austin. I wish legislators would provide statistics on how many deaths, suicides, car accidents and lives have been ruined because of these hemp-based products.
I also wish the same disregard for these shop owners and customers would translate to those gun shops whose products do result in thousands of deaths annually.
Hans F. Voorn, Frisco
Mortgage needed
Re: “Let’s solve America’s housing shortage — Sun Belt metro areas are leading the way with policies that remove barriers, accelerate construction,“ by J.H. Cullum Clark, Sunday Opinion.
Thanks to Clark for his summary of the George W. Bush Institute’s analysis of America’s housing shortage. As a senior whose mortgage is paid off, I’m not faced with buying a house or renting, but my grandchildren soon will be, so I’m worried once again.
To the four lessons the institute identified, I would add a fifth: mortgage expense. I am persuaded that homeownership at reasonable costs should be available to anyone who desires and can afford it. To accomplish that, home loans must also be affordable. I would like to see more studies on what would be involved in creating government entities, either federal or state, to provide such loans.
I’ve personally had considerable experience in real estate and finance, and would suggest that a target range of interest rates between 4% and 7%, with the borrower required to pay 20% down, would entice many more buyers to enter the market. It is even possible that a sliding rate (along the lines of the adjustable rate mortgages), but based on adjusted taxable income, might be developed.
The collateral benefits of increased homeownership are many, and I believe that the reforms recommended by Clark deserve careful attention.
Walter Dunlap, Dallas/Lake Highlands