Need bipartisan fix for border
Re: “The GOP’s moment of truth — If Republicans are serious about the border problem, they must pick up where the ‘Gang of Eight’ left off on immigration legislation,” by Abby McCloskey, Sunday Opinion.
I agree with a lot of the issues that McCloskey speaks to, especially that it’s time to address the immigration issues we have with action on the part of Congress. It’s ridiculous how both sides of the aisle point fingers at the other side, but no one does anything to fix the broken system we have.
We need a bipartisan approach to this problem, something like the Gang of Eight did back in 2013, but the Republican-controlled House wouldn’t take up what the Senate passed to them.
We need to have better security at the border, and we need to process the incredibly long lines of people who are trying to get in legally. In addition, we need to create a force to inspect employers and levy serious fines to those that hire unauthorized immigrants. That would help reduce the incentive to come across the border illegally. Increase security and processing and remove the incentive to come. Seems simple, but our politicians on both sides of the aisle would rather spend their time pointing fingers!
Michael Moore, Anna
GOP, pass immigration bill
“Republicans love knocking Democrats over border security” conveniently now seems a reason to not take up the Gang of Eight’s 2013 proposals for immigration. What would be left to use against Democrats in the 2024 campaign if the proposals were revived and passed?
For all the stern talk and midnight photo ops Republicans participate in, they should know that constituents are left wondering why 2013′s bluster is still just that 10 years later.
We need immigrants to be legally and culturally accepted into the U.S., but it won’t happen as long as it’s a piñata for either party to bash over our heads.
It’s long past time Republicans stopped complaining and posturing and got to work for a change.
Bonnie Canelakes, Dallas
Praise for debt deal
President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy both deserve a tip of the hat for acting in a bipartisan manner to arrive at a budget agreement that averted a possible government default on its debt. Let’s hope that this example of good statesmanship will carry forward to future negotiations.
The English historian Lord Acton (1834-1902) said it well: “All government — indeed, every human benefit and enjoyment, every virtue and every prudent act — is founded on compromise and barter.”
Fred R. Neary, Far North Dallas
Time for Paxton to go
I am a conservative Republican who believes it is time for Attorney General Ken Paxton to go. I remember meeting him for the first time at a company where I worked in Allen 11 years ago, when he was hawking investments in a McKinney server farm company, promoting what turned out to be snake oil and not disclosing his financial connections to that company. There was something about him when I met him that did not ring true, and still doesn’t.
While I applaud most of his legal activism the past few years to protect the rights of Texans, I did not vote for him in the 2022 primary because I have no confidence in his character. The evidence provided to date by multiple people who have served with him validates my opinion. He has evaded accountability for his actions for far too long. Time to go.
Don Proeschel, Plano
Party before everything else
Re: “How’d he even get reelected?” by Richard Street, Sunday Letters.
It was the summer of 1968, and my 12-year-old self sat at the dinner table with my grandfather, visiting from St. Louis. I was an avid newspaper reader, aware of all the historic and sad events going on in this country: the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy; the Vietnam War and Democratic National Convention in Chicago with their associated anti-war protests; the upcoming presidential election.
I asked my grandfather whom he was going to vote for. He said without hesitation, the Democrat. He said he was a dyed-in-the-wool, New Deal, Roosevelt Democrat and he would always vote for a Democrat.
I asked, “What if a convicted murderer was running?”
He replied, “It doesn’t matter.”
So to answer your question, dear writer, “How in the name of honesty, integrity and just plain decency did that scofflaw get reelected in the first place?” In Texas, if the candidate has an R next to their name, it doesn’t matter. It’s that simple.
Michael Anthony, Carrollton
U.S. debt concerns teen
I write as a concerned 17-year-old citizen regarding the increasing U.S. debt and its potential impact on future generations. The rising debt hampers our nation’s competitiveness and stifles economic growth.
With less funding available for crucial areas such as education, infrastructure and social welfare, we face a weakened economy, limited job prospects and restricted access to vital resources.
I worry that future generations will inherit a burden that hampers their opportunities for success and dampens the American dream.
It is crucial that our elected officials prioritize fiscal responsibility and make informed decisions about resource allocation to address this issue effectively. It is essential to act promptly to secure a prosperous future for all Americans.
By prioritizing fiscal responsibility, engaging in informed discussions and holding our elected officials accountable, we can address the increasing U.S. debt budget effectively. Let us come together to preserve the American dream for generations to come.
Robert Kern, Dallas
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