The democracy question
Re: “Why So Glum, Texans? Poll reveals generational despair that calls for renewed optimism, legislative attention,” Thursday editorial.
Your editorial noted, “Only 37% of Texans ‘strongly agreed’ that ‘Democracy is the best form of government,’ down from 40% in 2023 and 53% in 2019, the Texas Lyceum poll found.”
This poll result could be interpreted in several ways. While only a little over a third of respondents strongly favored democracy, could it be that the way democracy is practiced currently in this country isn’t democracy at its best?
When governors reverse jury decisions, legislators vote in laws most citizens disagree with (i.e., reasonable limits on guns and women’s reproductive rights), Supreme Court Justices accept favors from rich benefactors, unverified claims of rigged elections are widespread, unlimited money flowing to political campaigns (i.e., Citizens United) and laws are crafted to benefit the richest of Americans and large corporations, I would agree today’s democracy might not be viewed favorably.
As Winston Churchill said, “Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all those others that have been tried.” Later this year we will have a choice between two parties’ interpretation of democracy. Both have been clear on their true intentions and in the end, we will get the government we deserve.
Hans F. Voorn, Frisco
Turn back to good journalism
Important points are made in this editorial, some of which are greatly impacted by free market forces and an imbalanced economic system. Combined with a dysfunctional political ecosystem and an overdose of misinformation related to our economic reality, crime statistics, etc., fed to everyday Americans, it’s no wonder people are feeling glum.
It is past time for a return to prominence of educational and investigative approaches in journalism and media. Audiences appreciate and want that. This is hard to do in the age of social media, but it’s needed now more than ever.
In Texas and across the world, we’ve got to move away from an overreliance on click bait, from the for-the-sport-of-it approaches to media and news because this is what the average person is responding to and from which their views and perspectives are derived. If this dynamic changed, we would all be better for it.
Mike Grace, Dallas
Be ready for the inevitable
This editorial suggests that things are really better than many citizens think, and I agree completely. During my 48-plus years of marriage, the economy has been great and then has been horrible many times. Due to the 2008 meltdown, I actually put my retirement plans on hold and worked for five more years.
Folks need to have family financial strategies in play at all times. If these “glum” citizens aren’t happy now, just wait until the next serious downturn. It will be the shock of a lifetime for them and it’s going to happen sooner or later. Prepare now rather than later, and you will be ready when the inevitable downturn occurs.
Dan Siculan, Royse City
Another woman in peril
Re: “Texan takes abortion story to D.C. — Dallas woman tells Senate law forced her to leave state to get necessary procedure,” Thursday news story.
Once again, Dallas Morning News headlines tell the story of a pregnant woman in Texas whose life was in peril from her fetus being non-viable and threatening her life. She had to travel out of state to have a necessary medical abortion.
I wonder how any of our state leaders would react if someone close, say a wife, daughter, relative or close friend, was in the same situation?
Richard Street, Carrollton
No threats in Biden trial
Re: “President’s son found guilty — He was convicted of three federal gun crimes by jury,” Wednesday news story.
Hunter Biden’s trial is over. There were no threats directed at the judge, the court staff or the prosecutors. No doxing. No threats of violence. The president respected the rule of law.
Paul Halebian, Dallas
Need for court confidence
Re: “Why Texas Should Halt Executions — Doubt about death row inmate’s guilt in ‘shaken baby’ case is one reason,” Wednesday editorial.
I agree with this editorial on Robert Roberson. Every person involved in a criminal trial — the prosecutor, defense attorney, the judge and the 12 jurors — are fallible human beings. Even the evidence can be fallible. Evidence presented by experts can later be found to be junk science.
And yet, the verdict of the original trial court is held to be sacrosanct. It is extremely difficult for a convicted person to get any relief in the appeals courts, even if there are serious doubts about the evidence used to convict them. Yes, we need to have confidence in our jury trial system.
Paula Keeth, Southeast Dallas
Smiling in the rain
After having a tough week, nothing did more to brighten it up than to see the photograph of Victor Corone accompanying the story “Downpours drench South Florida” in Thursday’s paper on Page 6A. As he pushed his wife in a wheelchair through floodwaters in Miami, what was the 66-year-old doing? Smiling. And it was a big one at that.
Atta boy, Victor. We could all learn from your unspoken spirit.
Andy Williams, McKinney
Another tire buster
Last week, I hit a huge chuckhole going north in the right lane on Greenville Avenue in the 6200 or 6300 block. It blew my right front tire out. This is the second tire I have had to replace from the terrible conditions of Dallas streets.
Also, in drastic need of repair is Turtle Creek Boulevard between Northwest Highway and Del Norte Lane. It goes right past our post office with a great deal of traffic. It is another potential tire buster!
I’m asking the city street department to repair these two problems. Thanks.
Jack Breard, North Dallas
We welcome your thoughts in a letter to the editor. See the guidelines and submit your letter here. If you have problems with the form, you can submit via email at letters@dallasnews.com