No responses speak volumes
Last week, I went by the Dallas Public Library and picked up a copy of the League of Women Voters Voters Guide. I do not understand how anyone can go to the polls and not fully educate himself or herself on who and what they are voting for.
Although the main focus in the media is on the presidential and senate races, this publication provides details of all the races for Dallas County, including U.S. representatives, state and local offices, school boards and local propositions.
I know The Dallas Morning News recommends certain candidates for various offices, but it behooves one to know what all the candidates stand for and make your own decisions. Therefore, I am surprised how many candidates are listed with “No Response.” Why would candidates run for office and not take the opportunity to have their positions detailed in this nonpartisan publication?
If you don’t want a printed copy, the guide is also available online.
Fran Powell, Addison
Dallas ‘do-over’ won’t do
Re: “Mayor, council member: Reject all charter proposals — Send us back to the drawing board so we get public safety right,” by Eric Johnson and Cara Mendelsohn, Oct. 6 Opinion.
I respect Mayor Eric Johnson and City Council member Cara Mendelsohn, but what they ask is not reasonable. They cannot give voters any hope that if we reject all of these propositions in order to give the City Council a “do-over,” any better propositions will result.
If we were only putting the task back in the hands of the mayor and Mendelsohn, I would tend to agree with their plea. Unfortunately, too many on the council do not listen to their constituents once in office.
In our district, our council member listens but ignores the requests of the overwhelming majority in the district on key issues. Most recently, an email sent to Chad West pertaining to a rezoning case he would be voting on showed it was deleted without being read. Why should citizens tolerate that kind of behavior?
Citizens’ only recourse is the ballot box as our city government has lost the trust of the electorate. I do not believe giving the city a do-over will produce the positive reaction their op-ed suggests.
I recommend voting for propositions: E, F, G, I, J, O and U. Maybe U will force more budget and focus on more police and the city achieving 911 response time calls and a prioritization of safety vs. green initiatives.
John Joyce, Far North Dallas
Vote for Bishop, values
Re: “We Recommend — Button for Texas House District 112,” Oct. 11 editorial.
As a concerned parent, I’ve advised my preteen son that it’s important to choose friends who share his values. As a concerned voter, I believe that it’s just as important in politics as in life to choose your associations wisely.
By taking shared values into account, there’s a clear choice for voters in the Texas House District 112 race. Averie Bishop shares values with and is endorsed by the American Federation of Teachers, the Texas State Teachers Association, Giffords Gun Violence Prevention & Advocacy, and Planned Parenthood. She supports fully funded public education, gun violence prevention and reproductive choice.
Her opponent shares values with and has endorsements from the American Federation for Children (pro-voucher organization founded by Betsy DeVos), the National Rifle Association (A rating), Texas State Rifle Association and Texas Right to Life.
Vote your shared values. Choose wisely and support Bishop in Texas House District 112.
Terri Corpus, Dallas
AG Paxton misses on law
Re: “Paxton sues UTSW doctor — She’s accused of transgender care for minors; affiliated hospital says it follows laws,” Oct. 18 Metro & Business story.
Please help me process this story. Impeached and several-times-indicted Attorney General Ken Paxton is going after an esteemed pediatric specialist at UT Southwestern for medical care she provided that was legal at the time but subsequently was banned.
Dr. May Lau is being sued retroactively by the state. Isn’t an individual allowed to do legal things up to the time the law banning them takes effect? That’s what the word “legal” means.
It’s bad enough that the law itself is a horrific overstep by the state. Never mind that Paxton’s actions directly interfere with family-approved medical care of a minor. Never mind that dreadful stunts like this lawsuit will drive even more doctors to flee the state and create even more of a health care crisis in Texas.
It seems the far bigger problem is that we have an attorney general who doesn’t even understand how the law works.
Keith Mankin, Dallas/West Village
AG’s motivation regarding Roberson
Re: “Paxton: Roberson had history of abuse — AG releases autopsy records to ‘correct falsehoods’ in case,” Thursday news story.
This story doesn’t mention that state Reps. Jeff Leach and Joe Moody were on the team of legislators who managed the House’s impeachment case against Attorney General Ken Paxton last year. Doesn’t that seem like a key detail regarding Paxton’s motivation?
Dan Koller, Coppell
Make public schools priority
Instead of wasting $2.9 billion on the border wall, maybe Gov. Greg Abbott could back off his school choice payment plan and put the $2.9 billion into public schools.
Public schools are closing and teachers are not being paid fairly for their efforts in the classroom.
I know this will fall upon deaf ears in Austin, but it is a good thought.
Dennis Ureche, Waxahachie
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