Amazon’s HQ2 would overwhelm us in Austin
If Amazon picks Austin for its so-called HQ2, I’m not so sure that’s a good thing. Why? Because Austin is already near full employment.
So, 50,000 new jobs might mean up to 50,000 new families moving to Austin. Results? Increased demand for housing, which would cause the already high average house price in Austin to increase. Fifty-thousand more families commuting on Austin’s already congested roads.
Would Austin need new schools? Would property taxes to go up? Probably. Up to 50,000 more families would tap into Austin’s scarce and finite water resources. Would there be economic gains? Of course.
The question is would they outweigh the negative impacts on our community. Maybe I’m looking at the glass half-empty, but I’m hoping Amazon’s HQ2 goes someplace else. I hear Newark, N.J., is nice.
LEE CANTRELL,
During the campaign for president, Donald Trump insulted and demeaned Sen. Ted Cruz and his wife, Heidi.
Now, President Trump will come to Texas and stump for Cruz, who will welcome the endorsement with open arms. The actions of both men are despicable, and both lack any sense of decorum or ethical behavior.
Seems the political party is more important than loyalty to one’s spouse or self. Both of these men are classless. JOHN NUGENT,
So, Brett Kavanaugh worked for Ken Starr, preparing the report that urged the impeachment of Bill Clinton.
He later worked for President George W. Bush, though what he wrote during that time is now hidden by executive privilege.
Those two jobs tell me he is a typical Republican partisan. Once he’s on the Supreme Court, he’ll be just another politician in robes — a hack in black.
MARC O’SHAUGHNESSY,
It baffles and appalls me that, even now, Americans continue to support Trump.
They may be forgiven for their early hopeful backing, but the ongoing support — despite his obvious psychoses, lying, cheating, sexism, racism, crudeness, boasting, bragging, bullying, fear-mongering, defensiveness, insecurity and name-calling — are beyond understanding.
He’s defiled the office of president of the United States. His administration is in chaos. He’s weakened our standing in the world. He’s embraced our enemies and alienated our allies. His impulse-driven policies lurch inconsistently from pole to pole. There is no leadership, no plan and no accountability.
Any fool can see he’s dangerous, unstable and unfit — and yet, that’s acceptable to many Americans.
You should be ashamed. Ashamed for voting him in, and abjectly ashamed for keeping him in despite what you have seen and heard with your own eyes and ears.
PETER CASE,