Presidential matters

It’s a for-profit business

Regarding “Big plan cements Dems’ bet on taxing rich” (Politics, New Analysis, Nov. 3): Don’t even shed half a crocodile tear that Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren will change the U.S. to Medicare for All.

My long-departed dad explained it 60 years ago: “Big insurance has all the money and they will keep all the money.” With the power big insurance wields any plan to usurp them is a non-starter. Dave Feray, Tomball

Presidential adviser

Regarding “When spiritual advisers make idols of rulers” (Opinion, Nov. 8): Kudos to Cal Thomas for his very insightful piece. Paula White is a “spiritual adviser” to the least spiritual person in public life. Like most of the evangelicals who idolize this president, she does so for secular reasons (Supreme Court nominees, anti-abortion etc.). There is no theology there because Jesus of Nazareth and his teachings are way too inconvenient.

Gee, how horrific it would be if we really had to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, house the homeless, and welcome the aliens in our midst?! John Turnquist, Houston

Crystal clear

Regarding “Envoy: Ukraine quid pro quo was clear” (Nation/World, Nov. 7) Enough already. Quid pro quo has been discussed ad nauseam. It’s like characterizing a bank robbery as a “cash withdrawal.” The issue isn’t whether or not a quid pro quo occurred (it absolutely did). The issue is that a very specific type of quid pro quo occurred.

This was an act of international extortion. Money for the defense of an ally being invaded and occupied by our adversary was contingent upon that ally publicly announcing an investigation into Trump’s political opponent.

By the way, if the goal was fighting corruption, why insist on a public announcement?

This was also an act in clear defiance of a congressionally sanctioned, geopolitical effort to strengthen our national security — an effort deemed so important that it had overwhelming bipartisan support. Which makes Sen. Lindsey Graham’s histrionics over impeachment all the more ludicrous. Republican lawmakers are passionately advocating their own irrelevance. Finally, something we can agree on. Robert Campbell, Katy

President Pence?

I don’t understand the fuss over the quid-pro-quo issue. Isn’t it a crime (or at least a misdemeanor) to solicit political assistance from a foreign power regardless of a quid pro quo? The president has done so publicly with Russia before the election and China more recently and now not-so-publicly with Ukraine. He doesn’t realize (or recognize) this is illegal and simply wrong.

The Founders, recognizing the danger of foreign influence, installed appropriate safeguards in the Constitution and very likely would have already impeached this president for these actions, unless his obstruction of justice hadn’t already ousted him.

Congress, please do your job, and perhaps President Pence can begin to rebuild the once-honorable GOP and Washington can get on with its job of governing. Michael Wright, Houston

A partisan affair

The partisan impeachment proceedings in Congress are changing no minds. The “evidence” is already largely known and is largely lacking in “wow” factor. Bill Clinton was credibly accused of perjury and still survived an impeachment trial.

Trump’s alleged abuse of power seems almost insignificant by comparison. I doubt many independent thinkers are naive enough to believe those in high positions in our federal government don’t routinely use their positions in ways we all may find inappropriate. Greg Groh, Porter