Should they stay or go now?
Cruz and Paxton
Regarding “As Texans freeze, a ticket to paradise,” (A10, Feb. 19): What would Sen. Ted Cruz have done if he stayed here? Hand out water with Reps. Sheila Jackson Lee and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for a photo op?
Alan C. Bentley, Needville
A leader should stay with his people, either Republican or Democrat, it doesn’t matter. They are our direct line to get through the red tape. To me, they acted like Nero and his fiddle.
Larry DeFrank, Houston
Regarding “Paxton, wife traveled to Utah as Texas froze,” (A9, Feb. 23): I have absolutely no problem with Ted Cruz and Ken Paxton taking out-of-state trips during the winter catastrophe. The real outrage to Texas is that they were allowed to come back.
Bob Adams, Galveston
Why didn’t Ted Cruz do his 14-day quarantine as required of the rest of us? He is not that special.
Shorty Thomas, Katy
Trauma tax
Regarding “Houston has a hidden tax: It’s called trauma,” (A15, Feb. 21): Thank you, Raj Mankad, for this beautifully written article on the human experience in our city — Houston. I know Alice Torres personally and her kind, beautiful family. Alice hit it on the nail when she was quoted, “Our leaders care more about monetary value, not the actual cost of living.” You asked her why she stays in Houston after one crisis to another. I often ask myself this question after living here over 50 years and my home destroyed and two cars flooded during Hurricane Ike. My children, wife and I slept in one room for over a month because it was the only room with a window AC unit. To this day, when it rains, I have anxiety. Yet, we remain and are sensitive to those who suffer from any disaster in Houston. My siblings and my grown children have moved to San Antonio, Pearland and Pasadena due to the high crime rate, the chronic flooding and one disaster after another. My beautiful
wife and I remain in Houston because we love Houston. Yet, it can be a traumatic experience. How long we will stay in Houston depends on the next crisis. Your article was great, authentic, original, well-written and brought Houston reallife suffering to the minds and hearts of Houston Chronicle readers. I hope all city council members and the mayor read this article and fight harder or expedite the process to the many families still suffering since Harvey.
Sergio Lira, Houston
Solar panels
If the power shortages have shown us anything, it is that more people should invest in solar panels on their homes. I’ve gotten some, and they cut down the cost of my bills each month. If more people had them, the power shortage could have been lessened overall. They are easy to get and I got mine for nothing down. Many have options to lease now and buy later. So, please, people, look into this — the more of us who have them, the less strain on the electrical grid there will be.
Keven Rand, Pasadena