Bigger and better no more
For shame, Texas
Regarding “Editorial: Can torch-bearing Texans stop Abbott’s monster?” (Sept. 5): On Nov. 22, 1963, when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, I was 14 years old. I didn’t comprehend the gravity of the event. I watched the reports intently with my family and attended religious services to mourn. But still, I didn’t fully understand. I heard reports that Texas — particularly Dallas, a hub for right-wing hostility at the time — was blamed by some for the assassination. Somehow we were responsible because Lee Harvey Oswald chose Dallas to seek infamy.
What was wrong with us? I was ashamed of being Texan at that time. How could this happen here?
I am native-born and have lived here all my life. As an adult I’ve been a proud Texan with a Texas swagger. After all, “everything is bigger and better in Texas.”
But right now I’m again ashamed of my state. We’re not better, and the bigger is only in terms of an agenda in Austin to exclude most Texans.
I’m ashamed of what our Legislature,
governor and lieutenant governor have enacted. It is not just this extreme antiabortion law which has made us the focus of national ridicule. It is also open carry of firearms; an unnecessary, repressive election law; and failure to protect our citizens — especially our children — from a deadly pandemic.
The governor shouts the virtue of protecting the unborn, while passing laws and espousing edicts that put every Texan at greater risk.
Perception is reality, and we must be perceived as a backward wasteland.
I’m ashamed to be Texan.
Gary Blumberg, Houston
I have been in Texas for 33 years and I have watched a compassionate, caring state, where “live and let live” was the attitude of our leaders, to a state where “live and let die” (credit to Ian Fleming and Paul McCartney) is the current raison d’etre of our state government.
It seems the only safe place to live is in the womb, because once a child is born there is little health care for those who are poor (and thanks to overburdened hospitals, even the rich); there is no mandated protection from COVID-19 and the gun laws seem to increase the probability of being killed with a firearm.
For those of you who think we should return to the state from which we moved, please know that we are here to see Texas turn purple — or maybe even blue.
Bonnie Boyd, Houston
Regarding “Lurch to far right may imperil Texas’ attraction for employers,” (Sept. 7): A glimmer of hope for those not consumed by fear or loss of power: It is difficult to see how any business of consequence would want to move to Texas and have to recruit workers willing to live and raise a family in a state where voting is sorely restricted, the populace is deputized to be bounty hunters who spy on their neighbors and most anyone, without any training, could walk the streets with a gun on their hips. Yet that is where we live today.
May all of the new laws come back to haunt those who have boasted about their great business-recruiting acumen.
Christine Eheman, Houston
Voting laws
Regarding “How the new Texas elections law follows up on Trump's voter fraud claims,” (Sept. 7): The first paragraph of the story as well as many others make clear that former President Donald Trump’s claims were not true. The words used in the piece to describe the claims are “false,” “unproven” and “Big Lie.” Nowhere in the reporting is there corroboration of any of Trump’s claims, allegations and whiny tweets about voter fraud — nationally or in Texas. Yet, the Legislature and Gov. Greg Abbott sprang into action to appease the twice-impeached former president who lost the popular vote in 2016 and in 2020, and who is the least popular president in the history of Gallup polling. Trump’s “claims” are lies and should never be referred to as anything other than lies. Republicans who were willing to repeat Trump’s lies and to pass laws based on them have demeaned themselves and the offices they hold. They should be embarrassed and ashamed.
Rand Nolen, Houston
I’m confused. Can someone explain to me how we are more secure in our votes with the new voting law? Was there more fraud on Sundays, or after 10 or during early voting hours? Do these fraudsters use the drive-thru to vote? Someone please show me these figures so I can understand.
Emily Murphy, Kingwood