Fig leaf of ‘election integrity’
Support this ideal
Regarding “Texas Democrats preserved voting rights,” (A10, June 2): Thank you, Houston Chronicle editorial staff for your article on the recent show of solidarity and courage by Texas Democratic legislators who, in their walkout, prevented Senate Bill 7 from being passed. You explained why this action was important and why this bill needs to be erased from the Republican agenda. The fig leaf label of “election integrity” covering blatant attempts to limit how and where hardworking Texans, of all ages and ethnicities, can legally vote is beyond disgust.
Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Attorney General Ken Paxton and others who support this bill, remember their names at election time and vote them out of office. Support for political ambitions to run for higher office is not why these people were elected. They should serve the people of Texas, all Texans, not pander to a pathetic, spoiled, old man who who continues to rant that he was cheated out of re-election. If not so well known, he would be ignored. Instead, he continually fans flames of prejudice, hatred, corruption and division for self-serving reasons. Personal ambition may be part of politics, but seldom is it so blatantly on display in elected officials who elevate it above doing what is right and just.
Let them address real concerns (a failed power grid comes to mind) not invented ones like “election fraud.” The ideal is that people get to stay in office because they do good work, not because they make sure that people who disagree can’t vote against them. Support this ideal, Texans!
P.A. Lindsay, Houston
Regarding “Texas is home to highest number of accused insurrectionists,” (A1, June 1): On May 31 we observed Memorial Day. A solemn occasion to reflect on the sacrifice of others to protect the rights of humanity and the freedoms offered by democracy. When I was called to serve, before I was even a citizen, I was proud to wear the uniform of my country-to-be and follow those before me. I was lucky. It was a time of peace. On Jan. 6 of this year, I was appalled to see some of my fellow veterans storming, not heroically as on the beaches of Normandy, but shamefully our own government institution on behalf of one man. Watching the sight of a mob attacking democracy tore my heart. Soon, we will be observing another “memorable epocha,” as John Adams said, the day our forefathers signed the Declaration of Independence. This is a day of great jubilation and, hopefully, will continue to be so forever more. How will July 4 look in comparison to Jan. 6? July 4 established a nation with a government “of the people, by the people and for the people,” as Abraham Lincoln said. Jan. 6 would establish a government of one man, by one man and for one man. Luis R. Celerier, Longview