Money talks
Regarding “Texas theocrats are a home-grown threat to American democracy (Editorial),” (Sept. 24): Reading Sunday’s editorial about the Wilks brothers contributing “nearly $100 million to think tanks, nonprofits, fundraising committees, websites and Texas candidates who support their crusade,” I was left wondering about their religious contributions.
Among their beliefs: climate change is God’s will, and rather conflictingly, while abortion is wrong under any circumstance, we have a God-given right to carry weapons. Isn’t killing anyone evil?
And only Christians should be government leaders. (The Constitution explicitly forbids any religious test for public office.)
Does anything in the Bible advise using your money to buy political favor? I can’t find it.
Instead, the rich get admonished frequently to share their wealth with the poor.
In Matthew, chapter 25, Jesus spells out what his followers must do: feed the hungry, welcome the stranger and nurse the sick. There’s no mention of trying to make oneself richer.
In Jesus’ parables, the rich don’t come off well at all.
Maybe these Texas billionaires are doing some good works on the side. But from the editorial, it sounds like they’re mostly spending money to make more — for themselves.
Nancy Perich Daly, Houston
Regarding “Gold bars, cash-stuffed envelopes: New indictment of Sen. Menendez alleges vast corruption,” (Sept. 22): There’s the old saying, “Money is the root of all evil.” Recently we had the Ken Paxton issue. The House indicted him and the Senate did not convict. This was a political move, but money was involved. Now Democratic U. S. senator and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Bob Menendez from New Jersey, has been caught with his pants down. Look at the amount of money (hundreds of thousands) he had in his home; envelopes and clothes stuffed with hundred dollar bills and several gold bricks.
Now this is just two of the many whom we elect to represent us. I bet you could investigate and find many more. Look at how well-dressed they are; hair perfectly in place. Any changes in salary or other benefits need to be voted on by “we, the people.” Consider one congressperson from Houston whose job is in Washington but they return to Houston most weekends. How much does round-trip airfare cost us, the taxpayers?
Most go to Washington on an average income. But they do need money to run for office, that is a given, and many make money while in office. Look at LBJ, all you heard was “poor farm boy.” He left Washington super rich, a millionaire. We need term limits to start making the people we elect work for us, not for themselves. James E. Muecke, Houston