Take a look at the 5th Congressional District.
The Dallas Morning News did not make an endorsement in the Texas 5th Congressional District race, even though much of northeast Dallas County is gerrymandered into the East Texas district. Incumbent Lance Gooden is a MAGA Republican and election denier. He voted against a resolution to award the Congressional Gold Medal to police who protected the Capitol during the Jan. 6 riot. I think this is enough to disqualify him.
His opponent is Democrat Ruth Torres. I don’t know much about her. According to her biography on Ballotpedia, she has worked for more than 25 years as a human resources leader, entrepreneur, business professor, lecturer, author, and executive director of a nonprofit organization serving at-risk youth. He has been defending workers’ rights.
I know Mr. Gooden will easily win this Congressional election. But the highly gerrymandered 5th Congressional District now includes a significant portion of northeast Dallas County. I think the DMN should add it to their recommendations, even if it’s just to make a neutral recommendation. It would be good for many of us in the 5th Congressional District to be informed about our choices.
opinion
Richard Bach, Garland
Addition of early voting machines
Re: “Early voting hours extended next week — Voting opens until 9 p.m. for final three days in Dallas County,” Saturday news article.
The Dallas County Commissioners Court’s action to extend early voting until 9 p.m. next Wednesday through Friday is misguided at best. The times that are replaced are not equivalent.
An unintended consequence of long hours is that election workers work 16 hours a day. My observation is that increasing the number of machines and workers at daytime early voting locations would make it more convenient.
Allen Mabry, Dallas/Lakewood
Money wasted on walls
For years, I’ve been parroting Republican mantras about Democrats (liberal, soft on crime, soft on border control, etc.). After looking at a study conducted by a bipartisan, trustworthy and reputable organization, I’ve come to the conclusion that maybe Democrats aren’t that bad.
Please undergo immigration inspection. Border crossings initially increased under Democratic administrations, but have recently declined to pre-Biden levels. All the talk is about a wall that Mexico will pay for. Well, Mexico hasn’t paid a dime of the billions of dollars it cost. American taxpayers paid for it. And the money spent on the wall was money diverted from the military.
The contract awarded to the construction company belonged to people who donated money to Donald Trump. Competitive bidding was not accepted. Parts of the wall have been breached more than 3,200 times since 2019.
Democrats will stop funding for wall construction in 2021, saving taxpayers money and the number of illegal crossings being the same as before.
Jesse Maynard, Houston
immigrants are appreciated
There has been a lot of political debate regarding immigration in our country, both legal and illegal.
I’m a 92-year-old widow of a U.S. military officer, and I used to be in the military. Recently, I was at UT Southwestern Hospital to have a pacemaker inserted. Fortunately, I have found all of my caregivers to be competent and caring. They also had all skin colors and many nationalities, similar to the makeup of our country.
That most or all of my caregivers, like the Haitians in Springfield, Ohio, who were recruited by the city to fill unmet labor needs and have work permits, were legal in some way. I’m sure.
This comes down to a racial issue where too many people prefer to figuratively impregnate white women barefoot in order to replenish the white workforce.
All I can say is that you better do the math. Even if it were possible (just ask any woman), the need for time and effort would prevail.
Virginia Lanter, Lone Oak
legislative overreach
I am appalled that the Texas Legislature has deemed it appropriate to intervene in a death penalty case by subpoenaing a convicted felon whose appeals have been exhausted.
We have three different government departments. In the field of criminal law, the legislature has no role in enacting laws and enforcing them. Nothing useful will be achieved with this showy behavior.
What it accomplishes is to vent a completely one-sided perspective. It reminds me of Bush v. Gore when the Supreme Court left the court to halt the recount and declare Bush the winner of the election.
At that time, that court was well respected and no serious complaints were heard. The court has now lost the respect and trust it once enjoyed in the eyes of many people. The price is thus paid for overt partisanship and corruption disguised as personal hospitality.
Jerry L. Calhoun, Bullard
Texas’ approach is scary
It is horrifying that the state of Texas would execute Robert Roberson. Dozens of people have had their sentences canceled due to unwavering childish convictions. Unless something is known to the public, the state of Texas will not only execute this man, but kill him.
Even a 1% chance of error is unacceptable. I’m always amazed at how resolute Texas is in getting things wrong so often. Isn’t adult life important too? If he’s innocent, wouldn’t the state of Texas think a few decades on death row would be enough? Will those responsible for his death also be convicted of murder?
If you don’t know the facts on this matter, at least let the public know. This is why I no longer believe in the death penalty. There are a lot of bad people. Is this guy one of them? I certainly hope so.
Amanda Holt, Wiley
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