Give cash in peace
September 21st is International Day of Peace. How can peace be achieved? Mainly by preventing war. Currently, US military spending is approximately $800 billion. Peacebuilding will cost approximately $91 million. That’s just a small portion of the military budget.
Three funds in the U.S. budget, the Complex Crisis Fund, Reconciliation Programs, and Atrocity Prevention, can prevent conflicts around the world and benefit everyone. Let’s put money where our hearts are and give cash to peace.
Paula W. Keith, Southeast Dallas
Texas is not healthy.
Re: “Texas ranks last in the nation for health insurance — annual report also includes surprising data on state-to-state pay disparities, housing costs,” Thursday’s Metro & Business article.
It is unfortunate, even comical, that the great state of Texas remains the worst in the nation in providing health care for its residents. If we are a developing country, as separatists so often hope, a developing country with questionable power grids, militarized borders, and disregard for ensuring health care for the men, women, and children within our borders. If so, the World Health Organization will be pleading with its leaders. Work towards a modest definition of universal coverage: 90% coverage.
In fact, Texas is worse off in this regard than sovereign nations such as Algeria, Mexico, Estonia, South Africa, India, Chile, and New Zealand (countries that cover more than 90% of the population on each continent).
Meanwhile, the Texas Legislature and governor have failed to secure what 41 other states in the country have secured in terms of Medicaid expansion over the past decade.
Not only is Texas the worst state for health care coverage, it’s 5 points lower than other states. We are the worst of the worst!
Nothing is supposed to be too big in Texas, but the problem is that we can’t ensure each other’s health.
Cedric Dark, Houston, Maryland
Doctors for America Board Member, Emergency Medicine Physician
Vote for Honor and Integrity
Re: “Paxton’s acquittal is another crack in the surface — do conservative foundations of truth and justice matter to the Texas Republican Party?” Monday editorial.
This editorial brought tears to my eyes. What an eloquent appeal to Texans to take a hard look at Austin’s politics. There was so much truth sprinkled throughout the editorial, from state Rep. Jeff Leach’s pleas to fellow conservatives to his statements. It has collapsed,” and eventually “but the work to secure and preserve democracy begins again every day.”
This last sentence gives us hope that the public will begin to support candidates who have proven that they will vote with honor and integrity. That is the only power we can wield.
Danna Soltner, Denton
The not guilty verdict was appropriate.
The Senate correctly voted against all articles of impeachment introduced by the House. Until the Texas Constitution is amended to require that witnesses in an impeachment inquiry be placed under oath and that the defendant be present and be allowed to cross-examine the witnesses, no such requirement exists and further There should be no impeachment inquiry. in direct violation of the protections afforded to defendants by the U.S. Constitution’s Bill of Rights.
Regardless of how one feels about Attorney General Ken Paxton, the fact that he was not afforded these basic due process protections means that, as with any other court, he All the evidence submitted against it has not been tested and therefore taints it as unreliable. A verdict of acquittal is the only constitutionally legitimate outcome.
John Riggs, Highland Park
A new way to say “shameful”
Re: “Paxton poised for dominance – defeating impeachment charge could propel AG to higher office,” Monday news article.
I read this story by Lauren McGaughey and Philip Jankowski with great interest, but ended up feeling sadly disappointed. I don’t think I discovered much that I didn’t already know about politics in general and Texas politics in particular. However, I learned his two new words: opprobrium and obloque.
Oxford Languages, for my fellow members who are not of the Great Baptism, defines rebuke as “public humiliation resulting from someone’s shameful conduct.” Furthermore, indecency is defined as “disgrace brought about by public abuse.”
I’m very grateful to have expanded my vocabulary in this way. Given the state of affairs in both of our political parties, I have no doubt that there will be plenty of opportunities to incorporate these two words into conversations going forward.
But I wonder when those of us in the middle will finally say “enough is enough.” No more. I can’t stand this! ”
John C. Holt, Flint
Vote moderate in Republican primary
The only way I know how Texans can restore our democracy to health is by skipping voting in the Democratic primary, which moderates and progressives prefer, and voting in the next Republican primary. Vote for the least radical (or least desirable) and most moderate Republican candidate. And perhaps in the general election he will have two perfectly viable candidates to choose from.
This could eliminate gerrymandering completely and ultimately lead to a system of government without political parties.
Scott J. Hesselbacker, Garland
Buffett’s halftime show ready
I’ll explain this briefly. The world is mourning the passing of legendary Margaritaville Mayor Jimmy Buffett. As far as I know, a Super Bowl halftime show has not yet been scheduled. Would you like to do a tribute to Jimmy Buffett this time? Do you all agree?
And feel free to share this message via your favorite Coconut Telegram (social media site).
Andy Williams, McKinney
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