Letters – Cornyn, Cruz, racism, MAGA, political ads

Re: “Cornyn pitches Trump interstate,” Thursday news story and “Sen. Ted Cruz is threatening judicial independence,” by Nancy Atlas, Royal Furgeson, Barbara Lynn, T. John Ward, Lee Yeakel and Yaman Desai, Thursday Opinion. 

In an example of how our elected senators are helping Texans in Washington, D.C., this story and op-ed in Thursday’s paper provided some insight. 

First, Sen. John Cornyn proposed legislation to spend $24.5 billion upgrading U.S. Highway 287 to an interstate corridor renaming it the “Trump Interstate.” While I would have preferred that money be spent on improving education or healthcare here in Texas, the senator still needs an endorsement from the president in that runoff against Attorney General Ken Paxton. 

Second, Sen. Ted Cruz was featured (not in a flattering way, mind you) in an op-ed about his crusade to impeach “rogue” judges who rule against his pet causes. While this goes against the Constitution, which established an independent federal judiciary, that doesn’t seem to matter to Cruz. 

I was always under the impression that the principal duty of our elected officials was to solve problems. Not anymore. 

Hans F. Voorn, Frisco 

Re: “A question for Black athletes,” by Fred Marsh, Thursday Letters.  

While it does not seem to matter for many people that university classes and faculty are being affected by the politics of their legislative bodies, perhaps it will make a difference when state policies affect recruiting efforts for their various athletic teams.  

Marsh’s letter recognized the potentially “complicated decision” for talented Black athletes looking to attend southern schools in states where passed laws are “described as anti-Black.” The concerns involved should provoke deep consideration by all bright and ambitious students of any race who are interested in attending these schools, including the athletes. 

However, with the impact and influence that sports players and teams have, perhaps some will be encouraged to act as a motivating force for fairness and equity in stadiums and schools, as well as in the states and communities. 

V. C. Patterson, Carrollton 

Re: “Cornyn faces the ultimate test – When it mattered, U.S. senator from Texas didn’t show character,” by Matthew J. DeSarno, May 4 Opinion. 

In this opinion piece, DeSarno writes that because Sen. John Cornyn decided to let the confirmation of Kash Patel go to the full Senate for a vote, that this demonstrated a lack of character on the part of Cornyn. This seems to be the prevailing thought these days among the Trump Derangement Syndrome crowd.  

For them, what used to be considered a difference of opinion is now a moral failing. If I’m going to assassinate the character of a politician, I’m going to only do so after taking into consideration his body of work over his lifetime.  He goes on to infer that because he differs with Cornyn’s decision on the Patel matter, that Cornyn must lack character and therefore his vote was going to James Talarico. 

While character is an important consideration when casting a vote, it certainly shouldn’t be the only consideration and most certainly, a difference of opinion is not a sign of a lack of character. 

While I consider Bernie Sanders to be a man of character, there’s not a prayer that I would vote for him because of his policies. I would hope that in addition to character, most Texans will consider policy positions when casting a vote.  

For me, when I read that DeSarno is casting his vote for Talarico, I read that he supports open borders, mass amnesty, men in women’s sports, new taxes, DEI over merit promotions and sanctuary cities/states because that is exactly how Talarico will vote if elected to represent Texas. 

 Mike Shaheen, McKinney 

Re: “Serious trouble,” by John Riggs, May 9 Letters. 

Oh, if only we could live in the place described by Riggs. Where America has “changed for the better” regarding race. What a wonderful place that must be.  

As for me, I live in the world that surrounds me: mere flickers of light in the darkness of hate, prejudice, bias, religious discrimination, poverty, hunger and people fearful to go to the grocery store or the hospital because of this administration.  

Oh my, your fear is that, should “the Democratic Party take root…or should I say rot,” we will all be in “serious trouble.” 

Dear man, we are in serious trouble right now. Our president regularly calls anyone of color or female ugly, demeaning and hateful names — and he and his buddies are clearly enriching themselves.  

Often, I have heard that we have Trump Derangement Syndrome because we see reality. I am afraid that TDS afflicts those who believe fairy tales of MAGA and close their eyes to the reality before us. 

Diane Ramsey, Mesquite 

Re: “We Recommend — Texas runoff elections for attorney general, railroad commissioner and Congress,” Friday editorial.  

As a life-long Texan, I applaud the Editorial Board’s stand in both the vile unreality of Ken Paxton, John Cornyn, Mayes Middleton and Chip Roy and its refusal to recommend a candidate in the Republican primary runoff for attorney general. 

Today’s political ads are more akin to tabloid trash that resembles idiocracy or Jerry Springer than communication intended to inform prospective voters. They are mindless fearmongering that transcend lies. They do little beyond driving wedges between us and, worse, dangerously target groups who deserve respect of their liberty and equality like all Americans. 

Current politicians often vilify journalists as “fake news” when being held accountable. The truth is that the lies and manipulation of our politicians are rapidly becoming the greatest threat to American democracy — not the media.  

I appreciate The Dallas Morning News and others trying to speak out about the nonsense and offering a humble reminder that we — the citizens of this great state and country — need to wake up, think critically and demand more.  

We all have a voice and a vote. It is critical we use them to express what we expect from those representing us — now more than ever. 

Chris Ayres, Dallas