Letters to the editor – Congress, Fair Park, Texas veterans, media monopolies, high gas prices

Serve the people

I recently wrote to our senators from Texas and am publicly sharing these concerns because many Americans feel Congress is not focused on their real needs.

Families are struggling with high gas and grocery prices while corporate profits remain strong. Congress needs to invest in clean domestic energy now to lower costs, curb price increases, expand the supply of affordable housing and stabilize long-term fuel prices.

We also need humane, effective immigration reform that strengthens due process, ensures professional standards and accountability for ICE and border personnel, and provides a viable pathway for long-term undocumented residents to contribute to our economy and communities.

Before entering or expanding military conflict, Congress must reclaim its constitutional right to debate and use force only when there is a clear, imminent threat and a defined national interest.

Ultimately, most investigations have found no widespread election fraud. Proposals like the SAVINGS Act threaten to create new barriers to voting and federal overreach in state-run elections.

Our representatives serve the people – not the president or the party.

To Lynn Winey, Addison

Practical Plans for Fair Park

Dallas Parks and Recreation’s new plan for a revenue-generating development to replace the Fair Park parking lots is just another ill-conceived scheme, like the expensive fantasies of consultants over the past 25 years. Raising $30 million for a community park is commendable. That hope and the $2.5 million budget for construction and grounds improvements will be a semi-illusion of significant activity growth.

The State Fair of Texas may have a small problem. Parking generates revenue that helps fund Fair Park operations.

Setup/tear down for the State Fair limits access to the Centennial Exhibition buildings, museums and aquariums for about three months. So, it’s a lonely walk from the community park through the closed midway and livestock area to the deserted core.

Instead of expanding, start there. Imagine with me. The old aquarium annex is now a family reunion facility. The Magnolia Building is an ExxonMobil-funded Texas Oil History Museum. A memorable wedding site in the lagoon. Improve the band shell. Children’s aquariums include an ocean petting zoo. Butterflies. Weekend business days. The best preserved art deco exhibit historic trail buildings.

Future visitors say, “What a day! That hotel brochure was right!”

Plans don’t have to be grand—just targeted and practical.

Dick Monroe, Frisco

Texans in the Army

TR Fehrenbach’s book Lone Star Shines light on the history of Texans serving in the U.S. military and highlights our disproportionate service to the rest of our country. Many sacrificed their lives for our country, affecting countless family members.

Veterans returning home face barriers that have been normalized in our communities for many years. Texans are serving on modern, missile-range battlefields today.

I don’t doubt that Lt. Governor Dan Patrick is passionate about Texas, but clearly he has political boundaries. Reconsider your decision to build another barrier for Texas veterans, and put Sen. Taylor Rehmet in charge of the committee.

Devin Johnson, Bridgeport

The same colorless mold

The Dallas city fathers have disappointed us in their acquiescence to Austin, and Washington demands that we erase all traces of human variability. There was joy in those sidewalk rainbows, a reminder that there are many different ways to be human. I pity those who demand that we all be pushed into the same colorless pattern.

Miriam Fosshe, Dallas/Lake Highlands

Is America a civil society?

At the heart of civil society, isn’t it imperative that each member act in a way that doesn’t compromise the freedoms of others? And, in a civil society, no one can force anyone to violate that imperative?

Is the United States a civil society? Our constitution does not write how to structure the civil society? Autocratic society as opposed to civil society?

And does despotism presuppose that someone has the authority to command others to obey them?

So, we’re looking at a world where someone in the White House orders the Pentagon to order military forces to go to war. My question is: Where is the evidence that such a process is part of a functioning civil society? How can such a series of activities be activated by a person who is not a person but who has taken the oath of the constitution? And aren’t we a totalitarian society at the highest levels of government?

Stephen Leroy Love, Dallas

Monopoly of the media

While we are busy living our lives, the wealthy groups are slowly but surely taking away our freedom. The latest example is the loss of independent news station WFAA.

Nexstar aims to own about 80% of local news across the country. Regardless of political affiliation (in this case conservative), listening to approved news stories instead of news in general is a huge loss. Unfortunately, I won’t be watching anymore.

Barbara A. McCoy, Cedar Hill

Gas prices

There have been complaints about the increase in gas prices. It’s never been one of my top priorities when voting because I know the current president — whether Democrat or Republican — has limited direct control over gas prices. Also, I drive energy efficient vehicles because I don’t need a monster truck or SUV to get around town. Just saying!

But this time is different. One man and his administration are solely and entirely to blame for this spike. And I hope every voter remembers that come November.

More importantly, remember how he accomplished this with an unnecessary and unimaginable war that cost human lives. for what? His latest wish? To make yourself and your family more prosperous?

Think about it and make some real complaints about these actions. And vote as you say!

Sarah Miskimins, Dallas/Lake Highlands