Letters to the editor: Dallas budget, Sen. Mark Kelly, Trump comments on vote, Cowboys

Recreation cuts a mistake

Re: “Budget could dry up pools: Community facilities are a possible target as city works to address $38 million deficit,” Saturday’s news story.

To help address a $38 million shortfall in next fiscal year’s budget, Dallas city officials are considering closing community pools, reducing city funding for the Dallas Zoo and Arboretum and reducing the frequency of mowing parks and medians. Such cuts would be a grave mistake.

The services available to Dallas residents are already inferior to those offered by most suburban jurisdictions. It is better to raise taxes than to make the city of Dallas even less competitive with its suburbs.

Bernard Weinstein, Far North Dallas

Neither the swimming pools nor the zoo

Come on, please! Of all the things that could be cut, our city’s pools shouldn’t be touched. With Texas’ hot summers getting worse due to climate change, we need some summer relief for all of our citizens, especially those who can’t afford backyard pools!

And asking partners like the Dallas Zoo to cut costs is appalling.

I challenge all of Dallas (and all Dallas County residents who enjoy these urban spaces) to send money to cover the budget shortfall. All we need is for Parks Director John Jenkins to tell us where to send the money!

Gail Hill, Garland

It’s not nonsense, it’s a catastrophe

Re: “Washington’s plan to cap rents is nonsense: Biden’s proposal would paralyze housing construction and cause economic disaster,” Monday editorial.

Thank you for this honest assessment of a “cynical, political election-year plan.” Unfortunately, the use of the word “nonsense” in the headline is biased, whether intentional or accidental. The editorial explains that the plan will cripple housing construction, worsen the affordability crisis, and lead to economic disaster. “catastrophic” is the correct adjective.

Vince Huston, Plano

A Kelly fan for vice president

Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., appears to have impeccable credentials to be vice president or president. He is a man of great courage, as a former Navy fighter pilot with 37 missions and as an astronaut with four missions.

He is intelligent, earned a bachelor’s degree with highest honors and a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering from the United States Naval Postgraduate School, and is the author of several books.

Kelly is an accomplished senator from Arizona, a dedicated family man who lovingly supports his wounded wife, Gabriella Giffords, and grew up in a middle-class family. In other words, he is the polar opposite of Donald Trump.

Kelly is running as a moderate. He has national name recognition and comes from a key state. I think the Harris/Kelly ticket would be unbeatable.

Mary Clark, East Dallas

What does Trump mean?

I am a long-time subscriber and regular reader of the Letters to the Editor section. Over the past eight years, I have read letters from readers praising Donald Trump and extolling his virtues, and while I do not agree, these are valid opinions.

But I am curious to know what these writers think about Trump’s recent statements that if he is re-elected, Christians “will not have to vote anymore” because “it will be resolved” and “everything will be fine.”

What do you think he means by that? What will he arrange so that their votes are no longer needed?

I know what I get from his statements. In my opinion, I don’t disagree with Trump on politics because I understand that he is in favor of any policy that favors his personal goals, money, power, whatever. I don’t agree with Trump because he is a morally and ethically bankrupt person who lies at every turn, who cheats and steals at every opportunity, insults and degrades regularly and who clearly wants to become a dictator.

He understands that the Supreme Court gave him a get-out-of-jail-free card and he intends to use it to the fullest if given the chance. At what point will his apologists say enough is enough? This man is a clear and present danger to our democracy as we have known it for the past 248 years.

Keith Jones, Dallas/Knox-Henderson

A fan of vice presidential candidate Vance

I didn’t know much about JD Vance until I read his book that was later made into a movie. Peasant ElegyThis man learned at a young age to overcome a sad and disadvantaged childhood through perseverance, kindness and honesty. For the first time in my 71 years, I will vote Republican.

Judy Webster, Plano

Cowboys, keep going

Re: “How mighty they have fallen: Cowboys fail to crack list of top 25 elite players of the 21st century,” by Tim Cowlishaw, Wednesday’s SportsDay column.

Thanks to Cowlishaw and the other Dallas sportswriters for continuing to call out the ridiculous, unserious franchise known as the Dallas Cowboys. Dak Prescott has worn out his welcome here. When asked about his disastrous performance against the Packers and how he felt about the fans’ frustration, he said “be a fan or don’t be a fan.” And then said fans should “move on.”

What we all liked, despite the poor postseason performances, was what a great human being and hard worker Prescott is. But with his disdain for the feelings of the fans, I’m not sure about the human part anymore.

Dak, take your bad attitude somewhere else and see how long they can go without success in the playoffs. Yeah, we have to move on… without you.

Blake Edwards, Garland

It’s time to step aside

The leader of the world’s second most powerful organization has finally accepted that at 81 years old he must step down. Joe Biden did the right thing. Now it’s up to the leader of the world’s most powerful organization, who is also 81 years old, to step down as general manager of the Dallas Cowboys.

John Webb, Frisco

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