Letters to the Editor — Israel, border wall, student loans, Dallas mayor, Will Hurd

When peace will come

Re: “Hamas attack shocks Israel,” Sunday news story.

If only it were easier to sit down at a peace table than to start a war.

If only it were easier to compromise with other human beings than to kill them.

If only it were harder to enact revenge than to embrace the future.

“Peace will come,” former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir reportedly said, “when … [our enemies] will love their children more than they hate us.”

Barbara Chiarello, Austin

Revise our immigration system

Re: “Administration allows border wall construction — Area sees ‘high illegal entry,’ according to Department of Homeland Security,” Thursday news story.

I couldn’t believe my eyes, but there it was. A story saying the administration is allowing border wall construction.

In a letter to The Dallas Morning News last week, I suggested three things which must happen to address the crisis at the border. The first is the construction and patrol of an efficient physical barrier along the border — check! (or at least a start)

The other two are: replace our antiquated asylum statute with one which serves first and foremost the interests of our country; and revise and modernize our immigration system to provide fair and timely access to migrants and address our need for affordable, motivated workers.

It is grossly unfair to immigrants who abide by the rules and wait for years to gain access to this great country, but take a back seat to many who simply game the asylum laws. These steps must be taken and should be applauded, regardless of party or who occupies the White House or holds office in Congress.

Walter Dunlap, Dallas/Lake Highlands

Be responsible with student loans

Re: “$9B more in student loans wiped — Millions of Americans resuming payments this month after pause,” Thursday news story.

I experience so many thoughts and emotions on this student loan forgiveness business that I don’t think I can express them all, but I will hit a couple.

Is math education to blame? When one buys a car or house, doesn’t the buyer do some math to see what they can afford? Is it bad math that leads to mistakes in calculating the ability to pay back a loan? Is it possibly a lack of moral character that one feels they should be able to borrow money and not have to pay it back?

With this said, we have to offer assistance to those who genuinely experience misfortunes in life and need some help. It seems to me that those people are very much in the minority.

What a bunch of irresponsible crybabies we have in society today. Nobody made them take out loans, and what about all the responsible people in the past who paid for their education in full? If we want to hand out money, how about sending it to help those in Maui who need vs. want help.

Mark Allison, Keller

Progress is progressive

Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson says that big cities need a “Republican approach” to government so that they can bring “law and order” to the streets and add “fiscal responsibility” to spending. I beg to differ with that simplistic notion.

Conservative policies do not bring lasting solutions to entrenched problems. History shows that these policies are merely Band-Aids to issues. The problems continue to fester. They don’t fix social and infrastructure problems that remain hidden. Those policies are as helpful as when one sticks his or her head into the sand. They don’t want to see where the real problems lie.

Where would we be today if it were not for the changes brought about by progressive policy? We have tax laws that rein in corporate monopolies, food and drug regulations, and child labor laws. Progressive action pushed for equal employment, women’s empowerment and racial equality, while conservatives dug in their heels.

“A great democracy,” Theodore Roosevelt once wrote, “must be progressive, or it will soon cease to be a great democracy.”

I would add that great cities are led by progressive leaders who turn to the future with real solutions.

Andrew Lee Norton, Mesquite

Dallas could use donors

Re: “SMU has raised $100M since ACC announcement — Season ticket sales for SMU basketball have jumped 30%,” Sept. 19 SportsDay story.

I love football, especially college and professional football. I was astonished to read that Southern Methodist University donors were able to gather $100 million in seven days to support SMU’s upcoming move to the Atlantic Coast Conference. Lucky SMU.

My mind wandered — what if these donors offer the city of Dallas similar amounts to eradicate homelessness and fund the police department? Additional incentives for staffing would help fight crime. What a change it could make.

Perhaps the Dallas mayor could use his recent party change and his influence to round up some of this funding within his new alliances. I believe he’s talking more law and order.

Just wondering.

Dianne Kennedy, Dallas

Hurd for governor

This is an entreaty for former Texas Congressman Will Hurd to consider running for governor to replace Greg Abbott in the next election. Drop out of the presidential race and help save Texas.

Hurd is a Republican that even I, a longtime Democrat and sixth-generation Texan, would gladly vote for. He has proven intelligence and honor and belief in the country over himself and partisan politics.

We need you desperately as our governor in Texas to help clean our house of the disorder and corrupt self-interest of our current leadership.

Susan Lee, Mesquite

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