Firings won’t dent deficit

Re: “Worker firings intensify” and “Many Americans torn on spending cuts, poll finds,” Saturday news stories.

These two stories should be required reading for all voters. The Dallas Morning News reports that most items in the federal budget are supported by significant majorities of voters. Everyone is opposed to a few items in the budget, but they can’t agree on what spending isn’t needed.

Cutting the federal workforce will barely make a dent in the federal deficit. The News reports that total compensation of the 2.4 million civilian federal workers is $271 billion. If all federal employees were fired, including workers in defense, homeland security and veteran affairs, we would reduce total federal spending ($6.75 trillion) only 4% and the deficit ($1.83 trillion) only 15%.

The elimination of a few hundred thousand federal jobs does almost nothing to reduce spending, it’s just optics for the administration.

Over the past 10 years, the wealth of the top 1% of Americans has doubled, from $24 trillion to $49 trillion.

Perhaps instead of cutting taxes for these wealthy Americans, we should increase taxes on billionaires. This would allow us to support our social safety net, military and veterans while reducing our deficit.

Brian Smith, Colleyville

Senior moments savored

Re: “First the memory, then the burrito — I’ll never forget my first senior moment — when I was 48,” by David McClure, Saturday Opinion.

I greatly enjoyed McClure’s op-ed. I laughed out loud, and doesn’t everyone need laughter? I have had days at McDonald’s like his experience.

Thank you for writing and to The Dallas Morning News for sharing!

Christina Dodd, Wylie

Wilonsky’s return welcome

Re: “Wilonsky rejoins News’ lineup,” Friday Opinion.

I have been a subscriber since 1982. Over the past few years I struggle if it’s worth the cost of a subscription. Now, I read that Robert Wilonsky is coming back. The struggle is over. His return is the best news for The Dallas Morning News in quite a while.

Now, see if Steve Blow has any free time.

Tim Miller, Holly Lake Ranch

Nooks and crannies await

Thank you for bringing back Robert Wilonsky as a full-time columnist. Wilonsky has deep knowledge of Dallas along with the resourcefulness to poke into the nooks and crannies of the city to deliver his perspective on often overlooked news.

His moxie and his breadth of coverage will be a welcome addition to a stable of fine local commentary writers.

Carolyn Barta, North Dallas

Pull for mighty-mite Mavs

I recently read Jim Dent’s Twelve Mighty Orphans, the story of a Fort Worth high school football team of the ’30s and ’40s. They were scrawny but scrappy and built an army of fans with their game-winning grit.

Now, Dallas-Fort Worth, we are witnessing the new generation of “mighty mites.” They are undersized and undermanned, and their game is basketball. And they play every minute with heart and determination.

If you are not already a Mavs Fan For Life, these guys will win you over. Go, Mavs!

Helen Schneider, Richarsdon

Understanding criminality

Re: ICE Arrest Secrecy Cruelly Stokes Fear — We can change our nation while being transparent about our actions,” Jan. 29 editorial.

Your editorial complains that the arrests and deportations of undocumented immigrants are somewhat mysterious or with hidden intent. Your editorial writer should read your stories. They would find that the intent and general procedure have been clearly described by President Donald Trump (before and after the election) and his administration. He said they were going to deport all undocumented immigrants and that he would start with the worst criminals and proceed to the rest.

But understand, by definition, all undocumented immigrants are criminals since they have broken our laws and are subject to deportation. This has all been clearly enunciated and is not hard to understand.

Clifford and Alice R. Holliday, Colleyville

Country of opportunities

I came to the United States on a student visa in 1970. After obtaining a master’s degree in engineering, I returned to India. Things were not as rosy at that time in India. But my American credentials gave me a competitive edge. After six years in India and another six in Singapore, I came back to the U.S. on a work visa.

After five years, I was able to get a green card and later, citizenship. I ran my own consulting engineering business for 25 years. At an age when most people retire, I closed my firm to work for a multinational corporation. That was short-lived as the corporation was bought by its American competition.

When I first came here on an H-1B visa, I was paid almost half of what my classmates from the same graduating class received. This country gave me the same opportunities to prove myself as it did to my American, Cuban and Greek colleagues.

I am close to 80 and love my engineering career and mentoring. My wife trained here as nurse and still works in health care. Our children grew up as Americans and have received and given much to this country, our son directing cancer research and our daughter serving through a national nonprofit organization.

Ramanujachari Kannan, Keller

Come over to Stars

Thank you, Dallas Stars!

It is time we turn the page on our dumbfounded Dallas Cowboys and Mavericks organizations. We still have a proven winner with loyal, intelligent leadership in our beloved city: the Dallas Stars. It’s time to invest our money and time in a worthy representation of Dallas.

Speak from your wallets and show it’s time to support what we value in our sports teams. Thank you from an adult who grew up supporting Dallas.

Mike Ferrell, Bridgeport

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