What's wrong with Texas?

One thing is Governor Perry giving a speech that yet another company is getting loads of tax breaks for bringing 400 or so jobs to Texas. 

While kids protest outside about the education budget cuts.  Any of you kids want to be Governor?  Please?

Birds of a feather...

Letters to the Editor in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.  YOU can make a difference.  VOTE in May.

Why Texas stands out

Gov. Rick Perry recently said that Texas is "still the envy of our nation" on a multitude of fronts despite a withering budget crunch that is threatening deep cuts in state services.

Yep, Texas is first in the number of uninsured, in the number of executions, in the number of teen pregnancies, in the amount of carbon dioxide emissions, in the amount of toxic chemicals released into our water and in the percentage of high school dropouts.

Texas sure is the envy of the nation all right; that is, the rest of the nation is extremely glad they are not like Texas.

-- Edward Lindsay, Fort Worth

A road to nowhere

Mayoral candidate Jim Lane's plans to solve Fort Worth's problems by appointing 12 task forces to study the issues is a familiar delaying tactic on the grandest scale. (See: "3 file on 1st day to run for Fort Worth mayor," Tuesday)

His shotgun approach is a smokescreen to let him avoid taking a stand on anything that might alienate voters.

The urgent issues that he would relegate to disparate committees beg for answers now. Passing the buck to faceless task forces gives Lane a free ride during the elections to defer questions about any original ideas he might possibly have.

The long history of these so-called blue-ribbon studies regularly commissioned by Washington, Austin and Fort Worth is clear -- read 'em, debate 'em, shelve 'em, forget 'em.

He hopes to lead us down 12 lanes of navel contemplation and procrastination that lead to nowhere.

-- Jim Pitts, Fort Worth

Lovin the Letters

We love when the citizens speak. Tells you what is really going on in the Wild West. See today's Letters to the Editor in the Fort Worth Star Telegram.

Is anyone listening?
A man in Ohio bulldozes his home, believing his bank has treated him unjustly in upcoming foreclosure proceedings, while a man in Austin takes extreme measures with his issues with the IRS.

Our own institutions are not working. The government will bail out Wall Street without blinking an eye, but the common man receives no break or relief on his mortgage. Meanwhile, we have one of the most inequitable and burdensome tax codes anywhere. It must benefit the government or someone, as no politician makes any real effort to overhaul its complexity and make it more reasonable and fair.

Regardless of human behavior and emotions, in tough times like these, coupled with an unresponsive government and do-nothing politicians, these kind of actions may likely increase since no one is listening.

-- Michael E. Holland, Fort Worth

The new EPA regional administrator, Al Armendariz, brings science to his job, with a doctorate in environmental engineering. Another advantage is that President Barack Obama favors reducing pollution, unlike George W. Bush, who hampered cleanup efforts.

Texas produces more carbon dioxide, which is a major greenhouse gas, than any other state.

However, Gov. Rick Perry is squandering Texans' tax dollars in a lawsuit to keep the EPA from forcing him to reduce our emissions. Perry has a misguided belief that global warming is a myth. Despite the recent record snow, the last decade was warmer than any other since records have been kept.

I hope that the next governor, whoever she may be, will recognize the existence and danger of carbon dioxide and work with the EPA to reduce our output.

-- Ann Chambers, Fort Worth

Veto Governor Perry?

Governor Rick Perry vetoed many things today. It must be the gas drilling industry's birthday. Read what the word on the street is below.

When will it stop?

"HB2572 does nothing more than remove a city's right to refuse access under or along public streets and/or rights of way. With this legislation (as I read it) makes the pipeline under properties on Carter Avenue....or any city street....a certainty. This legislation even removes the necessity of the "gas corporation" to be a public utility".

"Remember we warned you, and you can bet with the current city leadership, we will not sue the state over this BS!"

"I think you are exactly right. It sounds to me like this also includes parkland or any other public property. No more getting council approval for anything to do with pipelines. By signing one bill and vetoing the other Perry gave the best gift possible to the industry."

You can read the article in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram daily newspaper here.