Letters – John McCain, Teacher Raises, Amber Guyger, Health Care, Candidates

How much more?Re: "Trump's remarks," Wednesday At a Glance.When will enough finally be enough? When will the people of America and, especially, the Republicans in Congress, say enough is enough? President Donald Trump's latest hate-filled comments on the late Sen. John McCain — a hero if ever there was one — deserve outspoken condemnation from everyone. Yet, we hear deafening silence, most notably from Texas' two cowardly senators. Have common decency and principle gone the way of the dinosaurs? How many more times must we allow this president to embarrass our country?Donald J. Dupier, PlanoA reflection on manyPresident Donald Trump's one-sided debate with a dead man, the late Sen. John McCain, not only further exposes Trump's total lack of class, but also shows the political eunuchs most GOP lawmakers have become by failing to condemn him. Same for many of his factually blind supporters, some of whom are sending a new round of profane messages to Cindy McCain while rationalizing Trump is Jesus' fair-haired boy. Peas in a pod.Jack Bowen, North Fort WorthTry doing the jobRe: "House axes merit raises for teachers — Bill reroutes funds as lure for them to work in state's poorest districts," Wednesday news story.Conservative groups are disappointed that teacher unions have won again. Exactly who are these conservative groups? Do they work in the classroom? Do they actually know what it takes to teach? Merit pay based on test scores is not fair. I've seen total classroom turnovers in which none of the students who started in the beginning of the year are there at the end of the year. This can't show individual teacher progress. I don't agree giving money only to schools with low-income students. How about giving money to all the schools, so teachers can have the supplies they need to teach all students. It's not just low-income schools that need assistance. When I taught, I spent on average $1,000 a year of my personal money. I was given $50 a year for supplies from the district. The House needs to give a pay raise to all educators/aides across the board without stipulations. I get so tired of people who are not in education making all the decisions for those who are. I'd like to see them step in the classroom and try teaching.Audrey Pincu, Far North DallasThe right charge for Guyger?Re: "Guyger murder trial set for Aug. 12 — Civil suit filed by victim's family pending until after criminal case resolved," Tuesday Metro & Business story.Trying Amber Guyger for murder seems like a miscarriage of justice. Manslaughter, yes, but murder? I don't think so. I know that Botham Jean was a black man and it's horrible that he died, but it seems like Dallas is playing the race card here. Maybe there is some evidence that I'm not aware of. If I were on the jury, and if what we've seen on TV and in the paper is all there is, I'd vote not guilty. We'll see.William Kuban, TerrellA tough swim upstreamAmber Guyger has a better chance to win the lottery than having a fair trial in Dallas. The lynch mob did an awful lot of damage before the gag order was issued.Henry Muzzio, Fort WorthMagic is in negotiationsRe: "End Health Care Cost Secrecy — Pricing transparency could help lower sky-high bills," Tuesday Editorials.It isn't about what health care providers "charge" insurance companies. It is about what reimbursement providers can negotiate from insurance companies, and about how much insurance companies "pay" providers. A group of providers might charge the exact same for a procedure but are very likely to receive different reimbursement. Typically, smaller providers have less leverage when it comes to reimbursement negotiations with insurance companies. This goes for employer-based health care insurance plans — the bigger the employer, the better the reimbursement, thus the lower co-pay. If the government truly wants to address health care cost, they should focus on the insurance industry, not providers.John McGee, Highland VillageAccurate info mattersThank you for pointing out the obvious benefits of the proposals from the Department of Health and Human Services to require price transparency for medical services. Free markets require accurate cost and price information to work properly. Not heavy-handed regulation, but free and accurate information about the cost of medical care. Even for something as simple as filling prescriptions, we don't really know how much of the price includes kickbacks, or to whom. Free markets require accurate information. It would not hurt if we could have a little more trust in the market, either. Richard E. Ralston, Newport Beach, Calif., Executive director of Americans for Free Choice in MedicineLet's sic the artists on 'emRegarding the articles about removing statues on public land that offend viewpoints: The cost of their removal runs into the millions. Meanwhile, PBS and many arts programs go unfunded. Why not grant artists funds and permission to create something from the monuments that will not offend. Maybe declare open season for "taggers"?Jonathan J. Carroll, ArlingtonWhy pay their salaries?As I watched television one day, I saw that another senator has thrown her hat into the ring. My issue is that "we, the people" are continuing to pay a salary for someone to campaign for another job. I cannot imagine many other employers would do this. I would think that only serious candidates would run if they weren't guaranteed a return to their office should their quest for the White House fail. Is there a way to require resignation from the House or Senate prior to announcing candidacy?Jeff Larson, Carrollton  Continue reading...

Copyright The Dallas Morning News
Contact Us