Letters to the Editor — Climate, marriage tax, bullet train, work, Bonfire, jail computers

Domino effects

For those hesitant to support climate change work, it would help to realize that most of the same efforts will improve environmental pollution problems. As pollution problems are addressed, residents’ health and well-being improve. As health improves, health care costs will be greatly lowered.

In the American Lung Association’s 2023 State of Air report, Dallas is ranked the 18th worst for high ozone days out of 227 metropolitan areas in the United States.

There is also the need to reduce use of toxic chemicals. Five people died from exposure to a chemical that spilled after a truck overturned in central Illinois in October.

It would be helpful to publish articles giving the cause and health effects of various chemicals and pollution. We can choose to stay away from many toxic items and also support work which requires community efforts.

Controlling pollution would lead to improved health. Improved health lowers health care costs. Let’s work for the freedom to breathe clean air and the freedom to drink clean water.

Peggy Little Simpkin, Highland Park

Marriage tax a complex issue

Re: “Stop taxing the life out of marriage,” by Abby McCloskey, Sunday Opinion.

McCloskey oversimplifies a complex issue in the marriage tax penalty with her breathless op-ed piece title. This penalty occurs in some situations, but in other cases there is a marriage-tax benefit.

The irony is that with the Donald Trump tax cut, conservatives implemented a key driver of the marriage-tax penalty, which limits itemized deductions for state and local taxes and mortgage interest.

And McCloskey has the nerve to mention some taxpayers lose benefits from the Affordable Health Care Act, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program under today’s law — all programs that many conservatives wish to abolish completely.

The Republicans had their chance with the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and yet the penalty in some cases remains. This is a testament both to their governing incompetence and lack of interest in the issue as well as to the issue’s intractability.

Robert Button, Murphy

Time for updated rail service

Re: “High-speed rail in U.S.-Japan talks,” Monday news story.

I rode the Shinkansen bullet train more than 50 years ago. I have ridden high-speed trains in Europe at speeds over 140 mph. France has more than 1,700 miles of high-speed rail.

The USA has the most antiquated and pathetic land rail transportation system of any of the so-called developed nations. Yes, railroads do take real estate. So do highways, but we need them. It is time for Texas to leave the 19th century.

Steve McCluer, Far North Dallas

Labor worth stagnates

Re: “Get to work, America,” by Dallas Cothrum, Sunday Opinion.

Thank you for the rundown on America’s work force from the boss’s point of view. Did you know worker production is higher now than it has ever been, and AI is breathing down our collective necks? Corporations and their stockholders continue to get richer while the worth of our labor remains stagnant and is not keeping up with inflation.

How about we shorten the work week to 32 hours while we still get paid for the 40 hours? While we’re at it, let’s raise the cap on Social Security so everybody pays on every dollar they earn. This will keep Social Security solvent for the generations to come. Lower the age to qualify for Medicare to 50 and expand the child tax credit indefinitely. Institute paid sick leave and child care credits.

You state you “have been a boss for a long time now.” Perhaps too long. Collective is where we are going, but not the kind of collective you speak of. Collective bargaining with the majority of employees, that is where we are going.

Steve Jobs said, “Great things in business are never done by one person, they’re done by a team of people.” Union strong.

Bonnie L. Mathias, Dallas/Pleasant Grove

Bonfire still burning

Re: “Bonfire wrong memorial,” by Don Powell, Monday Letters.

The tradition of Bonfire at Texas A&M University has already been reinstated — by the students, working together to learn from the past, plan, prepare, support each other, follow traditions and make them better.

The Student Bonfire has continued off campus for over 20 years with no recognition from the university, understandably, but with support from current and former students who will never forget the horrific tragedy that happened that night in 1999 or the sacrifice of those who died or were injured.

They also remember and honor the eight decades of tradition that came before the collapse. Outside of their academic commitments, the leaders and grunts of Student Bonfire have taken care of each other, planning throughout the year to recruit, raise funds and coordinate all of the moving parts of their project, handing down their knowledge to the next group.

They worked with their blistered hands and tired muscles, always remembering, It isn’t disrespect for the memories of the students who died, but a desire to always remember them and share their stories with future students, that are among the motivators for bringing Bonfire back to campus.

Teresa Moore, ‘93, Fort Worth

Just fix this mess

Re: “A growing wait for justice — Inmates lost in system after software rollout, lawyers say,” Sunday news story.

It’s horrifying that incarcerated people who were officially supposed to be released are still sitting in jail because of Dallas County’s mangled jail software system implementation. In addition, inmates’ loved ones are also impacted, because they are the ones who still have to pay to receive inmates’ phone calls.

And the jail employees must dread going to work to face incarcerated persons who have been wrongly held for days and weeks. Are you kidding? Find a way to fix it, now, Dallas County.

Holly McGowan, Coppell

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