Start of 112th Congress

What did last week’s reading of the Constitution on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives at the start of the 112th Congress do? Will it bring back jobs that greedy multinational corporations have sent overseas, or lower the deficits caused by two wars and tax breaks for the wealthy? Will reading the Constitution change the morality of the Republican Party — that following financial meltdowns still wants to deregulate Wall Street? 

Meg Hillert, Dallas

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We hope to see in the 112th Congress a new attitude — one of decency and decorum, as opposed to the antics of the Republican party of “No” in the last Congress.

Can the tea party Republicans be any worse than the “No” party? God forbid!

I can only hope they at least will offer some compromise and solutions worthy of consideration by President Obama in leading our nation out of this recession. They will need to cease opposition to every piece of legislation that originates from the executive branch. And they must resist playing politics with 2012 in view.

The American people deserve better from Congress at this critical time in our nation.

Barbara Collier, Waco

Ode to the Bowl

Sitting here watching

All the bowl games,

I think I see what we need

To get to the level

Of Top 20 play,

Let’s recruit some track-like speed.

Then run and throw it

Both north and south

Not 90-degrees left and right

Get a bulked up line

To protect RG Three

Then Baylor Nation will be all right.

Ben Hagins, Woodway

Is ‘exceptional’ exaggerated?

I commend the Trib for printing the Jan. 6 column by Donald Kaul [“Tales of exceptionalism are a little exaggerated”]. Sitting on our laurels and blindly assuming that America still is, and ever will be, No. One in the world is largely why nearly 18 percent of us are looking for work. We’re not bathing in the glow of post-WWII America anymore. We’re competing for jobs and benefits against lean, mean, wickedly well-educated and self-disciplined, ruthless capitalists in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. They don’t respect us as “exceptional.” We’re fooling ourselves if we think they do. I’d even go so far as to say they understand that Americans have become a soft, easy target.

The problem is not political. It has to do with discipline and our respect for ourselves and others throughout the world and our abject failure to actually behave as if we are the thrifty, hard-working, no-nonsense, Christian nation we still rather pointlessly, constantly crow that we are.

Our legislative process has become a greedy circus; our infrastructure is crumbling under our feet, and we’ve put our children into ruinous debt, chronic ill health, and poor education and crippling lack of vision. We must re-examine who and what we really are to get back into the game (if that’s what we really want).

Michael Jones, Waco

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Thank you for publishing columns by Donald Kaul.  I grew up reading him in the Des Moines Register and Tribune when he was its Washington correspondent and writer of the “Over the Coffee” column. I always enjoyed his biting sarcasm and social satire.  I don’t always agree with his liberal ideas, but at least they make me think and provide an alternative voice to the predominantly conservative ethos of our great state and city.

I do, however, disagree with his take on “American exceptionalism.” America is exceptional. It’s exception for its founding ideals as expressed in The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Federalist Papers, such as equality of dignity and opportunity. Our governmental system of checks and balances is superior to most in the world. However, what is not exceptional is the way we often fall short of our highest ideals. And our “exceptionalism” should not be used as a justification for violating international laws and time-honored norms such as just law theory.

Yet, one in six Americans — about 17 percent — live in poverty. That’s higher than most of the countries we like to compare ourselves with (“free” and “civilized”). And we have a class of super-rich who are enjoying lives of luxurious conspicuous consumption. Perhaps we are exceptional in failing to live up to our ideals and being in denial about it.

Roger Olson, Waco

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Regarding Donald Kaul’s skepticism of America’s exceptionalism, perhaps those in other countries who are eternally beating a path to our borders are on to something that Mr. Kaul is not aware of. Is anyone trying to get into Mexico? Does Canada or Europe have an immigration problem? Why, if our country is so lacking, do so many people want to leave their native lands to settle here? Just wondering . . .

Eddie Mitchell, Waco

Religion in public schools isn’t legal

In Suzan Moon’s Dec. 23 letter she pondered “whether or not this was legal” for Robinson Elementary School to put on a Christian Christmas play that her Jewish grandson participated in.

No. It is not legal. But it seems to be permitted for any public school to promote any particular religion. It happens because those of you in the minority let it happen. You do not take a stand for what is legal. You sit back with your eyes and ears closed because you are afraid that your children, or grandchildren, will be ostracized.

And this happens because of people like Mary Ellis of Hewitt whose Jan. 4 letter urged Robinson Elementary to “keep this tradition alive.”

For the sake of your grandson, Ms. Moon, get your fellow Jewish community together. Get an attorney and get this stopped. Do this for all of us.

It is not the job of public schools to promote any religion. It is their job to educate.

Have we all forgotten why the pilgrims left England?

I am asking the Christian community, of which I am a member: Do what is legal.

Margaret Turner, Waco

It’s a Christian holiday

I am so tired of people from numerous religions saying their feelings are hurt because they are forced to be Christians because of Christmas and Easter. Well, before these holidays became pagan, the true meaning of these holidays is the birth and death of Christ. If you don’t believe in Christ, don’t celebrate the holiday. But do not force me to join in your holiday.

I want God put back in schools. Our country was founded with God.

Patricia Dungan, Crawford

Remember separation of church and state

Gosh, regarding the responses following Suzan Moon’s letter, one would think that letter writers Asti Hoover and Ronnie Adams had been the injured parties. Before this scene fades to black, I’d like Ms. Moon to know that there are Christians out there who not only empathize with her but who feel, as I do, that a Christmas play has no place in a public school. (Separation of church and state, remember?)

And if a religiously-oriented program is presented, similar ones for all other religious groups should be given equal play.

Georgia Brady, Woodway