What we’ve lost

On Oct. 31, I turned to the editorial page of the Tribune-Herald to find a column by one of the owners advising Waco people not to vote for U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards but instead for his opponent, Bill Flores. Well, from my prejudiced point of view, he picked someone who is a winner, but only as a vote-getter.

His recommendation brings to mind Plato’s admonition: “We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.” Edwards was the light, and somehow the shade was too dark to allow that light in.

By contrast, Thursday’s Tribune-Herald offered nothing but praise for Edwards. You wouldn’t have thought it the same newspaper.

Apparently, the newspaper knew what a truly great representative Edwards had been throughout the years. Somewhere between the lines there was an indication of how foolish we were to reject the opportunity to have the benefit of more leadership from this outstanding individual.

Edwards is just beginning his career, as far as I’m concerned. If you want to watch where he goes, keep looking up because he’s destined to serve this country and mankind effectively and totally. He’s that kind of man. He’s rare, and we thank God that those who know him are so thankful that we had that privilege of being in his presence.

Seldom do we have the opportunity to benefit from someone who knows more about how to achieve good government than Chet Edwards.

We will miss him.

Bernard Rapoport, Waco

Gutting Medicaid?

So some Republican legislators and Texas Gov. Rick Perry want to play games with the health of Texas’ poor. According to reports in the Tribune-Herald , some of the former want Texas to opt out of the Medicaid program yet don’t offer an alternative for saving the lives and providing for the very well-being of poor children and the disabled in our state. 

In a Nov. 8 story buried on Page 3B under “Texas Briefs,” we read that Perry wants Texas to provide health care for Texas residents. The article says that, according to Perry, “each state should be able to come up with its own plan. . . .”

Really? Just what plan would Perry come up with? Or would he?

I question whether these legislators or our governor really care about the health of our state’s poor so long as they do not offer concrete plans to replace Medicaid.  Medicaid may not be perfect, but at least in this case the devil we know is better than the one nobody has thought of yet.

Roger Olson, Waco

VA call center

I was thrilled to read the Nov. 6 Tribune-Herald story, “VA call center plans expansion,” which details how the call center will employ additional staff, bringing the total to 500.

Recently, some politicians have stated that government does not create jobs, only the private sector creates jobs. How do their statements match up to these facts?

Oh, I know. Because it’s for veterans, these are not considered “government” jobs.

Perhaps the loyal opposition can explain their contradictory statement.

Clay Brown, Waco