Editorial

Passing the buck

Advocates of public health care should back up their preference

A new poll regarding public preferences for nationalized health care are disturbing — or, at least, they should be. Those who want tax-funded health care don’t want to pay the taxes needed to fund it. The poll, conducted by Stanford... Full story

Water worries

South Texas no longer in drought, but water supply is still important

Most South Texas might not think much of the severe drought that plagued the area throughout the 1990s. Officials and planners, however, shouldn’t ignore the issue. The Texas Water Development Board has conducted a water conference Monday and... Full story

Take initiative

Allowing for citizen referendums could improve state lawmaking

Voters this month added 11 amendments to the Texas Constitution. With these changes, our state’s governing document now has 467 amendments. Our Constitution already is one of the longest in the country, and many of the provisions that have... Full story

Let’s be frank

Let’s hope security conference more than grandstanding forum

Most of the attention relative to the border has been focused recently on thoughts of terrorism and attempts to limit immigration. As South Texas residents are well aware, there’s much more to what goes on at border crossings, and it affects... Full story

Sad symbols

World celebrates fall of wall as U.S. puts up own barriers

People the world over on Monday celebrated the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Berlin Wall. The wall, first built in 1961, exists now in remnants scattered among museums and halls of state across the globe; yet it remains one of the... Full story

Revolving door

Stress of war takes tragic toll among overextended military

Thursday’s shootings at Fort Hood shocked many people who might not have previously thought about just what the ongoing war is doing to the young men and women we keep sending into battle. Nearly 4,400 of them have died in Iraq and... Full story

Rx: Knowledge

It can take time before effects are known of many medications

It’s becoming rare to sit through an entire television program without seeing at least one commercial advertisement that’s trying to convince you to get a prescription for some new medicine. The Associated Press reports that drug... Full story

Protect your interests

Proposed amendments affect Texans’ rights and resources

Three proposed state constitutional amendments on today’s ballot deal with the control of private and state assets. Two deal with property, while the other directs state taxes to limited universities. Proposition 4 seeks to create a special... Full story

Overreach

State taxpayers shouldn’t be hit for gifts given to federal offices

Two proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution intend to charge state taxpayers in order to provide gifts to the federal government. Unfortunately, one is promoted as a boon for the Rio Grande Valley. These are inappropriate reasons to take... Full story

Mixed bag

Some constitutional changes face little debate; should they?

Some of the proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution have received little comment or opposition. In at least one case the matter has become routine. Perhaps people have become too accustomed to government being involved in matters that... Full story

Value protection

Constitutional amendments would help property owners

As expected, turnout so far has been light in early voting for the 11 proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution. That is unfortunate, because more than half of the proposals would directly affect homeowners’ property tax bill. Live voting... Full story

End this war

As we mourn another loss in Iraq, pledge to make peace their legacy

The Rio Grande Valley once again mourns the loss of one of our own to the hell that is war. Alton native Bradley Espinoza was killed Monday when an explosive hit his vehicle at Qayyarah West, Iraq — the military calls it Q-West. He was in his... Full story

Make a difference

Individual contributions can help reduce reliance on government

Redistributionists — from the old Soviet propaganda machine to Hillary Clinton — made the right pitch, but with the wrong idea in mind. The Soviets and Mao Zedong, as well as Clinton and other modern liberals in this country, have done... Full story

Good riddance

DHS officially does away with ill-thought-ouit 'no match' rule

Another vestige of the onerous Michael Chertoff fiefdom has, fortunately, officially been cast onto the trash heap of history. The Department of Homeland Security has officially stopped efforts to enforce its "no match" rule for governing who gets... Full story

Battle for benefits

Base decisions on VA services on their merit, not paperwork

Most people would agree that going to war is of itself a stressful prospect for any rational person. Just ask any of the hundreds of Rio Grande Valley veterans and their families who have fought in wars from Normandy to Takrit over the past... Full story

Paying the price

Heavy taxation for services leaves infrastructure lacking

Highway construction on U.S. highways 77 and 83 has been a fact of life in the Rio Grande Valley for the better part of two decades. And yet with those constant upgrades, the Rio Grande Valley’s roadways as a whole have been deteriorating... Full story

Finally, sanity

After many boneheaded moves, sense returns over immigration

After several years of questionable, even strange, moves regarding the issue of immigration, a few recent developments suggest some rationality has returned to those in charge of U.S. policy. An amendment ordering even more fencing along the... Full story

It’s a choice

Government pushes flu vaccine, but people should make own mind

The nation’s health czar has spoken: All Americans must take the swine flu vaccine. We do have a right, however, to say that we’ll be the judge of that. It’s important, however, that whatever decision people make, it should be... Full story

Kill this policy

Problems with executions highlight need to just end them

It’s time for another review of the death penalty, and the growing evidence that we can’t do it well enough to justify continued use. Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland has delayed two planned executions pending a new review of the process. The... Full story

New reviews

Government right to monitor agencies that get federal funds

The scandal surrounding ACORN has led to a review of tax-exempt organizations that could extend to Valley Interfaith and similar groups. And it should; in fact, such reviews should be routine for all such groups. The Treasury Department’s... Full story

The real bully

Bill to regulate electronic postings a dangerous attack on free speech

The Internet and social media have opened new doors for communication around the world. Civilian broadcasts of the unrest following Iran’s recent elections illustrates the unprecedented power these media have given everyday people. Here at... Full story

Text of House Resolution 1966

HR 1966 IH 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1966 To amend title 18, United States Code, with respect to cyberbullying. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 2, 2009 Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California (for herself, Ms. KAPTUR, Mr. YARMUTH, Ms.... Full story

On the map

Valley universities attracting attention in engineering world

Ask 20 people what the Rio Grande Valley is known for and you might get 20 different answers. Depending on the respondent’s interests, the Valley could spark thoughts of bird watching or drug running, chess or political corruption; citrus... Full story

Road hazard

Unnecessary tariff on tires could make our roads unsafe

Many vulcanizing shops and stores that sell used and retread tires operate in the Rio Grande Valley. They can expect business to pick up as the arbitrary and unnecessary tariffs President Barack Obama imposed on Chinese-made tires reduces the supply... Full story

Skimming the top

Change in admissions policies puts pressure on universities

William Powers Jr., president of the University of Texas at Austin, was in the Rio Grande Valley on Tuesday discussing a change in the state law that guaranteed the top 10 students in every high school graduating class automatic admission into the... Full story

More military

Perry deployment of more troops still ineffective, unwanted idea

Texas Gov. Rick Perry has announced the deployment of more than 200 Texas National Guard troops and Texas Rangers to the Texas-Mexico border. He’s also asked President Barack Obama to send another 1,000 National Guards troops as well. Perry... Full story

PRI in the USA

As we mark Constitution Day, its principles largely ignored

We note, with some irony, that our Constitution Day comes the day after Mexico’s Independence Day. Many Rio Grande Valley residents commemorate both holidays in one way or another. It can be argued that the two countries’ governments... Full story

Checking roll

School residency enforcement could affect Valley districts

Efforts to crack down on Mexican children improperly enrolled in Del Rio public schools could have an effect on the Rio Grande Valley. Officials with the San Felipe Del Rio Consolidated Independent School District went to the bridge coming from... Full story

Addressing obesity in Texas

In 2007 the 80th Legislature designated the second full week of September as Obesity Awareness Week. While this new observance in Texas was created to raise awareness of the obesity problem that continues to plague us, we are making inroads and... Full story

Be thorough

Review of UT System security should include public disclosure

The announced review of campus police departments throughout the University of Texas System is welcome. It can go a long way toward inspiring confidence in the departments’ performance. To that end, the review should be as thorough as... Full story

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