Letters to the Editor | Week of Oct. 7-12, 2024

Don’t tout democracy

I enjoyed your editorial describing the “big tent” of the Democrat Party, which allows any registered voter to vote in their primary elections regardless of core values or political values in contrast to the Republicans who request some commitment to their platform (June 26). I also smile at the ignorance in the news as the Democrats and people who call themselves journalists and entertainers crying about their fear of losing our “democracy” to activities of Republicans or Donald Trump in particular.

It may be beneficial to Democrats in the final vote to get all the Democrats’ votes possible regardless of beliefs, especially when it matters if you win regardless of whether you have any core beliefs or not or what those values may be. Since 99% of those of deviant behavior choose the Democrat Party, it has become a party of deviants regarding traditional American values to which we are slowly but surely bidding farewell as the country goes down in world status.

As you may recall if you are a geezer who learned that Benjamin Franklin, upon leaving the meeting of the signing of our founding documents, told his interviewers we were given “a republic, if you can keep it,” the founders were careful not to give us a democracy, because they knew that governing in democracy is no better than mob rule, especially when schools and universities are more for indoctrination than for education. The majority in a pure democracy push 49% of the people into leading the life chosen by those least likely to know how to live well.

The founders knew that greatness and wisdom are found in individuals and small groups around them. Leaders and thinkers like George Washington, Albert Einstein or Jesus were individuals selected by followers. They were not democracies. We did not write our Constitution in a democracy, it was written by a select few who knew what they were doing.

It was approved by a select few who fortunately agreed with what was believed and written by the authors.

We do not govern by democracy; we govern within the limits placed by our Constitution. It requires a very high majority to change that document. It is much easier to corrupt the Supreme Court than it would be to amend the Constitution. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have such a scheme in mind but dare not have it discussed in the debates. It is important that we cease the use of the term democracy when we discuss our country or our government. Please edit future contributors to reflect the fact that we are a republic. Only our elections are democratic.

Jim N. Taylor

Harlingen

Harris bashed

I was walking the aisles of H-E-B, ruminating on hard financial sacrifices when, reflecting on the inflated prices, it donned on me that I could no longer afford things like before Biden/Harris. Wishing for reassurance, I harkened back to news anchor Brian Taff’s Sept. 14 interview questioning Kamala Harris’ inflation remedy specifics: her long, meandering and verbose non-answer (which she’s spouted elsewhere) reflecting on “neighbors’ lawns,” “the American Dream … ambitions and aspirations” gave me zero comfort as I looked solemnly at the meager selections in my basket.

I tried to feel comfort in her attempts at camaraderie with me, where she said she worked at McDonald’s; that she grew up in Oakland, Calif., surrounded by working poor (she didn’t; she was raised in upper-middle-class in Berkeley, Midwest and Montreal by parents with Ph.Ds).

Harris has grand, bold plans on governance and the economy, I just haven’t the mental acuity to comprehend what they are from her incoherent ramblings. The media’s doomsday gnashing of teeth over mean tweets and “dictators and democracy threats” mean little when there’s not enough money to live on — like in 2017-2021, when a gallon of gas and milk was $2 (and when a “dictator” was president). If I achieve a prerequisite level of Donald Trump hatred, will it magically shrink my gas and grocery bill?

Jamey Honaker

Combes

IRA benefits small farms

As the owner of CD&J Mini Ranch in San Benito, I know firsthand how the landmark federal Inflation Reduction Act is creating lasting benefits for small farms like ours. By providing critical funding for regenerative agriculture, the IRA not only addresses climate challenges but also empowers local farmers to adopt sustainable practices that improve soil health, conserve water and boost productivity.

The IRA has generated immense potential for small farms. For instance, it helps us manage our pastures more effectively. With access to funding for seeds, we can rotate our cattle, chickens and pigs across our four pastures, which helps fertilize and regenerate the land. This improves the quality of our pastures and enhances the nutrient content in our animals’ feed, contributing to healthier livestock and more sustainable food for our community.

One of the most significant impacts of the IRA is its support for soil health, which is essential for agriculture and climate resilience. By funding cover crops, organic mulch and vegetarian buffers, the IRA helps small farms like ours maintain soil structure and fertility. In our region, where extreme weather and droughts are frequent, these practices are critical. Cover crops, for example, protect our fields from harsh winds while enriching the soil. The IRA also enables farms like ours to expand practices such as rotational grazing, which enhances soil health and distributes nutrients more evenly across the land, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. Additionally, the IRA encourages the use of water-saving technologies like drip irrigation, essential in drought-prone areas like South Texas.

In short, the IRA marks a shift in agricultural policy by prioritizing small, sustainable farmers over large industrial farms. For too long, big farms have received most of the government support while small farms struggled. Now, with IRA funding, small farms like CD&J Mini Ranch can get the support and technical assistance they need to thrive and continue providing healthy, local food to our community. This federal investment is a vital step toward protecting small farms that are productive, efficient, resilient and protect our climate for future generations.

Cynthia A. Cook

Owner, CD&J Mini Ranch

San Benito

Editor’s note: We welcome your letters and commentary. Submissions must include the writer’s full name, address and daytime telephone number for verification. Letters of 200 words or fewer will be given preference. Submissions may be edited for length, grammar and clarity. Letters may be mailed to P.O Box 3267, McAllen, Texas 78502-3267, or emailed to [email protected].