Inform voters betters
In reference to Tuesday’s editorial, The Monitor is right to bring to our attention the low voting turnout for the recent McAllen bond election. However there may be some way to help. I saw campaign signs all over the place with names and pictures. But I found little information in the newspaper about what their issues were and where they stood. Lots of place this and that, school board candidates, etc. But I want to know what motivate a candidate to run for the school board? What changes do they want to see? If it’s a run for city council then why? Whatever slot they want to fill, we should know their thoughts and plans. If it’s a bond, what does it mean to the citizens? Will it improve the neighborhood, the streets? Will it raise my taxes? How much? Want better voter turn out? Bring us the facts and keep reminding me! Remind me again! I’ll vote!
F.A. Gilbreath, Mission
It’s the worst of times
David Rothkopf’s May 8 commentary “Trump’s fragile ego effect” is a very good read! He outlines President Donald Trump’s train-wreck presidency in a clear and accurate manner. Excerpts from Rothkopf’s commentary: He has institutionalized his egotism in a way no previous American President did. As Trump undercuts agencies, appointees and career civil servants, putting himself and his feelings at the center of everything, he has made global affairs revolve around his own vanity. This is dangerous in the bestof times. It is especially dangerous when the leader in question is ill-informed and impulsive — and when those who seek to influence him know it.
We are definitely not in the best of times!
Mary Martinez, McAllen
Congressmen: Help Alzheimer patients
The Alzheimer’s Association’s 2018 Alzheimer’s Facts and Figures report shows a steep increase in the strain that this disease has on patients, their families, caregivers and society, at large. In 2018 Alzheimer’s and other dementias will cost the nation $277 billion. Nealry 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s. Every 65 seconds someone in the United States develops the disease.
These statistics require our immediate attention and Congress can take the lead in bringing us toward a world without Alzheimer’s. The Building Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act (H.R. 4256) frames Alzheimer’s disease as the public health crisis that it is. This bill would create an Alzheimer’s public health infrastructure across the country to implement effective Alzheimer’s interventions. We therefore call on U.S. Reps. Vicente Gonzalez and Henry Cuellar to cosponsor the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act. We are confident that with their support, one day, we will have a treatment or a cure and no more families in the 15th and 28th Congressional Districts will have to face the burdens of this devastating disease.
Cacie Waters, public policy specialist, San Antonio & South Texas Chapter, The Alzheimer’s Association
