The Monitor View

Passing the buck

Public health care advocates should back up their preference

Carlos Rodriguez

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

Allowing for citizen referendums could improve Texas 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

We hope border conference won't be a political forum

Carlos Rodriguez

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... Full story

A Sad Symbol

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

Carlos Rodriguez

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

Tragedy in Texas

The stress of war takes a tragic toll among the overextended U.S. military.

Carlos Rodriguez

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

Safety first

It can take time before effects of drugs are known

Carlos Rodriguez

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

Hardly A Peep

Where is debate over constitution changes?

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

Editorial: 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

Heroic deeds

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

Carlos Rodriguez

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

Simpler For Vets

On PTSD, VA should trust own doctors

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

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