Regarding “Texas Democrats Preserved Voting Rights” (A10, June 2): Thank you, the editors of the Houston Chronicle for your article on the recent show of solidarity and courage by Texas Democratic lawmakers who, in their walkout, prevented Senate Bill 7 from passing. You explained why this action was important and why this bill must be removed from the Republican agenda. The fig leaf label of “electoral integrity” covering blatant attempts to limit how and where hard-working Texans, of all ages and ethnicities, can legally vote is beyond disgust. Governor Greg Abbott, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Attorney General Ken Paxton and others who support this bill remember their names at election time and vote against them. Supporting political ambitions to run for a higher post is not the reason these people were elected. They should serve the people of Texas, all Texans, not flatter a pathetic, spoiled old man who continues to rant that he was cheated for re-election. If he wasn’t so well known, he would be ignored. Instead, it continually fuels the flames of prejudice, hatred, corruption, and division for selfish reasons. Personal ambition may be a part of politics, but it is rarely so evident in elected officials who elevate it above what is fair and just. Let them tackle real problems (a failing power grid comes to mind) and not invented problems like “voter fraud”. Ideally, people stay in power because they are doing a good job, not because they make sure that people who disagree cannot vote against them. Support that ideal, Texans!

PA Lindsay, Houston

Regarding “Texas is home to the largest number of accused insurgents” (A1, June 1): On May 31, we celebrated Memorial Day. A solemn occasion to reflect on the sacrifice of others to protect the rights of humanity and the freedoms offered by democracy. When I was called to serve, even before I was a citizen, I was proud to wear the uniform of my future country and to follow those who came before me. I was lucky. It was a time of peace. On January 6 of this year, I was appalled to see some of my fellow veterans storming, not heroically like the beaches of Normandy, but shamefully our own government institution in the name of one man. The sight of a mob attacking democracy tore my heart. Soon we will be witnessing another “memorable time,” as John Adams said, the day our ancestors signed the Declaration of Independence. It is a day of great jubilation and hopefully will continue to be so forever. What will July 4 look like compared to January 6? July 4 established a nation with government “of the people, by the people, and for the people,” as Abraham Lincoln put it. January 6 would establish a government of one man, by one man and for one man.

Luis R. Celerier, Longview