October 24, 2025 • The Austin Chronicle

It’s a Large Little World

Dear Editor,

When worldwide help is iced up, America pays the rate. Removing help might seem like placing America initially, yet in truth it damages our economic situation, threatens our safety, and provides ground to our enemies.

I am a volunteer supporter for the Partnership for American Management. I signed up with since I think America ought to bait the globe phase and worldwide help is a vital means to make that occur. I came to be enthusiastic regarding this problem after discovering exactly how cuts to help programs affect our neighborhood. United state international help has actually assisted quit conditions like HIV/AIDS, jungle fever, and Ebola prior to they reached our coasts. I recognize individuals that have actually struggled with these conditions, and I have actually seen exactly how crucial avoidance programs are. When we draw back from offering assistance– whether it’s injections, tidy water, or dispute avoidance– the threats at some point get home.
united state worldwide help works as a clever financial investment in American stamina. Programs that supply food, healthcare, and advancement abroad restriction dispute and variation that interferes with American passions. Consider the COVID-19 episode, where a lot of lives were displaced, specifically below in Austin. If we buy that 1% of our spending plan, we can aid make sure that the U.S fights break outs prior to they occur. It’s additionally an advantage for our economic situation; a lot of help bucks are invested right below in the house on American-grown food, medications made by united state clinical firms, and tools from united state makers. When we go back, countries like China and Russia action in– improving the globe in manner ins which weaken united state impact and worths.

I advise Sen. [John] Cornyn, Sen. [Ted] Cruz, and [U.S. Rep. Lloyd] Doggett to secure these reliable programs that place American safety, success, and management very first.

Ava Sprott

Luv Doc Follower Club

Dear Editor,

Wow. Congratulations to [the Luv Doc] … and a golf clap as well … although I have never ever when played that dumb video game.

I think I have actually been disregarding your column given that it drew back in the Oriental Problem … yet I should claim you have to do with the craziest author around. I have actually clipped out your last loads tirades and save them along with my Xerox of [Michael] Corcoran’s timeless “10 Indication of Alcohol addiction” from back in all of our heydaze …

In all severity we are fortunate to have you below chewing out us dipshits …

Thanks,

Davis McLarty

Do the Math

Dear Editor,

Brant Bingamon points out a Nate McGuire example number of a $482 boost in city tax obligations on a $500K home if Prop Q is passed [“The Prop Q Debate Has Entered the ‘Silly Season,’” News, Oct. 17] Bingamon claims the city computation is reduced, at $200. At tx.omniballot.us, an example tally I create claims the city tax obligation price in 2015 was $0.4776 per $100 appraisal, and Prop Q authorization would certainly leap the price to $0.574017 per $100 appraisal. The boost is hence $0.096417 per $100 appraisal. Relocating the decimal one area to the right, that raise involves $0.96417 per thousand-dollar ($1,000) appraisal. A $500K home has 500 thousands, so basic reproduction, 500 x $0.96417, provides $482.085. This is basic math, and is where the $482 appears to find from. Furthermore, the boost, splitting the price if Prop Q is gone by the older price, involves a 20.18% enter the tax obligation price, which a minimum of noises big, otherwise the biggest ever before as asserted by Save Austin Currently.

I want press reporters, net or papers, whether they’re self-made or credentialed with a level from a journalism college, would certainly consist of sufficient mathematics coursework in their education and learning to be as numerate, and as curious about being numerate, as they are literate, and curious about great wordsmithing.

Chris Kuykendall