McCaul Column
When Ronald Reagan took to the stage in his only debate against Jimmy Carter in 1980, he asked the American people one simple question: “are you better off than you were four years ago?” The answer was a resounding “no!”
No matter your age, hearing the words ‘you have cancer’ from a doctor is frightening and life altering. But hearing those words directed towards your child or young friend is even more horrifying.
When I was in elementary school, I lived this scenario. My best friend was diagnosed with leukemia and sadly lost his life to the deadly disease.
The eyes of Texas are upon our military service men and women this 150th Memorial Day – the men and women who courageously fought, and bravely dedicated their life in defense of our own.
Our homeland faces threats on multiple fronts.
International terrorists seek to attack our country and kill Americans.
Human traffickers, drug smugglers, and gangs like MS-13, are crossing our borders and infecting our neighborhoods.
Nation states and hackers are engaging in cyberwarfare.
And the next natural disaster can strike at any moment.
Without a doubt, human trafficking is a modern-day form of slavery and it is happening right under our nose. These crass criminal organizations exploit adults, and worst of all, young women and children. Tragically, Texas is home to an astounding nearly 80,000 minors who have fallen victim to this crime.
For far too long, our immigration system has been in shambles. Our borders are weak and are current laws are not being enforced. This has allowed drug smugglers, human traffickers, transnational gangs like MS-13, and terrorists to gain entry to our great state. As Texans, we have seen the results of these failed polices firsthand.
As the year winds down and we gather with family and friends for the holidays, it is important we take time to be thankful for what we have in this great country, and remind ourselves there are those who are not as fortunate to live in a nation built on the freedoms we hold so dear.
We live in an increasingly dangerous world that requires bold American leadership. Our nation’s most effective tool for diplomacy has always been our resolute military serving as a deterrence. However, in recent years, we have witnessed our military readiness and capabilities decline beyond a state of alarm.
Let me be frank, one of the greatest threats to our homeland is a nuclear-armed Iran.
Just a few weeks ago, we witnessed Hurricane Harvey relentlessly batter the Gulf Coast and wreak havoc on communities that millions of Texans call home. After days of punishing rain and rising rivers from Corpus Christi to Rockport, Katy to Beaumont, and from Galveston to Houston, we all wondered when Harvey would finally go away.