Dallas Morning News item March 4, 2006
Question: Imagine you are trying to persuade a newcomer to vote on Tuesday. What is the most compelling reason you could give to participate in next week's primary elections? What difference could the outcome have on your community?
Everybody complains about government – well, voting is one way of ensuring that you exercise your rights to ensure that you get the government you deserve. By not voting, we run the risk that a small minority acting in unison can elect candidates who do not act in the best interests of the community.
Mahesh Shetty, Richardson
Dallas Morning News Item May 6, 2006
Question: What North Texas community other than your own do you admire and why?
When viewed through the narrow prism of growth, there are many cities that would qualify, but they would fail the quality-of-life test. Hitherto bedroom communities have morphed into retail destinations. At the risk of sounding idealistic, I wonder if we have sacrificed the true concept of community – God, family, friends and neighbors – at the altar of growth.
Mahesh Shetty, Richardson
Dallas Morning News item - January 28, 2006
Dallas Mayor Laura Miller said that she will press the Legislature to allowcasino gambling and that she'd like to see a casino built in downtown Dallas. Others have said casino gambling could be a major part of funding schools without relying too much on new or higher taxes. What do you think? Should Texas allow casino gambling?
Does it strike anyone as odd that initiatives to fund our children’s education revolves around gambling? First the state lottery and now Ms. Miller wants gambling in Dallas. I suppose we can always legalize prostitution to help support the gambling industry. There is no shortage of vacant space in downtown Dallas. After all we are doing it for our children!!!
Dallas Morning News item - January 14, 2006
In his 1963 "Letter from a Birmingham Jail," Martin Luther King Jr. said,"We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful wordsand actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the goodpeople." Reflecting this weekend on the legacy of Dr. King and how he mightview modern society, what are "the good people" still appallingly silent on? (edited in print)Our national conversations are no longer about ideas but about people. Issues are polarized along party lines in lieu of being aligned with national interests. People have to be courageous and speak their minds but in a politically correct environment honesty becomes a casualty and good people protect their privacy and family by keeping silent on issues. Witness the debates on child abuse, immigration, evolution, abortion, terrorism, separation of church and state, school reform et al. Power, religion, politics, money, and special interests all come together in a maelstrom and wipe out intelligent debate.
But history has shown that silence is not the answer. Dr. King’s legacy should remind us that it is not about being right or wrong or being on one side or the other. It is about being engaged on issues and advancing the national debate.
Dallas Morning News item - January 21, 2006
This week, Texas officially recognized two holidays -- Martin Luther KingJr. Day on Monday and Confederate Heroes Day on Thursday. Should Texas still officially recognize Confederate Heroes Day?Slavery was one of the defining causes that led to the Civil War. The Confederacy was trying to preserve a way of life that was inhumane and unconscionable. Honoring their sacrifice, in an indirect way, also lends legitimacy to their cause. If we agree that the Civil War is the price we paid for national maturity then Memorial Day should be the day to remember their sacrifice.
Dallas Morning News item - November 9, 2005
What can Terrell Owens teach us about being a team player? Does the story ofthe NFL star suspended indefinitely for criticizing and fighting with histeammates hold a greater lesson for us in our homes, in our workplaces or inour communities?Terrell Owens petulance is indicative of the "me first" mentality that is often praised and very rarely condemned in our society. His misguided rantings allowed him to become an easy target for criticism. But we praise that behavior in corporate executives, Hollywood and athletes. The attitude of instant gratification is premised on accelerating monetary rewards for an individual ahead of any tangible accomplishment or sacrifice.
Dallas Morning News item - December 3, 2005
Bricks-and-Mortar vs. The Internet (edited in print)Part One: What would make you do more of your holiday shopping online instead of in stores?
I already prefer to shop online. Avoids the rigmarole associated with shopping rituals - the dressing, the driving, the parking, rude employees, stale food courts, the checkout lines, and then the inevitable fatigue of your friends telling you that they bought the same item cheaper somewhere else!! Oh the pleasure of being a couch potato shopper. Malls are great places to people watch but pretty soon we will have Mall TV channels that we can watch at home while we shop online - the best of both worlds.Part Two: What would make you do more of your shopping in local stores instead of online or in other communities? Do you think about where your sales tax dollars are going before you shop?
Price triumphs over local loyalties. The emergence of Walmart shows how transient our loyalties were to the local family owned grocery or pharmacy. I think the recent proposals for a National Sales Tax will render these debates moot. All taxes should be allocated on a pro rata basis based on sales generated by residents of each county independent of the store they are derived from.
Dallas Morning News item - October 1, 2005
Which new TV shows on the fall schedule give you hope for humanity?
Which shows make you want to unplug your TV set and throw it out the window?Hope for Humanity would be a tall order for TV shows! I will be happy if TV Shows are good enough to keep us awake or exercise our brains. I am confused with all the reality shows - is real life so boring that we need to watch people make fools of themselves on national television? Or are the studios so bereft of creativity that in lieu of uplifting the audience, programs are targeted at the lowest common denominator?
Mahesh Shetty
Dallas Morning news item - September 3, 2005
What new Texas law that starts this week (on Sept. 1 -- Thursday) has made you cringe? What new law do you welcome?I applaud the changes made to add caseworkers to Child Protective Services and the restore health care coverage to children from low income families. I am delighted that our legislators have recognized that the state has an obligation to protect our future – there is no better way of doing it than taking care of innocent children.
Dallas Morning News column - August 13, 2005
Do too many people in your community live beyond their means? What evidencedo you see that people have too much debt? How serious is this problem? Is this more of an issue in North Texas than in other parts of thecountry?* What does it say about us? Are we too caught up in appearances?The American Dream, in the Depression era, meant that any person could climb the economic ladder, and take care of their family, through frugality, hard work and perseverance. In recent years, the impatience to acquire status toys that they cannot really afford has driven conspicuous spending and given new meaning to the phrase "keeping up with the Joneses". As individuals and as a nation, we have committed to borrowing from the future - social security, credit card debts, trade deficits are just a few examples. But people are becoming aware of the problems and are coming together as a society. I am not sure what the solution is or where it will come from. But I have enduring faith in the American system. This country has always produced great leaders and as a society overcome many challenges.
Dallas Morning news Item - August 13, 2005
Minority report
Re: "State Latino growth puts minorities into majority,"
August 11, 2005 Page One news story.
The use of the term "majority-minority" is a classic example of how the use of politically correct language can reach ridiculous heights.
If minorities are majority, can they still be a minority? How about calling the new majority "the group that called itself minority."
And in the spirit of fairness, let us call the non-Hispanic whites "the previously majority minority."
And let us henceforth not call a spade a spade but "almost spade", "barely spade" or better yet "clubs". (edited in print)
Dallas Morning News column - July 13, 2005
Don't let affinity for Southwest cloud your views
12:16 AM CDT on Wednesday, July 13, 2005
In the debate over the Wright amendment it is easy to get carried away with Southwest Airlines' argument. North Texans call Southwest their "company plane." The airline's on-time departures, quirky flight attendants, excellent customer service and Texas connections have endeared them to Texans.
By replicating the model in other cities across the country, Southwest has emerged as an extremely profitable airline.
However, Southwest's success is based on the same legislation they are seeking to eliminate today – the Wright amendment. When Southwest elected to stay at Love Field, in spite of opposition, all airlines including Southwest sponsored a legislative compromise to protect Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. That effectively gave Southwest carte blanche to create a monopoly at Love Field.
Southwest accepted the compromise and prospered from it. To its credit, Southwest cleverly identified a niche in the market – short hops to Texas cities and later to surrounding states. That point-to-point model, in contrast to the hub-and-spoke model of other major airlines, is a natural evolution of the company's origins. Southwest was so successful in executing its plan that, as it grew, it strategically incorporated that model in expansion plans.
Which brings us to our current state of affairs – is Southwest really worried about competing with other airlines at D/FW Airport?
I doubt it – they are successful, have a proven business model and operate in more than one airport in several cities – Houston (until recently), New York, Washington, D.C., Miami area, Silicon Valley, and Los Angeles. I have never heard a cogent argument from Southwest that clearly articulates its position.
It is not clear that a Wright amendment repeal would lead to lower fares, either. Savvy travelers are already taking advantage of Southwest's lower fares by connecting to Houston or other Southwest cities. With the advent of Internet bookings and discount travel sites like Travelocity and Expedia, it is difficult to visualize lower fares.
Southwest has no incentive to price their seats at anything but a profit.
Anyone remember Legend Airlines? That airline made headlines a few years ago by trying to exploit a loophole in the Wright amendment and even had Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., sponsor an amendment allowing Southwest to fly to two more non-contiguous states. Not many travelers were in favor of their business model and they failed. What is different now?
We also have the issue of capacity – Love Field has only 16 more available gates. Those gates will also have to be made available to other airlines. Rationing out gates to other airlines would make the situation inherently uncompetitive. All airlines would expect to have a minimum number of gates to operate profitably at an airport.
The odds are in favor of Southwest to extend its monopoly at Love Field. How is this in the consumers' interest? How many more flights do we expect from 16 additional gates to make radical difference to fares? And how would it be worth it for Collin County travelers, who will have even easier access in future years to D/FW Airport through State Highway 121 and the completed Bush Turnpike?
If we are to believe press reports, it appears that Southwest is committed to repealing Wright. If the reports are true, it is troubling that Southwest would renege on a commitment that has benefited the entire region.
I am an avid fan of Southwest's management. In the aftermath of recent corporate scandals, we need corporate symbols like Southwest to assure us that old-fashioned values of commitment and trust are still relevant in our society.
Without a doubt, D/FW Airport has elevated the region's standing nationally. The evolution of Dallas-Fort Worth from oil town to a preeminent financial, retail and technology business center could not have happened without it.
As taxpayers, we have subsidized the expansion of both airports – most recently the multi-billion-dollar international terminal at D/FW. We have an obligation to preserve this financial investment. We can ill afford to let our goodwill for Southwest cloud our judgment.
It is said that even God stops at D/FW on his way to Heaven (or to watch his team through the hole in the roof at Texas Stadium!). Let us not give God any reason to change his travel plans.
Mahesh Shetty is a Richardson finance executive and a former Voices of Collin County volunteer columnist.
Dallas Morning News column - May 14, 2005
Since there is not "comment" section on ballots, it is left to us to decidewhat message voters were trying to send on election day. What do you thinkvoters in last week's local elections were trying to say?
In Dallas voters said that changing the roof will not repair the cracks in the foundation. The mayor has to recognize that politically expedient moves to garner more power can have a boomerang effect. On the other hand in Plano voters rose above parochial concerns and gave a ringing endorsement for a new arts hall in Collin County.
Mahesh Shetty
Finance Executive
Dallas Morning News Column - May 8, 2005
Sunday is, of course, Mother's Day. So ...What is the most timeless lesson your mother taught you?
My mom taught me that intelligence and maturity are not two sides of the same coin. Intelligence is a gift from God (and your parents) but maturity comes from experiencing the joys and sorrows of life and absorbing the lessons to improve yourself. What you lack in maturity you cannot make up in intelligence.
Mahesh Shetty
Finance Executive
Dallas Morning News Column - April 23, 2005
What TV shows or movies do you think reflect your family values?What programs do you enjoy watching with your children?
Beam me out to Star Trek,
Take us out to the stars
Buy us some Cosby’s and Family Ties
We don’t care if we never see Sex & Lies
Let us root, root, for Murder She Wrote
If they don’t listen, it is a shame
Fox, NBC, CBS, guys you are out of the family programming gameMahesh ShettyFinance Executive
Dallas Morning News item - April 9, 2005
What do you think about the strong-mayor debate in Dallas? How do you thinkthe outcome of that debate will affect your community?
A strong mayor is not the panacea for the problems facing Dallas. Changing the structure will not change the color-tainted politics that is embarrassingly on display right now. Dallas needs good leaders capable of earning the trust and respect all city residents. Dallas can serve as an object lesson to Plano on things to avoid to secure harmony in the city.
Mahesh Shetty
Finance Executive
