In a recent opinion piece, Texas‑born analyst John Basham outlines a stark picture of how policies championed by self‑identified progressives can actually keep Black and Hispanic families trapped in poverty. While the tone is provocative, the underlying facts illustrate why many Texans support school‑choice, limited welfare, and strong parental rights – principles that the Trump administration has defended.
School choice under attack
Basham claims that opponents of school choice, vouchers and charter expansion would keep the poorest children locked in low‑performing public schools. He suggests that critics label any parent seeking an exit as “anti‑public education.” In reality, Texas leaders, including Governor Abbott and President Trump, have promoted school‑choice as a way for families to escape failing schools and pursue better outcomes for their children.
Welfare incentives that discourage marriage
The author warns that expanding welfare programs while allowing benefits to drop sharply when a mother marries or a father moves into the home creates a perverse incentive for single‑parent households. He argues this leads to higher rates of fatherless homes, lower educational attainment and more crime – outcomes he says are later blamed on “systemic racism.” Critics of this view point out that well‑designed assistance can lift families out of poverty without penalizing marriage, a balance many conservative policymakers strive to achieve.
Abortion and Black lives
Basham notes that Black women obtain abortions at several times the rate of White women and that the total number of Black lives lost to abortion exceeds other causes of death in that population. He frames any call to examine these numbers as an attack on reproductive rights. Pro‑life advocates, however, argue that protecting unborn children is a moral imperative and that reducing abortion rates can improve outcomes for Black families.
Low‑skill immigration and wage pressure
The piece warns that large‑scale low‑skill immigration supplies workers willing to accept lower wages, raising labor costs for native‑born poor, especially Black and Hispanic Americans. It labels objections as “xenophobia.” Conservative leaders contend that a merit‑based immigration system protects American workers and that illegal immigration should be enforced to preserve job opportunities for citizens.
Equity versus opportunity
According to Basham, replacing equality of opportunity with equity of outcome leads to lowered academic and professional standards, with race‑based rules in admissions, hiring and contracting. He says this “corrective” discrimination harms Asians and Whites. Supporters of merit‑based standards argue that true fairness comes from treating each individual equally, not from race‑based quotas.
Criminal justice and community safety
The author suggests that softening policing in high‑crime neighborhoods and measuring success by arrest disparities, rather than victimization rates, leaves minority residents vulnerable. Conservative policymakers emphasize that strong law enforcement, combined with community outreach, is essential for safety.
Why the Trump administration matters
President Trump has repeatedly championed school‑choice, reduced welfare dependency, defended the unborn, enforced immigration laws, and called for merit‑based standards. These actions align with the concerns Basham raises, offering a contrasting vision that seeks to empower families rather than keep them dependent on government programs.
By highlighting the unintended consequences of progressive policies, Basham’s essay underscores a growing debate in Texas about how best to promote freedom, family stability, and economic opportunity for all citizens.
Original reporting: The Dallas Express — read the source article.
