Time to pass the torch

Regarding “Disappointed in de León for challenging Sen. Feinstein” (Letters, Oct. 19): As a Millennial voter, I am interested in seeing and hearing individuals who are of or within a generation of my age pursuing political office. Rather than worrying about the Democratic Party regaining control of Congress in 2018, we ought to be concerned with its maintaining its relevance into the next decade or two.

Many people in their 20s and 30s are disenchanted that California’s long-serving U.S. senator and minority leader in the House, individuals serving for decades, refuse to cede the reins of power to new leaders with new points of view. Why would younger voters want to get engaged in civics and run for office if they’re denied the opportunities to do so by those who have (in my opinion) “stayed too long at the fair?” Bennie Oosterhaus, San Francisco

Support North Bay business

It’s easy to feel helpless during natural disasters like the North Bay fires. Instead of shopping online, I would encourage your readers this holiday season to do their holiday shopping in North Bay shops and eat in their wonderful restaurants to help those communities recover from this devastation. What a great way to spend the day and help your Bay Area neighbors. Jim Cardosa, San Francisco

Improve representation

Regarding “Female politicians” (Letters, Oct. 18): The author accuses Joe Garofoli’s article on state Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de León’s run against Sen. Dianne Feinstein as misogyny. To that I say piffle. Feinstein is out of touch with California Democrats on many important issues. One of the reasons the Democrats are losing in Congress is because of Democrats who refuse to take on corporations.

Feinstein is good at working across the aisle, but most Democrats give in to GOP threats and rely too much on polling without having input from voters. De León’s run against Feinstein will improve our representation, no matter the outcome. Issues important to many Californians will be debated and incorporated into the priorities of the winner. Mary Vedovi, Hidden Valley Lake

Kneeling is not a big deal

I still don’t understand why NFL players kneeling during the playing of the national anthem has become such a big deal. If a player kneels down in silence during the playing of the national anthem, how is this hurting me? It’s not like they’re standing there with their middle fingers extended. Another point, why is the national anthem played before every game anyway? Do they play the national anthem when you go to a concert, or the movies?

Do they play the national anthem before you start work everyday? Why is sports the venue that requires the playing of the national anthem? The bottom line is that this whole issue is only as big a deal as you make it out to be.

Steven Souza, San Leandro

Complete picture

Concerning “Dems hurt poor with gas tax hike” (Open Forum, Oct. 19): GOP gubernatorial candidate John Cox would like to portray himself as a fair-minded champion of the middle class and poor by opposing a gas tax hike in California. However, during his time as the head of the Republican Party in Cook County, Ill., and while running for president, Cox presented himself as strictly antiabortion, supported a Federal Marriage Amendment barring same-sex marriage, wanted schools to teach “scientific” facts supporting creationism, opposed universal health care and claimed that gun control “doesn’t work.” Californians deserve a complete picture of where Cox stands on all important issues, not just on gas tax hikes. Constance Cummings, San Francisco

Put restrictions on pot smoke

Concerning “Excelsior merchants fume over pot clubs” (Oct. 18): When the sale of marijuana for recreational use becomes legal in 2018, I hope that the city and state set limits on where users can “light up.” Just like secondhand tobacco smoke can cause health problems, so too can breathing in pot smoke. Pot clubs and smokers should not be allowed near schools, hospitals, or by small local parks where residents bring their children and dogs. Advocates of legalizing marijuana ought to be considerate of the rights of the most vulnerable people (and pets) living here. Priscilla Massey, San Francisco

Destructive year for America

America likes to think of itself in superlatives, but 2017 has seen those assumed tributes turn ruinous. Instead of the “greatest and the best,” we’ve had the most destructive hurricanes to Texas, Florida and Caribbean territories that are part of the U.S.; the biggest mass shooting in the nation’s history, and the worst California wildfires ever. Adding extreme insult to injury, we also have the most dangerous president in the nation’s history — impulsive, impetuous, bigoted, narcissistic, unschooled in history and diplomacy, and eager to make perilous nuclear threats to the equally unstable North Korean regime. Where will it end?

Ruth Bailey, Lafayette

President of California

Ten days after they started, President Trump finally tweeted about the horrific California wildfires. Will he next tweet plans to meet with the president of California? Janice Hough, Palo Alto