Moving out of the Bay Area
Regarding “As housing prices climb, caregivers struggle to stay” (May 14): While The Chronicle’s story focused on home care attendants having to move out of the Bay Area because of high rents and enduring a long commute, I don’t know why this article focused on one occupation. Surely, some local university or organization has commissioned a study, or is in the process, that analyzes what high rentals have done to people moving out of the immediate Bay Area and moving to Tracy, Salinas, etc.
With the influx of new residents, those communities must have to ramp up services as well. I’ve bought a place in Oregon and am getting the hell out of the state as soon as I can, which I foresee as anywhere after five years. I’m a third-generation Californian on one side of my parents and fourth on the other. It’s just too expensive. And I know many others doing the same thing. My hometown of Redwood City has a Facebook page where that’s almost the only thing people talk about.
John Crook, Fremont
Adopted strategy
Regarding “Trump’s remedy falls short” (Editorial, May 12), “Trump’s tireless revenge” (Letters, May 12) and “Vindictive president” (Letters, May 10): As recent letter writers have observed, our current president seems to be committed to reversing everything his immediate predecessor achieved. However, former President Barack Obama is not the only target for President Trump’s act of transmogrification. Former President Theodore Roosevelt also appears to be in his scopes. First, Trump upended the previously accepted meaning of the bully pulpit, giving it a more literal interpretation. Now, according to The Chronicle’s editorial on prescription drug prices, Trump is again turning Roosevelt on his head by adopting a strategy to talk loudly and carry a small stick when reining in Big Pharma.
Stephen Upjohn, San Francisco
Appearance issues
Concerning “Scouting takes proper path” (Open Forum, May 14): While I agree with the Boy Scouts of America’s decision to accept girls into its program and to drop “boys” from its title, the female descriptions used in this writer’s reminiscences of his scouting experience made me cringe. Calling teenage girl counselors “sharp and exotic” or referring to one as a “stereotypical beauty with a long blond ponytail” only reinforces hackneyed ideas about femininity. If we are going to make scouting gender-neutral, we have to teach boys not to judge girls according to their looks, but by their character. Too many girls (and even some boys) end up having body image issues and anorexia or bulimia because of comments being
Amazon’s irony
Regarding “Cashier-free Amazon shop may open in S.F.” (May 14): It’s somewhat ironic that giant online retailer Amazon is now opening its own stores, when it has caused so many other brickand-mortar ones to close. For all of its technological features, this cashier-free shop is little more than a glorified convenience store; and by eliminating cashiers, it is denying first employment opportunities for young (and even older) adults. My first job, some 20 years ago, was as a department store cashier. Will the new Amazon Go shop usher in an era that will make my experience obsolete?
Vivian Wexford, San Francisco
Vacant spaces
Vacant and deteriorating homes and buildings scar San Francisco’s neighborhoods, and boarded-up old storefronts face empty street-level spaces in new apartment buildings. The owners of all such properties should, under threat of eminent domain, be required to convert these disused spaces to housing. Homelessness and affordability constitute a public emergency, rendering this the highest, best use of virtually every vacant parcel in the city. Will any mayoral candidates commit to pursue such a program?
David Tallman, San Francisco
made about their appearance.
Jennifer Erickson-James, San Francisco
Cruel statement
Regarding “Aide’s dig at McCain draws scorn” (May 12): I was disheartened to read the article where White House official Kelly Sadler commented that Sen. John McCain’s opinion didn’t matter since “he’s dying anyway.” How cruel! The first thought that came to my mind is that we have President Trump to thank for creating the political climate in this country where it is OK to bully, disrespect and call people names. He has set a fine example in this arena. Kudos to the two people who reported this incident to the Associated Press. Also following in Trump’s footsteps, retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Thomas McInerney referred to McCain as “Songbird John” for allegedly leaking information during his stint as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. I hope Trump is proud of his legacy. I am not a Republican, but I respect McCain.
Gail Husson, San Leandro