Focus on uniting the working poor
The GOP may not have a platform, and the convention “perception is everything, the truth is unimportant” rhetoric may seem from another planet, but Democrats who laugh at President Trump do so at their own risk. Where the Democratic establishment is failing is its inability (or unwillingness) to unite the working poor across racial lines and instead allow Republican dog whistles to increase racial conflict to their (and, alas, Russia’s) advantage. If the Democratic Party made a major effort to unite the working poor across racial lines based upon their mutual interests, it would create a powerful political force that would guarantee a victory, instead of hoping to eke out a slim majority based upon bland promises of a “return to normal.”
Tom Miller, Oakland
A living nightmare
Concerning “Trump vows to save America from Biden” (Front Page, Aug. 28): For those of us who are suffering from the loss of a job or a loved one due to the coronavirus pandemic, or who have been impacted by wildfires due to climate change, or who have been victims of racial injustice, President Trump’s claim that the November election is a chance to save the American dream is a fantasy. For millions of citizens, that American dream has become a living nightmare since the day that Trump began his term in office.
Rhonda CollinsJackson, Oakland
Stop all the rioting
The endless rioting and arson in downtown Oakland over racial injustice has reached a point of no return if such a thing is possible. It now seems almost inevitable that sooner or later, a substantial fire and loss of life will be the result of protesters determined to end the disparate treatment of people of color at the hands of law enforcement. I fail to see the connection, of course, and am almost nostalgic for the preCOVID19 days when all Oaklanders had to worry about was the torching of new housing under construction. Now, we have to worry about everything being torched. The future of the city is truly anyone’s guess. I hope strict order can and will be maintained going forward in the name of sanity and the preservation of civilization.
Nick Yale, Oakland
Vital police reform bills
Regarding “Police reform clock ticking” (Editorial, Aug. 26): Your comments on the need for legislative reform of the police and review of police action by the state attorney general are much appreciated. It will be most unfortunate if these bills are not implemented. More deaths and injuries will result.
Barbara Rothkrug, Corte Madera
Reassuring workplace
I just wanted to take a moment to acknowledge some of the steps the company I work for, BiRite Market, has taken for its employees during the COVID19 crisis. The company has adopted some really useful measures that benefit its workers during this time (such as an increased discount on groceries and an onsite sanitation team), and perhaps the most consequential of them all has got to be weekly COVID19 testing. BiRite now offers all of its employees testing options on three different days at three different locations, and the lab results usually come back in less than 24 hours. In these uncertain times, it’s reassuring to work for a place that not only provides steady employment but also makes it feel safe to come in to work each day.
Scott Falkowski, San Francisco
Diversify public safety
When people are asked what they mean by calls to “defund the police,” it emerges that what is being suggested is a reallocation of the expansive and sometimes inappropriate roles assigned to our police forces. Many police calls might be more appropriately handled by trained professionals specific to the task at hand — mental health professionals, mediators, community services workers. Police are necessary for responding to crimes and threats to the community or individuals where an armed presence is called for. While it may be difficult for a dispatcher to sort out the most appropriate response, in some instances an armed, uniformed officer escalates rather than deescalates a crisis. Rather than defund the police — diversify public safety.
Nancy Littlefield, Pacifica
Denial of responsibility
After reading “Pence previews Trump’s sales pitch to nation” (Front Page, Aug. 27), I wanted to both laugh and cry. These simultaneous emotions are due to the fact that Vice President Mike Pence, as part of his 2020 Republican National Convention speech, insisted that the president has done everything right in dealing with a coronavirus pandemic that came from China. That statement is an example of racist scapegoating and supports President Trump’s shameful denial of responsibility for not controlling a pandemic that has now killed 180,000 Americans. As for the president presenting a positive and empathetic message to convince more voters to reelect him, these are character traits that are simply not in his DNA. To borrow from a phrase Trump recently used to describe the stillrising COVID19 death count: He is what he is.
Agatha Abernathy, Palo Alto
Beware of vigilantes
Regarding “Teen charged after 2 killed in Blake rally” (Aug. 27): How could a teenager suspected of fatally shooting two protesters and wounding a third in Kenosha, Wis. (during a night of anger after the police shooting of Jacob Blake) have been allowed to leave the scene with a rifle over his shoulder by local law enforcement? President Trump seeks to blame Democraticled cities for not controlling protesters he calls anarchists. But the real anarchy is when selfappointed vigilantes who support Trump on social media, like this teenager, commit wanton acts of violence that are then ignored by those sworn to protect all citizens.
Fred Van Vliet, Petaluma