San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Why Millennials feel apathy for voting
As someone who is a member of the Millennial generation, I was intrigued to read “Cure for chronically apathetic Millennials” (Insight, Oct. 28). However, I believe the reason Millennials are apathetic about politics and don’t see voting as a civic duty is less that (as the writer states) we view voting as a “preference” and more that we see it as part of a system that is broken and toxic. Since 2000, we’ve had two presidents who took office because of an antiquated Electoral College, not because they obtained a majority of the popular vote. We’ve also seen congressional leaders refuse to hold hearings on twice-elected former President Barack Obama’s Supreme Court nominee, and the recent confirmation of a judge who was credibly accused of sexual assault to this nation’s highest court. Furthermore, there’s an entrenched political hierarchy who have rewarded their rich corporate backers with unnecessary tax cuts, and who will resort to any tactic — including gerrymandering and voter suppression — to hold on to the reins of power. With all of these occurrences in the past generation, is it any wonder that Millennials feel apathy — and contempt — for politics and voting?
Michelle Wang, Mountain View
Help the suffering
Regarding “State prisons deficient in treating mentally ill” (Insight, Oct. 28): First, think about what it would be like to be incarcerated: the loneliness, the fears, the nowhere to turn. Then think about living with mental health challenges: the loneliness, the fears, the nowhere to turn. It is inconceivable to think that we put people in this double whammy situation in the first place and then that the law only requires that they receive help within 30 days. 30 days? That is like an eternity for someone suffering. The editorial’s last sentence gets it right: “The most humane and least expensive way to reduce the prison budget is to prevent mentally ill people from entering state prisons in the first place.”
Vivian Imperiale, San Francisco
Objectified women
After reading “Famed Mitchell Brothers strip club on market for $10 million” (Bay Area, Oct. 29), I wondered: Should our city continue to offer “adult entertainment” with strippers who give lap dances and “cabana visits” in this #MeToo era? Why encourage male customers to objectify women as sex objects who will do their bidding? Such attitudes don’t help to reduce incidents of sexual harassment or assault. I hope the purchasers of this property will forget that this location was where (according to The Chronicle’s Steve Rubenstein) “fabled porn star Marilyn Chambers cut her teeth and other body parts,” and find other uses — that don’t degrade women — for its future.
Dorothy Van Horne, San Francisco
True Americans
Regarding “Good people deserve some headlines, too” (Bay Area Nov. 1): Otis R. Taylor Jr.’s column brought tears of joy to my 79-year-old eyes. After daily reading about articles of divisions, by our “divider-in-chief ” President Trump and his America First Party, Taylor’s article reminded me who are the true Americans who reach out to other Americans such as Renee McGhee, baking and selling home cook meals to pay her rent.
Bill Randle, Brentwood
Trump’s responsibility
At a recent Mosinee, Wis., rally after the discovery of pipe bombs targeting prominent Democrats and journalists, President Trump said “Those engaged in the political arena must stop treating political opponents as being morally defective.” After the shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue, Trump called on Americans to “rise above hate and move past divisions.” Really? How hypocritical and disingenuous. Trump created this hostile environment, constantly injecting words of extreme hate, scorn and divisiveness into the political arena at every opportunity. The president needs to apply his words to himself first and foremost.
Steve D’Agati, Eureka
A cruel charade
The cruel charade from the White House creating false fear of refugees from Central America and the proposal to eliminate birthright citizenship are totally contrary to what this nation is about. This administration is a moral desert and can hardly claim any humanitarian or religious principles. The Judeo/Christian foundation from the book of Leviticus could not be clearer, “The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were once aliens.” I believe the Lord God is at the southern border looking for welcome in the persons trying to escape violence and poverty. What we do as American has eternal consequences.
Rev. Jim Schexnayder, Oakland