GOP policies threaten U.S. well-being
Regarding “Trump losing big, so expect fresh attacks on democracy” (Insight, Aug. 6): I agree with Robert Reich about the danger of regarding a political party as a threat to the nation’s well-being.
However, when a party’s actions are all designed to increase the likelihood of death, it is hard to avoid that conclusion. The Republicans’ agenda includes increasing air and water pollution, accelerating climate change, building more weapons, reducing control of guns and decreasing the availability of medical care. What do they propose that is not a threat to the nation’s wellbeing?
Henriette Parkman, Los Gatos
Liberals share blame
Robert Reich references Archon Fung, who states that “settling our differences through ballots and agreedupon processes rather than through force is what separates democracy from authoritarianism.” It is interesting that the author tried to claim “Trump wants his base to become increasingly angry.” The author ignores the acts of liberals who violently protested President Trump’s electoral win and destroyed property, with hardly a scant of outrage by Democrats.
And let us not forget the violence liberals started at Berkeley, simply because someone had a different point of view. If we really want to talk about the threat to democracy and a “rejection of political outcomes they regard as illegitimate,” liberals need to start taking a long, hard look in the mirror. It is not only one party that is expressing a “rejection of democracy as we know it.”
Thomas Loverro, San Mateo
Press protection
Regarding “Number of leak probes spirals under Trump” (Aug. 5): With three times as many leak investigations as existed at the end of former President Barack Obama’s administration, that translates to three times as many situations qualifying for “leak” status. Personally, I’m all in for a transparent government and am anxious to know how President Trump treats Mexico’s and Australia’s presidents. I want to know that Trump places his standing among the American people above diplomacy with our allies.
I want everyone, especially his supporters, to see his massive ego and bullying tactics on display. I want every lie exposed. I want to know that the president of the Boy Scouts of America did not congratulate Trump on the “greatest speech ever.” And for this transparency to continue, the press must have the backing of the First Amendment, including the protection of their sources’ identities.
Michael Haworth, Vallejo
Prevent eco-attacks
I read with alarm the editorial “Trump’s eco-attack threatening California” (Insight, Aug. 6). What you forgot to mention is that many of these eco-attacks and others like them can be negated by a bill in the California Legislature — Senate Bill 49, the Environmental, Public Health, and Workers Defense Act.
It’s a fact that state agencies that protect California’s environment rely heavily on federal environmental regulations since they are stronger than existing state regulations. President Trump and Republicans in Congress are proposing to weaken or eliminate many of these federal regulations. This would handcuff California’s ability to protect its natural resources including endangered species, clean air and clean water. SB49, if enacted, would defend us from these eco-attacks by raising the level of existing state regulations to those of the federal government that were in place before former President Barack Obama left office. In other words, California could still protect its environment regardless of future changes in the federal law. SB49 is expected to pass the Legislature soon, but Gov. Jerry Brown has not yet stated his support.
Steven Singer, Santa Cruz
Farm animal survival
Regarding “Reader has bone to pick with vegans” (Letters, Aug. 6): The cows, chickens and pigs he references are domesticated animals. If we don’t breed them, they don’t exist. They would not be roaming the countryside; they would have difficulty surviving on their own. Surely, some would become pets. But one generation is all it would take to eliminate the presence of the billions of farm animals on the planet, cut off the pollution their existence causes and stop their suffering.
Kecia Talbot, San Rafael
Blight on the city
Regarding “No joy springs from fountain — neglected landmark is bone-dry” (Aug. 5): I read with interest Charles Desmarais’ article on the Vaillancourt Fountain at Justin Herman Plaza. As far as I’m concerned, it is a blight on our city and should be gotten rid of, along with the monstrosity at Civic Center Plaza. Both of these resemble nothing more than a jumble of discarded junk in a pile.
Elizabeth Larson, San Francisco