State must enact mask and vaccine mandates
Regarding “Newsom back to business as recall process takes fire” (Front Page, Sept. 16): I hope that the resounding defeat of the recall will embolden Gov. Gavin Newsom to continue, and expand, his successful pandemic strategies.
Despite our comparatively low infection and high vaccination rates, I would love for California to impose a mask mandate and also a vaccine mandate. It would behoove us to remember the adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
California is usually ahead of the curve on many issues. This time, let’s not fall behind.
Helen Ogden, Pacific Grove, Monterey County
Make recalls a rarity
Recall rules and requirements should have a much higher bar; otherwise, in this polarizing time, we could see recalls more frequently. Recalls should be rare and done to remove a corrupt governor who is a threat to the state’s stability.
Under current rules, in a majority state, the minority party can enact a recall and unseat a governor with simple recall rules.
It should not be that easy. Recalls cost each of us money, divide neighbors and communities, and sow hate. We need to be better than that.
I ask every Californian to support a recall reform to protect the election process and integrity. We should reflect on the last few years of polarizing politics. Do we want that as our norm? We should reject that.
I am an immigrant and don’t belong to a party because I want to vote my conscience and elect the best capable person to lead my state to prosperity. California is a large state with the fifthlargest economy in the world and a lot of challenges.
We need to support candidates who will move the needle in a positive direction.
Roger Zouein, San Francisco
Remain a vigilant voter
It’s shocking that some 36 percent of Californians voted to oust Gov. Gavin Newsom in favor of Larry Elder, the candidate professing much of the Trump agenda. Many in that camp still consider global warming not an issue of government concern, vaccinations not important, racism a thing of the past and former President Donald Trump the real winner of a stolen election. Evidence does not persuade such people. In the 2022 national midterm elections, we the people must vote again to rid government of those holding such dangerous beliefs.
Nathaniel Batchelder, Oklahoma City
Fires are a threat to all
Regarding “Fire evacuees return to devastated town” (Front Page, Sept. 13): While fires may feel far to many, fire danger is a threat for all of us, and the way of life that we love. I felt very emotional and sad for the families that lost their homes due to the Caldor Fire in the article, but climate-change-induced weather events are existential threats to all of our homes.
Firefighting is patching the issue, not actually solving the root cause.
Evidence of climate change is very blatant in 2021, and future fires and extreme weather will become more intense.
Reducing carbon emissions is an impactful way to reduce extreme fire events, and it is important that we provide support for carbon tax bills such as the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act or carbon reduction initiatives in the currently debated infrastructure bill.