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Republicans are cutting food and health benefits
Editor: My Mama Bear hackles are up, way up! How dare the Republicans cut food assistance for the most vulnerable all over our country and brazenly lie about how the well has run dry and itâs all the Democratsâ fault?
They accuse Democrats of holding up Donald Trumpâs signature legislation to enrich billionaires because they want to make sure illegal immigrants get health care and to protect gender mutilation practices. Both claims are scurrilous lies.
Meanwhile, with the other hand, Trump gives Argentinaâs autocratic president $20 billion to prop up his failing government.
Grocery stores also depend upon revenue from food assistance programs, and they too will feel pain. Expect to see food prices rise even more.
We shouldnât have to do this, but we must now stand resolved to do everything we can to protect our vulnerable communities from hunger as SNAP benefits are being cut. Health care is next on the chopping block, and winter is upon us.
Stand firm behind Democratic legislators to hold the line. Trump and his crime organization must not be allowed to use the most vulnerable as hostages. We shall see just how cruel and self-serving Trump, his Cabinet, political appointees like Russell Vought and the cowardly Republican Congress really are.
Gina Cloud, Bloomfield
SMART still blocking Jennings Avenue
Editor: SMART has blocked our neighborhoodâs badly needed, former long-time access across the rail line at Jennings Avenue for over seven years now, despite our unwavering support from the Santa Rosa City Council and the California Public Utilities Commission.
The Jennings at-grade crossing was first approved in September 2016 by the CPUC, which has exclusive authority over the safety of rail crossings.
Since then the CPUC has supported that approval at least four more times, including overruling SMARTâs objections that it would be unsafe.
Now, itâs reported that we may be asked to vote next year to renew SMARTâs existing voter-approved sales tax to continue helping fund its operations even while it continues to block our crossing. Forget that.
Johanna James, Santa Rosa
Yes on Prop. 50: Put out the fire
Editor: I met a woman on a Highway 101 overpass in Santa Rosa, where we were waving to cars from behind different political banners. Her sign read, âNO on Prop 50,â and mine read âYES on Prop 50.â We were there for the same principle â because we believe fair voting districts are a backbone of democracy. Ms. No-on-50 wishes every state would copy Californiaâs fair maps and fears the temporary measures in Prop 50 wonât end after five years, even though that is required in the proposed law.
However, from my perspective, her approach is like trying to clean the kitchen while the house is on fire. When a president can demand votes and a state like Texas obeys, itâs a five-alarm fire for democracy. I wonât let my respect for Californiaâs current fair rules create a myopia that blinds me to the civic conflagration fueled by Republicansâ attempts at power consolidation.
The vision she and I share of fair redistricting across the United States is precisely a pillar of the Freedom to Vote Act, which Democrats will once again work to pass when they regain legislative power. Let the dishes go for now â put out the fire.
Cynthia McReynolds, Sebastopol