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U.S. had nothingto gain at COP30
I’m glad the U.S. didn’t send a delegation to COP30, the two-week-long U.N. “Climate Change Conference” in Brazil this month. This costly annual event accomplishes next to nothing (other than CO2 emissions from all the private jets flying in).
Press releases touted the “progress” China is making in reducing greenhouse gases, while complaining the U.S. isn’t “doing enough.”
The truth, however, was hidden away in some committee reports discovered by the Economist magazine of London. Their article noted that in 2023, CO2 emissions from China were more than double the emissions from the U.S. and Europe combined. (China still builds new coal-powered electric generating plants, while exporting all but a tiny fraction of the solar panels and windmills it manufactures.)
The Economist also pointed out that, over the past decade, the U.S. has led the world in the reduction of CO2 emissions, primarily by burning natural gas rather than coal.
Mike HellerWalnut Creek
Don’t cancel comicfor having an opinion
I find it ridiculous that people are trying to cancel “Mallard Filmore” because they disagree with his conservative-leaning views. Different views are important to democracy.
Where were these people during the eight years of brutal attacks by “Doonesbury” against President Bush? Perhaps only their views are the correct ones? If Mallard is canceled, be sure you cancel “Doonesbury” and every other strip with an opinion.
Chris WoodPleasanton
ACA spat wasn’t worththe lengthy shutdown
I am a life-long Democrat, but I did not support the government shutdown based on health care insurance issues.
Approximately 85% of American residents receive their health care insurance via Medicare, Medicaid or their employers. Only about 7% get it via Affordable Care Act exchanges.
The ACA has been a wonderful program to supplement households that would not be able to afford health care insurance in the private market. In 2024, most of those signed up via ACA exchanges paid no more than $10 per month. The federal government paid the rest directly to the insurance companies. This system will be firmly in place into 2026.
In question was whether the “enhanced” ACA features would continue. The Republicans won the election in 2024. They want to let the ACA enhancements expire at the end of the year. Democrats should have avoided the shutdown, then regrouped to fight another day.
George FulmoreEmeryville
Rather than hikesales tax, fix Prop. 13
Let’s be honest, we’ve all been tired of the rising sales taxes here in California. With this, Oakland leaders are scrambling to figure out a new tax to fund public services.
However, what leaders haven’t considered yet is taxing the ultra-wealthy. Proposition 13, passed back in 1978, froze property tax rates for homeowners and corporations. While this is a good thing for homeowners, major corporations have been pocketing billions of dollars every year because they are simply not paying their fair share in property taxes.
If we want to have stable revenue in this state and not pay soaring taxes on everything, we must reform the commercial side of Proposition 13.
Jules PizanoBerkeley
Oakland should enactprogressive parcel tax
Despite many queries to Oakland city leaders over many years, they are apparently still unwilling to consider that a parcel tax doesn’t have to be a flat, regressive tax.
All our neighboring cities pass progressive parcel taxes, assessed by square footage; Oakland, a supposedly progressive city, can and should do the same. However, Oakland homeowners have to let their council members know that they insist on a progressive and not a regressive parcel tax.
I hope all my fellow Oaklanders will communicate this to council members and the mayor.
Beth WeinbergerOakland