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Good reasons forstate’s cost of living
Re: “New research shows California cost of living keeps increasing” (Page A6, Nov. 26).
I find the statement from Dave McCulloch, chairman of the conservative Transparency Foundation, in Dan Walters’ column about the cost of living in California, blaming (spoiler alert) politicians for California’s affordability problems, to be both true and laughable.
As I told one new resident decades ago, “It’s the sunshine tax.” Just look at the national weather map throughout the year, and you’ll find a smorgasbord of undesirable combinations of national weather events year-round.
California’s weather is not perfect, and we do have the odd earthquake and — with global warming — increased fire danger, but that is being addressed. It’s called “government,” and yes, good roads, good social programs and good public services do cost more.
It’s several concepts: Call them “supply and demand,” coupled with a responsive government. I’m surprised the conservative “Transparency” Foundation has not heard of the former concept and seems fine with rejecting the latter.
Doug McClellandBrentwood
At some point, taxesmust be paid equally
Re: “Inheritance levy target of repeal” (Page A1, Nov. 30).
The article paints a one-sided picture of the tax situation regarding inherited homes.
There have been several changes to Proposition 13 tax exemptions since it was first passed, and it’s regrettable that a person must sell a home they have inherited for financial reasons. But it’s equally regrettable that two homeowners on the same street pay wildly different taxes based on whether they inherited or bought their homes. When you inherit a $2 million home in California, you escape the capital gains appreciation and only pay increased property tax on the value over $1 million. That’s a great deal that’s not available to renters or many other citizens.
The original law was passed 47 years ago to keep seniors in their homes, not to benefit their heirs in perpetuity. At some point, fairness requires that taxes be shared equally by everyone, regardless of inheritance status.
Philip HoodWalnut Creek
Media should givefull picture of protests
Re: “UC Berkeley in Fed crosshairs” (Page A1, Nov. 12).
Nonviolence is the guiding principle for groups like Indivisible because peaceful movements win by winning over American support. For example, 43% of this country supports the No Kings movement, according to a recent NBC News poll.
But media outlets focus on the actions of just a few outside agitators when covering nonviolent protests, especially when choosing photos and video images. That’s the case for the protest of the recent Turning Point USA event at UC Berkeley.
News coverage repeatedly features the image of a bloodied Charlie Kirk supporter being arrested off campus after fighting with a counterprotester.
At best, the actual protest is described way down in the stories. But the five-hour protest involving hundreds of people actually included dancing, bubbles and an inflatable unicorn costume, in addition to shouting and chanting at police and Kirk supporters attending the TPUSA event — without major incidents. It’s time to feature those other photos.
Jennifer HuberEl Sobrante
Citizens must demandUS not abandon Ukraine
As I follow the news of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, I continue to hope that the world and, most importantly, the United States will stand behind Ukraine’s fight to remain free.
Aggression and the illegal conquering of another country or its territory must be resisted at all costs. Britain and France allowed Hitler to seize part of Czechoslovakia “to preserve the peace,” and war broke out within the year. Putin’s efforts to recreate a greater Russia based on the borders of the old Soviet Union must be opposed now, before more territory is seized.
The United Nations is powerless to act. It is up to us to demand that Trump not abandon a people who only wish to live freely.
Roger WoodFremont
Opinion piece misleadson immigration numbers
Re: “50-year loans won’t solve housing crisis” (Page A6, Nov. 28).
I agree with E.J. Antoni’s op-ed, until I read his lie: “the Biden Administration flooded the country with over 10 million illegal aliens.”
Not true.
Right-wing media lied to the world’s poor that the border was “open” when Joe Biden took office, but, according to the Pew Research Center, Aug. 21, 2025, from an approximately 10.5 million January 2021 baseline to an estimated 14 million as of late 2023/early 2024, represented a net increase of only 3.5 million undocumented individuals — not 10 million as the Heritage Foundation’s chief economist misrepresented.
Shame on him.
Edward ChaineyRichmond
Turn Trump’s justiceon his misdeeds
President Trump has committed many wrongs, been criminally convicted of some, and is responsible for deaths during the Jan. 6 insurrection. He’s severely damaged our society by pitting half the people against the other half and through his election-cheating and power grabs.
His administration granted asylum to the National Guard shooting suspect. As his reverse migration policy turns to revoking the status of even legal immigrants (because if one individual does something bad, every member of his group should be punished and every promise can be broken without consequence), I gather Trump will be returned to the country of his family’s ultimate origin, Germany.
Jay ChafetzWalnut Creek