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Stand up for democracy;vote yes on Prop. 50
When I was a kid, my siblings and I argued about whose turn it was to choose the nightly TV show, who got to sit up front on road trips, and who had to follow what rules. When something didn’t sit right, we would call out “No fair!”
Families don’t always feel democratic, but the United States of America was founded as a democracy — for the people, by the people. The recent gerrymandering in Texas and Missouri, egged on by our current president, is definitely not fair and poses a threat to our democracy. Under normal circumstances, responding with our own redistricting wouldn’t feel “fair,” but we have to counterbalance the assault on fair representation in government. Proposition 50, California’s “Election Rigging Response Act,” levels the playing field.
Vote yes for democracy. Vote yes on Proposition 50.
Lisa Meltzer PennBelmont
Zhao has qualitiesto be assessor
I am voting for Yan Zhao for county assessor. Zhao has years of experience in high tech that she will apply to modernize the Assessor’s Office and bring it into the 21st century.
She has been active in the community for decades and has held several elected offices. Yan Zhao appreciates the importance of treating residents as people, not numbers. She will serve us well and fairly.
Please join me in electing Yan Zhao for Santa Clara County Assessor.
Marcia FarissSaratoga
Santa Cruz rail systemshould go forward
The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission should continue to pursue zero-emission passenger rail service in Santa Cruz County. The train will provide an easy way to bypass Highway 1 congestion, as well as a reliable transportation option for residents who can’t or prefer not to drive.
To pay for the project, the RTC can hire staff instead of paying consultants, use local contractors, get grants and pursue cost-saving approaches. The cost of building the rail system will be cumulative over years of construction and is less than Highway 1 improvements and road maintenance projects
Rail opponents keep talking about railbanking. County residents already voted against railbanking by 73%, because we want the train and the trail both. Starting a legal battle to remove the tracks wouldn’t get the trail built faster. It would only benefit a few trackside landowners looking for a payoff.
The RTC should move forward with rail service.
Russell WeiszSanta Cruz
Comparatively, ACAis worth the cost
Re: “Don’t count on GOP to save pricey ACA” (Page A12, Oct. 26).
Frank Nicoletti’s letter cites as the main issue, “the structure of the plan.” He mentions that it is not fair for the taxpayers to pay the freight.
It is fair for taxpayers to “pay some of the freight.” Government should work for the public good and not for the benefit of a few. Everyone deserves the peace of mind that comes from knowing they can get medical care without fear of losing their savings and home. The ACA is an investment in the health, productivity and dignity of American citizens. Considering $484 billion to DOJ/Homeland Security, $20 billion to Argentina, $2.3 trillion for Defense and $1 trillion in tax breaks to the “wealthy,” the projected annual cost of the ACA, about $82 billion in 2024, is justifiable.
The message to Congress should be: “Quit the petty party squabbling and get to work on a structured plan.” Americans are waiting.
Diego CertaCampbell
Help the needy andsave SNAP and WIC
According to the U.S. Census, 35.9 million people were living in poverty in 2024. Most of those people rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to afford food.
Unfortunately, because of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s changes to SNAP benefits, millions could lose their access to this life-saving program. If the shutdown continues, November 2025 SNAP benefits may not be available on time in many states. Plus, according to the National WIC Association, without extra funding, WIC benefits for more than 6 million people could end on Nov. 1.
This shutdown will cause many people in this country to suffer. Congress must reconvene and work together to pass a bipartisan budget that secures access to SNAP and WIC.
Pravin SoniSunnyvale
It’s not antisemiticto call out slaughter
I am not antisemitic. I feel great sympathy for the Jewish people, but not for the present Israeli government, which has deliberately reduced Gaza to uninhabitable rubble.
Because of Israel’s armies shelling hospitals, schools, dwellings, food distribution sites and areas of refuge, nearly 70,000 Palestinians are dead. About 41,000 children have been injured or maimed and robbed of their future quality of life and productivity.
Throughout the period of hostility, humanitarian aid has been severely restricted. At least 151 have died of starvation, and malnutrition is rampant. This level of death and injury is a devastating and mortal blow to the future of this country.
The shelling has continued even after the ceasefire.
I do not see this action on the part of the Israeli government as anything but genocide, the deliberate effort to destroy a people and their future.
Rosemary EverettCampbell