Letters: Quality of life | Unwelcome occupant | Change approach | Corral Congress | Israel’s cash
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Quality-of-life issuescausing California flight
Re: “How to stop California desertion” (Page A6, May 5).
I believe George Skelton misses the reasons for desertion by a mile. California has always been relatively expensive. I am an 85-year native. It’s about quality of life.
I submit the following as reasons for people leaving:
• Sanctuary cities overrun with illegal drugs and a justice system that is a revolving door for chronic offenders.
• Billions being lavished on social programs without accountability or positive results.
• Billions spent on an ill-conceived rail system while ignoring the inadequate power grid.
• Neglected road maintenance.
• Schools that were once the envy of the nation, are no longer a source of pride.
• The contemplation of reparations for damages to an identified class who were not personally damaged, by a state that was not involved, to be paid by taxpayers also not involved and generations removed.
• A list of redundant state agencies and bureaus that would fill a small phone book.
We used to do so much better.
Bill PackwoodPleasant Hill
No warm welcomefor ADU occupant
After having to leave my rental home of over 43 years in San Francisco, my only fiscal option was to put an accessory dwelling unit onto my parent’s Lafayette property.
The house is not fancy. New laws about density made it easier. The NIMBY bullies have done nothing but create misery, reporting any kind of possible building violation — real or imagined, large and small — requiring a response to outdated, didactic rules about arbor heights or easement inches. Thousands more to spend thanks to the entitled who think I shouldn’t have a home here.
Pick and pick away at the new neighbor who dares to have a home near family. Tis the welcome received in a place with a website called Love Lafayette. No love, just anonymous complainers with nothing better to do than to hate on the new neighbor in the loathsome ADU.
Debbie BrubakerSan Francisco
Direct effort to treating,controlling addiction
Re: “Should California throw the book at drug dealers?” (Page A1, May 6).
The war on drugs is a total failure. Throwing the book at drug dealers will only put more people in jail while drug addicts will keep using and dying. Instead of doing more of the same, the real answer is to legalize all drugs. Just as ending Prohibition didn’t result in a nation of alcoholics, drug legalization won’t make us all drug addicts either.
Drug users should be under the care of doctors and get their drugs through prescription just like any other drug. Legalization puts the drug cartels out of business, which changes things in Mexico and places south of there. People there will be able to pursue normal lives and will not be forced to head north in the tiny hopes of finding a better life here.
One definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting a different result.
Russ ButtonKeaau, Hawaii
Keep Congressfrom insider trading
As a retired Navy veteran of 23 years, I have come to expect the leaders in Washington to have the moral fiber to make the right decisions when necessary. Yet, I’ve been disappointed to learn nearly half of Congress participates in some form of insider trading regularly.
More than 70 percent of voters believe members of Congress shouldn’t be permitted to trade individual stocks. With more support for bills like the Ending Trading and Holdings in Congressional Stocks (ETHICS) Act and the Bipartisan Restoring Faith in Government Act, we can begin to restore public confidence in our lawmakers again.
It’s crucial we let our voices be heard. We, the people, do not want to lose control of our country from the people we elected. Let’s contact our district representatives and let them know what we expect.
We have to stop the corruption now.
Janet M. DavisUnion City
Spend Israel’s moneyon building peace
Re: “I had feelings of disgust, guilt and shame over Israel’s actions” (Page A8, April 23).
David Matz says he is “often asked what right as a non-Israeli [he has] to get involved” with Israel’s “treatment of Palestinians.” As Americans, we should all be concerned about the $3.8 billion a year we give to Israel in weapons support for this treatment of Palestinians. Our U.S. taxpayer money is arming a state specifically for suppressing human rights.
A better future is possible if U.S. voters demand it. We can stop funding state violence and redirect that arms support to instead fund peace and reparations for the persecuted communities. It can do a lot of good. We should all educate ourselves about its current use and let our elected leaders know that we want it used instead for, as Matz suggests, “democracy and equality for all.”
Elizabeth FisherPleasant Hill