Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.
Democrats must heed
shift to right in 2026
Re: “Pelosi’s political future intrigues insiders, outsiders” (Page A1, March 24).
After reading this article, it’s apparent that the Democratic Party has not learned its lesson after Election Day 2024.
Nancy Pelosi will probably run for another term in Congress in 2026 as the “moderate” Democrat against Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s former campaign manager. His point of view is that the Democratic Party leadership is not liberal enough. However, the constituency in San Francisco is moving to the right, evidenced by the election of a new mayor and the ouster of a progressive district attorney.
It should be an entertaining Election Day 2026.
Charles Margiotta
Roseville
Street vendor effort
will make S.J. appealing
Re: “Council toughens statute on peddling” (Page B1, March 27).
I was pleased to read that the San Jose City Council has adopted new tools to address illegal street vending downtown, especially during events. I’ve enjoyed attending Christmas in the Park for decades, but two years ago, while visiting with my parents — both in their 80s — I was shocked by the explosion of unregulated vendors that overwhelmed the experience.
The event felt more like Chaos in the Park, with low-hanging tents, sidewalks blocked by makeshift dining areas, open-flame grills dangerously close to pedestrians, and crowds so dense it was difficult to move.
While the city must consider the needs of those trying to earn a living, public safety, accessibility and health regulations must come first. Events like Christmas in the Park are not only treasured traditions — they’re essential to revitalizing our downtown. If we want a vibrant, welcoming city center, we must protect the experiences that bring people there in the first place.
Jennifer Van Every
San Jose
Say no to regressive
Bay Area transit tax
Re: “Transit bill to get another road test” (Page A1, March 24).
We don’t need another regressive transportation funding measure. Our taxes are already too high. Vote no.
Over the last several elections, voters in Santa Clara County have passed multiple tax and fee increases. All this nickel and diming contributes to making the Bay Area a horribly expensive place to live, especially for people of modest means, who must pay the greatest percentage of their income in these regressive taxes and fees. Each increase by itself does not amount to much, but the cumulative effect is to add to the unaffordability of the region.
Before increasing taxes yet again, waste needs to be removed from transportation projects. For example, we need to eliminate the redundant BART extension between the San Jose and Santa Clara Caltrain stations. The BART segment from these stations would duplicate both the existing Caltrain line and VTA’s 22 and 522 buses.
William Hough
Los Altos
On breach, Trump
reads from old playbook
Re: “Divisiveness grows as texts filter out” (Page A1, March 27).
To understand Donald Trump’s pushback, lies and denial regarding the latest on the chat news group blunder, simply go to the narcissistic personality playbook where the gold standard is never admitting fault or mistakes.
The narcissistic personality simply blames anyone, including the victim, us. The Trump pattern of denial has been with us as long as Trump has been with us, and until someone calls the game, it will continue to be with us.
Robert Perez
San Jose
Incompetence threatens
U.S. national secutiry
Re: “Divisiveness grows as texts filter out” (Page A1, March 27).
The Trump administration exudes incompetence, from President Trump, who doesn’t know anything about “it,” to Tulsi Gabbard, who can’t remember anything about “it,” and Pete Hegseth, who denies everything about “it.”
Is this all a figment of our imagination, or is the editor of The Atlantic magazine the only truthsayer concerned and shocked about our lack of national security?
Susan Dillon
Morgan Hill
Let America’s voice
to world echo again
Re: “VOA has fallen silent, and our enemies cheer” (Page A8, March 23).
This story was finally just too much to let go without telling Donald Trump it is the stupidest, most self-defeating thing of many he has done yet.
Related Articles
Letters: Chronically underfunded Acalanes schools need Measure T
Letters: Bay Area owes Dr. Sara Cody thanks for her swift action
Letters: Time for state’s polluters to pick up the tab
Letters: Park volunteers get the shaft from San Jose
Letters: Parents have the right to evaluate school curriculum
For me, WW2 in Amsterdam ended when I was 10 years old, and while the Canadians sent to clean up our starving, garbage-strewn city had no time to talk to children over the commander’s fence, VOA was there every Tuesday after school to tell us what was happening and answer questions, and it was my favorite hour. America became my happy goal and future.
Let all the world broadcasting resume, to tell the world we’re still proud and still here.
Magda Van Bueren Grant
Palo Alto
