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Aping GOP power grab
will destroy voters’ trust

Re: “Newsom powerless if Texas tries power grab” (Page A9, July 20).

My jaw dropped reading that Democrats are considering redistricting California congressional districts in response to the Texas move. It is the exact opposite of upholding the Constitution.

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It is the reason many youth say that all politicians are the same — corrupt. I was proud that California gave redistricting power to the citizens. It brought a supermajority of Democrats in state chambers, and currently Democrats hold 43 House seats out of 52. Republicans’ nine seats are 17%, which is well below the 24% Republican share in voter registration. It is a reflection of the voice of voters and results of grassroots efforts to get out the vote. Republicans will lose further after the big, ugly bill.

We want our representatives to focus on representing and protecting our communities and their members. We have enough cheating going on. Democrats should try to build voters’ trust. Don’t blow it.

Kyoko Takayama
Livermore

Layoffs at State
must be reversed

The U.S. State Department fired more than 1,300 civil servants and Foreign Service Officers this month.

This step weakened America’s ability to defend its interests and protect American citizens around the world. It was also cruel treatment of dedicated employees. The fired public servants were trained, experienced professionals. Many had spent decades overseas, often at risk to themselves and their families. These officers were not fired based on poor performance or a skills assessment.

The U.S. needs these officers and their skills to compete with our adversaries. China and Russia will certainly take advantage. Americans need to urge Congress, the White House and State Department to reverse these damaging measures.

Joseph Sullivan
Walnut Creek

California isn’t up
to building rail project

Re: “As Trump pulls funding, U.S. lags in transit” (Page A8, July 20).

In Melyssa Guerry’s letter, she said that California and the United States need this train. While I agree with her political argument, I think the practical arguments suggest otherwise.

I voted for this in 2008. Since then, this project has been way over budget and decades behind schedule. I have come to the conclusion that the state of California is simply incapable of building large-scale projects. Other countries can; we cannot. Not to mention that their trains run on rails and routes specifically designed for high speed, while we have to use a rail system that was built and designed for trains carrying freight in the 1800s.

To quote Kenny Rogers, you have to “know when to hold ’em and know when to fold ’em.”

Michael Poe
San Leandro

Despite claims, U.S. is
the one ignoring treaties

Re: “U.S. imposes new restrictions on Mexican flights” (Page A4, July 20).

In the article, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is quoted as saying that these new restrictions are in response to Mexico breaking transportation treaties. That’s rich.

Apparently, he is ignorant of GATT and the USMCA — the latter of which Donald Trump negotiated and is now violating with random acts of wanton stupidity.

The Trump administration ignores treaties.

Peter Nicoll
Dublin

Tesla boycott will hurt
workers, not Musk

Re: “A reignited Trump-Musk feud burns Tesla investors” (Page C8, July 8).

For the people who say boycott Tesla, think about this:

If you boycott Tesla, the people who will be hurt are the workers. These workers spend their income on goods and services in the Bay Area. Who else gets hurt by a boycott? The thousands of suppliers that provide services and parts. A lot of these people live in the Bay Area and spend their money here. I worked at that plant building cars when it was owned by General Motors. This plant put me through college debt-free. Later, when I owned a fastener company, the factory made Toyotas and was called NUMMI. I supplied NUMMI with nuts and bolts and that was part of my income.

So, boycotting a large manufacturer like Tesla may not be the best thing for thousands of hard-working individuals. Meanwhile, Musk will still be a billionaire.

John Briggs
Lafayette

Supporting Trump is
costly to credibility

People who are perfectly happy with an adjudicated sex offender being president of the United States don’t have a lot of credibility when they demand strict law enforcement against immigrants who have been in the country for decades, have stayed out of trouble, and have steady jobs, homes and families.

Merlin Dorfman
Livermore