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Democracy looks
a lot like California

In 2024, roughly 59% of Californians voted for Kamala Harris and 38% for Donald Trump. The number is often used to describe California’s partisan shares. Voter registration tells a different story: Democrats at over 44% and Republicans at 25%. Nearly 23% of voters have no party preference.

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Republicans claimed that because they only have 9 seats (17%), our current maps are gerrymandered and Republicans are underrepresented. Really? Every Republican Congress member voted yes on the bill that would cut the funding for food stamps and Medicaid. Was that what people in their districts wanted? If not, people are not well represented by those members. If voters dislike their representatives’ job, they should elect someone else regardless of their party affiliation.

Elected officials should listen to their people, and voters should cast their votes according to how their representatives are working for them. That is democracy, isn’t it?

Kyoko Takayama
Livermore

Californians vote for
disenfranchisement

Congratulations, California. With the passage of Proposition 50, we are now officially a one-party state.

The proponents of Proposition 50 called it an effort to save democracy. In fact, it does just the opposite. Now, millions of Californians will be disenfranchised. Their voices, opinions and thoughts will become irrelevant or no longer heard. Disenfranchisement is the cornerstone of the disintegration of democracy. Disenfranchisement causes people to “check out” and no longer participate in our democratic system of government.

Sadly, neither one of the political parties seems to give a damn about the people they allegedly represent. Their only motivation is power and money.

John Hill
Danville

State GOP must change
after poor showing

California Republican Party Chairwoman Corrin Rankin must resign. Millions of Californians are being silenced as rural communities are gerrymandered into deep blue districts. We the people once drew our own maps — now politicians do.

The GOP’s collapse on Proposition 50 proves how out of touch they’ve become. If you noticed the “No on Prop. 50” ads vanished near the end, you’re not crazy. They quit. The state party refused to energize the MAGA base or let President Trump get involved, dooming the campaign. For years, consultants have been paid to fail while grassroots conservatives carried the fight alone. Enough is enough.

We need a movement that fights for the people, not for donor contracts. Until real leadership steps up, not one more dollar should go to the state party. Don’t reward betrayal. Demand accountability and reform from within.

Jack Belgarde
Pacheco

‘Mallard Fillmore’ is
still a comic, after all

Ever since the “Mallard Fillmore” comic strip appeared in this newspaper, there have been liberal opinion page writers insisting that it be removed. There has been a marked increase in that sentiment lately.

I have been a subscriber to this newspaper for 50 years. Since approximately 1970, and until now, the “Doonesbury” comic strip in this newspaper and more than 1,400 newspapers worldwide has been lambasting conservatives with free rein and glee.

It won a Pulitzer Prize in 1975.

In fact, Doonesbury has been in rerun since 2014 every day except Sunday, but is still a staple for this newspaper’s comics page. During all that time, I have yet to see anyone ask for its removal. So we should ask ourselves who is really for free speech and who isn’t?

And shouldn’t we remember that it’s a “comics” page?

Steve Mahler
Livermore

Congress should lose
pay during shutdown

Congress and only Congress can put an end to the nationwide shutdown. Some government employees are working (with a promise of back pay); some have been terminated; some are forced to work without pay. Obviously, this is not right, moral, fiscally responsible or in the best interests of our country.

Ironically, the legislators who can end this are not financially impacted; they are getting their full pay. Doesn’t it make sense to stop their salaries first? They aren’t doing their jobs — ending the shutdown. And the House of Representatives hasn’t even been in session for six weeks. That shows how much interest they have in trying to rectify this mess.

Congress should be the first ones to be impacted by their inability to do their jobs. Where is a national referendum when we need it?

Jim Cauble
Hayward

World should unite
over crisis in Sudan

The world is witnessing one of the most devastating humanitarian catastrophes in Sudan, yet global action remains far too limited. Credible reports indicate that the United Arab Emirates has provided support to the Rapid Support Forces, a group widely accused of atrocities against civilians. This support is believed to be exacerbating the conflict and deepening the suffering of millions of people.

We cannot remain silent while civilians endure mass violence, starvation and displacement. The United States and the international community must enforce an immediate end to all foreign assistance that enables armed actors responsible for human rights abuses in Sudan. Equally important, we must expand humanitarian access and pursue accountability for those committing crimes against innocent people.

As concerned citizens, we have a role, too. If foreign support for these forces continues, many people intend to respond peacefully by boycotting UAE-linked companies, including Emirates Airlines and UAE-owned sports organizations.

M. Azari
Dublin