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Voters have power
to lift veil of fear

Re: “Americans are living under a pall of fear” (Page A6, July 23).

The contributors to Wednesday’s Letters to the Editor voiced concerns over the president’s usurping of states’ rights, tariffs, Medicaid cuts, his birthright citizenship order, lies about the relationship with Jefferey Epstein, the general fear from the loss of respect for the rule of law, and the growth of the power of the executive branch.

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Letters: Ranked choice leaves votes on the table

Our superpower is the ability to select good candidates, support their campaigns, and to vote for them on Election Day. In addition, we can give feedback to our people in Congress, attend their town halls, and in the words of John Lewis, “Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America.” The job is up to us, “We, the people.”

James Konsevich
San Jose

Trump hated for doing
what must be done

Re: “Americans are living under a pall of fear” (Page A6, July 23).

The depiction of ICE workers as criminals and unqualified is very offensive. Our officers need all the support we can give them. No one would ever suspect that Donald Trump won the election. I wonder if everyone understands that the government cannot continue to spend over one-third of its budget with borrowed money. Cuts must be made.

Trump was elected to break the status quo, and that will cause disruption. In six months, Trump has turned our country around in a much better direction. I am hopeful that in time the bitterness and hate will diminish and we will be thankful for his hard work.

Steve Slinkey
Soquel

Council member turns
deaf ear to constituent

I’m very disappointed that I’m unable to get any response from my San Jose City Council representative, Pam Foley, in more than a month.

I first emailed her about my concerns regarding the San Jose animal shelter on June 22. Despite two follow-up emails and one phone call, I’ve yet to hear back from anyone in her office. I think an acknowledgment is the very least that a council representative can do for a constituent. You can bet I will be keeping this in mind at the next election and sharing my thoughts with those I know in my district.

By contrast, Mayor Matt Mahan responded twice to my initial email, explaining some of the actions he is taking. That’s more in line with what I expect from those elected to serve.

Cynthia Saracco
San Jose

D.C. has forsaken
most of the country

Our government has been hijacked by big money, business and conspiracies. It’s time to think carefully.

Washington, D.C., is no longer working for the citizens. The poorest states, agriculture, restaurants, small businesses, construction and road crews now have masked ICE agents raiding and terrorizing working people, not criminals. Who will they grab next to meet their quota? Maybe you? Deporting U.S. citizens isn’t off the table; nothing is. It’s been done before in other countries; it seems Washington is taking lessons.

Whichever party, don’t fool yourself, at a minimum, you’ll pay in higher taxes and tariffs, and lower Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid benefits to subsidize the billionaires.

Get ready to vote in your best interests. Congress isn’t working for you. This is about autocracy, total government control — no free speech, no due process, and a loyalist Supreme Court. U.S. citizen or not, this regime will hurt you. Only billionaires can buy their way out, and that’s likely not you.

Marguerite Sinnett
Morgan Hill

Government’s best parts
are forms of socialism

Donald Trump and his incompetent cronies use the term socialism as a pejorative term. The version of capitalism in our society employs a form of socialism in many ways.

Socialism is where all of us contribute financially for services to benefit the greater society. Our military is a form of socialism, our police forces, our highway system, our airline system, our health care system, our city services and our public education system. All of these systems are paid for by Americans for the benefit of Americans. These are forms of socialism and make our country stronger.

Trump and his incompetent administration need to do their homework. I look forward to the post-Trump era where we embrace science, work intelligently and celebrate our diversity; where the public and private sectors work as true partners and not adversaries. Working this way has proven to be our country’s finest hours.

John Swan
Los Altos Hills