Zuckerberg cuts area a lesson in greed

Re: “Zuckerberg philanthropy quietly cuts funding” (May 3).

We know Mark and Pricilla Zuckerberg can afford to fund a thousand housing and education programs without feeling a pinch in their $221 billion fortune. They do not care about the damage their decision causes when housing support and schools disappear. The reason they have shut down programs is that they wanted to send a message. Not to people who benefit from their programs. Rather, they decided to communicate their allegiance to the president. The Zuckerbergs want the associated power of the government. Even if children go hungry, people can’t get medical care and become homeless.

Shame on billionaires, Congress and Donald Trump’s supporters who are so greedy that they throw away their values and humanity.

— Paula Sanford, Aptos

Trump is rewriting America’s principles

I grieve for America, which I no longer recognize. In the poem inscribed on the base of the Statue of Liberty, She, who is also called “Mother of Exiles,” cries:

“Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free …I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

Today, Donald Trump and his enablers and supporters are saying, in effect: “Give me your money, your rich, your White nationalists yearning for autocracy … Or else, I shut the door!”

— Molly Rose, Palo Alto

Cupertino council owes speakers an apology

At the May 6 Cupertino City Council meeting, public comment was heard regarding a proposed moratorium that would prevent the conversion of residential units to student housing within one-half mile of De Anza College.

Most commentators were Foothill-De Anza Community College District students in favor of housing. Later, Councilmember Ray Wang asked that the students recognize that they are “pawns of the (district) administration.” This was a gross lie and disrespected the students, without whom there would have been zero movement on housing since 2020. Students manned the phones and went door-to-door in favor of Measure G, approved by district voters in 2020. When the bond was won, students attended board meetings and organized with faculty and staff to get district administrators to spend the funds in a timely, effective manner that reflects the bond language.

Wang’s callous comment shows how little he knows or cares to know our students. He should apologize.

— Daniel Solomon, Redwood City

Government’s cuts threaten least wealthy

Re: “Layoffs coming to offices of education” (May 14).

The Santa Clara County Office of Education is not happy with cuts to Head Start, which is a program for preschoolers from low-income families. Also, the federal government wants to cut funds for special education.

Even Section 8, which helps tenants pay part of their rent, is being considered for cuts. Medicaid might get cut as well.

What people do not understand is that hospital costs for medical treatment for the uninsured put the burden on those with medical coverage. Surely, enough federal jobs have been cut to make up funds without putting low-income people at risk.

— Celeste McGettigan, San Jose