Why are taxpayers funding Kristi Noem’s TV ads?

Editor: How is it possible that Kristi Noem, the secretary of homeland security, is allowed to advertise on television? Surely our taxes should not go to a member of Donald Trump’s Cabinet to tell us (proudly) of arresting Latinos who have lived, worked, paid taxes and raised families in good faith for many years in the U.S., many of them trying to become citizens all this time. Do we really want our tax money to go to Noem to pay for these adds?

— Jennifer Nichols, Sebastopol

What are you doing to defend democracy?

Editor: ICE is coming for Hispanic people who may or may not have illegally entered this country in pursuit of a better life. Originally the target was criminals; now it is anyone who has dark skin, documented citizen or not. They are handcuffed and shanghaied off to a dungeon in a country unknown to them, without any hearing or regard for due process. When will they come for you?

First Stephen Colbert and then Jimmy Kimmel is attacked. Wake up, America, fascism is plummeting us further toward the immoral abyss. Hundreds are demonstrating weekly on sidewalks against the slowly accelerating tragedy toward totalitarianism. In traffic and from behind the wheel, most honk their horns in sympathetic approval or show thumbs up.

On the sidewalk some protestors murmur to themselves, what are you doing? Are you fighting fascism? Everyone is busy with life demands, but please embrace the priority of saving your democracy. Put your energy on the sidewalks or write postcards, make calls or educate others. Whatever you choose, align yourself with the right side of history, while there is still time before your children or grandchildren ask, Where were you when American democracy perished?

— Corey Hudson, Santa Rosa

Contested primary is costly, divisive and unnecessary

Editor: We are blessed to have Mike Thompson as our representative in Congress, a North Bay native whose views align well with his constituency and who fights tirelessly on our behalf on issues like gun control, local agriculture and others important to those he serves. Now we learn that former venture capitalist and transplant Eric Jones has decided to challenge Thompson in the 2026 Democratic primary. Since Jones has not articulated any material policy differences with Thompson, one can assume his entry in the race is based largely on personal ambition.

The 2026 midterm election will be among the most consequential in our recent history, and President Donald Trump has already demonstrated he will employ all the levers of government to intimidate Democratic donors, stifle dissenting voices in the media and suppress turnout in areas unfriendly to his base. A contested primary in a safe Democratic district will be an expensive, divisive and wholly unnecessary distraction from the fight we need to be waging.

If Jones is actually committed to the progressive values he espouses, perhaps he could instead direct his wealth to the critical races around the country that can help Democrats regain control of Congress and slow our current slide toward autocracy.

— Steve Page, Sonoma

Looking beyond the rhetoric of government shutdown

Editor: A word about the government shutdown. This isn’t about extending health care to “illegals,” as Trumpists are saying. That is a lie being perpetrated by JD Vance, Speaker Mike Johnson, Donald Trump and some “news” networks. Federal law bars undocumented immigrants from federally funded health care, except in case of emergency. Democrats are not trying to change that. What Democrats are fighting for is affordable health care for millions by demanding the lower premiums created by the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and pushing to reverse harmful cuts to Medicaid made by Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill.”

Trumpists are also saying they need time to negotiate. We’ve had this shutdown looming for months. And what did the Trumpists do? They went on vacation. They complain about the federal deficit when they talk about health care. But they don’t mention the huge tax cuts given to their billionaire donors, which are obviously more important to Trumpists than the health of the nation. So both sides are to blame for this government shutdown, but only one side cares about you and me.

— Jon Wobber, Cotati