San Jose puts driver safety up for sale

Re: “San Jose OKs pact for more digital billboard locations” (Page A1, June 19).

One can receive a traffic citation for distracted driving, Section 23123 of the California DMV code, which I believe we can all agree is dangerous.

So, what has San Jose just approved? Large, bright electronic billboards to remove a driver’s eyes from the road and momentarily disorient the driver. Why is this a good idea? Dollars into the city’s coffers?

— George Badger, Soquel

Trump’s voters ignored basics of civics class

I would venture to say that most high school students have a solid understanding and can explain the importance of our most fundamental and democratic principles: the three branches of government, separation of powers, and checks and balances, all masterfully designed in our Constitution by the Founding Fathers to prevent the rise of a monarchy and the concentration of power in one branch.

Sadly, 74 million “adults” either forgot this valuable civics lesson or simply have fallen asleep. As Donald Trump goes recklessly unchecked and continues to defy Congress, threatens the judiciary, intimidates his critics and chips away at our Constitution, the American people must come to a reckoning and ask this very simple and important question: Do we want a dictator in the White House or do we want a president?

The alarm has been ringing — this is not a drill.

— Diego Certa, Campbell

Overbuilding won’t help make housing cheaper

Los Gatos’ history demonstrates a welcoming community, providing for new housing at sites identified for their suitable infrastructure accommodation, while preserving local neighborhood character and helping new residents to share such charm.

However, now state legislators want more housing, motivating developers by removing local control of sites, design, height, density and parking requirements, which previously were reasonable, to achieve their mandated triple increase in new housing (1,993 units) between 2023 and 2031.

History shows that overbuilding has not reduced costs. New development proposals allowed under these new state laws instead show new safety risks due to infrastructure, fault lines and fire hazards with significant traffic increases from non-suitable sites, including single egress streets.

The jeopardy to current and new residents by elected officials, local and regional, is getting worse.

Learn more, inform your neighbors and notify our elected officials that they are undermining our quality of life while risking safety. Vote accordingly.

— Lee Fagot, Los Gatos

‘No Kings’ rallies forgot one message: Vote

Re: “Large crowds attend area ‘No Kings’ rallies” (Page B1, June 17).

The crowd numbers across the United States were impressive during the “No Kings” marches. Thank you, Mercury News, for covering them.

Flags flying, clever signs, people chanting and of course, politicians (and wanna-be politicians) speaking to the cameras. What I did not hear or see were any signs or speeches that encouraged people to vote. That’s a miss that no flags, nor chanting, nor signs can make up for. Vote, people.

— Tina Morrill, San Jose

On holiday, give animals their independence

As we celebrate the Fourth of July with friends, flags and freedom, let’s take a moment to consider those denied even the most basic liberties — not just people, but animals.

Whether hunted, trapped, caged in zoos, confined in labs, or raised and killed for their fur, skin, feathers or flesh, animals have no freedom.

Farmed animals, in particular, endure unimaginable suffering. Billions live confined, never knowing autonomy, dignity or joy. Chickens can’t spread their wings, pigs can’t root in the soil and cows never feel the sun. They’re bred for exploitation — mutilated, caged and slaughtered without choice or mercy.

If we truly value freedom, shouldn’t it extend beyond our own species?

Choosing a plant-based lifestyle is one powerful way to live out those values. On this Independence Day, let’s widen our circle of compassion — because liberation shouldn’t stop with humans.

If the roles were reversed, wouldn’t we want the same?

— Harold Kunitz, Walnut Creek

Immigration laws exist to protect nation

Our immigration laws exist for a reason.

Any country that cannot secure its borders cannot protect its citizens, and the enforcement of those laws is not “hatred.” It is simply what each and every sovereign nation must do to defend and protect itself against hostile incursion.

As White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller has said, “The right of ‘due process’ is to protect citizens from their government, not to protect foreign trespassers from removal.”

— Jon Rego, Clayton