Tax the rich to keep Social Security solvent

“Trump administration plans to cut 80,000 employees from Veterans Affairs, according to internal memo” – March 5, 2025.

Cut millions of federal jobs and defund millions of nonprofit agencies equals fewer working people paying into Social Security. And that means less money to keep Social Security going. And that means breaking the Social Security pay-as-you-go system put into place by FDR 90 years ago.

Since the current administration insists that we make all these cuts, which destroy Social Security, we must demand that the rich be taxed more to keep Social Security solvent.

— Kim Frey, Santa Cruz

Some simple ways Trump could pressure Putin

If Trump really wants to pressure Putin to stop the war in Ukraine (and inside Russia) and also stop spending our tax dollars on Ukraine’s defense there is a simple way to do that. We have massive amounts of Russian wealth that is in U.S. accounts and is frozen. He could seize those funds and use them to aid in Ukraine’s defense by purchasing more air defense systems and weapons to defend that democracy from Russian aggression, much as our European allies are doing.

He could also pledge to come to the aid of any NATO member troops that end up as a security force inside of Ukraine once a ceasefire is declared and a peace treaty or Korea-type armistice is achieved.

We will soon find out if Trump’s fealty to Putin outweighs his desire to end that conflict or if, as it has always appeared, he is simply doing Putin’s bidding.

— Cliff Bixler, Bonny Doon

The many, many reasons DEI policies are wrong

Since a recent letter writer asked “What’s actually wrong with DEI?”, I can summarize the nearly infinite reasons starting with its assumption that “All white people are RACIST!” and must be discriminated against. Since it deems equality in all ways as justice (except for all white people, sometimes Asians) instead of recognizing people are mostly just different individuals (reality), it produces mediocrity, trashes the value, even notion, of private property ownership (Marxist), and asserts some people are either always victims and others always oppressors, forever.

Not a good value system to live by (unless you are a Marxist cultural revolutionary intent on destroying and demoralizing America).

— Garrett Philipp, Santa Cruz

A prayer to restore US strength after Trump

Silence is complicity. For the record, I object to the convicted felon sabotaging our economy, our currency, and our protections against fraud and corruption. I object to the firing of key military leaders, nuclear specialists, and those who provide services to veterans. I object to the betrayal of Ukrainians giving their lives to keep Europe and the U.S. safe from attack by Russia, and the threats to take territory from our allies by force. I am embarrassed by the abandonment of the values we were taught as children … that we reject bullies and respect the person who shows strength by protecting others.

Unfortunately, in the last election, the majority of those who voted chose someone who is rapidly bringing the decline of U.S. strength in the world.

Let us pray.

— Cynthia Dzendzel, Felton

Trump voters: Is all this what you voted for?

If you voted for Trump, you no doubt had your reasons.

But please pay attention to what is happening now that he is in office:

Your tax info — including your Social Security number — has been hacked by Trump’s DOGE workers. People who didn’t have a background check or security clearance. Is this what you voted for?

Workers who oversee our nuclear weapons at the National Nuclear Security Administration were fired for no reason. Do you feel safer now?

Trump’s unelected billionaire Musk and his gang of “tech bros” are randomly firing people who get your Social Security checks out on time, provide services to injured veterans, clean restrooms in our national parks, work to keep us safe from bird flu, and many others. Is this what you voted for?

Every time anyone has disagreed with him or his actions, Trump has proceeded to threaten them. Is this the kind of country you want to live in?

There are so many other examples I could cite. If you don’t like what’s happening, speak up.

— Stephanie Singer, Santa Cruz