Grateful for the many ‘kind and courteous’ drivers

Much is said of road rage rude drivers. Well I’d like to thank the many kind and courteous drivers I encounter every day. Last week as I was lane splitting on 1 Northbound from State Park Drive to 41st Avenue many drivers opened the path to make it easier, and safer for me.

I wish to thank them for their kindness and good driving.

— Richard Jones, Santa Cruz

Symphony continues to bring ‘amazing talent’

I would like to thank the Santa Cruz Symphony for continuing to bring such amazing musical talent to our community. I attended the Destiny Muhammad Recital at Samper Hall Sunday (Dec. 22) and was blown away with the musical excellence of the seven musicians who performed. The music was uplifting, lively, jazzy and incredible and included three world class jazz singers, a jazz pianist, drummer, bass player and Destiny playing harp and singing.

What talent and what a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon. This recital was part of their Recital Series which features five separate recitals and showcases musicians who are either part of the Symphony or part of our community.

Thank you Santa Cruz Symphony for striving to provide such excellent musical entertainment.

— Linda Burroughs, Santa Cruz

Just how many units are truly available or needed?

Excellent “As We See It” and choice of letters on Sunday (Dec. 22).

Regarding available new housing a letter writer wrote, “The monstrosity on Laurel and Front is around 17% full after several months [of availability].”

On Sunday, Dec. 15th, I innocently inquired about living there. The nice front desk worker told me that 800 Front Street is at 40% capacity.

Maybe the Editorial Board could interview whoever could tell us the truth about how many rental units (not including proposed new ones-or the eventual new ones at UCSC and Cabrillo) in the county of Santa Cruz are available right now. Also you could ask the person to explain the formula used to determine how much housing is needed. Things like having a surplus of roofing shingles might be part of the answer.

Happy Holidays.

— Bill Stoesen, Santa Cruz

No mandate for Trump to violate U.S. Constitution

Lately, the Sentinel has been full of letters debating whether or not Donald Trump has a “mandate” in his election to the presidency. As unhappy as it might make me, I have to accept that he has a mandate to be President of the United States. But what is the purpose of this debate? Those arguing that he has a mandate seem to be implying that he now has the green light to implement whatever crazy idea pops into his overheated mind.

The mandate to carry out the powers of the Presidency, is not, however, permission to violate the Constitution of the United States, ignore the prerogatives and powers that the Constitution gives to the two houses of the legislature, or that it reserves to the states. Even had he won the election by a much bigger margin than he did, he would have no mandate for that.

— Mike Rotkin, Santa Cruz

GOP should fulfill their Constitutional mandate

The Constitution provides for three co-equal branches of government. It is time for Republicans in the Legislative branch to take that responsibility seriously. Last week, a bipartisan spending bill was (temporarily) torpedoed by a threat from Elon Musk to “primary” any Republican House member supporting it. Presumably the supporting members believed the original bipartisan legislation was in the best interests of their constituencies, but caved in the face of Musk’s threat.

No one elected Musk, let alone bestowed upon him a veto power over House legislation, but this is the paradigm that the Republicans’ lack of courage has created. Similarly, the Constitution imposes on the Senate the duty to Advise and Consent regarding Presidential appointments. Again, the Senate Republicans must have the courage to fulfill their Constitutional mandate. They must advise the President that only qualified candidates with the necessary background, ethics, experience and security clearances will be considered, or otherwise refuse to consent. Absent such courage, checks and balances that protect our democracy will be lost.

— Alan Pedlar, Aptos