LET THE PUBLIC SPEAK - Press Democrat

LET THE PUBLIC SPEAK

Social services

Editor: Something amazing is happening in the United States: people are saying “socialism” — right out loud! Socialists are even running for office again! On Sunday, The Press Democrat published two comments that any socialist would fully support. Neither writer mentions the “S” word, but each advocates for a plainly socialist-adjacent position. People are talking about the socialism we actually have.

A letter writer said: “(I have) always believed everyone deserves health care, food, and a roof over their head. (D)oes that make me a communist?” Well, no. But it voices a sensible socialism, one compatible with American history and values. Another unintentional socialist thought comes from Steven Bradley’s column “Epstein scandal could unite us….” He wants us to see that “the real divide isn’t between red and blue, but between the powerful and the rest of us.” Can’t say “class struggle” yet? What should we call a few billionaires versus the rest of us?

Let’s keep our socialist social security, public education, national parks and add public health, health care and food safety, even if we have to call them “individual disbursements individually offered together.”

— Hill Gates, Santa Rosa

Sonoma County Fair dunk tank

Editor: Let me add one more voice — and I hope the last — to the current discussion of the dunk tank at the fair. I think both sides miss the mark. It is not teaching the kids to hate and not the usual celebrity dunk tank.

Why not take the opportunity to teach the kids positive values? I would propose depictions of ICE boarding detainees on a plane to a foreign county, a picture of the botched Reflection Pool, a picture of a missile aimed at an Iranian school, a picture of the cage fight, or a picture of the half-done ballroom.

I am OK with a likeness of Trump that dunks them all, but others, including Republicans, can take their choice.

— Ted Crowell, Healdsburg

Disingenuous

Editor: Yet another opinion letter about the non-story of the presidential effigy getting bean bagged at the county fair. Comparatively, the Democratic Party has lost very little to none of its moral authority. Like my Pop used to tell me: “Son, an opinion is like a rear end. Everyone has one.”

Hopefully, ’nuff said.

— Marc Andrade, Santa Rosa

Aircraft carrier woes

Editor: If the Navy wants to solve its problems on the aircraft carrier, I have a solution. Hire Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City.

His record is exceptional: complain about a pothole, it gets filled the same day or next. Food is unaffordable for the working class? He starts a chain of low-cost food stores in the city. Tenants have a problem with landlords, Mamdani is on it.

We have a lot of talent in this country that’s getting choked off by the old guard. Solution: get rid of the old guard and start to get things done.

Mamdani would have that aircraft carrier working in a week: better food, toilets that work, pulling in at the next port of call so that sailors can feel the ground again. We could start to move forward again, but only if we embrace new ideas, and one of those is to get rid of Pete Hegseth.

Vote in November.

— Hans Beerbaum, Petaluma

New mental health facility

Editor: Sonoma County Board of Supervisors — Congratulations on procuring an $18 million bond for new mental health services in Sonoma County. Mental health services are greatly needed and it’s good to know that they are being funded.

The question I’m asking is why would the county agree to build a completely new facility when there is so much unused infrastructure right in our backyards?

Why not use the Herbert Slater Middle School campus? With modifications it could be utilized for what is needed.

With the closure of Hilliard Comstock Middle School and Santa Rosa Middle School there are more than enough existing campuses to utilize.

It seems like the Board of Supervisors’s go-to philosophy is always “just build something new” instead of “let’s maintain and fix up what we have.

While the above-mentioned properties are owned by the city of Santa Rosa, leasing it to the County would provide revenue for the city and spare the County from spending all of the new found revenue on a building and using it for actual mental health treatment.

— Carole Galeazzi, Santa Rosa

Editor’s Note: The city of Santa Rosa does not own any of the school sites mentioned. The sites remain Santa Rosa City School District property.

Housing for Boomers

Editor: The Press Democrat printed an article about senior citizens staying in their homes saying this contributes to the lack of housing opportunities for younger families.

The challenge is the lack of appropriate downsizing opportunities locally. Boomers need condos set up as flats in multi-storied buildings with elevators like the condominium complex called the Burbank.

If there were more opportunities like the Burbank, boomers would trade their large houses for a reasonably sized condo without stairs. If these were downtown in Santa Rosa, it would also add to the economic needs of the city with boomers going out for breakfast, lunch and dinner at the local restaurants. Boomers will not give up their homes and equity unless there is an acceptable trade-off.

— Paul Carroll, Santa Rosa

Housing shortage

Editor: You republished a syndicated article from the LA Times regarding the housing shortage in California, and the impact of senior home owners, staying in family homes long after family has moved on.

The article focused on Marin County, as the predicted population of 60+ residents is the highest in California. For your reprint, you lead with a photo from Dillon Beach.

Perhaps your readers would be interested to know that Marin County approved Dillon Beach (and Stinson) to have a maximum number of homes functioning as short term rentals at 80%. But sure, blame the selfish, stubborn old people.

— Terry Woodard, Dillon Beach

Editor’s Note: The Marin County Board of Supervisors updated its short-term rental ordinance for Dillon Beach in 2024, stating no more than 50% of developed properties in Dillon Beach can be used as short-term rentals, with a total cap of 204 licenses.

Republican good ideas

Editor: Republican good ideas are dead on arrival? Really Mr. Skelton (George Skelton: 2 good ideas from Republicans dead on arrival)?

The one thing that Republicans are extremely good at is putting on a show. Changing the way we talk about agencies in order to make them appear to be politically neutral is downright dishonest. It won’t change how they would be run by whoever is in charge. It will just make them appear non-partisan to people who don’t really think the situation over and, more importantly, make it easier for Republicans to get into the office in a highly Democratic state.

These bills are swindles plain and simple.

— Edward Meisse, Santa Rosa

Housing shortage

The article focused on Marin County, as the predicted population of 60+ residents is the highest in California. For your reprint, you lead with a photo from Dillon Beach.

— Terry Woodard, Dillon Beach

Tsunami of lies

Editor: The United States of Psychosis. The Supreme Court rolls over one more time to give Trump the green light on voter suppression, based on his tsunami of lies about illegal voting. Never has such criminality and greed inhabited the Oval Office. Now we learn that after starting a disastrous war with Iran Trump plans to attend a tournament in Ireland at one of his golf courses. When it comes to checks and balances it appears the checks have all bounced and Uncle Sam has lost his balance.

— Brian Narelle, Rohnert Park