Trump’s bizarre trade policy hits Americans twice

Editor: The plight of U.S. soybean farmers appears to have reached a critical point. Donald Trump decided, for reasons that don’t make much sense, to levy enormous tariffs on imports from China. In response, China, which historically purchased well over 90% of the U.S. soybean crop, has decided to seek an alternative supplier. They chose Argentina. Economists tell us that when a country seeks another supplier, they rarely reverse the change.

This is where the mind-boggling trap on taxpayers begins. Just last month, the U.S. government approved a $20 billion aid package to Argentina to stabilize its economy, including but not limited to Argentina’s soybean market. All funded by U.S. taxpayers.

U.S. soybean farmers are in deep trouble, and as a result of their plight, Trump has decided to put U.S. taxpayers on the hook for his bizarre policy. He is using the tax money paid by Americans to cover the tariffs he imposed to subsidize both U.S. and Argentine soybean farmers.

Somewhere in the handbook of really bad decision-making, it’s now the rule to hit working families both coming and going, and not having any idea what is being done in our name or why.

— Tim McFarlin, Santa Rosa

Where was No Kings? Old news on the front page

Editor: What a surprise to check out the front page of the Oct. 19 Press Democrat and see no mention of the No Kings rallies and marches all around Sonoma County. Yes, there were articles and photos inside on Page 4 and Page 5, but the front page was mostly used up with stories that are not new and have been languishing for some time (a SMART rail crossing on Jennings Avenue, since 2016; sexual assault lawsuits against the Catholic Diocese of Santa Rosa, since 2019; an ex-deputy getting yearly benefits, after a case from 2022).

On the other hand, the marches across the United States are new, timely and almost unprecedented as a call of the people to preserve our Constitution and rule of law. We citizens are rightly frightened of the takeover and dismantling of our government structures right before our eyes. Read inside on Page 4 and Page 5 to read that 10,000 Santa Rosans marched and even 700 in the much smaller town or Cloverdale.

Please do better with prioritizing what is printed on the front age of what-is-probably the most read edition all week of The Press Democrat.

— Marcia Anton, Santa Rosa

The public deserves more details on disability case

Editor: I am appalled that former Sonoma County Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Dietrick will be getting more than $60,000 in annual benefits for a work-related disability (“Ex-deputy tied to fatal shooting gets yearly benefit over $60,000,” Oct. 19).

He shot and killed a man while on duty. The article says it cannot be disclosed if his disability retirement had anything to do with the case. Mental illness due to the shock of having killed someone? Well, he killed a man while on duty before. I think the public has a right to know why he’s on disability. After all, we are footing the bill.

— Barbara Parnow, Santa Rosa

Laughter, singing and no sign of violence or hate

Editor: Lady Liberty must have been smiling on Oct. 18 to see such a massive turnout all over the country of people peacefully protesting against the corrupt Donald Trump agenda (“North Bay rallies against Trump,” Oct. 19). I woke the following day still bathed in the sense of peace and hope I felt walking with my fellow citizens in the No Kings march. My heart was full and eyes wet to see people in wheelchairs, others using walkers and canes. Some were clearly struggling but braving the pain to be in the moment of solidarity with us all to save democracy.

There were families with strollers, and many American flags proudly waved. The air was filled with good sounds, a steady drumbeat, rattles, honking car horns of support, chanting, laughter, some singing and even frogs dancing. No signs of the pro-Hamas, antifa violent hate-filled people House Speaker Mike Johnson and others described us as.

We reached Doyle Park to a brass band about to play. People mingled, exchanging greetings and light conversation, now one in our desire to save our country from a fascist takeover. We traveled home in silence. It was those times in life when words defy conversation.

— Joan Mc Auliffe, Santa Rosa

No on Prop. 50: Keep the independent commission

Editor: Gov. Gavin Newsom is portraying Proposition 50 as a battle against Donald Trump. But the truth is he wants to take away the voter-approved independent commission so that those currently in power can reduce the chances that they will be voted out of office.

In the case of us living in Marin County, our district becomes F-shaped and incorporates farmland in Northern California. Likewise, Santa Rosa’s district is contorted to absorb farmers and farmworkers.

Let’s keep the independent commission that cares about the voters, not politicians’ jobs.

— Paul Walker, Novato

Beneath the dignity of the presidency

Editor: Surely, even some of Donald Trump’s die-hard supporters should admit that his posting of a video of him dumping excrement on No King’s Day marchers was juvenile (“Trump posts fake video of himself in ‘King Trump’ jet, soiling protesters below,” Oct. 20). Trump has a mature man’s body and the mind of a seventh grader (my apologies to seventh graders). Really, MAGA people, was that the reaction of an adult? And you’re still a die-hard MAGA supporter? And yet he’s in charge of the most powerful country in the world, with his fingers on the flush lever of his golden toilet, along with his adolescent mind.

— Hans Beerbaum, Petaluma