Obey in advance, Library Resources: PD Letters

Obey in advance

EDITORIALS: When the owners of leading newspapers forbid their editors to create expressions of support for the presidentthey took the first step toward tyranny, as identified by historian Timothy Snyder. They obey in advance, anticipate what an authoritarian would demand, and then act based on an outcome that did not actually occur but that has taken over their imagination about the future.

I don’t have a newspaper. But I am in possession of one human mind. When I surrender my thoughts to hopelessness and despair, I unconsciously obey in advance. No, thank you. When I simply look away and hide in distractions, I do more than just obey: I even forget that I have power.

Instead, as best I can, I use my attention to look honestly at what is happening, while at the same time imagining what I know is life-affirming and righteous. I nod toward legitimate fear in one direction, and then I nod in another direction, toward my inner image of Kamala Harris, beaming in the sun, on the steps of the Capitol, her hand on a Bible. I will not give up my trust and vision in advance.

CYNTHIA McREYNOLDS

Sevastopol

Library Resources

EDITOR: I visited the public library a lot lately because I have a 2nd grade grandson who often does homework at my house. One of his assignments is a ‘free reading book’ every school day. Since his parents are busy, I offered to play ‘book fairy’. I drive to our every week library in Petaluma and I’m amazed at the wide selection of easy/early readers. My grandson looks forward to my weekly harvest.

Every time I visit, this magical place is buzzing with activity. It is clear that the library is a lifeline for many users when it comes to job information, reliable computer access, entertainment and all kinds of assistance from dedicated staff. The public library is a good example of what a ‘common interest’ looks like in a free society.

Visit the Sonoma County Library website to learn more about the valuable resources available to all of us – for free – and join me in voting yes on Size W. It’s a lot of money for your 8 cent sales tax.

SUSAN THOMPSON

Petal

Yes to measure I

EDITORIAL: As a 40-year resident of Sonoma County and board member of the American Heart Association’s Western Region, I urge community members to vote yes on Measure I.

The American Heart Association has endorsed Measure I because access to quality health care is an important building block for lifelong cardiovascular health. In addition to expanding affordable child care, Measure I will establish services designed to identify health problems early, reduce the risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease later in life and help Sonoma County children get a healthy start.

By investing in Measure I, Sonoma County will increase the number of children who receive the care and support they need during their most formative years, preparing them to become healthy, prosperous adults. Access to quality, comprehensive health care and education early on is associated with better long-term health outcomes. Preventing chronic diseases is more cost-effective than treating them because healthier children mean lower healthcare costs throughout their lives.

Join me in voting yes to I and investing in the long-term health and prosperity of our next generation.

JUDY COFFEE

Santa Rosa

The payment tab

EDITOR: Imagine the cost of groceries if Donald Trump is elected and starts deporting millions of people. Hundreds of thousands of undocumented workers work in the food industry. They harvest fruits and vegetables, do dirty and dangerous meatpacking jobs, work in seafood processing factories, work in dairies, egg farms and poultry farms. The threat of deportation alone will disrupt our food system and damage our economy. The MAGA supporters certainly won’t be replacement workers.

Just think how devastating this would be. And he would impose tariffs without restrictions from Congress — presidents have the sole power to impose tariffs. All imported items would be subject to a “sales tax,” affecting everything from avocados to zucchini, not to mention iPhones, toys, cars and electronics. What would our economy look like with this? It’s inflationary at best, food shortages at worst.

Electing a 78-year-old wannabe dictator is unfathomable to me. Can we really do this to our country? Call your friends and family in Nevada, Pennsylvania, Michigan and ask them to vote for Kamala Harris.

CLAUDIA MAYFIELD

Santa Rosa

Parsley politics

EDITORIAL: Kamala Harris has said she would not change any of the policies of the past four years. Well, here’s an example that inflation isn’t coming down and Bidenomics isn’t working. Our 1.2 kilo lop-eared bunny loves Italian parsley. Two months ago a bunch of parsley cost €1.39, a month ago €1.59 and now €1.89 per bunch. I call that an increase of 11% in just over two months. Sorry, my wallet, my choice. I’m going to vote for Donald Trumps.