Letters for Nov. 7, 2019

Re: “Democrats are corrupt” by Nicholas Schrier(Letters, Oct. 17):

Nicholas Schrier complains that the Democrats “are doing nothing good.”

Well, it isn’t for lack of trying. Since Democrats regained the House last year, they’ve passed bills, some with bipartisan support, to increase elections security, expand voter access and limit partisan gerrymandering; strengthen government ethics rules and limit the influence of moneyed donors; take action on the climate crisis; restore net neutrality; lower prescription drug prices; expand background checks for gun purchases; restore the Violence Against Women Act; fight anti-LGBT discrimination; and protect the Dreamers.

So what became of all those bills? Sen. Mitch McConnell refuses even to let them be voted on in the Senate. So if you’re upset that nothing good is getting done, don’t blame the Democrats, the problem is McConnell. He’s running again in 2020, so if you want to see some progress, support his challenger, Amy McGrath. You can read all about her on Wikipedia.

David Urman

Sacramento / via email

Listen to parents

Re: “Unite behind the science” by Richard Pan (Essay, Oct. 24):

Why are the hundreds of scientific studies from mainstream journals that have shown significant associations with vaccine ingredients and health issues (including seizures and other neurological issues) considered to be “misinformation?” Why are everyday people who ask questions about vaccines laughed at, maligned, dismissed from pediatric practice, bullied and smeared with the term “anti-vaxxer?”

Why do we promote and hold as a value listening to parents, listening to women and listening to our children except when it comes to vaccine injury? Why does the pharmaceutical industry still need to be liability free? Why should I comply with a mandate to inject a liability-free product in my child when there is nothing else like that? Who is responsible if the school is injecting my child?

No one. And so far, no one can give a good answer to any of those questions.

Amy Gordon

Asheville, N.C. / via SN&R Extra

Keep it local

Re: “Money’s all spent, can’t pay the rent” by Jeff vonKaenel (Greenlight, Oct. 10):

Jeff vonKaenel assumes much. The first assumption is that Sen. Elizabeth Warren gets elected president. Next, he assumes she will be able to get this tax increase through Congress. Even then, what’s the guarantee that the federal government spends all this money on fighting poverty, let alone helping pay rent?

When have federal taxes produced a commensurate benefit to citizens? The New Deal? The Great Society? Obamacare? Local solutions are the answer. Every community has its own unique demographics, economic and social challenges and the like. Local officials are able to implement solutions more effectively, with more care and with better accountability. Sen. Warren’s plan is a massive one-size-fits- all redistribution scheme that will enlarge the size of an already bloated federal government, disenfranchise wealth creators and not address the root causes of poverty. To return to income inequality levels similar to what we had several decades ago, keep it local.

Greg Mangrum

Sacramento / via email