Saving democracy: Letters to the editor of The Fresno Bee, Nov. 21, 2021

Calling on Costa to save democracy

I would like to tell Rep. Jim Costa that our country is sliding into socialism. You are smart enough to see this and know that it’s coming. You could go down in history as an accessory to making this happen. Your grandchildren and great-grandchildren will wonder what you did to save our cemocracy.

Do you represent the people of the 16th District, or your Democrat party? Parties are an association. The district has a soul. These are people you will negatively affect by helping your associate Democrats evolve — yes, an evolution — into socialism. You must see this coming. I sincerely hope you are friends with the truth. If not, this letter will mean nothing to you.

Please join Sens. (Joe) Manchin and (Kyrsten) Sinema against the radical move towards socialism that the progressive caucus intends. Consider being a hero in this, not a follower.

This senior citizen wants to work

I listen to radio station KMJ regularly. I constantly hear how “no one wants to work.” I have to say that I am someone who does want to work.

Gray hair seems to turn people off. I have been rejected by five companies. I am over 65, healthy, eager, intelligent, and am a retired federal employee. Seriously, companies do not want folks that look like grandmothers; it’s depressing. I am educated, trained, and have been asked so many times if I have received “assistance.” I answer “no”— maybe that is the problem.

Senior citizen looking to work the holiday season ... and no one wants to hire. So please, when reporting “no one wants to work”.....reconsider what you say.

Time for schools to restart PTA

The recent article by Editor Joe Kieta caught my eye. What is missing in today’s educational system is a formal and structured way to give voice to all interested parties, parents, teachers, administrators, and board members. For years the Parent Teachers Association (PTA) provided that opportunity. The PTA’s quarterly open meetings provided opportunity to educate parents and teachers together on topics of curriculum, classroom discipline, family life and child development, instruction, and classroom decor. It was a time for the community to come together on behalf of our kids and mutually engage in open dialogue with teachers to foster a common bond, mutual respect, and to resolve educational concerns.

The PTA provided an educational forum for the community to be of one mind and do what was best for our kids through education. The school council in each school provided opportunity for teachers, administrators, and parents to meet over issues of curriculum, textbook selection, subjects to be taught and community needs. Both of these parent-teacher formats were needed and valued.

Today, I suggest that all schools in the Central Valley lead the way — bring back the PTA.

COVID mandates trample rights

The vaccination requirements announced by Mayor Dyer for Fresno city employees, as well as those announced for Fresno County court employees, are fraught with fundamental flaws.

As Libertarians, we oppose coercive measures such as these that result in termination of employment. As scientists, we are well aware of the real-world statistics for SARS-CoV-2 infections, treatments, and immunity. As biomedical professionals, we are appalled at the lack of consideration for the long-standing bioethics principles of informed consent and right to refuse. These principles apply to both medications (including vaccines) and any medical test.

Research on the efficacy of the available vaccines is ongoing, and the current academic and clinical trial literature indicates that the vaccines themselves do not prevent transmission. Given this fact, the choice to take a vaccine is solely an individual medical decision. Medical decisions ought only be made under the advice of a doctor — not a politician or bureaucrat.

We hope that the city and county officials will reverse their decisions to impose coercive, employment-based vaccination mandates. They go against medicine, science, and the basic civil rights that form the foundation of our American values. Instead, Fresno officials should choose to lead by example and respect the citizens.

Let’s fix up Roeding Park first

Workshops and meetings are beginning to be held concerning Measure P, the 3/8% sales tax to be used for parks.

Roeding Park is a jewel in the southern part of the city, with many mature trees, wildlife, ponds and the best tennis courts in Fresno, but it has been neglected for many years even though it is heavily used. This is unconscionable.

As the trees are mature, planning must be made for replacements, but there haven’t been any new plantings in a very long time. The grounds are pleasant, but much more needs to be done to re-establish grass in certain areas. And the city needs to refurbish picnic areas and restrooms, and provide regular maintenance. And even though Councilman Miguel Arias has spoken of the need for more equitable distribution of funds, he seems to be silent on Roeding.

Not a dime should be spent anywhere in Fresno, especially in the north, until Roeding Park’s needs are addressed. Just because it is in the south doesn’t mean it should be abandoned. I like Woodward Park too, but let’s show a little citywide conscience.

HSR, bike paths worth the wait

Marek Warszawski goes to bat for Fresno against biased outside interests and, conversely, stands up against the entrenched local powers opposed to healthy change, and I appreciate that. But his Oct. 25 feature on high-speed rail and local bike lanes is unduly pessimistic on both projects.

Yes, the high-speed rail will be built in segments slower than we like, and some would just as soon pull the plug. With that kind of attitude, the interstate system never would have been built. But its sponsors wisely chose to build the less expensive, rural sections first, and when these sections proved their worth, extended the interstates into the cities. HSR will be built in the same way. Consider HSR as the smart way to expand the 99 into 10 lanes without the pollution and less actual traffic on the freeway. This dream is worth waiting for, just as was the interstate system.

Yes, the Herndon bicycle path has many obstacles. But bike paths in Fresno are, on the whole, quite successful. In 2003, I had no bike paths to travel on. Now I ride 90% on bike paths, about 3,000 miles a year.

Both projects are game-changes for Fresno, and worth our continued support.

Why can churches water lawns?

Why does the city allow churches with big lawns to water their grass and waste water? They should not be allowed to water because of the drought. As homeowners, we are allowed to water only on certain days .

Big business and lack of caring

To big to care! This is the mindset that seems to permeate large corporations. I went this morning to my bank and was treated to a 20-minute wait outside, but sadly it was not over.

After my outside wait, there was another 20-minute wait inside. Once there I beheld the problem — two cashiers. Profits matter so much that any care for these long waits are becoming the norm.

Putting us on hold, standing us in line, forcing us to patiently await the pleasure of the service we pay you to provide us. The profit we bring you is taken for granted, and we grudgingly provide, but under your terms. Shame on you all!

This story was originally published November 21, 2021 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Saving democracy: Letters to the editor of The Fresno Bee, Nov. 21, 2021."