What business does an unelected billionaire have with our federal payment systems? | Opinion

No to Musk power grab

“‘Shadow government’? Billionaire Elon Musk’s grip on U.S. government spending raises questions” (fresnobee.com, Feb. 4)

As a Central Valley resident, I am alarmed by Elon Musk’s unconstitutional takeover of federal financial systems, facilitated by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. This is about the rule of law, not partisanship. Reuters and AP News report that Musk gained unauthorized control over U.S. Treasury payment systems, which handle Social Security and federal salaries. This followed the resignation of a senior Treasury official in protest.

Musk also pushed for the dissolution of USAID, leading to the suspension of officials who tried to prevent unauthorized access to classified data.Congress controls federal spending, not an unelected billionaire. Historian Timothy Snyder warns that unchecked power leads to authoritarianism, and Heather Cox Richardson notes that democratic erosion starts with dismantling oversight.This affects us all. If Congress is bypassed, who decides where our tax dollars go?

Musk’s control could delay tax refunds, grants, and Social Security payments while exposing Americans’ financial data.I urge Valley residents to contact their representatives. Demand they protect democracy and stop this unlawful power grab.

Maria Gonzalez

Merced

Trump flaunting laws

“Trump slaps Trump slaps punishing tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China, sparking fears of a trade war” (fresnobee.com, Feb. 10

We have let loose a monster in our midst. In our frustration with the inefficiency of the balance of powers, we have lost sight of the important reasons for not streamlining government. The Founding Fathers of our country had personal experience of the cruelty and lack of freedoms and rights under kings. They had the opportunity to develop a Constitution for the new country built on the ideas of the great political philosophers of the Enlightenment. They were very careful to make sure that too much power would lie in any one place; it would be a government laws, not a government of a kin’s whims.

Now President Trump is knowingly flouting laws and the Constitution by governing through executive orders that illegally ignore the roles required of the legislative branch state in the Constitution. He governs through edicts that ignore laws that have been legally enacted. He will be sued by many states and organizations and citizens. The cases will appealed,, probably all the way to the Supreme Court. Can Trump be stopped?

Only you can stop him. Write letters to your Congressmen. Protest. Join organizations like STOP Project 2025, Lambda Legal, and Union of Concerned Scientists. Speak up.

Carol Fleisig

Coarsegold

A wonderful world

My wife and I belong to a church which a year or two ago, started a food recovery program. On Wednesday afternoons a member or two from our church picks up food donated by vendors from our local farmer’s market. Then, on Fridays, these bins of food are prepared by other members of our church to make 40-50 meals which are then served in our small cafeteria to food insecure individuals and families living nearby.

I know there are many churches, synagogues, and places of worship in our community where such acts of mercy are displayed. For me, it is a blessing to know that these vendors, some of whom come from immigrant backgrounds, are willing to give of their livelihood and that there are parishioners willing to give of their time for this project of kindness. As Louie Armstrong sings, “Yes, I think to myself, what a wonderful world!”

Val Rios

Fresno

“California Citrus CEO: Immigration raids target the wrong people, undermine food supply | Opinion” (fresnobee.com, Jan. 28)

Casey Creamer’s opinion column “Immigration Raids Target the Wrong People …,” left me with questions for better insight. He states that 75% of citrus field workers recently did not show up for work on some Central California farms out of fear of Customs and Border Protection raids.

My question for Mr. Creamer is, if these farmworkers are here legally, why would they be in fear of an encounter with a Border Patrol Agent? Authorities randomly stop vehicles at DUI checkpoints; if you are driving lawfully, there is no problem.

So, that begs further questions: Are these citrus farmers legally hiring these field workers? Are these workers being paid a legal and fair wage, or are they being exploited? Legal or illegal, are they treated with respect, fairness, and compassion? Hopefully, Mr. Creamer, the president of California Citrus Mutual, will further enlighten your readers.

Phil Winter

Henderson, NV

PG&E image

I am amazed at PG&E and there attempts at damage control with there “public service” TV ads on their attempts to repair their public image. Rates are out of control and their request for increases seems to be rubber stamped every time. The PUC, I am convinced, is under their control and they’re basically on their payroll. Every attempt is rubber stamped almost every time. I’m sure their profits are over the top and yet they claim they are unable to provide service correctly.

Now, the TV ads where they’re saying they’re doing everything to protect the state from fires. How stupid do they think we are? These ads are just a ploy to cover their incompetence and lack of public safety planning. And to top it off the disclaimer that says these ads are not paid for by rate payer funds, their entire business model is based on rate payer payments. This state needs real PG&E oversight and meaningful corrections. Just like many issues with California, our elected officials have no stomach for this. We need real change in Sacramento.

Duane Opie

Fresno

Trump’s water release

“Trump Administration Releases California Dam Water Without State Approval” (fresnobee.com, Feb. 1)

In November, California voters not so much FOR Harris, but AGAINST Trump. And what was Trump’s “retribution” against us for doing so? …Trump responded to L.A.’s fires immediately, and he took action to bypass the infinite bureaucracy limiting water delivery throughout our state.

President Trump’s actions don’t stand alone as the sole reason for water delivery, but he helped cut through long-standing red tape that has historically prevented common sense remedies. Without Trump’s emergency orders, we’d likely still be suffering through self-inflicted water woes — empty reservoirs, firefighter shortages, and dry hydrants as wildfires consume homes and humans in our neighborhoods.

Compare Trump’s actions to Biden/Harris’ treatment of those in non-Democrat-majority North Carolina; Mayorkas, Biden’s flunky, falsely claimed that funding ran dry, and Biden’s FEMA workers intentionally skipped over Trump supporters who were in dire need of emergency services. Less than 2 weeks after Trump took office, NC finally got the help they’d been desperately waiting for.

President Trump’s actions obviously demonstrate that he intends to be a president for ALL Americans, not just for those who support him, so why do we keep electing Democrats who do nothing for us?

Matt McIntyre

Madera

Gender affirming care

Have you ever taken a child to a doctor’s appointment? Whether for illness, a school physical, or an injury, you were there in the room, participating in the entire visit. You answered questions, watched procedures, asked your own questions, heard your child’s questions, and supported your child. Everything happened openly between you, your child, and the doctor. You likely left feeling reassured because your child received proper care and felt supported.

It’s exactly the same when a parent takes their child to a doctor seeking gender-affirming care. Despite misleading narratives painting it as something sinister, it’s simply healthcare provided by skilled physicians working with loving parents to support children’s well-being.

Rather than focusing on politicized debates, consider what this care means for young people’s mental health. Gender-affirming care helps align young people’s physical selves with who they know they are. Research shows this care significantly reduces suicide risk and increases self-confidence.

Shouldn’t we want our children to be happy and confident in who they are? Instead of spreading misinformation, we should support transgender youth and their families as they make healthcare decisions with medical professionals who care about their well-being.

Nadine Pourier Blumenshine

Clovis

“Racist slur, Nazi symbol found at Fresno’s Edison High. ‘Feeling like an unsafe campus’” (fresnobee.com, Jan. 29)

I want to address the racist slur and Nazi symbol found at Edison High. Last week the same thing happened in the campus parking lot that depicted racial slurs against African-American (Blacks) along with a Nazi symbol. According to Fresno Unified spokesperson, Nikki Henry, who saw no link between the two events. Fresno Police spokesperson Bill Dooley reported the same wording plus a heart with two initials. He cited the same color chalk.

Ms. Henry also said their is a subtle difference between using profanity and the N-word if it’s not directed at another person or group of people. She stated, “That is where you get into a conversation around free speech rights.”

Are you kidding me? So is it my understanding that you can use the N-word as long as you are not looking at the individual or a group of Black people. Does that mean if you are not looking or speaking to anyone or a group of people in a movie theater, Your free apeech allows you to holler “FIRE!” Is this how Nikki Henry operates? How can she ease the fear at Edison regarding racist deeds and actions. How can Fresno Unified ignore concerns!

R. Mikki Addison

Fresno

Time with grandkids

I’ll admit it, my husband and I are old codgers!!! We still like to read the actual hard copy of the Bee, while drinking our morning coffee. We’re sedentary and like to relax with our 3 times a week paper! Usually it’s a pleasant read without any specific article making an impression. But Friday’s paper was different! Tucked away on page 7A was a delightful commentary entitled “Where magic happens: Time with grandchildren.” Simply a marvelous read. Thank you for publishing this! Made my day! Here’s to more treasures in The Bee!

Jean Flores

Clovis

This story was originally published February 9, 2025 at 6:00 AM.