Why Clovis would be better off with three representatives in Congress | Opinion

Fong not representing Clovis

“‘It splits Clovis into three:’ Why city officials say they oppose Proposition 50” (fresnobee.com, Oct. 8)

The Clovis City Council recently voted to support a “Vote No” on Proposition 50, which they claim would undermine the city’s representation in Washington, D.C. They claim our current Congressman Vince Fong is doing a great job for the city. I strongly disagree with that premise.

Fong has been a loyal supporter of Trump and his administration. He votes Red on everything that comes to his desk, without questioning or investigating the issues. He is doing all of us a disservice in the Valley by approving ICE operations where they practically kidnap people at Home Depots, Farms, packinghouses, and so on, many of them old people with no way of defending themselves.

The congressman the withholding of the Epstein files, which most likely implicate President Donald Trump. So again, what difference would splitting up his district do when he really does not represent the people in his district?

Steven Trevino, Clovis

The dictatorship of the majority

Prop. 50 is specifically designed to alter the makeup of California’s 52-member congressional delegation (43 Democrats vs. 9 Republicans) by gerrymandering districts to remove 5 Republicans from office, thereby making the count 48 to 4.

In the 2024 presidential election in California, the Republican ticket received over 38% of the vote, indicating a substantial minority with conservative inclination. As it currently stands, that 38% minority is represented by only 17% of the California delegation. If Prop. 50 is passed, and the current system is overridden, the interests of over a third of California’s voting population will be represented by only 7% of the congressional representatives from California. This is not representational governance; it is a power-grab.

If Prop. 50 passes and the redistricting process is taken away from the citizenry and handed back to the politicians, it will be ironic, in that its proponents, the Democrats, argue that they are protecting democracy from a dictator by becoming a party of dictators.

Kevin Bennett, Fresno

2nd Amendment

“The killing of Charlie Kirk makes America less safe and more hateful | Opinion” (fresnobee.com, Sept. 10)

I had never heard of the young man shot and killed in Utah prior to his death, but to me he’s no different than the other victims of gun violence in America. He is similar to the children brutally murdered at Sandy Hook or the victims in Las Vegas trying to enjoy a concert. I have made it a habit of speaking about the epidemic of gun violence in the U.S. I’m still puzzled by the worship of guns and the misguided protection of the 2nd Amendment by the “supreme” court.

My grandson will grow up attending schools that teach him how to elude mass murderers with high powered military style guns with high capacity magazines who might gain access to his classroom. I never had to worry about that growing up in the 1970s.

I hope everyone is outraged by the murder of the young man in Utah. It’s senseless, needless and unforgivable for any American to live in fear of being gunned down for attending a movie, a concert, or going to school. And it’s equally devastating to happen when folks are peacefully assembled to debate the issues of our time. Repeal and replace the 2nd Amendment.

Patrick Macmillan, Fresno

Timing of news

“Merced historic courthouse museum celebrates 150 years, 150 stories” (mercedsunstar.com, Oct. 9)

I’m sad to see that again you have a story on the front page that is written as if it will happen when in fact it has happened.

Could you not have edited the story about the Merced Courthouse to state that the celebration was the day before you published the article? It’s sad we only have a three day a week paper, but sadder that timing makes stories look foolish.

Judith Sharp, Fresno

No to book bans

I am writing this to let you and all your readers know that these book bans are unacceptable, as it contributes to censorship. It’s not only the problematic books that are getting the chopping block, but also innocent books that these censors want banned because it goes against their views and politics, as well as keeping our children ill-informed in hopes of brainwashing.

Jessica James Johnson, Selma