In light of America’s 250th birthday, what makes someone an American? | Opinion

What makes someone American?

“Immigrants in Central Valley are challenging ICE detentions at record-high rates,” (fresnobee.com, March 9)

Everywhere I go, I see people decorating their homes and businesses for our nation’s 250th birthday. We celebrate our privilege to be an American, and our pride to live in the greatest country in the world.

But at the same time, we have also seen thousands of people in our streets being rounded up and deported — many of them with families and jobs, just trying to live the American dream. Individuals who are deported lose everything.

So what is an American? What makes us American? Is it where you were born? Where your parents were born? Whether you speak English?

Never before in this great nation have we seen so many Americans in the streets of America have to prove they are Americans.

Steven Trevino Jr

Clovis

Maternal health

“Black midwives sue Southern states, claiming regulations limit patient care,” (mercedsunstar.com, June 10)

This article on midwife care in the South was outstanding. This problem exists much closer to home here in the Central Valley. At least one recent local case involved maternal and infant mortality due to a missed case of pre-eclampsia.

I would love to see an in-depth investigative report on our local hospitals in regard to this important issue.

Melinda Cornwell

Merced

Fossil fuel industry

“Climate change forces Americans to rethink oil companies,” (fresnobee.com, Sept. 24, 2023)

Emissions from burning fossil fuels are rapidly warming our world at a rate that has never occurred in the history of our planet. So why do we continue to burn fossil fuels?

The fossil fuel industry has tremendous control over our government. The industry spends over $100 million per year lobbying elected officials. This lobbying serves as a highly effective financial instrument, yielding unparalleled returns on investments by securing multi-billion-dollar taxpayer subsidies, rolling back environmental regulations and stalling clean energy competition.

We cannot expect meaningful climate action as long as our representatives are financially beholden to the industry driving this crisis. Voters must demand transparency and reject candidates who prioritize fossil fuel payouts over our planet’s future.

Ron Sadler

Fresno

Paving the wrong roads

“‘Over 100 miles’ to be repaved, Fresno mayor says. Is your street on the list?” (fresnobee.com, May 20)

Why is the city doing a complete re-paving of Sante Fe Avenue from West Avenue to Fruit Avenue? Living in the area for over 30 years, I know that hardly anybody uses that road.

How about Shaw Avenue from West Avenue to Palm Avenue? Or Fruit Avenue from Ashlan Avenue to Shaw Avenue?

Rick Geddie

Fresno