Donald Trump is an autocrat, and the Heritage Foundation is doing his bidding | Opinion

Readers ought to know

“Donald Trump Reveals His Views on Project 2025,” (modbee.com, July 5)

The Modesto Bee often runs articles in its Opinion Section from writers affiliated with the Heritage Foundation. Readers ought to know some information about this organization.

The Foundation has produced a document, Project 2025, meant to serve as a blueprint for a second Donald Trump administration should he win the election. According to an article in the New York Times, entitled “Heritage Foundation Makes Plans to Staff Next G.O.P. Administration,” a new president typically replaces around 4,000 “political appointees” who are above the federal workforce. Below these individuals is a group of government workers who for the most part are apolitical bureaucrats.

Trump has said he wants to demolish career civil service — or, what he calls pejoratively, “the deep state.” One of the major tenets of Project 2025 is to fire far more than the 4,000 government employees typically let go (some estimates are up to 50,000 career government officials) and replace them with Trump loyalists.

This is the vision of an autocrat, and the Heritage Foundation is doing his bidding.

Kent Mitchell

Riverbank

Your vote matters

“With Supreme Court’s historic Trump immunity decision, how did California Democrats react?” (sacbee.com, July 1)

“Why vote?” “No matter who we elect, nothing changes.” “Government has little impact on my life.” Meanwhile, Republicans have packed the courts, handcuffed government regulatory agencies and given corporations special benefits.

The Supreme Court is packed with unelected political activists. They’ve reversed Roe and they will ban contraception and undo gay rights. They’ve gutted voting rights, allowed extreme gerrymandering, rejected gun safety laws and enabled big money to buy elections. Now, they’ve created presidential immunity, reversing the foundation of our country.

They’ve enabled Dictator Donald Trump. MAGA Republicans want a return to the ’50s. They want women, Black people, Latinos and the LGBTQ+ community to be considered second-class citizens.

Take back our government, before it’s too late. Vote!

Marvin Keshner

Sonora

Protecting unhoused neighbors

“After Supreme Court’s contentious homelessness ruling, what’s next for California cities?” (sacbee.com, July 3)

Where does the Supreme Court ruling leave people struggling without a home? We must ask our representatives at all levels of government to step in and end this tragic situation in the world’s richest country.

Nationally, Congress could renew the expanded child tax credit that cut child poverty in half, enact a renter tax credit so those in poverty are able to stay housed by not paying over 30% of their income for rent and expand the SNAP program so people don’t have to choose between rent and food.

At the state and local levels, our leaders can make sure there are enough shelters and needed programs to help those in need. This will only happen if we ask for it. After all, we elect them, so let’s speak up for all Americans struggling to be housed!

Willie Dickerson

Snohomish, Wash.

Newsom’s choice

“Sacramento County stops delivering water to homeless as heat wave starts. Here’s why,” (sacbee.com, July 4)

I would like to graciously extend an invitation to Gov. Gavin Newsom to spend the next week sleeping in his backyard (or in his car in his driveway). I have been in this position, staying in my car for more than five years. Some people say it’s a choice, but, in my case, it’s been all I could afford.

California is in the midst of an extreme and deadly heatwave. Newsom has left the option of emergency heat shelters up to the counties of this great state. And that is a mistake. I would prefer to live in a state where a governor takes personal responsibility for this weather crisis by declaring a state of emergency. This would ideally include shelters or hotel vouchers for homeless individuals.

Newsom holds many lives in his hands. He can choose to act, or do nothing.

Lyndi Duckworth

Roseville