Letters to the editor | Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019: Judge candidates, Howze and Harder

Prosecutors will make good judges

I believe John Mayne, Jeff Mangar, and Annette Rees will be great judges when elected in March.

Even though they are all deputy district attorneys, they will bring fairness in their courtrooms, listen carefully to both the defense and prosecution, help victims and their families, create a fair jury trial, and determine the appropriate sentence on convicted defendants. If everyone needs an impartial justice system in Stanislaus County, I respectfully ask you to vote for these three candidates.

GOP perfected Senate obstruction

Re “GOP candidate rips Rep. Josh Harder for ‘impeachment circus’” (Page 3A, Dec. 6-7): (Ted) Howze complains that partisan impeachment hearings prevent work getting done for the American people. He needs to do some homework. The Democratic-led house passed over 400 bills this year despite the “circus.” Bills include expanding healthcare, lowering prescription drug costs, raising minimum wage, climate change, infrastructure, Veterans’ benefits, to name a few. Because impeachment gets the headlines doesn’t mean important work isn’t getting done.

The problem lies with the Republican Senate, where long before impeachment proceedings started Mitch McConnell seemed to feel that supporting wealthy donors and retaining power take precedence over the needs of American people. Important legislation dies on the desk of the self-proclaimed grim reaper. I don’t want to go back to a legislator of that ilk.

Josh Harder has done an impressive job fighting for improved health care, education, jobs and agriculture in the Valley. He is everywhere, listening and answering even the tough questions.

We have seen indisputable evidence that the president has abused the power of his office; the hearings need to proceed.

Howze will put Valley first

The Primary is coming up in March, and I want to encourage voters in Congressional District 10 to vote for Ted Howze. Why? One reason is his stance on making living in this district more affordable.

Howze wants to work to keep locally generated federal tax dollars from being sucked into the Bay Area or Southern California. Why not use our money to improve our local roads, bring more jobs to this area, and work on the homeless situation?

Ted believes our Valley is falling through the cracks, and I agree. He wants to change that. Let’s help him do it. Howze will be our voice in Washington. Vote Howze for House 2020.

Bring on the impeachment

Re “GOP candidate rips Rep. Josh Harder for ‘impeachment circus’” (Page 3A, Dec. 6-7): Ted Howze is badly mistaken about the bills the House has sent to the Senate for votes. There are many. Mitch McConnell, Senate majority leader, will not let House bills be voted on, except what he likes, or Trump. Howze lies the same way Jeff Denham did, and did nothing for the Valley. They think the same: business and money above people. There is good insurance and bad insurance. If insurance covers practically nothing, it’s worthless. If you see a doctor but can’t afford drugs prescribed, you are hurting. Trump and Republicans are trying to kill ACA/Obamacare.

Howze and Republicans are spitting on experts in the Constitution field and expert workers in national security. I don’t think hearing Trump say, “We need a favor, though” is hearsay. If the law that is broken could further destroy your country or the rule of law, should you ignore it?

This story was originally published December 10, 2019 at 2:38 PM with the headline "Letters to the editor | Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019: Judge candidates, Howze and Harder."