Letters to the editor | Sunday, May 8, 2022: It’s about more than just abortion
It’s about more than just abortion
I left both main political parties because neither one approached the pro-life issue with realistic compassion.
The way to eliminate the heartbreak of abortion must go beyond restriction. Yes, a majority of American people support restricting abortion beyond the first trimester; however the majority have, in the past, supported something that later proved to be problematic.
Women must have answers to the reasons we “choose” to abort our children. We need access to housing, medical care, education, resources that allow us to prosper whether we are pregnant or not. No woman should ever be told that they will not succeed in life or achieve their dreams if they give birth to a child.
A pro-life agenda must be a whole-life agenda. Anything else feeds into the lie that those of us who are pro-life care only about the pre-born child and not about the mother or the life outside the womb that their child faces.
Hold society accountable. If we value women and children we must put policies in place that prove we are more than anti-abortion.
Leslie Shaw Klinger, Modesto
Dystopia, here we come
The draft decision of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade felt like the last nail in the coffin for democracy.
“1984,” “Animal Farm,” “2001: A Space Odyssey,” “Moscow 2042,” “Lord of the Flies,” “The Handmaid’s Tale,” “Brave New World,” “Slaughterhouse 5” and “Fahrenheit 451” all foresaw the dystopia that would become our world. They were like a lottery as to the date. Since 2016 the dystopia in America has been like corn in a pressure cooker. It appears that the American dystopia will begin after the midterm elections in November of this year and will be stamped in stone by a Trump or DeSantis presidential victory in 2024.
Paul Golden, Modesto
Good call after all
Making the right decision sometimes does not come easily. Hats off to those individuals who were willing to discuss, debate, be open-minded, allowing “Be More Chill” to finish its run.
Turlock is not Russia, North Korea or Florida. We can all bask in freedom’s sunshine, lighting the way to our freedom of choice and not having to worry about the shameful shackles of censorship that feed on closed minds, blinded eyes and ignorance. We are better than that.
Let the show begin!
Brooks Judd, Turlock
Help our own first
Re “Development of 436 luxury apartments planned for Modesto” (Front Page, May 1): All this project does is line the pockets of developers with money from Bay Area people who can’t afford the exorbitant prices over there. It will bring more commuters, while doing nothing to address local needs. I realize that local government preaches upgrading our community. You don’t accomplish this by turning a blind eye to and ignoring those less affluent. You work to elevate those people by working to provide affordable housing so that they can accomplish their dream.
It’s sad that local government only looks at what they think is the bottom line, without the knowledge that their actions only bring in more people when the ones already here need help.
Verne Carraway, Modesto
Condit for CA Assembly
As a local Realtor and college student, I support Chad Condit for State Assembly.
During this critical time in our state, we need leaders who can work for us effectively in Sacramento. Condit can do that.
Condit has the experience to serve our Valley at the highest level. Along with being a Navy veteran, Chad served as former Governor Gray Davis’ special assistant dealing with agricultural and educational issues in the Central Valley. During his time in that role, the Valley’s first UC campus was delivered to the Central Valley.
From issues like water storage to making college more obtainable for Valley students, I trust Chad will be our voice as our next assemblymember.
Krishan Malhotra, Modesto
Loyalty above all
The goal of Republicans should be to win seats for Republicans in the 2022 election and to remove Nancy Pelosi as House speaker. In order to do this, all Republicans should be backing Republican candidates and working for their election.
So why is it that we have Assemblyman Heath Flora, Sheriff Jeff Dirkse, and County Supervisor Vito Chiesa — all professed Republicans — supporting and endorsing a Democrat for Congress in District 13 when three Republicans are also running in that district? This is contrary to the Republican goal.
These guys were willing to take the endorsements and financial backing (in the form of having their names on campaign handouts) from local Republican groups, and then they stabbed us Republicans in the back. These guys are showing us that they cannot be trusted. Is it just a coincidence that all three of these politicians are either not up for election or now have a safe seat?
Darwin Don Weeden, Delhi
Voters, use your heads
The future ain’t what it used to be. Where once there were opportunities and hope, today we have deception and greed. California’s latest surplus of $68 billion should be a crime considering the shape of our roads and bridges, the state of our education system (from fifth in the world during the 1960s to 40-something in the nation today), to a truly broken injustice system.
And who is to blame? Not the politicians nor the news or social media and not the environment. It is the individual, the person in the mirror.
The individual can have the power to correct these problems. Come election time, memory should be utmost on the voter’s mind. Who and what failed the people during a crisis. Second should be education. Find out the facts on what is being sold, stolen or just plain being given away. And finally use your gut feeling. If it sounds too good to be true, then it is.
Vote smart.
Rick Kimble, Riverbank
Medicare Advantage sounds good
My husband and I turn 65 this year, which means it’s time for us to rethink our health care coverage. After examining different coverage options, we plan to sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan and look forward to that coverage kicking in.
When trying to find the best plan, Medicare Advantage stuck out, not only because of the value but also the ease of use. We also noticed the better health outcomes that our friends and family who were already enrolled experienced. Aging certainly takes a toll on the body, and we wanted to make sure we were fully covered should we come across health issues in the future.
Although we haven’t gotten to embrace everything about Medicare Advantage just yet, I’m looking forward to using all the benefits I know my plan provides. I encourage Rep. Harder, who has been an advocate for seniors and affordable health care, to continue supporting Medicare Advantage in Congress.
Nancy Zweifel, Modesto
Helping the homeless
According to Mayor Zwahlen a full 40% of Modesto residents qualify for housing assistance and the number of homeless has skyrocketed. I know from working at hotels on Sisk Road over the last several years that I would see more and more homeless people on the street late at night. Not just elderly men. Couples with kids in strollers looking for a safe place to sleep with their kids.
So, I’m wondering how many of our local churches provide safe shelter at night?
I’m not a religious person, but for the leaders of our religious communities, if you are not doing this, then why? I think it’s what Jesus would want you to do.
Gaetana Drake, Modesto