My fellow Americans: We need an immediate voting intervention | Opinion

Voting intervention

“McCarthy rejects Senate spending bill while scrambling for a House plan that averts a shutdown,” (modbee.com, Sept. 28)

Has anyone else noticed that government hypocrisy is on full tilt? Democrats are accusing Republicans of the exact same things Republicans accuse Democrats of?

Can we please stop voting for the same people over and over again, hoping they somehow find a soul and a backbone? Let’s face it: we’ve voted poorly way too many times lately. We drank the Kool-Aid. Now, let’s own our mistakes.

We need a voting intervention. We can’t keep voting for the same people and hope they finally do the right thing. While we could barely afford a date night at the local pizza joint, the D.C. politicians went all in at The French Laundry and ordered a case of Dom Perignon for a night cap!

And can we please, please vote for people south of late AARP status?! People born in the latter half of the previous century? Please.

Tim de Lorimier

Modesto

Old school

“How cruising ended in Modesto and where it’s headed,” (modbee.com, Sept. 15)

How naive I was to think that bringing back cruising on McHenry Avenue would resurrect the past. Congratulations to the city council and the mayor for waiting 30 years to bring this icon of my youth back. You won: nobody cares about cruising anymore. That’s so 1980s. Why cruise around in a car and socialize with others when you can stay at home?

Back in the old days, we found visceral, real connections with fellow human beings by simply cruising our cars up and down the street. We met strangers on a whim, and had impromptu conversations with them, eliciting meaningful relationships.

I feel so old school. I am. And I miss it every single day.

Alex Hardie

Ceres

Poor actors

“McCarthy rejects Senate spending bill while scrambling for a House plan that averts a shutdown,” (fresnobee.com, Sept. 28)

Anarchy and dysfunctional government result when poor actors collaborate in seeking unlimited power. In the U.S., this is being done by defunding government programs. Republicans have found this approach works: By decreasing taxes for the rich, programs for the common good, like Social Security and Medicare, suffer.

Donald Trump and his minions are advocating for a massive shutdown of government, thus reducing services and devaluing under-financed programs. The treasonous Trump cabal threatens democracy. Trump’s call for the execution of individuals like General Mark Milley is criminal and treasonous.

Trump was right: He could kill someone in Times Square and not be prosecuted.

Bill Osak

Visalia

Administrative greed

“Tuition increase at California State universities is tough, but necessary | Opinion,” (fresnobee.com, Sept. 14)

The California State University system’s approval of a tuition raise is a ridiculous way of fixing their $1.5 billion funding gap caused by their terrible mismanagement of the CSU system. Presidents from all of the CSU campuses have been receiving unnecessary raises (the lowest of which was a 7% raise, while other CSU presidents got up to 29%). Why are they giving raises out if they know they’re in such a huge funding gap?

The CSU administration is only looking out for themselves instead of students. The CSU trustees’ approval of increasing annual tuition costs by 6% annually for the next five years is only hurting students. Some students are barely receiving financial aid to cover tuition but still fall well short of the tuition cost.

Josue Francisco Medina

Avenal

Good on California

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

For a long time, oil companies have known what the cause of climate change was: themselves. Yet they have avoided taking responsibility so as to not hurt their profits. They have deflected the blame on us, the individuals. And while it’s true that there are things we can do to reduce our carbon footprint, it pales in comparison to how much harm is done by massive oil companies.

The lawsuit from the state of California against some of the largest oil companies is a great step in making sure these oil corporations take responsibility for the damage they have caused to our planet.

In the meantime, more can be done to slow down climate change, like choosing solar energy to power your home.

Armin Purewal

Fresno

Harsher punishments needed

“California should approve automatic speed camera program,” (sanluisobispo.com, July 13)

The lack of true consequences is the main reason speed cameras would fail to protect our roads. The law currently states that fines can be given between $50 to $500. While this seems like a great deterrent, a $50 pass to go 11 miles over the speed limit won’t stop anyone.

Cameras won’t penalize you by placing points on your license, and your insurance will not be affected. People who speed will pay the fine and continue to speed. In an informal survey among friends, most said they would not change their driving behaviors if speed cameras go up. I believe harsher consequences, rather than a slap on the wrist, will ensure safer roads.

Julian Ornelas

Madera