Project 2025 will guarantee that Trump’s presidency is unburdened with accountability | Opinion

Healthier planet

“Environmental groups challenge update to California’s low-carbon transportation rules,” (sacbee.com, Dec. 19)

A zero-carbon-emissions world means transitioning to truly clean energy, which biofuels are not. Sadly, it will take pressure from a public that recognizes that the production of animal protein is not only unhealthy for the atmosphere, waterways and marginal communities, but far less healthy for the human body.

Plant-based diets avoid the metabolic downsides of animal protein. I get that hamburgers and fried chicken are delicious. Even so, if you look into what decades of medical science says, you might decide to focus more on a diet of predominantly fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains. Meat is not necessary for strength. Healthier diet, healthier planet, healthier you.

Gary Stewart

Laguna Beach

Trump is a domestic enemy

“California Democrats want Trump off the primary ballot. What does that mean for Republicans?” (sacbee.com, Dec. 20, 2023)

Project 2025 will guarantee that Donald Trump’s presidency is unburdened with any accountability, checks or balances. Trump is an insurrectionist.

In 1973, I pledged my life to support and defend the U.S. Constitution against all foreign and domestic enemies when I joined the military. My oath stands.

The Supreme Court’s conservative majority has already capitulated to the Trump agenda. If our congressional representatives don’t invoke Section Three of the 14th Amendment without delay, we will have a dictatorship on January 6, 2025.

How can we ask our military members to give their lives to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies if we aren’t brave enough to follow the Constitution’s hard won lessons — such as avoiding tyrants and insurrectionists becoming our presidents?

Melvin Garrett Brinkley

Davis

Eliminating an unfair law

“Congress Could Change Social Security Penalties: Here’s Who’s Impacted,” (sacbee.com, Dec. 11)

Eliminating the Windfall Elimination is a game changer. I began working as a speech-language pathologist after getting my master’s. I did not know I would give up the money I had paid into Social Security. Once I found that out, I realized that I could never earn enough of a teacher’s retirement to support me. So I am working past my full Social Security age because I can’t afford to retire even though I broke my back last spring.

The elimination of this provision will mean I can retire before I reach 69 and use my skills for volunteer work. I absolutely love working with children but I need the flexibility to do it on my terms. This was not eliminating a windfall, but eliminating an unfair law.

Melissa Barsam

Woodland

Henderson’s legacy

“Rickey Henderson, the greatest Oakland A’s player of all time, has died at age 65,” (sacbee.com, Dec. 21)

For multiple generations of baseball fans, Rickey Henderson was the gold standard of base stealing and leadoff batting. He was one of the most accomplished and beloved Athletics of all time, and he made an impact during his quarter-century career like no other.

Henderson epitomized speed, power and entertainment, setting the tone at the top of the lineup. When Major League Baseball considered new rules for the game in recent years, they had the era of Henderson in mind.

Henderson earned universal respect, admiration and awe from sports fans. I send my deepest condolences to his family, friends, teammates, A’s fans and baseball fans everywhere.

Paul Bacon

Hallandale Beach, Fla.