Letters: Prop. 4 | Taxpayers’ burden | Children’s future | U.S. first | Tragic legacy | Hope and faith

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Proposition 4 needed
to boost infrastructure

Re: “Proposition 4 would float $10B bond for state’s climate change resilience programs” (Page A1, Oct. 14).

The rise of electric cars and extreme weather events have put significant strain on our neighborhood power delivery systems, which are often unable to meet the growing demand, leading to outages and potential grid damage.

This past summer, I worked at a startup developing AI-enabled algorithms for smart power detection and allocation. Our goal was to balance household energy needs and manage demand while keeping the grid’s load within safe limits. Supporting renewable energy isn’t just about installing more solar panels or driving electric cars — it’s equally important to update our existing infrastructure.

This November, please show up to support Proposition 4, a critical infrastructure bond measure aimed at addressing the impacts of climate change through vital infrastructure improvements.

Carissa Wu
Los Altos

Prop. 4 puts too much
burden on taxpayers

Re: “Proposition 4 would float $10B bond for state’s climate change resilience programs” (Page A1, Oct. 14).

The environmental projects that Proposition 4 will fund are urgently needed. It will fund vital projects such as urban tree planting, coastal wetlands creation and wildlife protection.

However, Proposition 4 is a fiscally irresponsible way to fund these important programs. If passed, Proposition 4 would fund environmental projects with bonds. Such bonds would require the citizens of California to pay the bonds — with very high interest — over the next 40 years.

Proposition 4 was placed on the ballot to replace funding for climate programs that were part of the state’s budget. The government felt compelled to take those climate-related funds out of the budget to eliminate the state’s deficit. Taxpayers are therefore being asked to pay for the state’s mishandling of its own budget.

The state should find a funding source other than requiring its citizens to pay for those programs. It’s unfair and impractical. Vote no on Proposition 4.

Nick Dellaporta
Santa Clara

Vote with children’s
future in mind

There is a huge cohort of U.S. citizens who cannot vote. They are our children.

Having worked with them in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District for 35 years, I am going to channel their voice regarding the most important election this country has ever had: Please vote for a good future for us by electing only politicians who understand that global warming could ruin our lives.

Don Eggleston
Aptos

Vote for candidate
who will put U.S. first

Election Day is quickly approaching. There are pressing issues that are affecting every American; one of those being the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Despite it occurring overseas, our tax dollars have and continue to fund the Israeli military force. Despite your stance on this issue itself, I think we can all agree that our government is spending too much money (specifically, $17.9 billion spent since Oct. 7, 2023). The dollars that are funding this atrocious war could well be spent in a way that would directly benefit Americans.

As we know, the Biden administration is not shy about sending billions of dollars. Donald Trump has also voiced his support for Israel, though we don’t know what exactly his administration would do if he is elected again.

With such pressing issues, I encourage everyone to vote this election; vote for the candidate who you think will put our interests first.

Itzel Resendiz
San Jose

Trump’s biggest legacy
is COVID death toll

Donald Trump asks, “Are you better off now than you were four years ago?” The answer for nearly everyone, if they are honest, is a resounding yes. Many have instead answered this way: “Am I where I want to be?”

Then, we were in the throes of a massive epidemic. Thanks to the ineptitude and lack of concern from Trump, it took more than 400,000 American lives by the time he left office. His entire presidency was a chaotic mess, a Category 5 hurricane leaving death and destruction in its path. He turned the Justice Department against those who disagreed with him, made our air and water more toxic, increased financial scams (with deregulation), created massive tax breaks for the wealthy and corporations, and added $8.4 trillion over 10 years to the national debt — just for starters.

The massive COVID death toll is Trump’s enduring legacy.

Theresa Rieve
San Jose

Hope and faith are
values that set us apart

When our nation is at its most vulnerable, our elected officials bear the burden of uniting the country through the power of hope. Hope and faith are arguably the most important values in American life.

Patriotism hails from these feelings of strong faith in our country’s shared belief in equality and justice. This hope is fostered through inclusivity and recognition that must be shown to the American people. A strong leader recognizes and acknowledges that our country’s focus on diversity, equity and inclusion is our main attraction.

Society bears the power of electing a president who takes pride in their people. This celebration of diversity and aim for equity and inclusion is what sets us as a country apart from others. We, the people, bear the power of our vote.

Aanchal Hothi
San Jose