Readers’ Comments: October 31

The views expressed in Readers’ Comments are the authors’ alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Claremont Courier, its employees, financial supporters, or advertisers.

The shackles of freedom

Dear editor:

Freedom is shackled with responsibility.

Opanyi Nasiali

Claremont

Kudos to Sustainable Claremont

Dear editor:

A big thank you to Sustainable Claremont for their hard work installing “rain gardens” at our local schools [“CUSD installs ‘rain gardens’: Condit’s ‘Danny’s Garden’ holds special significance,” October 17]. And a big thank you for their dedication of the garden at Condit to a very special alum, Daniel Gould. These efforts are much appreciated.

Pamela Nagler

Claremont

Blessed are the peacemakers

Dear editor:

For more than two decades, I’ve admired the small group of demonstrators who gather most Fridays at Arrow Highway and Indian Hill Boulevard in Claremont. Many are retirees and long-time pacifists who have faithfully stood for peace, often holding simple signs such as “Blessed are the Peacemakers.” Who could disagree with that message? Their quiet persistence deserves respect.

President Trump is ambitiously and tirelessly committed to bringing peace to the world. If he were successful, would his commitment be recognized? Too often, partisanship overshadows results. If we are to truly believe that “blessed are the peacemakers,” then that blessing should apply to anyone who achieves even incremental peace, regardless of party or personality. Peace should never be partisan.

Jack Sultze

Claremont

Vote yes on Proposition 50

Dear editor:

Trump has asked Republican states to gerrymander in his favor, and they have agreed. California’s Prop 50 will help set guardrails that have been missing in the GOP controlled House, Senate and presidency.

According to the Public Policy Institute of California, Prop 50 does not change the number of racial majority districts and keeps the same number of cities intact.

Any change of congressional districts makes campaigns more difficult for incumbents since they have to establish their name recognition again.

Prop 50 amends the California state Constitution to restore the power of the independent redistricting commission in 2031. If Prop 50 passes, that will become the temporary law of the land. The only way to extend the duration will be by bringing that issue to the California voters again.

So, Prop 50 is truly a question about the next five years and no longer. What do you want to see happen? Do you think that there needs to be healthy collaboration within the government? Do you think that there needs to be guardrails on the White House? Prop 50 will help with that in the 2026 midterms.

Vote yes on Prop 50.

Eleanora Mazur

Claremont

Claremont ‘No Kings’ was inspiring

Dear editor:

The young, the old know families belong together.

Moms and dads living the democracy dream so kids can learn how to stand up together. Waving flags, blowing horns, flashing victory signs, blowing kisses, thumps on the heart, tears of solidarity.

Rita Levine

Claremont

Claremont ‘No Kings’ was ‘nonsensical’

Dear editor:

On October 18, Claremont was subjected to a ludicrous and nonsensical “No Kings” rally on Foothill Boulevard. As far as I can tell, the only thing these deluded protesters managed to accomplish was to bombard central Claremont with incessant car honking for two hours.

And for as much sense as them wanting “No Kings” was, they might as well have been protesting against fire-breathing dragons, cave trolls, or unicorns.

Douglas Lyon

Claremont

After us, the flood

Dear editor:

Donald Trump is having his Marie Antionette moment.

While federal workers go without pay, President Trump is presiding over the demolition of the east wing of the White House to make room for a $300 million ballroom paid for by his billionaire cronies.

“Apres moi, le deluge.”

Mark Merritt
Claremont

A new low for Trump

Dear editor:

In a new low President Trump has demolished the east wing of the White House. Not his house, this was done to ourhouse, the people’s house. A clearer sign of his narcissism and authoritarian tendencies could not be made. This won’t be an improvement to a historic and treasured building but will be a vulgar, gold plated, ugly example of what Trump thinks is sophisticated. He has already destroyed the Rose Garden and the Oval Office, what is next? Will he order his image added to Mount Rushmore? Will he add gold plated accessories to the Grand Canyon?

The fact that the Republican party is doing nothing as a response should not surprise anyone. Of course, if a change like this were ordered by say Michelle Obama the Republicans response would have been something like a zombie apocalypse with MAGA climbing the walls demanding executions for the affront.

There are worse things happening in our country as we all witness what appears to be the political move away from democracy and toward authoritarianism, but just think of the level of narcissism needed to make these changes. These are acts that only someone that thinks of themselves as a dictator could or would make.

Sydney Pollard

Claremont

Red states lead in all the wrong categories

Dear editor:

Republicans claim Democratic policies lead the country to ruin and theirs lead to prosperity.

But if Republican policies are so superior, wouldn’t there be evidence? Wouldn’t at least one red state lead the nation in something other than poverty, heart disease, teen pregnancy, infant mortality, dropout rates, diabetes and obesity?

According to the Commonwealth Fund, 17 of the top 20 impoverished states are red, with Louisiana leading the way with 18.9% in poverty. Nine out of the top 10 states in food insecurity are red according to the nonprofit One Hundred Meals. Public School Review data reveals per pupil spending, a statement of a society’s commitment to the education of its children, is higher on the West Coast, Midwest, and the North East. New York leads the nation while Idaho brings up the rear.

Save the Children highlighted the “reality in America, where one child can be exponentially more likely than another to succeed in life based solely on where they grow up.” Their ranking revealed that childhood was most protected in New Jersey, and most threatened in Louisiana.

According to the Commonwealth Fund, of the top 20 states for healthcare access, 17 are blue and the bottom 20 are all red. A CDC study found obesity is highest in red states, while Vermont, New York, California, Massachusetts, and Hawaii are lowest, and the heart disease is especially prevalent in the deep south.

Blue states register the highest life expectancies. If you live in California, you can expect to live eight years longer than in Mississippi.

Maternal and infant mortality rates are highest in Louisiana, part of a disturbingly dense cluster of red states with negative outcomes, overlapping with states that have the most restrictive abortion laws, again according to World Population Review.

Mike Johnson’s constituents have to live with the consequences of Republican policies. Unfortunately, so do we.

M. Boos

Claremont