Obey in advance

PUBLISHER: When the owners of the main newspapers prohibit their editorial boards from publishing mentions for the presidentthey take the first step toward tyranny, as historian Timothy Snyder has identified. They obey in advance, anticipate what an authoritarian regime would require, and then act on an outcome that did not actually happen but has usurped their imagination of the future.

I don’t own a newspaper. But I am in possession of only one human spirit. If I surrender my mind to despair and despair, I also involuntarily obey in advance. No thanks. If I simply look away, hiding in distractions, I do more than obey: I even forget that I have power.

Instead, as best I can, I use my attention to look honestly at what is happening while simultaneously imagining what I know to be right and life-affirming. I nod toward legitimate fear one way, then I nod the other direction, toward my inner image of Kamala Harris, beaming in the sun, on the steps of the Capitol, her hand on a Bible. I will not give up my confidence and my vision ahead.

CYNTHIA McREYNOLDS

Sevastopol

Library Resources

EDITOR: I visited the public library a lot lately because I have a third-grade grandson who often does his homework at my house. One of its missions is a “free reading” book every school day. As her parents are busy, I suggested that she play “book fairy”. I make a weekly run to our library in Petaluma and I’m amazed by the large selection of easy/early readers. My grandson looks forward to my weekly haul.

Every time I visit, this magical place is bustling with activity. It is clear that for many users the library is a lifeline for employment information, reliable computer access, entertainment and all kinds of assistance from dedicated staff. The public library is an excellent example of what a “common good” looks like in a free society.

Visit the Sonoma County Library website to learn more about the invaluable resources that are available to all of us – for free – and join me in voting yes on Measurement W. That’s a lot of money for your eighth-cent sales tax.

SUSAN THOMPSON

Petaluma

Yes on measure I

EDITOR: As a 40-year resident of Sonoma County and a member of the American Heart Association West Region Board of Directors, I urge other community members to vote yes for Measure I.

The American Heart Association endorsed Measure I because access to quality health care is an important component of lifelong cardiovascular health. In addition to expanding affordable child care, Measure I will establish services designed to identify health problems early, reducing the risk of chronic illnesses like heart disease later in life and helping to give give the children of Sonoma County a good start.

By investing in Measure I, Sonoma County will increase the number of children who receive the care and support they need during their most formative years, preparing them to become healthy, thriving adults. Access to high-quality, early, comprehensive health care and education is associated with better long-term health outcomes. Chronic disease prevention is more cost-effective than treatment because healthier children mean lower health care costs throughout their lives.

Join me in voting yes on I and investing in the long-term health and prosperity of our next generation.

JUDY COFFEY

Saint Rose

Pay the bill

EDITOR: Imagine the cost of groceries if Donald Trump is elected and starts deporting millions of people. Hundreds of thousands of undocumented workers work in the food industry. They harvest fruits and vegetables, perform dirty and dangerous work in meat packing, work in seafood processing plants, work in dairies, egg farms and poultry plants. The mere threat of eviction will disrupt our food system and harm our economy. It is certain that MAGA members will not be replacement workers.

Think about how devastating that would be. And it would impose tariffs without constraint from Congress – presidents alone have the power to impose tariffs. All imported items would be subject to a “sales tax,” affecting everything from avocados to zucchini, not to mention iPhones, toys, cars and electronics. What would our economy look like with this? It is at best an inflationary situation, at worst a food shortage.

Electing a 78-year-old aspiring dictator seems inconceivable to me. Can we really do this to our country? Call your friends and family in Nevada, Pennsylvania and Michigan and ask them to vote for Kamala Harris.

CLAUDIA MAYFIELD

Saint Rose

Parsley policy

EDITOR: Kamala Harris said she wouldn’t change any of the policies of the past four years. Well, here’s an example that inflation isn’t going down and bidenomics isn’t working. Our 4 pound rabbit loves Italian parsley. Two months ago a bunch of parsley cost $1.39, a month ago it cost $1.59 and now it costs $1.89 a bunch. I’m calling that an 11% increase in just over two months. Sorry, my wallet, my choice. I will vote for Donald Trump.