Letters: SAVE Act is another example of Republican hypocrisy

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SAVE Act another show of GOP hypocrisy

Re: “SAVE Act aims to limit vote to citizens only” (Page A6, July 15).

In addition to its other restrictions, the SAVE Act also places new requirements on mail-in voting, including in-person registration to qualify to vote by mail. In addition to again requiring presentation of a certified birth certificate and an issued passport, it will make it difficult for people living in remote areas, overseas or serving in the military to be able to vote by mail.

This is because it has been Trump’s passion to eliminate mail-in voting, despite the fact that he votes by mail. The SAVE Act is not only voter suppression but also the height of hypocrisy.

Michael Malter
Saratoga

Suppression is highest form of voter fraud

Re: “The SAVE Act is voter suppression; oppose it” (Page A6, July 15).

Voter suppression in any form (which clearly includes the numerous provisions of the SAVE Act) is voter fraud.

Suppressing votes not only impacts individuals; it restricts the overall number of votes that are cast, silencing the voices of many. Voter suppression approaches the ultimate in voter fraud, completely changing the overall population of votes that will decide an election.

George Licina
Santa Rosa

Reasonable safeguards for voting already exist

Regarding the recent flurry of letters for and against requiring ID to vote, I’d like to propose a compromise.

I think both sides would agree that only eligible voters should vote, and that if you are eligible, it should not be too difficult to vote. So instead of relying on passports and driver’s licenses, neither of which was designed with voting in mind, why not have the county board of elections prequalify each voter?

We could have people register some minimum number of days before the election to give the board time to properly confirm their eligibility. If someone is late, rather than impinge on their constitutional right to vote, we could take their ballot provisionally, and only count it if they turn out to be qualified.

Sound familiar to anyone?

Gary Brainin
San Jose

Trump is making a play to control elections

Re: “We can’t let Republicans undermine the midterms” (Page A6, July 10).

Let’s be very clear about the intent of the Donald Trump-inspired movement to federalize control of future elections (aka the SAVE America Act). Bottom line, it’s an unconstitutional power grab.

Our nation is a representative democracy. Our Constitution was designed by its authors to enable the citizenry (We the People) to freely elect our federal representatives, namely a President and 535 members of Congress, by methods to be determined by each state. What Trump and his sycophants seek is an excuse to meddle in state election outcomes, eventually to control them, thus negating the people’s constitutionally prescribed right to conduct independent and fair elections.

Federal control or monitoring of state elections is the political equivalent of letting the foxes guard the henhouse. Allowing the foxes (i.e., Trump and his allies) to federalize our elections would be an open invitation for an attempted coup.

Jerry Meyer
San Jose

Guides to recycling are readily available

Re: “Recycling rules are getting overwhelming” (Page A6, July 15).

I just read the letter to the editor complaining about how hard it is to figure out the simple plan of recycling. It’s pretty easily done if you follow one simple step: “Read the directions on the recycling magnet,” which has been sent out by the recycling company to you.

I have mine on my refrigerator door and check it to make sure I put the right things in the right bins. It’s simply too easy to “throw in the towel” if you really don’t care. But for those of us who have made it a practice to recycle, stop being a baby and do what’s right for the environment.

If something as simple as looking up a number and placing that item in a specific bin is too challenging for you, find a kid in your neighborhood to help you. Most kids raised in California understand the importance of recycling.

John Bingham
San Jose

Two-state solution is past due in Mideast

Re: “Lawsuit claims activists were targeted for arrest” (Page A4, July 15).

Disgust for antisemitism is justified.

However, just to be clear, given the globally accepted definition of the word “Semite,” radical Israeli Zionists practice antisemitism against Palestinians.

The two-state solution is overdue.

John Francis
San Jose

Stop sinking money in high-speed rail pit

Re: “High-speed rail agency seeks new fed funding” (Page A1, July 9).

I am 85 years old and have voted in every election throughout my life. Over the years, I’ve supported both Democrats and Republicans, and I’ve always felt confident in my choices. I’ve never once wished I could go back and change my vote — except for one decision.

I regret voting for the high‑speed rail project.

The endless delays, the ballooning costs and the fact that it still won’t run from San Francisco to Los Angeles in any phase have left me deeply disappointed. It feels as though we are throwing money into a bottomless pit, and after all these years, there are still no trains.

I believe Californians deserve the chance to vote again on whether we want to continue funding a rail system that, at this point, serves only the Central Valley.

Stop the high-speed rail in California and stop throwing money into a never-ending hole.

Carl Politis
Concord