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Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor. Valley bosses’ legacies will be bending the knee Re: “This has gone too far. We’ve seen enough.” (Page A8, Nov. 9). This has gone too far. We’ve had enough! Really? You forgot to finish with the famous line from the movie Network: “And I’m not going to take it anymore.” The editorial highlighted every major issue during our pariah president’s tenure, but characterizing Silicon Valley’s business bosses as appeasing and capitulating is as ill as Pam Bondi’s nose in “South Park.” Call them what they are: gutless, spineless miscreants, driven only by money, who bend the knee to the autocracy. They will be remembered as a blight on humanity, regardless of how many hospitals they build (for tax purposes, of course) to disguise their shameful behavior. Impunity has its limitations. Albie Jachimowicz San Jose State must stabilize students’ food benefits Thousands of families in the Bay Area rely on CalFresh benefits and have been waiting for weeks to receive their SNAP funds, which help them afford groceries. KTVU has recently reported that SNAP delays have affected students in ways that leave them skipping meals or going to food banks. It is intolerable for this issue to exist in one of the most wealthy regions in the United States. There has been temporary assistance from local counties in the form of prepaid grocery cards. California must take action on this widespread issue and improve the benefits system so that no students go hungry while awaiting their assistance. Food insecurity hurts all students, and they deserve to have an education free of an empty stomach and worry. The leaders of California must take action to prevent the starvation of students due to the government’s delays. Benjamin Nguyen San Jose New laws are a step toward more housing The power dynamics of local land use have been flipped on their head. For decades, the localities exhibited iron-fisted control over what type, where and how much housing was built. Ultimately, this led to our housing crisis — a humanitarian debacle of our own making. The outsized influence afforded by the NIMBY groups was the driving force keeping our housing a scarce commodity. The state had had enough of these dynamics and put measures in place to support housing in hopes of providing shelter for all Californians. As a democratically controlled state, we have not provided solutions equal to our troubles. Our promises of equality for all have been empty platitudes and have left the marginalized feeling unheard and abandoned. The new housing laws are a step forward. Whether these changes bring real equity or simply a new chapter in the same story will depend on how we act next. John Ebneter San Mateo Celebrate wins in class as well as those on field Re: “High school football in pictures: Our staff’s best photos of Week 7, 2024” (Oct. 12). Your recent photo series beautifully captures the spirit and teamwork of Bay Area athletes. Yet it reminds us that behind every touchdown are students balancing academics, mental health and future goals. High school sports teach discipline and leadership; but, too often, coverage focuses only on athletic glory rather than the full picture of student life. Schools and media outlets can use their platforms to celebrate not only winning teams, but also the young men and women who excel in classrooms, serve their communities or overcome personal struggles. By broadening our focus, we reinforce what sports truly stand for: growth, resilience and unity. I urge local educators and reporters to highlight stories that connect sports with education and character, ensuring athletics remain a bridge, not a barrier, to lifelong success. Alan Espinoza San Jose Democrats in Senate need new leaders Move over, Chuck Schumer. Sen. Schumer must step aside and allow a new voice to lead Democrats. Schumer’s voice no longer resonates, and he’s proven to be ineffective. His influence is diminished, and his message is tiresome and irrelevant. He was more productive and powerful when Nancy Pelosi was his partner, but it’s clear she was the powerhouse in that duo. Possible successors might be Amy Klobuchar, Chris Murphy or Mark Kelley. I’m open to another strong, effective leader who may emerge. Whomever the senators choose, it’s time for a change. A new voice must appear and lead into 2026. The Democrats’ message is no longer clear or convincing to most Americans. If the Democrats want to again lead the House or Senate in 2026, it’s time for a new voice. Chuck Schumer, step aside. Give Democrats the time to empower a new, stronger leader and message. Dennis Hawkins San Jose Federal workers deserve praise, not the GOP I would like to take this opportunity to thank the unpaid federal workers who keep America going, while the Republicans didn’t seem interested in providing access to the Affordable Care Act and SNAP for their constituents who voted for them, the very constituents who are forced to rely on these programs because some of the companies they work for would rather pay for a vanity ballroom project than provide them with a living wage and health care.
