California residents plan to attend “No Kings” protests on Saturday | Opinion

A chilling sight

“‘No Kings’ anti-Trump protests planned across California. See when and where,” (sacbee.com, June 6)

Recent news reports show huge lines of tanks being moved into Washington, D.C. for President Donald Trump’s birthday parade. I found it to be a chilling sight in what is supposed to be a democratic, high-minded nation. As a side note, each tank weighs nearly double the local streets’ weight limits, threatening to do serious damage to the infrastructure.

There will also be — at great expense to taxpayers — marching troops, personnel carriers, helicopters and horses. Meanwhile, the Department of Veterans Affairs is set to lose 80,000 jobs under Trump administration cutbacks.

On Saturday, I will be at a local “No Kings” protest, making it known that this display is grossly inappropriate in this country.

My Republican Congressman Kevin Kiley has a chance to show us what he stands for on that day — democracy or authoritarianism.

Tracy Wade

Browns Valley

Taking back the spotlight

“‘No Kings’ anti-Trump protests planned across California. See when and where,” (sacbee.com, June 6)

June 14 marks the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army. It was formed to defend our country from the authoritarian rule of an unbalanced monarch who sought to repress dissent and wrest wealth from his “subjects.” Coincidentally, this is also the birthday of President Donald Trump, who certainly shares a state of mental disturbance and a grotesque degree of vanity with King George III.

To honor himself, Trump has called for a massive military parade in Washington D.C., akin to those held in the former U.S.S.R., China and North Korea. Nationwide “No Kings” protests will take place on the same date. These gatherings of we, the people, are being held to honor democracy, the Constitution and the struggle against tyranny.

We will take the spotlight away from the would-be king, and shine it on the ideals of our nation.

Peter Simcich

El Sobrante

Financial elder abuse victim

“Sacramento County grand jury report on financial elder abuse,” (sacbee.com, June 5)

I was one of the 3,987 cases of financial elder abuse cases that the Sacramento Grand Jury says was reported, but not prosecuted. The district attorney’s assertion that victims with over $100,000 in losses were prosecuted is false.

At first reading, California’s Elder Financial Abuse Law appears to protect senior citizens. In reality, not only does the DA not prosecute amounts far in excess of a million dollars, it’s nearly impossible to find a competent attorney who will take these cases. If the financial crime can’t be explained in a single paragraph, it’s automatically too complicated.

Attorneys want clients who will live to see the end of their case — and pay their bill. The Grand Jury is correct: The law isn’t worth the paper it’s written on.

Tom Stephens

Gold River