Dianne Feinstein’s allegiance should be to the nation, not her own self-interests | Letters to the editor

Selflessness and service to the nation

“After three month absence, Sen. Dianne Feinstein returns to the Senate,” (sacbee.com, May 10)

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, 89, has been a great advocate for the Democratic Party. Now, she’s in a position where she should decide to step down. Her age and mental competency has come into question. Her primary concern should be the legacy she has left behind before she affects it in a negative manner.

Service to the nation means putting the nation first, not your own personal feelings. Ruth Bader Ginsburg stayed too long and look what happened: she died and allowed Donald Trump to appoint a conservative Supreme Court Judge into office. The hubris and ego of some of our politicians needs to change. The job is service to the people — what’s best for all of us.

Donald Pass

Folsom

Keeping our unhoused neighbors safe

“Davis is a city of characters and compassion. How a serial killer’s rampage shattered its soul,” (sacbee.com, May 8)

What if you couldn’t go home and lock your door at night? The stabbing of Kimberlee Guillory on May 1 highlighted just how physically vulnerable the homeless community is, even in the normally safe city of Davis.

The number of unhoused people (both nationwide and in Davis) has been increasing each year for a long time. Unfortunately, the number of resources available to help out this vulnerable population hasn’t changed. The city of Davis has no official long-term housing solution, and the temporary shelter that exists is extremely limited.

We should take inspiration from New York’s Frequent User Services Enhancement program and provide permanent subsidized housing to people who are frequently homeless or seeking shelter. We aren’t a big city like New York City, but Davis’ unhoused population is also a lot smaller. Surely we can spare some of our budget to help keep our unhoused neighbors safe and housed permanently.

Advait Pilkhane

Davis

More safety for our college students

“Davis is a city of characters and compassion. How a serial killer’s rampage shattered its soul,” (sacbee.com, May 8)

This case of a serial stabber at UC Davis ought to declare a total end to just anybody being allowed to get onto California’s university or college campuses without an ID.

Right now, K-12 students get security measures at their schools that try to at least prevent harmful individuals from gaining access. But apparently our state and local leaders don’t seem to understand that college and university students need the same kind of protections when they are on their campuses.

UC Davis officials ought to set up security check-ins like at Cal Expo’s annual California State Fair even at events that are open to the community, like Picnic Day and the Whole Earth Festival.

Michelle Kunert

Sacramento

What’s being done to save our planet?

“California’s ending diesel will help clean polluted air,” (sacbee.com, May 3)

No more gasoline cars. No more diesel trucks. No more natural gas appliances. No nuclear power. We are already talking about summer electricity shortages. Is anything being done about creating new sources of electricity? Solar and wind is not enough and not reliable on demand. These decisions have consequences and should be thought through and planned for.

Our politicians get their saving-the-planet photo opportunity and move on to the next campaign event. Take some responsibility. Plan ahead with care and forethought.

In the meantime, I’m investing in candles.

James Allison Van Atta

Roseville

Migrants and unhoused neighbors deserve better

“Advocates decry unsafe CA-Mexico border hold for migrants,” (sacbee.com, May 16)

The first sentence in this piece is: “The only port-a-potty for hundreds of people was full and unusable.” We should decry such conditions on the border as well as on our streets in Sacramento.

Migrants should not be subjected to these conditions, and neither should our homeless population. What is the city and county doing to provide facilities for the homeless? Everyone should “decry” these conditions, and our city and county government leaders should provide for basic human needs. Migrants and our homeless neighbors deserve better.

Bernadette Lynch

Sacramento

Goodbye to a singing legend

“Grace Bumbry, 1st Black singer at Bayreuth, dies at 86,” (sacbee.com, May 8)

I am heartbroken to hear the news that Grace Bumbry has passed away. She was one of my favorite singers of all time.

Thank you, and brava to Grace Bumbry for her enormous contribution to classical music and opera.

Paul Bacon

Hallandale Beach, Fla.