This is in response to today’s (Sunday, Oct. 23) editorial that only Hillary Clinton is qualified to be president. Clinton has accomplished little and has learned nothing from her mistakes, as she keeps on making them . Moreover, she refuses to take responsibility for any of them, such as dodging questions about the Clinton Foundation. It would be electing a modern day Lucretia Borgia. Is the only alternative Donald Trump? No! There are several other candidates, all of whom seem to be free of the outrageous scandals surrounding both Trump and Clinton. If everyone who dislikes both of the main stream candidates (a majority according to the polls) vote for one of the others we don’t have to elect either Trump or Clinton. Okay, America, here’s the challenge: Are you ready to stand up to both the democratic and republican parties and show them we won’t elect a completely dishonest person?
Beverly Friedman
Sunnyvale
Look for the silver lining to the election madness
Look on the bright side of the election. Best Halloween ever! All our worst nightmares are coming true!
Robert Kundus
Los Gatos
Women’s movement still requires vigilance
Watching the debate with women who had rebelled and rejoiced during the liberation movement of the 1960s brought forth a surge of pride in Hillary Clinton’s candidacy. However Donald Trump’s feral behavior toward women subdued our spirit and tempered our joy. Yes, more than 50 years later we are celebrating, but sadly the champagne tastes flat. Our vigilance is still required today as women’s rights continue to quiver tenuously in the United States and the world.
Meri Maben
San Jose
Taking stock of the GOP presidential ticket
The Republican presidential ticket fits the definition of bipolar. Donald Trump is manic and Mike Pence is depressed.
Bob Downs
Saratoga
S.J. businesses will do just fine if Measure E passes
I read the Stan Vuckovich of the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce and Cuauhtemoc Gomez’ piece about Measure E (Opinion, Oct. 21). When San Jose adopted a living wage policy in 1998, the Chamber of Commerce claimed it would hurt businesses and kill jobs. It didn’t. When San Jose raised the minimum wage in 2012, they said the same thing, and businesses have been fine. Now the Chamber is trying their same old tactic on Measure E, and I don’t buy it. Despite what Gomez and Vuckovich may say, the sky isn’t falling, and they are acting an awful lot like Chicken Little.
Larry Yamasaki
San Jose
Helen Chapman’s record speaks for itself
We were appalled to receive mailers from the Silicon Valley Chamber PAC with misleading and inaccurate information about San Jose City Council District 6 candidate Helen Chapman. Negative ads based on solid, factual information have their place, but materials spreading smears, lies and half truths are unethical.
Why would the Chamber PAC be eager to support a political lightweight with minimal local experience to defeat an opponent with a much longer record of distinguished civic service? Is it because Helen has been a champion of local parks, neighborhoods, and working people—as opposed to moneyed interests who reject raising the minimum wage and who wish to develop open spaces like the potentially lucrative Coyote Valley?
I urge all District 6 residents to examine Chapman’s website for full information in response to the Chamber PAC’s accusations. Helen’s record of service and list of endorsements by professional organizations, civic officials, and local citizens speaks for itself.
Candy Heinsen Carter
San Jose
Vote Ahrens for Foothill-De Anza board
I am writing to ask for your support of Patrick Ahrens as one of your choices for the Foothill-De Anza Community College District Board election this November.
I have seen Patrick work hard for our college system. I first met Patrick while he was student trustee on the board. Patrick was the first in his family to go to college. As a graduate from De Anza College, he understands first hand how hard it can be to succeed. As a millennial, he has chosen public service as his path and I am delighted by his willingness to serve. He currently serves as my education advisor in the state Legislature.
We need to improve our schools, increase enrollment, and reduce overall attendance costs at Foothill-De Anza. Patrick is focused on developing policies to ensure that our students and faculty alike have the support they need to achieve our higher education goals.
Please vote for Patrick Ahrens for trustee of the Foothill-De Anza Community College District.
Evan Low
Member, California Assembly