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No glamor for Newsomin fixing broken EDD

One would think that, with all the fraud in the Employment Development Department, Gov. Newsom might do something about the perpetually broken unemployment, disability and paid family leave systems. They’re so understaffed that it can take a week of constant calling just to get placed on hold. Then you wait for 45 to 90 minutes to actually speak to someone.

Of course, these programs are for the average worker. Fixing them won’t get him any TV time or “woke points” like giving $98 million to foreigners illegally living here. Or “saving” California by locking it down and putting millions out of work. Or protecting us from evil guns while letting criminals free without bail to commit even more crimes. Makes you wonder (or not) who the Democrats represent. Not your law-abiding working class, that’s for sure.

Steve Brown Sr.Oakley

Schultz’s wife notablein her own right

The caption under the picture of Charlotte and George Schultz (“A final farewell: Notable Bay Area residents who died in the past year,” Page B2, Jan. 1) notes only that he died on Feb 6.

Charlotte was a dedicated public servant who served as the legendary chief of protocol for the City of San Francisco for 51 years. She passed away on Dec. 3, and I’m disappointed that your staff omitted this.

Vickie BowenWalnut Creek

State’s leadership deficitis costing California

California is unable to maintain or improve the 55-year-old section of Interstate 5 in the southern Central Valley.

As the major corridor between our biggest metropolitan areas, it is used every day by countless drivers and an army of big rigs. Now, traffic often slows to 30-55 mph on weekday nights. It needs to be treated as a statewide route of significance, with a third lane added. But California is bankrupt, lacking not of money but the ability, knowledge and vision to run the world’s fifth-largest economy.

Since term limits, our leaders have developed myopic short-termism. Gone are the days that Gov. Pat Brown and the 1960s Legislature could build 11 new universities, the State Water Project and several major roadways. For the last 30 years, California’s prosperity has coasted on those achievements, and now our leaders struggle to maintain them.

Hal YeagerPleasant Hill

Make mental healthof kids a priority

Re. “Michigan parents found; bond set at $500K,” Page A5, Dec. 5:

The 15-year-old accused of fatally shooting four Michigan teenagers (“Authorities: Student kills 3, wounds 8 at high school,” Page A3, Dec. 1) reportedly wrote these words: “The thoughts won’t stop. Help me.” One wonder what those thoughts were.

Our society has become complex, divisive, angry and out of synch with American values.

Learning to take care of one’s own mental health should have the same priority as physical education. Schools should require a mental health education course. It would include self-assessment, strategies and resources for getting help.

It’s time to take the mental health of our young people as seriously as we take their physical health.

Laura BernellWalnut Creek

Hanson’s fabricationsdamage paper’s reputation

Re. “Why is left now worried about end of democracy?” Page A7, Dec. 17:

How does publishing the opinions of someone like Victor Davis Hanson add to The East Bay Times’ reputation for intelligent, credible journalism?

Hanson perpetuates lies and claims any danger to our democracy comes from left-wing radicals and an “enfeebled” president. Claiming Joe Biden is “enfeebled” is like saying Donald Trump belongs in MENSA.

Publishing such nonsense just drags The East Bay Times’ reputation down. Get a new columnist, please.

Bruce RobertsHayward

Congress could regulateguns, but likely won’t

Re. “Repeal 2nd Amendment to save children’s lives,” Letters to the Editor, Page A6, Dec. 10:

The Second Amendment doesn’t give everybody the right to own a gun. And it doesn’t need interpretation. Only one sentence long, it mentions a well-regulated militia.