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UC leaders must resign for selling out their own
Re: “Cal gives names of students, staff to feds” (Page B1, Sept. 13).
As the UC system asks its supporters to “stand up” against the federal government’s demand for $1 billion from UCLA, it throws 160 of its own under the bus. In a cynical act of self-service, UC’s leadership has given the names of those who practiced free speech, endangering their lives and livelihoods.
As a Berkeley alum, I am appalled by this decision. One would think that the regents, president and senior council would know their history enough to recognize the moment we are in and know that this presidential administration does not act in good faith. Ever.
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Andy Spivack Emeryville
Pension plan profits from rising health costs
CalPERS is heavily invested in private equity (over 17% of its portfolio), and it reports a healthy 11.3% return. But all too often, private equity thrives by raising prices or pushing unnecessary services. That is especially true of its substantial involvement in health care facilities and medical practices.
Because private equity firms enforce silence on their investors, it is impossible to know how much CalPERS invests directly or indirectly in health care, but it’s probably substantial.
What we do know is that a large systematic review found that PE ownership of health care facilities is generally associated with higher costs to patients, in some cases, up to 32%. As for physician practices, fees increased substantially in many specialties.
That means our pensions profit from increasing our health care costs. It’s worse for non-pensioners who don’t get the increased income, just the increased costs.
James Wolpman Walnut Creek
Progressives’ speech threatens democracy
Re: “Masked agents a step toward dictatorship” (Page A6, Sept. 12).
Sen. Chuck Schumer has uttered some very divisive rhetoric over the years, including calling Donald Trump and his supporters “threats to democracy” (as President Biden and many other Democrats have done). But after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, I give him credit for calling it an attack on democracy. This is true no matter what you think about Kirk’s views and his influence.
So, it was quite disturbing that the day after the assassination, the Times printed a letter restating a recently popular progressive rallying cry that progressives “should not bring a knife to a gun fight.” Well, Kirk’s assassin brought a gun and used it. But he brought it not to a gun fight or a knife fight or any type of fight. He brought it to an open debate led by an American exercising his First Amendment rights. And there will never be anything more anti-democratic than that.
Christopher Andrus Dublin
If schools allow God, whose will it be?
Let’s discuss something rarely openly talked about. Much has been made in some quarters of the “loss of God” in public schools, and laws have been passed in some states to post the Ten Commandments in all classrooms.
My question is, whose God? The Christian God? Are Jews, Muslims, Buddhists and atheists all forbidden? Those arguing the loudest for a return to God ignore the fact that most people on the planet are not Christians. I encourage further thought on the matter.
Chris Ackerman Castro Valley
Kirk’s legacy mired in divisive speech
Re: “Story ignored full measure of Kirk” (Page A8, Sept. 14).
In his letter to the editor, Michael Macfarlane assigns an apt — if unintended — moniker to Charlie Kirk: “the Pied Piper of the conservative movement.” In the original story, the Piper has a grievance with a village that doesn’t pay him for services rendered, so he lures away the children of the village, and they’re never seen again.
Political violence is never the answer. Kirk’s assassination will only further divide Americans. As Macfarlane implies, we should reflect on “the great things this man stood for.” His “incredible movement within the Republican Party” included homophobic, racist, sexist — and yes, antisemitic — rhetoric.
Just one example of his overt bigotry: “Black women do not have brain processing power to be taken seriously. You have to go steal a white person’s slot.”
How many of the village’s kids now espouse that belief? That’s Kirk’s legacy.
Robert Vorkapich Walnut Creek
Trump offers nation a poor role model
We currently have a president living in the White House who has demonstrated the following character traits: liar, cheater, one who makes fun of another’s appearance, one who makes fun of another’s name, one who blames others for his actions and the list goes on.
As a retired elementary teacher for almost 40 years, I am proud to say our staff members worked diligently to help nurture positive traits in our students, students who would grow up to be productive, responsible citizens who respect others and who would be willing to be held accountable for their actions.
It is obvious our current president failed the course on humanity and ideals of democracy. He stands before us as a perfect example of a citizen who does not demonstrate the traits of kindness, common decency and manners.
Voters, change is vital.
Roxanne Le Blanc Alameda
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