The Supreme Court has dealt a death blow to American democracy | Opinion

Egregious betrayal

“With Supreme Court’s historic Trump immunity decision, how did California Democrats react?” (sacbee.com, July 1)

The Supreme Court has dealt a death blow to American democracy. Their ruling that shields presidents from prosecution is nothing short of a coronation. Our Founding Fathers would be outraged at this 6-3 coup that replaces our Republic with a monarchy. Our country was founded to escape an empire. Now, the court has created one.

“No one is above the law” is not etched in stone, but it’s the bedrock of our nation. This ruling isn’t just an unconscionable overstep, it’s an obvious abdication of duty.

Tim Herrera

Elk Grove

Opinion

Existential threat

“With Supreme Court’s historic Trump immunity decision, how did California Democrats react?” (sacbee.com, July 1)

The Supreme Court’s ruling on presidential immunity was a coup by judicial fiat. It upended the foundation of our democracy: that no one is above the law. A corrupt president can now commit crimes with impunity, and use the presidential pardon power to enable his cronies to do the same.

Democrats (and Republican believers in democracy, if any are left in Congress) must enact term limits, reform and, yes, court expansion.

This court has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that without such action, all of our rights are on the chopping block.

Kathy Campbell

Sacramento

Protecting our nation

“Tonight’s presidential debate has many Biden voters on edge,” (sacbee.com, June 27)

Despite a disappointing debate performance accentuated by a pronounced feeble manner and weak voice, President Joe Biden still demonstrated that experience, integrity and a grasp of issues that affect all Americans eclipse the views of one in service of one.

Donald Trump was undeniably more vigorous, but vitality alone is not a measure of reassurance when it comes to protecting our nation’s sovereignty.

Voters must decide if they want an ill-informed president who favors dismantling the Constitution or one hell-bent on doing whatever is necessary to protect it.

Jim Paladino

Tampa, Fla.

Protecting our homes

“Placer County wildfire burns northwest of Roseville, CA,” (sacbee.com, June 24)

California’s wildfire season is off to a bad start. More than 1,000 lightning strikes have ignited fires across the state, burning more than 90,000 acres already this year (compared to 5,863 acres by the same time last year).

Homeowners in fire-prone areas can harden their homes to make them more fire-resistant, but modifications can be expensive. Rep. Kevin Kiley’s bill, The Safe Home Act (House Resolution 6861), would make these changes more affordable by providing a tax credit of 25% — up to $25,000 per year — to help defray the cost of such improvements.

Wildfires are nonpartisan, and require thoughtful solutions from both political parties.

Lisa Howard

Rocklin

Punishment won’t reduce homelessness

“Supreme Court ruling won’t affect Sacramento’s homeless policy, officials say. What has changed?” (sacbee.com, June 29)

In 2018, Berkeley voters created the Homeless Services Panel of Experts and increased taxes on multi-million dollar real estate exchanges to fund homeless services. I joined the board as a founding member. In 2022, Berkeley reduced unsheltered homelessness by funding evidence-based regionally-specific expertise. This year, Berkeley reduced the unsheltered population by nearly half.

Punishment is not an evidence-based solution to homelessness.

The Supreme Court may have enabled municipalities to remain trapped in a pointless and pathetic process of punishing the poor, however, the fight for housing justice continues wherever people of conscience find the courage to love their unhoused neighbors.

Anthony Ray Carrasco

Oakland