Vote yes on California Prop. 31 to protect kids. Stop Big Tobacco from addicting youth

As a former smoker, a grandfather to a seven-year-old and an American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network volunteer, I am all too familiar with the tactics of Big Tobacco to addict our children to nicotine — a highly addictive drug that we know harms brain development and impacts young people's attention, mood and impulse control.

Study after study shows the reason most kids start using e-cigarettes — and why they get hooked — is because they are sold in candy flavors like bubblegum, blue raspberry, chocolate, and even minty menthol to hide strong hits of nicotine,

Sadly, e-cigarette usage is so pervasive among middle and high school students in America that the U.S. surgeon general called it an epidemic. Here is the part that really gets me: Big Tobacco is making millions off addiction.

A yes vote on Prop. 31 would ban candy-flavored tobacco products, including minty-menthol cigarettes and cheap sweet cigars in California.

Tobacco is the number one cause of preventable death in California, where tobacco-related diseases kill 40,000 people every year. Voting yes on Prop. 31 will save lives and billions of dollars in tobacco-related healthcare costs.

John Hussar, Palm Desert

Endorsement for Rollins is spot on

The Desert Sun was wise to endorse Will Rollins for Congress. A reader disagrees, claiming Calvert will make miracles for our district and abate inflation, especially if the GOP retakes the House.

Oh really? The incumbent has had three decades to effect positive change, and we’ve seen very little from his representation. Rollins is bright, a national security expert, and clearly loves this newly created district. Having had the pleasure to talk in depth to him myself several times, I can attest to his quick intelligence and sincerity. He’s no grifter, enriching himself through public office.

I applaud The Desert Sun’s endorsement of Will Rollins.

Leon Pascucci, Rancho Mirage

Endorsement missed something important

Thank you for your recent endorsement of Will Rollins for CA-41. Your column aptly highlighted the differences between each candidate — and there are quite stark differences. However, it did leave out one very important fact about Ken Calvert.

You failed to mention the disturbing fact that Ken Calvert opposed the peaceful transfer of power to Joe Biden on Jan. 6, 2021, despite the glaring lack of evidence to support his and other Republicans’ claims of fraud. Ken Calvert continues to support the “Big Lie” and it should be called out by your editors each and every time Ken Calvert, or any other election denier, is mentioned by your publication.

Tony Leonhardt, Rancho Mirage

Calvert's vote on 2020 election disqualifies him in my eyes

Democracy is on the November ballot. On Jan. 6, 2021, Ken Calvert was one of 139 members of the House of Representatives who voted to dispute the Electoral College count as rioters stormed the Capitol.

Calvert made the choice to follow Trump and vote to decertify the election without any credible evidence, facts, or law to support his claims of a fraudulent election. Three months ago, I contacted Ken Calvert’s D.C. office to provide me with any facts or evidence Calvert relied upon when he voted not to certify the 2020 election. Calvert has not responded to my request.

This month, I contacted Calvert’s local office to inquire when he will debate Will Rollins. No returned phone call from his office.

The peaceful transition of power is foundational to America’s democracy. As a former U.S. government attorney, I swore to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Calvert took the same oath. It’s unpatriotic to support Trump rather than the principles of our Constitution. If you care about democracy and our republic, vote for Will Rollins, who supports reality-based democratic principles rather than Calvert's fantasy-based conspiracies of a fraudulent election.

John T. Schooler, Rancho Mirage

Seeking change on the Palm Springs council

As a lifetime resident of Palm Springs (1952-present) and local business owner, I believe the current city council has not represented the entire city. They seem more concerned with special interests and political issues that the city does not need to be involved in. What happened to nonpartisan council elections?

It’s time for a new direction for the city. Two of the candidates running are endorsed by Geoff Kors this will bring more of the same that we have currently.

Please support long-time residents Joy Meredith and Renee Brown. It’s time to bring balance back to Palm Springs.

Also support Grace Gardner. Her opponent, Scott Nevins, is a relative newcomer to Palm Springs and will also help to continue the same council style that we already have.

Sean Wood, Palm Springs

Supporting Brown, Meredith for Palm Springs council

I have lived in Palm Springs for 48 years and I'm very disturbed by the actions of the current Palm Springs City Council.

The current council has their own special agenda and doesn't care about those of us who have lived and worked here for so long.

This council is proposing programs that would cripple Palm Springs for decades and all to try to grab national headlines.

That damage would still be here long after the instigators had moved on and left the mess for others to try to clean up.

Renee Brown and Joy Meredith have continually shown their commitment to advancing the City of Palm Springs over the past decades. Their view of the future of our wonderful city includes the desires of those who have called Palm Springs their home for so long.

Palm Springs needs a change!

Candidates Ron deHarte and Jeffrey Bernstein are just going to be more of the same. Brown and Meredith can be that change.

Judi Christian, Palm Springs

Why Ron deHarte gets my vote in Palm Springs

Ron deHarte has focused on international human rights and community service for over 20 years. I live in District 3 and have for 20 years. Ron is ready, prepared, and eager to be our next city council member. Ron is a problem-solver and has real and practical solutions to tackle affordable housing and homelessness.

He has specific solutions for the shortage of mental healthcare. Ron has been volunteering in our community for 17 years and has demonstrated his skills at coalition building with businesses, elected officials, philanthropists and nonprofits. I have known, trusted and respected him for several decades.

His experience as a successful small business owner, years of extensive government planning, and service in the community make Ron uniquely qualified to take on the important duties as city council member.

He’s not a professional politician, has no special interest agenda. He’s a proud Latino from a working-class family and believes, as I do, that to be effective, government must reflect the people it serves.

Ron is our neighbor, motivated to serve all the public and will bring much integrity and balanced perspective to city issues.

Ron deHarte has my full support for Palm Springs City Council, District 3.

Ruth Debra, Palm Springs

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: California Prop. 31 vote yes to protect kids from candy tobacco