Letters: Toll increases | Don’t run away

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Limit toll increases
mobility of residents

Subject: “Toll hikes could reach more than $11” (Page A1, October 26).

As a lifelong resident of the Bay Area, I’ve seen bridge tolls rise since the 1980s, from 40 cents per crossing to $7, soon to be $8. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission and the Association of Bay Area Governments are now proposing another increase to $10.50 by 2030.

Freedom of movement is important to everyone, and establishing economic barriers like these tolls affects residents’ ability to move around the Bay Area.

I believe all tolls on bridges and roads should be completely eliminated throughout California. The publicized argument for further increases is the need to maintain bridges, but current bridge tolls are used for projects unrelated to bridge work.

Michael Hayes
Benicia

Don’t run away; stay and
fight for our future

I have no patience with those who talk about fleeing to Canada. Don’t cut and run; stay and fight for California.

I was born here; this is my homeland. If you didn’t, you came here for a reason. Was it the mountains, ocean, rivers and trees that we protect and conserve? Was it to build a better life in the fifth world economic engine? Was it because we were kissing people who are like us, but different?

Don’t abandon us. We need your skills, your values, your commitment. Resist. Make your voice heard. Support your beleaguered elected officials and nonprofits. You are not alone. About half the nation feels the same way you do.

Raise your children not to be bullies, liars and jerks. The grass may not be as green as we think elsewhere. Regroup, dig in and defend California.

This is your country now.

Rosalie Howarth
Walnut Stream

The election result reflects
bad for our nation

What does it say about our country when a majority of Americans elect a president who is a convicted felon; is an adulterer convicted of sexual assault; pushed fake voters to steal elections; asked Mike Pence, the vice president, to ignore the Constitution and not count electoral votes; wanted to use federal troops to seize ballot boxes; led a campaign filled with lies; used racism to stoke fear; pledged to deport immigrants; pledged to ignore press freedom and sue companies that report things he doesn’t like; wants to weaponize the justice system for revenge.

What does it say? He says you can’t fool all the people all the time, but sometimes you can fool enough people to get elected president. It screams that bad morals, criminal convictions, past illegal and unethical behavior, and promised future behavior that ignores the Constitution are not important.

Larry Bieber
Castro Valley

Democrats are not elites
we should worry

Re: “Elite Democratic Voters: Do You See Me Now? (Page A13, November 10).

Democrats are not the ones who benefit the most from moving jobs to other countries, replacing workers with automation, killing local small businesses and family farms, lowering corporate taxes. and corporate capital gains, and ultimately the election of Donald Trump. The real “elites” in this country are the richest, including Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and other individuals who apparently care more about profits than people.

So yes, Democratic elites may be deaf to the concerns of the average American. But Republican elites apparently hear these concerns and don’t care. Let us be careful not to blithely assume that Democrats are “the elites” or that they are the problem.

André Écarlate
Alamo

Anti-smoking movement
gives young people a voice