Gov. Gavin Newsom’s order to clear homeless camps should have come years ago | Opinion

A welcome change

“Gavin Newsom orders clearing of California homeless sites,” (sacbee.com, July 25)

In light of the recent Supreme Court ruling on homelessness, Gov. Gavin Newsom finally did what he should have done years ago. The order to clear out homeless encampments should be cause for optimism.

The removal of homeless encampments alone will not solve the homelessness crisis. Where do the authorities plan on relocating this population? Will the state provide more resources to help people escape this situation? The move also brings up ethical questions about forcibly removing individuals who do not have the means to afford housing.

Nevertheless, Newsom’s executive order communicates that the government has not simply conceded that having to tiptoe around used needles and decomposing bodies on public sidewalks is something Californians should learn to tolerate.

This aggressive tactic is a welcome change that will make California safer and ultimately benefit state and local Democrats who have been accused of letting their cities get out of control.

Jacob Lafarga

Sacramento

Opinion

Revolted

“Gavin Newsom orders clearing of California homeless sites,” (sacbee.com, July 25)

I am revolted by the enthusiasm reported for blaming the victims of societal malfeasance. How dare the Folsom Police Chief boast of helping four people find shelter. That’s out of how many dozens or hundreds rousted from what minimal accommodations they managed to assemble?

Our under-production of housing has been so consistent, persistent and remunerative for those who own property that it must be a policy choice. Now, the mismatch between availability and the need for housing has reached crisis proportions. More than a third of the population is just one mishap away (37% of Americans lack enough money to cover a $400 emergency expense) from sleeping in cars or tents. Our solution is to shunt them aside?

Louise Mehler

Sacramento

Schoolboy taunt

“Fact check: Is Kamala Harris really a ‘radical left lunatic’ as Donald Trump says?” (sacbee.com, July 25)

Hey, all you Dems rushing to tell us you have kids or tried to have kids or that George Washington didn’t have kids in response to the latest completely irrelevant but revealing MAGA schoolboy taunt: Wrong answer!

The right answer?. We Dems embrace freedom for all Americans old and young; single and married; parents and childless; and rich and poor. MAGA only values a few Americans, and they’ve just announced yet another group they disdain: people without children.

Disdain leads to loss of freedom. Support the party that supports — not excludes — you.

Barbara Shepard

Sacramento

California supports Kamala

“California Democrats rally delegates to back Kamala Harris,” (sacbee.com, July 22)

While I was special events coordinator for the Sacramento Law Enforcement Chaplaincy, I had the extreme pleasure of working with Kamala Harris.

I had a fascinating conversation with her and Gov. Jerry Brown. Forgetting that he had twice run for president, I said, “My mother always said that she didn’t know why anyone would want to run for president,” and he replied, “I’d like the perks.”

Harris is sharp, tough, sweet and funny. Moreover, she can wipe the floor with Donald Trump. As California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks emphatically says, California is Harris’ native state. As such, let’s overwhelmingly endorse Harris as the next president of the United States,

The brilliant prosecutor against the felon!

Todd Gearou

Citrus Heights