Support the cause, but not the method
I believe in the power of peaceful protest, but I do not agree with holding the House of Representatives hostage while the Democratic lawmakers stage a 24-hour sit-in in the House chamber.
Representative Lewis has always stood for civil rights, but are they only his civil rights?
We are a country of laws, and these knowledgeable Congresspersons should unflinchingly uphold the rights of everyone.
They can sit on the steps outside, or encircle the entire building, but they were wrong to occupy that esteemed space.
I strongly support their cause, but not their methods.
Speaker Ryan said that, “We can disagree on policy, but we do so within the bounds of order and respect for the system …”
Their actions are definitely undermining the system, and resemble a mob that keeps screaming loud and long, hoping to get their way.
Muriel Kahsen
Walnut Creek
Words still true
In his June 27 column, Thomas Sowell wrote: “If restrictions on gun ownership do reduce murders, we can repeal the Second Amendment, as other constitutional amendments have been repealed. Laws exist to protect people. People do not exist to perpetuate laws.”
I couldn’t have written it better myself. In or out of context, the words are still true.
Terry Horner
Lafayette
Bills increase as nuclear plant closes
The East Bay Times reports that PG&E will close the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant that produces 9 percent of the state’s electricity in order to meet the state law (passed in 2015) requiring 50 percent of the state’s electricity to come from renewable sources, such as solar or wind, by 2030.
Currently, 30 percent comes from renewable sources.
The article also reported that the Diablo Canyon plant produces electricity at a cost of 4.5 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh). The nuclear plant produces no greenhouse gasses.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported (in May 2016) that California residents paid 17.66 cents per kWh in March 2016 (latest available figure) up from 17.04 in March 2015.
The average for the country is 12.58, and only seven states pay more.
Solar power costs PG&E 20 cents per kWh. It seems obvious that replacing 9 percent of the state’s electricity with solar power costing nearly five times as much will drastically increase our electric bills. That is a 30 percent increase in your current bill.
Of course “there is no need for a cost increase” if you just use 30 percent less power.
Francis Dodd
Lafayette
No gain in raising minimum wage
I see that several cities around the bay are considering increasing the legal minimum wage so people will be better off. I always wonder about that logic.
In our economy, labor is the biggest cost of most products. If we increase the minimum wage, the cost of almost everything will increase, and we are right back where we started.
The wage earner hasn’t gained, and the people on a fixed income have really suffered.
Bob Lee
Walnut Creek
