Khanna's ideas don't resonate with voters

I have just read Ro Khanna's oped (Opinion, April 17) opinion page and note he is criticizing the budget plan Mike Honda put forth on April 9. Ro says the Republicans won't vote for it. He then states we need to focus on things everyone agrees on. He lists a few which I would characterize as "Motherhood and Apple Pie." Furthermore, his education items can be addressed on the state level rather than the U.S. Congress. The other items, relating to small businesses and job training, are part of the stalled budget process. Minimum wage items are something Republicans are vehemently opposed to. Ro, the Republicans are opposed to Motherhood and Apple Pie and anything that would be good for struggling Americans. I don't see how any of your ideas will change their minds.

Bob Bergey

Santa Clara

'Mr. Beretta,' not cops, offers best protection

I applaud the letter by Steve Cummings (Letters, April 13), with the headline "Gun owners generally are safety-conscious" and especially about how presenting a firearm sometimes deters a crime. These instances are usually not reported to the police. I first learned this years ago reading the book "Conceal and Carry." I also learned about studies that show that the states that enacted conceal-and-carry laws had their crime drop by 10 to 15 percent. I have no illusions that the police are going to protect myself and my family, but Mr. Beretta will.


Rick Nowack

San Jose

TV building should have been protected

In November of 1991, I had a San Jose Airport audition at the Park and Montgomery building. Didn't get the part. And didn't even think that the "Hocus Pocus" clown show was shot there. It was one of the first shows I remember watching as a toddler. Reading Scott Herhold's column (Page 1B, April 17) leaves me shaking my head and wondering why the building was allowed to fall into a ramshackle homeless enclave to eventually burn down. It really should have been a protected historical monument to the beauty of early local television and the joy that provided for many years to all of those who remember. Those local anchors, Maggie Scura, Doug Moore, Don Hayward, Tom Janis and others, were better than the national ones.

Charles Birimisa


For immigration bill, people must be heard

I know that the Hispanic community has been disappointed by President Obama not passing an immigration bill. But the bill stands ready to pass. It just sits in the House of Representatives, which will not act unless they hear the voice of the people. Yet, I hear no voice, no demonstrations nor protests. Cesar Chavez would be ashamed of all those who just sat back and watched and expected somebody else to do the work.

Jack Ackerman

San Jose