Letters: Disempowered teachers are a problem for state’s schools

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Disempowered teachers a problem for schools

Re: “Schools emerge as a key subject” (Page A1, Jan. 19).

The story on how gubernatorial candidates would address public schools’ underachievement can be distilled into two “solutions,” neither of which really works: 1) Democrats propose spending more money on school programs, while 2) Republicans blame teachers and want charter schools to replace ineffective public schools.

Why isn’t anyone talking about what actually happens inside of classrooms today? Teachers have almost no authority over student behaviors or academic grading, and are given little, if any, respect from administrators, parents or even students. Instead, students have all the authority but no responsibility for their success. Students do (or don’t do) whatever they wish, while empty-handed teachers are left to take the blame.

Teachers no longer have the ultimate tool of “flunking” students. As a result, low-performing students drag down academic standards for the entire class, and most high school graduates function below grade level in math, English or both.

Brian Foster
Castro Valley

Congress must restore global health funding

Re: “Next budget deal must undo SNAP cuts” (Page A8, Jan. 18).

Susan Wright is right to sound the alarm about the impact of U.S. funding cuts. As someone who has spent years partnering with women leaders in African communities, I have seen firsthand how local people — not outside donors — build and sustain health systems that keep families alive and economies stable.

This is why last week’s House action matters. In a rare moment of bipartisan clarity, the House increased global health funding to more than double the administration’s proposed level — proof that Congress can still choose partnership over abandonment. When support for primary health care, HIV treatment or childhood immunizations is withdrawn, clinics close, trained workers leave and preventable deaths rise. These are not abstractions.

Congress must reject the remaining cuts in the FY26 budget and restore community-led global health programs.

Sarah Thomas
San Francisco

The truth behind tariffs’ real price

I just had my first experience with paying tariffs. I want to share my experience so other voters can understand the reality of tariffs.

I purchased approximately $244 of car parts from a supplier in the Netherlands. These parts are not available in the United States. Fedex held my shipment, indicating that there is a 200% tariff on aluminum and a 25% tariff on steel.

I received a $150.80 bill from FedEx. Nearly $50 of that invoice was FedEx fees for processing the tariffs. Twenty dollars of the FedEx fees were for storage. It appears that the tariffs may be a lucrative industry for shipping companies. It also appears that the Trump administration has not been honest about his tariffs. U.S. consumers pay the tariffs. Duh, Donald!

I hope that this letter has clarified how tariffs really affect American consumers. Keep this in mind while in the voting booth.

James Phelan
Benicia

‘The Sound of Silence’ isn’t in protesters’ cards

In 1964, Simon & Garfunkel recorded “The Sound of Silence.” There are two lines in the song that refer to our current political events:

“Silence like a cancer grows” clearly describes the spineless Republican Congress, Donald Trump’s cabinet and the remainder of his sycophants in Washington. By silently agreeing with everything he does, they are allowing the “cancer” of his destructive actions to spread.

“And the people bowed and prayed to the neon God they made” clearly refers to his supporters who “bow down” as though he were God (which he clearly isn’t). The high-tech hypocrites who were against Trump previously but now support him are included in this group.

“We the people” who are out there defending Democracy and who are trying to do what’s right and just for the good of others will never be silent, and we will never bow down to him.

Ramona Krausnick
Dublin

Force ICE accountability through its budget

ICE needs to act with accountability, including investigating officer-involved shootings.

ICE funding starting in February has not been appropriated yet. Tell your senators to filibuster the DHS appropriations bill until real reforms in ICE procedures are enacted.

Also, reduce ICE’s funding back to the amount they received prior to HR 1 (the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act).

Ashley Coates
Moraga

Comic operates outside the bounds of taste

Re: “Mallard Fillmore” (Page B7, Jan. 19).

Despite East Bay Times’ claims of fair and balanced content, publishing this offensive and frankly racist cartoon tells me otherwise.

To twist Martin Luther King’s words, in quotes no less, on this day, and in these times, is simply too much to ignore. Is the editorial staff that obtuse? Usually, I read this strip and roll my eyes at the head-scratching, blockheaded content. Not this time. I’m sure some found it a real knee-slapper.

Thanks for all your enlightened consideration.

Christina Loeliger
Benicia