Letters for April 27, 2017

Have we been cheated?

Re: “A potholed California,” by Ben Christopher (News, April 13):

I would like to see a summary by year of how many of our state tax dollars over the last 20 years we approved for road repairs versus what the government actually spent. No doubt we have been cheated, is my bet.

David Reid

Galt

A ‘creepy’ response

Re: “Down and out in suburbia,” by Scott Thomas Anderson (News, April 13):

I’m glad someone wrote about the human wreckage that washed out with the rest of the physical debris. Solid story, had to be told, but it’s never enough.

My job occasionally puts me in close proximity with the “homeless campers.” Rather quickly, the horror dawns on you that most of these folks aren’t lazy slobs who won’t get up and go to work, but are suffering from mental illness. It robs them of the ability to socialize on a competitive level, something we take for granted.

Rounding up people with less than desirable characteristics, concentrating them in an open camp and calling it the “outdoor solution” has very creepy overtones from days past. Shame on us, if this is our answer. Hundreds of millions for the destitute basketballers; Sacramentans can be generous to a fault, sometimes…

Joe Rothwell

Sacramento

Why no Latin jazz category?

Back in 1996, I entered the Sacramento Area Music Awards. I submitted my Latin Jazz Project demo in the Latin category and was nominated for voting in the awards. So where did it disappear to today? I was disappointed not to see a Latin jazz category in 2017.

Let’s understand one thing: Latin jazz was originated in New York City by Tito Puente and other Puerto Rican musicians. Latin jazz did not come from Europe. It’s American music created by Latinos for more than 60 years in this country.

Charles Cano

Sacramento

Put up or shut up

On Earth Day, in response to the March for Science, President Trump said, “My administration is committed to advancing scientific research that leads to a better understanding of our environment and of environmental risks.”

That’s a welcome response, but the real test is whether you actually fund science. I say, put your money where your mouth is. Funding science can indeed help America become great and create jobs.

So I’m hoping this isn’t just an attempt to just say the right thing and that you actually realize funding science is objectively a good idea. Science is the study of reality, and we want to make reality our friend.

Marc Perkel

Gilroy