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Historic verdict will
long be remembered
Re: “Trump guilty on 34 counts” (Page A1, May 31).
There are very few events in one’s life worthy of telling your grandchild, “I was there,” or “I remember when it happened.”
The conviction of Donald Trump is absolutely one of those events. In the last two presidential elections, the expression “empty the swamp” was often used. They didn’t have this in mind, but it works for me; I was there,
Norman Orloff
San Jose
Lack of direct flights
hurt airport numbers
Re: “Airport numbers continue to wobble” (Page B1, May 31).
In reference to the May 31 article on San Jose International Airport’s low passenger numbers, one only needs to look at the paucity of direct daily flights, even compared to the (not-so-great) past: NYC, zero; Washington, D.C., zero; Boston, one red-eye (seasonal); London, zero; Mexico City, zero; Tokyo, one (low-cost carrier Zipair); Houston, one.
Unless you like layovers, we can’t get there from here.
Mark Freschi
San Jose
Democracy in need
of viable third hopeful
Re: “Adding RFK to debates bolsters democracy” (Page A6, May 22).
I agree with Gillian Thorp. What’s left of our democracy desperately needs a third candidate.
International rankings rate the United States a flawed democracy. We have had a succession of the worst presidents in U.S. history. Our two-party system gives us alternatives that nobody wants. Voters are left to choose the least bad of two unpalatable candidates. The only reason to vote for one is to withhold a vote from the other. I’ve given up hoping for a coalition of moderate Republicans and fiscally responsible Democrats.
My alternate votes in 2016 and 2020 were probably not counted, let alone reported. This year I will likely vote for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., not with the hope of electing him, but for the possibility that he will garner sufficient votes to register a protest and encourage viable third-party candidacy in the future.
Fred Gutmann
Cupertino
Runaway spending
cancels out tax cuts
Tax cuts are a significant fiscal policy tool that can influence economic performance. By reducing the tax burden on individuals and corporations, tax cuts can stimulate economic activity by increasing disposable income and incentivizing investment. Here’s a brief overview of how tax cuts can improve the economy:
Increased disposable income: Tax cuts provide individuals with more income, which can lead to increased consumer spending and demand.
Business investment: Lower corporate tax rates can encourage investment, capital to expand operations and employment.
Competitive edge: Reducing the marginal rate can make tax codes more competitive globally, attracting foreign investment and boosting domestic economic activity.
Budget deficits: While tax cuts can lead to budget deficits or increased sovereign debt, the resultant economic growth often offsets these effects through higher tax revenue from an expanded economy. Record revenues are the current reality.
Unfortunately, runaway spending has offset these benefits.
Henry Rissier
Hollister
International law
must apply evenly
The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for President Vladimir Putin alleging war crimes in the Ukraine war. The court’s prosecutor is asking the court to issue arrest warrants for Hamas leaders and Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. And now the International Court of Justice has called for a halt to Israel’s offensive in Rafah.
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Both courts appear to be doing their assigned tasks of upholding international law and trying to keep warring parties from the horrific crimes that keep reoccurring in our world’s history. Yet our president takes issue with only one party being called out, that being an ally of his government.
He needs to realize that the law has to rule over all, not just our adversaries. The United States is only further isolating itself and diminishing our declining prestige in the eyes of the rest of the world with his wish to proscribe only those who are not in his favor.
Mike Caggiano
San Mateo
