Peace corps
Monday marks a major milestone in the history of the Peace Corps. On this day in 1961, President John F. Kennedy signed into law the original Peace Corps Act, which formally authorized this unique and independent agency that has become one of the most recognizable examples of U.S. goodwill to millions of people around the world.
Now, 64 years later, nearly 250,000 American citizens have proudly served the United States in more than 140 host nations. This includes over 300 current Peace Corps Volunteers serving foreign nations and about 32,500 Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCV) who call California home – the most of any state. I am a proud RPCV who served from 1979 to 1981 to help the Government of Barbados establish its first marine protected area. Many of the RPCV from our area are members of the Northern California Peace Corps Association (https://norcalpca.org/).
The Peace Corps has a long history of strong bipartisan support, and while our current political and social dynamics present unprecedented challenges, that support continues today. In its budget request to Congress, the Trump administration has requested level funding of $430 million for the Peace Corps in the upcoming fiscal year – a good sign. Meanwhile, Republican and Democrat lawmakers in the House of Representatives and the Senate, are coming together to introduce legislation to honor the distinguished work of Peace Corps volunteers with the highest civilian honor – a Congressional Gold Medal.
At a time when our country and the world yearns for more peace and understanding, more civility, and more cooperative engagement, I urge Senator Alex Padilla, Senator Adam Schiff, and Representative Jimmy Panetta to support efforts to recognize the selfless, inspiring work of our past and present Peace Corps Volunteers, and provide the agency with the resources it needs to continue and thrive in the years to come. Public support for the Peace Corps is also needed, especially for women and men who want to volunteer for two years of service. You can visit the Peace Corps’ website (https://www.peacecorps.gov/how-to-apply/preparing-to-apply/) for more information about becoming a volunteer.
— Patrick Cotter, Pacific Grove
Prop 50
I’d like to thank former Sen. Bill Monning for his interesting letter in support of Prop. 50, but there are still two important reasons I won’t vote for it. First, at least 90 percent of the state is already represented by Democrats. Even if 50 passed, there wouldn’t be enough districts to replace changes made by more than one other state. Second, having two dictators running Washington D.C. and California with guard troops and redrawn districts doesn’t make one dictatorship right. Vote No on 50.
— Bill Graham, Salinas
Thank you for printing David Brook’s commentary “What money can’t buy. Why I am no longer a liberal” on Sept. 9. His main point in the article is that money (in the form of cash advances, rent subsidies, food stamps etc.) does not necessarily improve the lives of children from such families. Yes, we know Karl Marx saw social dynamics from a materialistic perspective. Some people think that factors such as race, gender and zip code determines the future lives of children from poor families. But whatever happened to the belief in social mobility? A young person starting out working at McDonald’s doesn’t STAY at McDonald’s, but goes to school, learns a trade or a profession and moves on. Low income families don’t have to stay low income and live in low income housing permanently. Providing guaranteed income and other government subsidies is just another excuse to keep poor families in their place, relegating them permanently to the underclass. The social welfare system is paternalistic and doesn’t always solve the problems it is trying to alleviate. Liberals take notice. David Brooks is no longer a liberal.
— Carol Marquart, Pacific Grove
Trump, the pirate
Avast, Mateys, shiver me timbers, this is your Captain Trump speaking, ruler of the 7 seas. We blew that Venezuelan ship out of the water without even giving them a chance to walk the plank. They belong in Davey Jones’ locker for whatever they did, whether it was smuggling drugs or just displaying a Biden poster. Too bad we sunk it though, because I haven’t seen that much booty since the last Epstein party I attended.
— Glenn Nolte, Carmel Valley
