With the election of Barack Obama, I am once again proud to be an American. However, I cannot say I am proud to be a Californian. Call me naive, but I felt sure that Proposition 8 had no chance of passing in our comparatively progressive state.  

The two-thirds rule for passing a budget is a ridiculous way to run a state government, allowing a small minority of far right Republicans to shred our state's budget.  

When budgetary problems strike them, the immediate retort of all government agencies is to speak about the programs for the least fortunate that will have to be sliced and diced.  

After watching construction taking place on the new Helms Middle School in San Pablo, I phoned the West Contra Costa school district to see if solar panels were part of the construction plan.  

Recently, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and former Secretary of State George Shultz visited Livermore Lab to extol the virtues of the as yet unfinished National Ignition Facility (NIF) as an alleged future source of carbon-free electricity.  

What does it say about a society in which 63 percent of the voters feel it is worthy to treat farm animals humanely. Yet only 48 percent feel it is important enough to notify a parent of the imminent slaughter of their innocent grandchild in their daughter's womb?  

The decision by the California State University trustees to admit 10,000 fewer students because of budget problems reminds me of an old expression: "Close the Washington Monument.  

I agree with your editorial on Nov. 14 about the Antioch City Council. Arne Simonsen is retired so he has the time to put in 40 hours plus a week for the residents of Antioch.  

ReorganizeGeneral Motors should be allowed to go bankrupt.After losing $40 billion during the past three years, there isn't enough money to sustain the benefits GM is contractually required to honor under the "Jobs Bank" program.  

It is amazing that California requires a only simple majority to change our constitution, but a two-thirds majority is required to approve a budget.  

When budgetary problems strike them, the immediate retort of all government agencies is to speak about the programs for the least fortunate that will have to be sliced and diced.  

ReorganizeGeneral Motors should be allowed to go bankrupt.After losing $40 billion during the past three years, there isn't enough money to sustain the benefits GM is contractually required to honor under the "Jobs Bank" program.  

I remember the front page story, and the large Associated Press file photo of the throne used by Jim Jones at Peoples Temple in Jonestown, Guyana, quite well.  

A recent letter to the Times demands the immediate impeachment of President Bush and other unnamed members of his administration for unspecified crimes against the American people.  

I continue to be astounded that it is so difficult for most politicians of both parties to understand that the most effective and quickest way to stimulate the economy is a tax cut.  

I am responding to Doug and Alma Raymond's letter about the separation of church and state.The exact wording of the First Amendment is: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of  

If voting to keep traditional marriage was hateful and bigoted, then the very institution of marriage is hateful and bigoted. This means every child born to a married, heterosexual couple is a product of hate and discrimination.  

According to the articles appearing in the Times, there is a growing groundswell of resentment against Proposition 8. We can thank Attorney General Jerry Brown for changing the title of Prop 8 to insert the words "eliminating" and "rights," which allowed the politically correct crusaders to assemble a huge campaign against the denial of "rights" and "constitutional guarantees of equal protection."  

A recent writer asked how two men or women marrying damages the marriage of currently married couples. The author is correct in that no existing marriage will be damaged, but what will change is the entire meaning of marriage and the proper respect and significance that it should  

I am responding to Denis Cuff's excellent article on the Rossmoor homeowners' plans to have hunters kill up to 50 acorn woodpeckers. That action would exterminate the acorn woodpeckers from that valley and should require an impact study, as Gary Bogue pointed out.  

We've been together 20 years now and attaining the right to have the benefits of a legally recognized marriage is very special to us.  

I was disappointed to read about the increase in racist incidents and rhetoric after the election of Barack Obama. I guess we should expect Neanderthals among us, even as we celebrate growing democracy and racial equality in America.  

As a vocal opponent of Proposition 8, I will continue to advocate for equal rights in marriage for gay couples. Tolerance and acceptance are the goal.  

Proposition 8 had to do with only the label of marriage, not the rights associated with marriage. Thus, the intolerance, hatred, and vandalism of Prop. 8 protesters seem especially inconsistent with the tolerance and fairness their supporters thought they were voting for.  

It was interesting to read the Sept. 14 letters concerning our very important election. There is much to study and decide. I thought, what if I agreed with a candidate on nearly all the important issues, the economy, war, health care, immigration, energy and the environment but found out that he or she was a racist, believing in the separation of the races?  

Like many heterosexuals in the Bay Area, I've made dozens of LGBT friends and acquaintances over the decades I've lived here. Most of these I find to be smart, sensitive and funny; I enjoy their company and hope to continue my relationships with them.  

We are continually hearing from almost everyone that the economic crisis, and the failures of banks, is a failing of the free market, and marks the end of same.  

I am one of over 5.6 million California voters who made my voice heard on Nov. 4, when I voted yes on Proposition 8. My yes vote communicated that I believe that the institution of marriage should be restored and preserved as being uniquely between one man and one woman.  

California and the country recently voted for a new era of change. People across the nation recognized that it is time to move America forward again by working with each other, and putting the divisions of the past 8 years behind us.  

Gus Kramer is a smart man. He managed to avoid spending $10,000 to remove asbestos by paying a $5,000 fine. He saved half the cost without even a Costco membership.