Folsom letters to the editor for Oct. 19-23

Need officials who listen This November I will have been a resident of Folsom for nineteen years, and I am embarrassed to say that I have not paid attention to Josh Hoover and his voting record for my district. For the last ten years we have been told that "this" election is the most important of our lifetimes. THIS year, I truly believe it is. I voted for the first time in 1973 and have never missed an election. Never in this lifetime have I believed how critical it is that we get elected officials into office who truly listen to their constituents and their needs. For this reason, and after much research, I will not be voting for Josh Hoover. He has voted no on the AB109 (Kin Care), AB2646 (minimum wage), AB379 (sex trafficking) and AB1319 (protecting endangered species), to name just a few. He is spending millions of dollars on ads against his opponent and blanketing our area with his huge signs, but what is he actually giving us, the voters, or what he will do FOR us? Affordability is NOT a made up word as the president keeps saying. It is whether people have to decide between gas and groceries, pay their rent or mortgage. THESE are what we need to remember when we vote in November. In the words of the brilliant Pete Townsend: I get on my knees and pray, we don't get fooled again.We can't afford to re-elect Josh Hoover. Debbie Van Blaricom Folsom Concerned about protecting children I was outraged to see Assemblymember Hoover's attack ad accusing his opponent Amy Slavensky of "protecting predators." This reckless messaging did not just target Slavensky; it unfairly attacked teachers, counselors and school staff who work every day to protect our children and report abuse when they see it. As voters, we deserve honest debate about policies and qualifications, not sensational accusations designed to inflame emotions and undermine trust in public education. Suggesting that educators are complicit in protecting predators is both offensive and deeply disrespectful to the professionals who dedicate their lives to our children's well-being. If Hoover is truly concerned about protecting children and holding predators accountable, he should look within his own party and join the calls to release the Epstein files. Cheryl Davis Folsom Healthcare crisis coming Oct. 22 U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has a dangerous new rule beginning Oct. 22 that will threaten the healthcare of millions of Americans. The rule, "Indefinite Suspension of the De Minimis Exemption for Mail Shipments," will effectively end Americans' ability to personally import their prescription medicines. Importing prescription drugs from licensed international pharmacies is the only lifeline for seniors on limited incomes, people with high-deductible health plans, and the uninsured. That's why CBP and the FDA have allowed it for decades. Due to the much lower cost of medications in Canada and other countries, imported medicine is their only option. Many imported drugs can be less than half the U.S. price. These necessary medicines prevent blood clots, treat diabetes, and much more. This CBP rule will cut off access to the only affordable prescription drugs for millions, and that will lead to unnecessary harm and preventable deaths. My Husband uses Trelegy and has used it successfully for many years. He would be dead if we couldn't buy it from a foreign country. The U.S. price is $670 per month, which we cannot afford. The off shore price is $132 per month. Still a lot, but we do what we can. If this CBP rule goes through, I don't know what we'll do. It's always something with these people. Please help by contacting your Senators and Representatives about this matter. I ask readers to immediately call or write our Senators and U.S. Representatives and demand they stop CBP from implementing any rule-making that restricts Americans from importing personal-use prescription drugs from licensed pharmacies in Canada or other countries. Barbara Poulos Fair Oaks