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Take the pressure
off school competition
Re: “Schools’ shift from community to competition harms our youth” (Page A6, April 25).
I wholeheartedly agree with this article’s main points, but it’s ironic that one of the authors worked at Stanford, a main offender in the selectivity rat race. Authors from hyper-selective colleges tend to minimize the role of their admissions policies in causing the problem and point the finger at K-12 schools instead. That’s disingenuous at best.
Competition in itself is not necessarily bad. What’s harmful is high-stakes, winner-take-all competition, which is much too large a part of our education culture. But entering a lot of little low-stakes competitions, especially as part of a team, can have salutary effects. It’s fun. It can create motivation and bonding among teammates, and, as long as winning is celebrated but not over-emphasized, it can give students a sense of perspective about its value. The true value is in the contest and the preparation, not the outcome.
Karen Allendoerfer
Mountain View
Competition can help
students find strengths
Re: “Schools’ shift from community to competition harms our youth” (Page A6, April 25).
The writers contend that our education system is too competitive and suggest a more “equal” outcome agenda. But the reality is that some students are better at sports, academics, social skills, etc.
Our education system is intended to help students accept this and identify and enhance their own competitive strengths. I’ve known many tradespeople, small business owners, doctors and teachers who have succeeded far more than the A students in my high school class.
Ed Kahl
Woodside
Special election isn’t
necessary for parcel tax
Re: “Voters should reject Measure A parcel tax hike” (Page A6, April 24).
Kudos to the Mercury News on its editorial that recommended a no vote for Measure A, placed by the Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District on a special May 7 ballot. Despite our two daughters having received an excellent education at Los Gatos High School, the district officials need a figurative “slap on their faces” to drive home the need for transparency to taxpayers and students to whom they should be setting an ethical example.
One issue not mentioned was the costs of the special election with additional marketing and political consulting costs that could be better directed to its talented teachers if they chose to run the election during a normal election cycle.
While it will cause some near-term pain, a no vote will communicate the message to the district trustees on the need for transparency and not to game the system to their own ends with additional taxpayer costs.
Philip Levine
Monte Sereno
License plate readers
cost us our privacy
Re: “New license plate reader in East San Jose” (Page B1, April 25).
I was dismayed to read about the hundreds of license plate readers installed and hundreds yet to be installed throughout San Jose. It may, indeed, help police catch wrongdoers but the cost is our privacy, and it isn’t worth it.
They should be removed. Their use is un-American.
Nicole Jimenez
San Jose
Give consumers a say
in CPUC choice
Re: “PG&E profits up, as is ’24 outlook” (Page C7, April 26).
It is more than obvious that the PG&E lobbyists have excelled at their jobs. Gov. Newsom and California senators have appointed public utility commissioners who are obviously dedicated to enriching PG&E at the excessive expense of PG&E’s customers.
These commissioners have consistently ignored the public’s cries of foul play as they continue forcing PG&E customers to pay unjustly increased utility rates. Meanwhile, PG&E reports ever-increasing profits.
We the people of the state of California are demanding justice. We want rebates for our PG&E bills and the firing of all utility commissioners who have failed to do their job of protecting the public from excessive charges. The job of public commissioner should be a publicly elected office not an appointed one. Please return the power to the people where it belongs.
Stephen Delia
Sunnyvale
Hiking business tax
will hurt the economy
I’m concerned about the Biden administration’s plan to raise corporate taxes to 28% from 21%.
While aiming to boost revenue, this move could harm economic growth by deterring investment and innovation. Job losses and reduced consumer spending may result, impacting economic stability. Additionally, higher taxes could make U.S. companies less competitive globally, risking revenue loss as some relocate operations abroad. Small businesses may struggle with increased costs, passing them on to consumers.
Instead of burdening corporations, alternative deficit-reduction strategies, like cutting foreign aid, should be explored. We need a balanced approach to fiscal policy that fosters growth without stifling businesses. Let’s ensure policymakers consider the broader implications before implementing tax hikes.
Ahmad Khalid
San Jose
Source: www.mercurynews.com