By admin 
Rainbow Bridge jumps are dangerous
“Person rescued from American River after jumping from Rainbow Bridge in Folsom,” (sacbee.com, Aug. 6)
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As a trauma surgeon, I have learned about the “fun” tradition of jumping off the Folsom Rainbow Bridge. I am not seeing any fun when these individuals come into the hospital. I am seeing them in a significant amount of pain.
At 63 feet above the water, it is high enough to provide an adrenaline rush. But make no mistake: the bridge is also high enough to cause devastating, life-threatening injuries.
I do not want to see you as a trauma patient.
Varun Kapur
Granite Bay
Stop enabling genocide
“Condemn suffering in Gaza. But call it genocide? No,” (sacbee.com, Aug. 21)
Rabbi Reuven Taff rejects “genocide” to describe Israel’s wholesale, murderous destruction of Palestinian life in Gaza, denying that he’s “parsing the word.” But that’s exactly what he does.
Whether genocide or mere “crimes against humanity,” our obligation as U.S. citizens is to stop enabling either.
David L. Mandel
Sacramento
Addressing affordability
“California rooftop solar subsidies harm communities of color,” (sacbee.com, Aug. 25)
The California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program cuts electric bills by 20% to 35% for qualifying low-income households, while the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program offers similar relief to larger households slightly above CARE thresholds.
There’s also the Arrearage Management Plan, which forgives overdue utility debt for enrolled customers. These programs are themselves funded partly through the same “public-purpose” surcharges the article criticizes.
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A fuller argument would weigh net metering reform against these existing offsets, and ask whether expanding CARE/FERA eligibility — rather than only cutting solar subsidies — might more directly address affordability for renters and low-income families.
Donald Stauffer
West Sacramento
A fundamental right
“Supreme Court gives Trump win in mail ballot dispute, but fight continues,” (sacbee.com, Aug. 25)
Voting is a fundamental right of American citizens. The midterm elections are drawing near and media coverage around voting integrity and security grows. Attempts are being made to remove voters from the voting rolls, and there is an attempt to direct the Postal Service to handle ballots from federally approved voters lists.
As efforts to review voter rolls continue, taking a moment to check your status is essential.
Check your registration online at voterstatus.sos.ca.gov or register to vote online at registertovote.ca.gov.
The most important action we can take is to cast our ballots early. A healthy democracy depends on active participation. Voting is the fundamental way we decide how our communities and country are governed.
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Debra McCartney
El Dorado Hills