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When I was 15 and 20, the Progressive Party ran Henry Wallace (in 1948) and Vincent Hallinan (in 1952) of the renowned local family for president of the United States on the Progressive Party ballot. It was strongly communist-influenced. Ive always thought of it as communist which is fine with me.

As you might know from my campaigns for school board, I devotedly subscribe to communism and socialism tending toward the anarchy described by Marx, the withering away of the state as we replace it with meaningful forms of control by us all.

Progressive is maybe getting redefined by people struggling to take control of our governmental mechanisms. But Ive long determined it to be a wishy-washy term for people trying to do the right thing but not being sure what that is or the way to do it.

The Berkeley mayors submission on July 10 indicated the depth and sincerity of the bodys efforts, much as previous government formations have done, not only here but in many places where candidates and elected officials would committedly like to find ways to carry out programs that are good for us all that weve asked for and demanded.

The problem is they cant be in capitalism which youve seen repeatedly. If we win something, we lose it; our owners steal it back.

An actually progressive government would make the effort to get us talking about the use of socialism and communism. Without us able to talk about it, we spin our wheels which I think you and our elected officials know. But, they keep their jobs, saying they will fix all that broken stuff of ours. Maybe they just need encouragement to agree to allow us all to educate ourselves about taking control of government, of work of labor for all our benefit.

Norma J.F. Harrison Berkeley

Excuse my language, but EBMUD raising water rates with one of the excuses being that they need to offset for loss of revenue from people like us who saved water in the drought is the most stupid thing.

The only people getting benefits from the rate increase are the executives. Yes, lets keep them in those manors, private jets and worldwide family vacations.

Juan Lores Richmond

Todays conservative pundits are an unreasonable mix of irrational arrogance and willfully blind navet.

Theyre convinced of widespread voter fraud despite the complete lack of proof yet believe global warming is a hoax despite the overwhelming scientific evidence.

Ed Chainey Richmond

Back in 1993, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors passed a rodeo ordinance banning horse tripping and steer tailing, the first such ordinance in the nation.

The ordinance needs amending to include other cruel and nonsanctioned events, e.g. wild cow milking (in which a cow was killed at the 2014 Rowell Ranch Rodeo in Castro Valley and another bloodied at last months Livermore Rodeo); the childrens mutton busting event (banned in New Zealand on the recommendation of that countrys veterinary association); and all animal scrambles (pigs, calves, chickens, et al.). None of these events are standard ranching practice, and they are dangerous for all concerned.

Concerned citizens, especially local veterinarians, are urged to contact the board and ask that this issue be agendized: Wilma Chan, President, Alameda County Board of Supervisors, 1221 Oak St., Oakland, CA 94612; 510-208-4949. Other Board members are Scott Haggerty, Richard Valle, Nate Miley and Keith Carson.

As Tennessee Williams famously wrote, Cruelty is the only unforgivable sin. It needs to stop.

Eric Mills coordinator, Action for Animals Oakland

Regarding recent press about having Daylight Saving Time all year: Setting the clocks ahead one hour moves an hour of morning light to the end of the day. Thats great between March 21 and Sept. 21, when there is more daylight than night. But for the winter-half of the year, we need more light in the morning when kids are going to school.

Kids all go to school at about the same time, which is the same time that commuters are starting their treks to work. Darkness, or early morning sun in the eyes, creates dangerous hazards. Later in the day, schools end before most commuters return home, so evening darkness is not as dangerous.

As it is, Daylight Saving Time ends in November, nearly two months past the Sept. 21 equinox. Shortening, not lengthening, the DST period would make mornings safer for our children and grandchildren.

Bruce Joffe Piedmont

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Berkeley, El Cerrito letters: A truly progressive state communist, which is fine - East Bay Times