Marin IJ Readers’ Forum for Nov. 30, 2025
RFK Jr. still saying dangerous things about safe vaccines
As a retired doctor, I am writing in response to the Nov. 22 article with the headline “RFK Jr. says he personally directed CDC’s new guidance on vaccines and autism.”
I think U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is a single-issue guy. To me, that means he has no business holding authority over our nation’s health leadership. He appears to only care about the perceived tragedy of having a child with autism, and he associates it with vaccines.
Kennedy seemingly doesn’t care about the devastation of a child becoming infected with tetanus, pertussis, measles, rubella, diphtheria or COVID-19, to name a few serious life-threatening infections avoided with vaccines. Research shows that any side-effects from vaccines are minimal, compared to the death and destruction wielded by these terrible preventable diseases.
Vaccine refusal should not be about “personal choice.” I think viewing that way is selfish and puts us all at increased risk of devastating health consequences and early death.
— Dr. Debra Bright, San Rafael
California code requires front license plate for most vehicles
I have been startled recently to discover what I consider a high proportion of cars on the road in Marin without front license plates. The trend appeared to start with Teslas, but now I notice many other brands. It is seemingly an aesthetic decision, mostly for later and more-expensive models.
California Vehicle Code 5200 specifies this is required for most vehicles (including Teslas) on penalty of fines and citations.
— Ernest B. Hook, San Rafael
Voters across nation aware of mess Newsom is leaving here
I think the idea of California’s governor one day being called “President Gavin Newsom” should be a terrifying prospect for U.S. voters, given how poorly the state ranks across myriad important metrics that aggregate to a pathetic No. 37 ranking in the U.S. News and World Report’s annual “Best States Ranking.” This comprehensive rating looks at 71 metrics across eight categories, including education, the economy and fiscal stability.
I saw a report where Democratic strategist Jess O’Connell noted that many of those expected to run — including Newsom — have day jobs and “you have to fulfill your obligations to the states that you’re in.”
Newsom’s report card is an F on affordability. I’ve seen that listed as the No. 1 issue for presidential voters. California’s housing and electricity costs are literally twice the national average and gasoline is 50% higher. It’s a disaster for working-class Californians. The one area where California is a clear “leader” is functional poverty, where the U.S. Census bureau ranks California No. 1 (tied with Louisiana).
Indisputable facts are showing that Newsom will leave a mess in California. That’s why I think one of the easiest jobs in the world will be running the opposition campaign against him if he announces a push for president.
— Ken Broad, Mill Valley
MCE coverage inspires closer look in Orange County
MCE (formerly Marin Clean Energy) has been called the gold standard of community choice aggregation (CCA) providers in California. I have found the extensive reporting by Steven Rosenfeld in the Marin IJ in recent months to be useful in evaluating my local Orange County Power Authority.
Like MCE, OCPA had substantial operating losses in the last year with greater losses projected this fiscal year. Budget projections deviate widely from actuals; prices for most plans exceed the local utility; the CEOs have seemingly outsized salaries and large annual raises; and they both have apparently misleading marketing about so-called “100% renewables.”
Like the MCE Board of Directors, the OCPA board is composed of city council representatives. It appears to almost always unquestionably approve agenda items, such as a recent 13% rate hike. Data shows that OCPA’s emissions keep rising and the cheapest plan had emissions nearly double that of our mainstream provider for 2024.
The IJ’s detailed articles have been encouraging here in Orange County. Details about how determined watchdogs can scrutinize finances, question the “black box” power procurement, push back when staff are not forthcoming and propose remedies were heartening to read.
CCA boards should forcefully govern to substantially reduce electricity prices. Stashing hundreds of millions of dollars into slush fund “reserves” is seemingly unjustified. I think the punitive exit terms for CCAs make it very difficult for cities to withdraw and I think that’s on purpose. I consider the Marin community’s critical analysis of the “gold standard” gilded MCE to be beneficial to the whole state.
— Vicki Johnson, Irvine