Auburn letter writer will choose a new representative over McClintock

People are sick, schools and businesses are shuttered, family life is disrupted, jobs are lost. The necessary practice of social distancing is adding to the isolation and fear already impacted by economic challenges. At these times, we look to our elected leaders to provide solace and leadership. Instead of voting to provide emergency paid leave to furloughed or laid-off workers, Congressman Tom McClintock voted against the bill. He claimed it would de-incentivize our work force, providing an opportunity to game the system. Setting aside the implications of McClintock's degrading opinion of his constituents, we now have his dissertation on the choices we face going forward. In his column, "Our Choice: A Third Quarter Rebound or a Lost Decade," McClintock continues his paternalistic patronizing views by echoing recent calls to return to life as normal. He further states that a payroll tax holiday is preferable to extending leave and unemployment benefits. To McClintock, it matters little that scientists and public health professionals tell us ending social distancing too soon will hasten the transmission of the virus, devastate an already overburdened healthcare system, and lead to long-term societal and economic difficulties. We ignore the advice and experience of these experts at our peril. For the unemployed, how is a payroll tax holiday of any help? A holiday from a tax you're not paying because you're unemployed is hardly a benefit. Furthermore, payroll taxes are used to fund Medicare and Social Security. How long will it be before McClintock demands cuts in earned benefits as a pretext of his rediscovered fiscal concerns? McClintock is right — we do have a choice. He has already chosen partisan politics and wealthy donors over us. I will choose a representative who puts our needs first. Barbara Smith Auburn Revisiting the Placer County census in 1852 To the editor, Since 2020 is a national census year, your readers may be interested in the returns from the Placer County census taken in the year 1852, as reported in the Auburn Placer Herald on November 20 of that year. Here are some highlights: The total population in 1852 was 10,780. There were 6,602 white males and only 343 white females. Chinese accounted for 3,019, and it was estimated there were 730 Indians in the county. There was also breakdown of the census by age, with two white people being 68 years old. Those two were the oldest inhabitants of Placer County. (Ages of Chinese were disregarded.) Occupations of residents, excluding white females and Indians, were also recorded. The largest group was 8,471 miners, followed by traders at 249. A partial list of other occupations includes clerks and bartenders 33, gamblers 23, physicians 20, saloon keepers 12 and clergymen 4. Places most residents were born were: China 3,019, New York state 1,165, Pennsylvania 469, Massachusetts 454, Ohio 434, or Ireland 421. The results of the 2020 census should be equally interesting when they are tabulated and released later this year. Craig George Auburn Shout out to Save Mart for seniors-only shopping This letter is a robust "Shout Out" to our local businesses which are stepping up to the challenges presented to them to serve our communities in the COVID-19 situation. Their response was in an expeditiously, safely and unselfish manner; in particular, my grocer Save Mart, located in the Auburn Town Center on Elm St. The store was quick to offer SENIORS-ONLY SHOPPING HOURS for their customers. Upon arrival, Tuesday, March 24, signage was provided for customer shopping selection (including amounts), bagging procedures, etc. Store personnel were present to greet us and assist us. Kudos to them for providing store sanitizing and plastic shielding for their customers, cashiers and employees. These changes are only variations to the awesome service and products that Save Mart has always provided. In closing, I must say, it was a pleasure to be "carded" upon arrival for my SENIORS-ONLY SHOPPING. It's been a while ... thank you Save Mart ... you made my day! (smiles). Gratefully, Betts Stroh Auburn