Democrats disrespectful during State of the Union
I condemn the Democratic members of Congress for refusing to stand and applaud victims of preventable tragedies during the SOTU address. Their inaction reveals misplaced priorities and a lack of empathy for shattered lives.
Take the 5-year-old girl who miraculously survived a truck ramming by an illegal immigrant wrongly granted a commercial license. As she smiled and waved resiliently, Democrats sat unmoved—a betrayal of citizens they claim to protect.
Consider the parents of Iryna Zarutska, murdered on a train by a career criminal who should have been imprisoned long ago. They stood crying, yet Democrats refused to rise, ignoring the costs of lax policies.
And the woman who sued over malpractice after doctors pushed gender transition on her without parental consent? She stood bravely, but Democrats ignored her.
Yet, these politicians march for a deranged protester who died interfering with law enforcement, even pushing for statues. This hypocrisy honors chaos over true victims. Americans must demand non-partisan empathy. Democrats’ selective outrage prioritizes ideology over humanity.
Mike Lelieur
Santa Cruz
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Thank You, Santa Cruz METRO Employees
National Transit Employee Appreciation Day on March 18 is an opportunity to recognize the dedicated Santa Cruz METRO employees who keep our community moving every single day. Public transit is far more than buses on the road. It is the people—those who operate service safely, coordinate dispatch, maintain vehicles, support riders, keep facilities running, provide ParaCruz service, and carry out the administrative work that makes reliable transit possible.
Across Santa Cruz County, METRO employees help people get to work, school, medical appointments, and essential services. Their work is often demanding and frequently behind the scenes, but it makes a meaningful difference in the lives of thousands of residents. Sometimes the simplest gestures matter most, and a sincere “thank you” can go a long way.
This year, we invite riders and community members to share messages of appreciation through METRO’s online kudos form at scmetro.org/kudos . METRO will compile the messages received and share highlights with employees as a reminder of how valued their service is.
To our riders, thank you for choosing METRO. Your support strengthens public transit in Santa Cruz County and means a great deal to the people who provide service every day.
Rebecca Downing
Board Director, Santa Cruz METRO
