Protesting is great. Having corporations pay for their own police is a recipe for trouble. But so is the lack of oversight in governments that employ police officers. How many candidates for city council in Mountain View have pledged oversight? How would it work? What particular policies and practices of the police department should be changed? Let's take the Breonna Taylor tragedy as an example. What law, policy and/or practice in Louisville, Kentucky was violated or should be changed there?

In Mountain View, we have 9 candidates for 4 (of 7) seats on the City Council. The police department is primarily under the authority of the police chief. The police chief answers to the city manager. The city manager answers to the city council - to some extent. So, any candidate for city council in Mountain View should explain how any proposed reforms would be imposed. I do see online that city council candidate Paul Roales has some ideas. Perhaps at least Mr. Roales will answer that question about how to impose any changes in Mountain View.

God,

So many things going wrong these days, and unfortunately many are constantly trying to make the situation worse.

First, we had an administration bent on stirring up fights regarding minorities. Constantly insulting them and trying to remove their rights.

Then COVID hit. Throwing so many people out of work, and seemingly making minorities the majority of deaths. And we still don't have a complete ROAD MAP on the long term plan to deal with it.

Then you had the exposure of the systemic abuse of power that the police have been using. It was always there, but now the "Viral Video" age is matured and it is caught now much more often.

And now we have had fires, which for a month in effect closed down most of us again.

Instead of giving us the tools to remedy what we can, or cope with this distress, our leaders are in an impossible position. The Fed, State, County and City debts are so large, and the war of politics is making it worse.

I wonder if we are in fact seeing the end of the United States as we know it?

Good points Steven. But the country can do no worse than to allow Donald Trump a second term. In a Trump second term, only the already-rich will survive and thrive and political dissent will be crushed. Just consider the back and forth about "pre-existing conditions." Under Obamacare, such conditions are made part of the overall cost of healthcare. Trump seeks to abolish such coverage and leave it to private insurance companies to determine how much TO CHARGE each consumer depending on the person's or the pool's "pre-existing conditions" or other potential costs that vary with individuals. Insurance for at-risk groups would skyrocket so that lower-risk groups can pay less. If you Steven had a "pre-existing condition" that could be costly, under Trump in a second term, you could be required to pay twice or a hundred times as much for insurance. And as you suggest, the states are also broke and will soon be slashing everything but public employee pay, benefits and pensions. But there is a glimmer of hope. Defeat Trump. You only get Biden. But the difference is a matter of live and death.

GAry,

I hate to say this, but given the history of the 2000 election, I am VERY worried. I will still vote, but I am VERY concerned.

The reports this week indicate that if Trump loses by the voters, he may have a way to override them.

My deep nightmare is that we may be reliving the restructuring of political powers and institutions that occurred in the 1930s Germany.

the Hitler reign was achieved by chipping away at any unbiased voices and creating domestic conflict.

By the way, the courts ruled that FOX News is NOT news to protect it from a defamation lawsuit. That will be ignored by it's fans or worse celebrated.

FOX News is now a true propaganda organization under the laws

You should watch the films "Recount Democracy, Hacking Democracy, "Recount" "Uncounted: The New Math of American Elections" , and "Unprecedented, the 2000 Presidential Election"

I do not have any confidence this election will work.