Letters to the Editor

Scammers

Recently, a bipartisan group of attorneys general warned Meta that their platforms are enabling scammers to rob older adults blind through fake online advertisements. As a nurse and caregiver over the years, I’ve seen the fallout up close – and it’s heartbreaking.

It’s infuriating to know that most of these cases often aren’t even investigated, let alone prosecuted. Our seniors deserve more than sympathy – they deserve action.

Everyone – from Big Tech, telecom companies, AI companies and banks, to law enforcement and all levels of government – has a role to play in preventing these types of crimes that disrupt families on so many levels. No one entity can tackle the problem alone. It's too systemic and will only get worse as scammers become more sophisticated.

We also need greater investment in elder protections: social workers, trained law enforcement and public education campaigns for caregivers and families.

As a nurse for more than 35 years, my coworkers and friends in health care see the pain of the seniors we have cared for when a scam happens. Now we need to see the political will from our leaders to stop it. Seniors deserve dignity and safety – not to be left at the mercy of internet con artists.

Paige Nees

Just Scream

Why is it okay, in the United States of America, the land of immigrants, that immigrants (many of them citizens) are being rounded up by masked, heavily armed federal agents and taken to detention centers?

Why is it okay, in the Land of the Free, that there are armed troops patrolling our cities?

Why is it okay, in the Home of the Brave, that children are starving to death due to a US-sponsored war in another part of the world while our president is building a ballroom costing millions?

Why is it okay, in this land of equality, that our lying president campaigned on lowering the cost of living and then imposed tariffs, which have raised the cost of everything for the average citizenry but lowered the taxes of millionaires and billionaires?

Why is it okay, in this land of free and fair elections, for blatant gerrymandering to occur in order to rig an election for political gain?

Well, it’s not okay. What can we do? It is up to We the People to save our democracy from this not-so-subtle Fascist takeover. We can protest, watch for the California Election Rigging Response Act and vote on Nov. 4, and call Congress at (202) 224-3121.

Or just scream.

Merry Colvin