Readers Weigh In on Tipping, Holocaust Education, and Democracy

Letters to the Editor cover a range of community issues in Sonoma County.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Readers of the Press Democrat newspaper in Sonoma County, California share their perspectives on topics like the debate over tipping, the importance of Holocaust education, and concerns about the state of American democracy. The letters cover a variety of local and national issues affecting the community.

Why it matters

These letters to the editor provide a window into the concerns and perspectives of residents in Sonoma County, reflecting the diversity of views on important social and political topics. They highlight how local communities are grappling with broader national trends and debates.

The details

The letters cover several key topics. One reader argues that the tipping debate should be resolved by employers properly paying and pricing their services, rather than relying on customer tips. Another praises a local high school's use of virtual reality to teach about the Holocaust, connecting it to the rise of fascism and intolerance today. A third letter expresses alarm about the actions of immigration enforcement (ICE) agents, seeing them as a threat to American democracy.

  • The letters were published on February 9, 2026.

The players

Weedy Tuhtanjoseph

A resident of Sebastopol, California who wrote a letter about the tipping debate.

Steve Einstein

A resident of Sebastopol, California who wrote a letter praising Holocaust education efforts in Sonoma County.

Nancy Shaffer

A resident of Glen Ellen, California who wrote a letter expressing concern about the actions of immigration enforcement (ICE) agents and the state of American democracy.

Joanne Brown

A resident of Sonoma, California who wrote a letter about attending an anti-ICE protest in Napa and being inspired by the remarks of Congressman Mike Thompson.

Rabbi Mendy Wenger

Helped bring a virtual reality program about the Holocaust to Sonoma Valley High School.

Bernadette Weissmann

Helped bring a virtual reality program about the Holocaust to Sonoma Valley High School.

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What they’re saying

“Pay employees and price products accordingly. Workers should not be, as Blanche DuBois said, dependent 'on the kindness of strangers'.”

— Weedy Tuhtanjoseph (Press Democrat)

“As fascism and intolerance is on the rise in our country and in other countries as well, it's an especially critical time to learn the lessons of what happens when authoritarian leaders gain power and go unchecked.”

— Steve Einstein (Press Democrat)

“Trump will jackboot American exceptionalism into the trash bin of history and call the failure of American democracy a win. For Bitcoin and gold baubles.”

— Nancy Shaffer (Press Democrat)

“He reminded me again of why we should expect only the very best from our elected public officials and why we should not let our government be stolen from us.”

— Joanne Brown (Press Democrat)

The takeaway

These letters highlight the diverse perspectives and concerns of Sonoma County residents, from the practical issues of tipping and fair wages to the existential threats facing American democracy. They underscore the vital role that local communities play in grappling with national trends and debates.