What type of person do we want in charge?

Re: Michael Bennet drops out of race for president, Feb. 11 news story

In an increasingly deranged world, there are insufficient awards for rationality, thoughtfulness and maturity. This is especially true in todays politics.

Coloradans have every right to be proud of Michael Bennets campaign for the presidency. Though the prizes go to the winners, there is more at stake than political victory. Quite often those who are not victorious add considerable value to the nations future.

Sen. Bennet substituted rationality for shouting, dignity for drama and vision for cleverness. During a sentimental return to New Hampshire on his behalf, I was impressed by the number of people who spoke highly and respectfully of him.

Alas, there should have been more who voted for him.

Politics is not for the fainthearted. National campaigning is among the most trying and relentless efforts anyone can undertake.

But, as he has in public office, Sen. Bennet made us proud that he represented us and our state.Sen. Bennet may or may not ever become president. But the doors of opportunity for service in a national capacity will open more widely for him now. He earned the respect of all who heard him and listened to his ideas for the future.

He has by no means left the national stage. At a time when statesmanship in America is in very short supply, his remarkable talent is all the more visible.

In the future, if you pass Michael Bennet on the streets of Colorado, and you are so inclined, thank him for his effort and tell him you are proud of him for it.

Gary Hart, KittredgeEditors note: Gary Hart was Colorados U.S. senator from 1975 to 1987 and is a former presidential candidate.

Re: Moving past impeachment, Feb. 9 editorial

Your Sunday editorial, Moving past impeachment was fairly impartial until the last paragraph.

Our economy is booming: more jobs, low unemployment and higher salaries.

You think we should vote against the person who created all that success?

The Democrats have caused all the divisiveness by not accepting Trumps presidency, lying about Russian collusion for three years and putting us through that ridiculous impeachment a waste of time and taxpayer money.

We Republicans are gasping for air from all the hatred and lying of the Democrats since Trump was elected. Voting for Trump will ensure our democracy and continued success.

Carol Czaplinski, Golden

In the Sunday editorial you urged us to vote for candidates willing to think independently, seek compromise and behave with human decency, kindness, and integrity.

Whats missing in this president, and what has made him an embarrassment to America both within the U.S. and overseas, is his lack of character, which youve covered, but also his lack of education. If he had a knowledge of American history and a respect for law, he would not choose to repeatedly undermine the values of democracy. Education is hard to evaluate in a candidate, but its one more value we have to have in our leaders.

Danielle Dubas Steinfeld, Morrison

Sundays editorial was very good. I hope some of the folks read it but I doubt it changed any minds. Thanks for trying.

Jim Hall, Denver

Tolls arent the only answer to congestion

Re: Solving I-70 ski traffic would be easy, Feb. 8 guest commentary

I found some of the ideas about a new toll to pay for buses to ski resorts well intentioned but do people who have a car really want to take a bus? No!

The simple solution to the I-70 skier nightmare of traffic is a simple one and no cost to taxpayers.Gov. Jared Polis and the Colorado Department of Transportation should seek federal approval to ban large trucks from I-70 during peak travel periods.

Toll lanes leave those unwilling to pay watching a small fraction of the cars use the toll lanes while the other two lanes crawl. Why we think that is a solution just boggles my mind.

James Lasworth, Denver

Re: New tolls proposed as opening nears, Feb. 8 news story

Its clear from your article on the new C-470 toll lanes that CDOTs purpose for these lanes is not to relieve congestion, but to take advantage of congestion.

Otherwise, they would be happy to incentivize commuter vehicles that carry three or more occupants, thereby reducing congestion, while offering single or dual-occupant motorists priority access for a fee.I have no problem with tolls if there is viable public transportation available but there is no such thing in this corridor.

Tom Atkins, Highlands Ranch

When it comes to financing the C-470 Express Lanes, it seems CDOT has identified the enemy: carpoolers!

Why give a break to commuters who go to the trouble of sharing a ride to work when toll revenues will be higher if they each drive by themselves?

Imagine your water bill comes with the note Please waste water, we have to pay off the bonds used to finance the new reservoir.

Carpooling, like conserving water, leads to the better use of common resources. Even with the new lanes C-470 will turn into a traffic nightmare again, just a wider one. CDOT should strongly promote carpooling as a way of delaying that eventuality.

Andrew Bartlett, Longmont

Libertarian will vote for Sanders to drive discussion

As a fiscal conservative and constitutionalist libertarian, I am going to do something I never would have done in the past.

In Colorado, we can vote in any primary as long as we choose to be unaffiliated. I have decided to change my affiliation as a Libertarian and will vote in the Democratic primary.

Why? It is time to have this conversation. Are we going to vote to support our free and constitutional society or are we going to tear up the Constitution and vote to make the U.S.A. a socialist nation?All of the top Democrats running are socialists but only one admits it: Bernie Sanders. So let the Democrats run Bernie. Lets talk about the difference between socialism and a representative republic and how we want to go forward.

I will be voting for Bernie in the primary but not in the general election. Bring it on. Put it out there and let the American people decide how they want their children and grandchildren to live in their future.

Debra Menger, Whitewater

Trump budget harmful

Re: Trumps 2021 budget revisits rejected cuts, Feb. 11 news story

Once again, President Donald Trump and the GOP are poised to inflict more cruelty on the less fortunate, after approving huge tax cuts for the very wealthy and large corporations. The Trump budget calls for $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act over the next decade.The Trump administration also wants work requirements for Medicaid and to reduce the number of people on food stamps by 3.7 million. This is all kind of ironic, given the GOP tax cut increased the deficit by over a trillion dollars. Now, Trump wants to reduce the deficit by getting rid of more and more of the safety nets for the less fortunate.

During the Obama years, the GOP said how bad deficits were, and how irresponsible Obama was. Now, they simply dont care, either about the deficits or the less fortunate.

Robert H. Moulton III, Commerce City

Bad look for Aurora police

Re: No DUI charges for officer, Feb. 7 news story

Apparently the Aurora police department has instituted a new recruitment policy. Do you want to drink and drive while carrying a loaded weapon? The Aurora Police Department wants you!Do you want to kill innocent black people? The Aurora Police Department wants you!

Ive heard of police states before, but not police cities/counties. What is wrong with this picture? Plenty!

Ellen Derrick, Denver

Feeding wildlife is less unethical than hunting

Re: Evergreen, Bailey residents charged for feeding deer, Feb. 12 news story

According to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife, it is selfish and unethical to feed big game, as opposed to say maybe killing them.

It is argued that they are killed to keep their numbers down. Unfortunately hunters take the biggest and best, whereas in nature the predators take down the sick and weak. Truly a selfish and unethical act if there ever was one.

Also we humans have decided that it is OK to feed one species of animal and neglect (and make illegal) to feed another. I live where there are lots wildlife including plenty of mule deer. If there is a way I could feed only my birds and squirrels (who love seeds, corn, carrots, apples, sliced bananas) without attracting the deer and even raccoons, I am open to suggestions.

Sadly the true selfish and unethical act we have done in Colorado is destroy the habitat where the deer live. This is why they are essentially coming into peoples houses. Adding to the problem is the inconsistent way CPW deals with their numbers. Perhaps if they supplemented their diet, nature would balance itself with humans. Besides if the CPW were consistent with their no feeding the big game law surely all the farmers in Elizabeth and Franktown would be fined since surrounding all their alfalfa bales are about 20 to 30 deer eating daily.

Tracie Knapp, Thornton

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Continued here:

Letters: What type of person do we want in charge?; Tolls arent the only answer to congestion; more letters (2/16/20) - The Denver Post