Letters: Republicans; Europe and socialism; National Popular Vote; Lori Saine; Matt Menza; Karen McCormick; Marta Loachamin

Oct. 6--Equal representation for all not a Republican thing

The democratic principles as provided by the U.S. Constitution are being grossly violated by the Republican Party, almost daily, well yes daily. For what issues are you willing to end democracy?

Both parties have used gerrymandering to draw district boundaries to favor their party. This violates democratic principles and leaves some people without fair representation. It does not help that the U.S. Supreme Court has made this practice easier.

Laws were passed by Republicans to make it harder for people of color to vote. Recently in Georgia (and other places) there was only one polling place for thousands of black voters, much, much fewer than for white voters. In some locations law enforcement presence was used to intimidate voters of color.

Misspelling of names and other errors were used to disenfranchise voters instead of making corrections.

Now blatantly Trump is lying about voter fraud to improve his chance of reelection. He continues to do this despite voting officials from both parties calling BS. It appears that this enemy of democracy is trying to set the stage for not leaving office if his opponent wins according to our election laws. Some leading Republicans have spoken out against both the lies and the threat, but not Cory Gardner or Ken Buck.

Trump wants a new Supreme Court justice appointed now because he believes that the court will then vote to keep him in office not because of vote on issues.

Another issue where Cory Gardner has shown no interest in you right to equal representation is that Mitch McConnel will not bring bills passed in the house up for discussion and a vote in the senate. Thus neither of our senators can represent us, the voters.

And how much did you pay in federal taxes this year?

Bob Norris

Longmont

A tired old lie about Europe

The letter published on Saturday in the Open Forum recounts a story of only finding a state-sanctioned brand of tissue while shopping in "Europe," highlighting, or so the writer suggests, the differences between socialism and capitalism.

I have been to nearly all the countries of Europe and have lived in two of them. I neither know of, nor can imagine, a situation like the one described in this contrived allegory disguised as travel writing. More important, Europe has become a reliable bogeyman for an ill-informed part of the electorate (on the right, it must be said) that knows nothing of the place and so gullibly buys into a cynical lie.

According to this lie, Europe is a dreary and vast expanse of empty grocery shelves and raging Marxist ideologues. The image would be laughable if it did not reveal how shockingly uninformed many in this country are about the rest of the world. In fact, the countries of Europe are driven by free-market capitalist economies. Grocery stores -- to return to the original letter-writer's example -- indeed tend to be smaller in cities frequented by tourists, much as they are in, say, Manhattan. If one travels outside of the city, where space is more available, one will find the same type of gargantuan all-purpose mega-stores we have in the U.S.

The countries of Europe do not form a monolith. Each has its own problems to be sure, and serious ones at that. However, as one who regularly watches and reads the news of several of those countries, I can assure you that none of them envies our current situation here.

Brian Valente-Quinn

Longmont

NPV is Democrats' attempt to change the rules

Sen. Mike Foote's recent opinion in this paper says that nowhere in the Federalist papers does it say that the second-place candidate for president should be the winner. Neither does it say that the candidate with the most popular votes should be the winner.

Clinton won the most votes in Colorado in 2016 and was awarded all of Colorado's Electoral votes. Democrats now want to change the rules. The Democratic Legislature and governor passed the NPV without any feedback from the people of the state. Sen. Foote thinks he knows what is best not only for Colorado but for many other states who will lose their voice in the presidential election if NPV is enacted.

I would ask Sen. Foote why we have two houses in Congress. This is part of what makes this country a democratic republic. This assures that the people in less densely populated areas have a say in issues that affect their lives. I wonder what Sen. Foote's reaction would be if the majority in the country decided that Colorado's ski resorts should close in favor of those in the East and the West. Surely a national vote could conceivably pass such a bill because the population centers on the West Coast and East Coast could see such a bill as a windfall for their own ski resorts. This would be majority rules in action.

I would also remind Sen. Foote that the president does not appoint anyone to the Supreme Court. The president only nominates someone. That nomination is confirmed by the Senate ensuring both the executive and legislative branch of the government have a voice in the composition of the Supreme Court. Vote no on Prop 113.

Les Gardinier

Erie

Lori Saine is best candidate for Weld County commissioner

I'm voting for Rep. Lori Saine for Weld County District 3 county commissioner. Lori has proven to be a secure vote for conservative values on all the issues relevant to Weld County voters.

She's represented HD 63 for the past eight years. The issues in this district include agriculture, oil and gas, water rights, and family values. Among her awards are: House Champion Award -- Colorado Union of Taxpayers; Distinguished Service Award -- Weld County Farm Bureau; Legislative Champion Award -- Mothers Against Drunk Drivers; Pro-Life Defender -- Colorado Campaign for Life; and the Faith, Family, and Freedom Award -- Centennial Institute.

Voters should look beyond the words printed on fliers to find out who the candidate really is. You'll find that this candidate has a passion for freedom and a high regard for the Constitution. She has fought consistently to preserve the Second Amendment and garnered the endorsement of Weld County Sheriff Steven Reams. She will watch closely how taxpayer dollars are spent.

Call and ask her any questions that are important to you and your family. I think you'll agree with me that Lori Saine is the best person for county commissioner for Weld County District 3.

Pat Miller

Former State Representative

Erie

Vote Matt Menza for Senate District 17

Senate District 17 has the opportunity to vote for a local CU graduate and Navy test pilot in this November. Matt Menza grew up in Boulder, served our country for 20 years, and is now putting in the work to continue that service in the State Senate.

Matt is a very humble, down to earth, a "what you see is what you get" kind of guy, and a caring person. He wants to fix Colorado's problems, not pontificate about the Supreme Court or foreign policy. Did you know Colorado has the highest teen suicide rate in the nation? Neither did I, until I read about it on Matt's website.

I have seen Matt's signs around town, watched his Airborne Address videos on Facebook, visited his webpage, and spoken to him face-to-face. I haven't seen anything from his opponent. Apparently, his opponent doesn't feel the need to campaign at all. Do we really want more politicians who take our votes for granted in the state Legislature?

I am sick and tired of career politicians taking our votes for granted. It's time for new ideas and new people at all levels of government. Let's start locally by electing people who know what it means to serve. Vote for Matt Menza for SD17.

Matt Napier

Longmont

Vote Dr. Karen McCormick for State House 11

Dr. McCormick is running to represent Longmont, Lyons, Niwot and Allenspark as the next state representative for Colorado's House District 11 in 2020. We met Karen at her mother Barbara's fundraiser before the 2018 election. She spoke that day with strong conviction about what is best for our country. Dr. McCormick debated the 4th CD incumbent with in-depth knowledge and intelligence about all issues. Her campaign raised awareness across the 22-county district and she won over 65 percent of the vote in Boulder County.

Karen is a dedicated community activist who knows the meaning of service, respect, integrity and dedication to American values. Service is in her DNA. She has served as a volunteer English teacher for the immigrant community with Intercambio in Longmont, and as a board member of two non-profit organizations dedicated to promoting animal health worldwide. She has worked to better the lives of animals -- pets, wildlife, endangered species and working animals alike.

Dr. McCormick is a volunteer member of Citizens' Climate Lobby working toward legislation to mitigate effects of climate change. She advocates for families, healthcare, education, LGBTQ rights, reproductive rights, and economic opportunity for all.

Bill & Joan Ellis

Longmont

Loachamin is an impressive, timely candidate

Communication, connection, compassion: During this pandemic, many of us have become increasingly aware of the importance of these three components when combatting Boulder County's social, economic, and health inequities.

Without strong leadership, however, deep, lasting change is difficult to create or maintain. For this reason, I urge you to vote for Marta Loachamin for Boulder Country Commissioner in District 2.

I first met Marta at Boulder's Pridefest over a year ago. Her openness and commitment to community led me to host a meet and greet for her in January 2020. There, I was impressed by her vigorous listening and inventive solutions, honed by her work as a bridge-builder and cultural broker.

Marta's work as a college instructor, Realtor, flood recovery resiliency coordinator, mentor, and mother, coupled with her ongoing involvement with Boulder County's Latinx and working class residents, make her an impressive and timely candidate.

Please remember to vote the whole ballot in this crucial election and make Marta your choice for Boulder County Commissioner.

Ellen Orleans

Boulder

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