Who is betraying the Constitution?
In a Times-Call letter on Sept. 28, Mr. Ray Fiolkoski claims that the White House occupant has more allegiance to the Constitution than his Democrat opponents. But there has never been an American president who has so openly waged war against the Constitution.
The Constitution declares that “Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech, or the press, or the right of the people peacefully to assemble, and to petition the government. …” Yet the White House occupant denounces the press as “the enemy of the people.” The White House occupant ordered law enforcement to break up a peaceful assembly in D.C., just so he could do a photo-op.
The Constitution gives all spending authority to Congress. Congress rejected the White House request for funding a useless border wall. The White House occupant then declared a national emergency as a basis for stealing the funds from the Pentagon. The White House occupant immediately admitted there was no emergency; he just wanted a border wall much more than he wanted to obey the Constitution.
The Constitution includes the Emoluments Clause, which prohibits federal officials from accepting valuables from foreign governments. The White House occupant has described this part of the Constitution as “phony.” This aspect of the Constitution was incorporated to minimize corruption, like the money-grubbing schemes of the White House occupant, so he denounced the Constitution.
The prime purpose of the Constitution was to set up a republic. The heart of any republican government is fair elections. Yet the White House occupant is now doing everything possible to prevent fair elections, openly moving to prevent people from voting, even trying to destroy our post office.
Let’s hope the American people are awake enough to reject this blatant traitor to America and to the U.S. Constitution.
Stan Gelb
Longmont
Pay attention to Assange case
For the past month, Julian Assange, an Australian journalist and founder of WikiLeaks, has been on trial in London. The British magistrate will likely decide in January 2021 to extradite Assange to the U.S. for a second trial.
This U.S. trial represents the most important case of freedom of the press in a generation or more. The outcome will determine whether U.S. journalists will be able to hold our government accountable for its crimes. In this case, the Trump administration claims that it has the power to decide which journalists are legitimately protected by the First Amendment and the methods journalists can use for soliciting and protecting whistleblowers. This overarching government power is being applied to every journalist on the planet.
The message of the attack on Assange and the press is to never reveal a secret of the U.S. government. If you do, we can come after you. What journalist will dare to publish the crimes of the government when she sees Assange rotting in jail for the rest of his life?
Freedom of the press is in grave danger. If the people of the U.S. don’t stand up for press freedom in this case, it will disappear. Once this new precedent is set, it will be the standard from now on. While the mainstream media has barely covered the case, websites like https://consortiumnews.com/ have done extensive coverage. Without an informed public and activism to protect Assange and freedom of the press, our democracy is headed for destruction.
On Oct. 2, Reps. Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) and Thomas Massie (KY-04) introduced H.Res.1175, a resolution that “calls for the United States to drop all charges and efforts to extradite Julian Assange.” Please contact Rep. Joe Neguse and Sens. Cory Gardner and Michael Bennet at 202-224-3121 and ask them to support this resolution.
Carolyn Bninski
Boulder
Prop EE is wrong for Colorado
It’s time for the Colorado Legislature to stop using our children as props in their attempt to dig into our pockets and take our hard-earned money. Proposition EE, essentially a sin tax, increases taxes on vaping products under the guise of needing that money to fund public schools and free preschool.
Why do the public education coffers need more money? Well, as the ballot question reads it is to “help offset revenue that has been lost as a result of the economic impacts related to COVID-19.”
Why do legislators think you’ll vote for it? Because it plays off your emotions: education is good (do it for the children); vaping is bad.
The Weld County Board of Commissioners asks you to look at Proposition EE not from an emotional viewpoint, but from a logical viewpoint. Proposition EE, or any tax hike for that matter, should not serve as a bandage for poor legislative decisions. You don’t start a program like free preschool without securing the funding first — not after. You don’t impose policies that harm businesses, particularly our service industries and employees, and then turn around and raise their taxes because tax revenue from those businesses is down.
The problem with Prop EE is that its loose wording leaves the door open for misuse. “Initially using the tax revenue for … and then for …” Prop EE is just another legislative funding black hole.
We oppose Proposition EE. The legislation’s attempt to grab the low hanging fruit from those most harmed economically by our current situation is wrong. The lack of public discussion and debate on the legislation when introduced at the 11th hour of the 2020 session is wrong. EE is wrong. Vote no.
Steve Moreno
Weld County Commissioner
On behalf of other commissioners
Boulder County can do better
With 80,000-plus unaffiliated voters in Boulder County (2017 county records) it behooves us all to vote for the right individual; there is a clear message in the high numbers of unaffiliated voters — frustration!
As an unaffiliated voter, I am campaigning for a new county commissioner. We are underrepresented in small communities whether plains or mountains, being ignored without a voice.
Cinda Kochen is the right choice with new blood, ideas and balance. Check out Cinda’s entire platform of solutions, offering us a way out of the “same old same old.” An example is building down, not higher, blocking the majestic, signature view of the Flatirons from Boulder. Building down would relieve the division of those who favor adjusting height limits, ever higher, for growth. Cinda would like to preserve as much of Boulder’s charm as the rest of us.
Check out Cinda’s expertise, experience and thoughts on affordable housing, transportation, antiquated building codes. Cinda Kochen would be a win/win for Boulder County commissioner. Don’t limit yourself with a partisan vote at the local level. You have the opportunity to choose the best person for the job with thoughtful research.
Cinda Kochen is the best choice for Boulder County commissioner.
Linda Marshall
Sugarloaf
Vote Matt Menza for SD17
It’s time to empower the people of Senate District 17 to rise up and let their voices be heard. If you vote for Matt Menza, the unconventional Republican candidate for SD17, this can become a reality. Matt served 20 years in the Navy working for the American people as a combat aviator, and he wants to continue his service by working for you, the residents of SD17. Matt will listen to you, hear your concerns, and do what’s right for you and your family.
He isn’t a career politician. He is a career public servant. Matt will empower you by taking action in the Capitol to repair the broken systems that hinder our community’s ability to thrive and pursue happiness. Matt wants to do this for me, for you, for his children, and for your children. I want a state senator who knows how to stand up for our freedoms and won’t hide behind party politics or cave to the national narrative. I want a senator who isn’t afraid to stand up to both parties to do what’s right for our community. I want Matt Menza for SD17.
Tara Menza
Longmont
