Support for state Referendums C and D
Re: “Telling the truth about C and D,” Aug. 27 editorial.
A big “hooray” for University of Colorado president Hank Brown’s support of Referendum C, as reported in The Post’s editorial. A big “boo” for Rep. Bob Beauprez for his reportedly saying we should eliminate the letters C and D. I take that to mean he opposes Referendums C and D.
Some months ago, Beauprez sent a letter to me (among many others, I’m sure), requesting support for his running for governor of Colorado. I have waited to respond, not knowing how he stood on many issues.
Now I know he and I disagree on Referendums C and D, both of which must pass for the good of all Coloradans – most certainly those in our schools, colleges and universities, as well as those who will employ these students later in life. Also for the very young needing top-functioning children’s services. And let’s not forget the repair of our roads and bridges, and the full staffing of our police and other safety departments, and the proper functioning of the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Yes, this takes money. However, it will be money spent for the good of all taxpayers, for all the people of our state. We deserve a government that works and does its important tasks well.
One of our Founding Fathers, John Adams, emphasized public education as one of our greatest assets. We must continue to ensure that it functions at an A-plus level from K-12 through Ph.D. Again.
Donald E. Blanchard, Denver
Building new schools to attract homebuyers
Re: “Builders weigh own district as Aurora grows,” Aug. 28 news story.
I am troubled and disturbed by the article concerning developers creating a “better school district” in Aurora to lure families to purchase their new homes. This action leaves the current school district and its student body in a definite state of depresssion. It is wrong to give up on Aurora Public Schools and its children for the sake of profit. It is my wish that citizens of Aurora and elected officals will deny any action such as this.
Kearn Blocker, Aurora
…
I was glad to see your story regarding the quality of Aurora Public Schools and its impact on the community. Hopefully it will foster a discussion within the district on what it is going to take to see significant improvement in the performance of our schools. As a candidate this fall for the Aurora School Board, I have heard from many parents, teachers and neighbors expressing their concerns about the direction in which the district is headed. While the specifics can and should be debated, there is no doubt we need to think differently about how we can best serve the needs of the children in our community and give them the best education possible.
It’s sad that the current school board president sees the E-470 plans as something swirling around them while not being involved. I served on the Aurora Planning Commission a few years back when the development standards for neighborhoods along the E-470 corridor were being discussed and I don’t recall anyone from APS being involved then either. It’s time for APS to engage.
Don Gardner, Aurora
How much is enough?
Re: “Vote for family, Colorado,” Aug. 28 Gail Schoettler column.
One of the problems with liberals is they won’t tell us exactly how much we should spend on education. If they would, we could spend that much and liberals would never get to complain again. If the amount is $10,000 per student, we could spend that much and 12th-graders still wouldn’t know where England is but would have the highest proficiency at putting condoms on cucumbers. It’s not the money – it’s the quality of academic discourse in our schools.
I worked my buns off improving some property so I could make a profit when it was sold. Not one single politician moved a rock or drove a nail, but they sure wanted a share of my profit before I got any of it. Anything I can do to keep Denver politicians from getting their hands on my hard-earned dollars is worth the effort. I’ll be voting no on Referendums C and D.
Ross Moon, Colorado Springs
Hurricane Katrina and homeland security
I, like many Americans, have watched in horror over the past few days as the historic city of New Orleans slowly dies. I can’t begin to fathom what it must be like for those who did not have the means to evacuate. I also can’t help but wonder, what happened to the billions of dollars we have sunk into homeland security? After Sept. 11, we were told that the federal government and local agencies were going to learn and prepare for the next attack, yet, despite advance notice of Hurricane Katrina, no plan was made. The president tells us he is sending in more troops and help – several days after the disaster struck. Where was the planning? If Homeland Security really was ready for a massive terrorist attack, plans for evacuations of major cities would be ready. Food, water and security would be available immediately after a sudden terrorist attack, let alone a natural disaster that took days to develop.
Stephen Woods, Denver
Federal estate tax
A crucial vote on the repeal of the federal estate tax is coming this fall. Our U.S. senators should pay serious attention to Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan’s view that Congress offset estate tax repeal or costly reform proposals by the urgent needs for deficit reduction and funds for other important federal programs. We need some fiscal sanity in Washington.
Since 2001, there has been a $7 trillion swing from projected surpluses to record deficits, not counting trillions proposed for broader-based tax relief, shoring up Social Security, homeland security, and the war in Iraq.
For about half the cost of estate tax repeal or very expensive reform proposals (repeal in disguise), we can pass reasonable reform that eliminates estate taxes for 99.8 percent of taxpayers and allows the remaining few to plan with certainty. When an exemption level of $5 million per couple is combined with a top rate of 45 percent, most taxable estates would effectively pay estate tax at a capital gains tax rate.
As an estate planner, I help families and business with multi-decade plans to preserve assets for intended beneficiaries and keep businesses viable for the next generation. Given the budget deficit and other national priorities, families and businesses should be able to rely on reasonable estate tax reform and not be burdened with repeal or radical reform that will benefit only the very wealthy in our state and country.
Michael D. Weinberg, Denver
NFL linemen: Athletes or people movers?
Re: Aug. 28 Cotton to the Core sports column.
Perhaps I’m a cynic, but Dr. Thom Mayer comes across as disingenuous in discussing the potential health risks to oversized professional football players. For a medical doctor, he does not appear to have a very good understanding of fitness or cardiac health.
I’m a 44-year-old runner and cyclist with a history of high cholesterol, and my doctor watches me like a hawk. San Francisco 49ers lineman Thomas Herrion, who died recently after a game in Denver, was reported to be 6 feet 3 inches tall and 330 pounds. Mayer asks, “… are high-performance athletes a different physiological breed than those who are not? And the answer, based on what science we have, is yes, probably so.” He implies that current medical data may not apply in Herrion’s case.
Give me a break! The job of an NFL lineman is to get in people’s way. Strength is only one component of fitness. Herrion could probably lift a car, but I guarantee you he couldn’t run much farther than 50 yards without running out of gas. (Anyone who has ever watched a defensive lineman attempt to return a fumble knows exactly what I’m talking about.) Lance Armstrong is a high-performing athlete; Thomas Herrion was simply a very large and very strong man.
Harry McCrystal, Fort Collins
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