Lawmakers’ connections to lobbyist Abramoff
Re: “Abramoff scandal gives Dems chance to shine,” Jan. 5 Open Forum.
Letter-writer Stephanie Janard is correct that the Abramoff scandal gives Democrats a chance to shine. She is also right that we haven’t heard much of anything from the Democrats denouncing this. I wonder why.
From the news coverage, you’d think it was only Republicans who took money from Jack Abramoff and his clients. However, The Washington Post recently created a graphic detailing where the money went. Their source was Federal Election Commission records. The tally was: Republicans, $3.41 million (63.7 percent); Democrats $1.88 million (35.1 percent). I wonder why the Democrats aren’t saying much? There’s plenty of blame and stupidity to go around. I thought Sen. John McCain’s campaign finance reform initiative was supposed to put an end to all of this. Maybe next time it will.
Steve Lange, Denver
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The Abramoff scandal shows one of the problems with our system of government. As long as politicians have the power to redistribute money to whoever helps them get re-elected, there will be people like Jack Abramoff.
Scot Clark, Arvada
Energy assistance for low-income Coloradans
I am responding to a letter from Betty Vecchio of Wheat Ridge (Jan. 5) regarding her recent denial of help through the Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP).
I understand Vecchio’s frustration in being turned down for energy assistance during a time of oppressively high home heating bills. Nevertheless, the denial was justified, as her earnings at the time exceeded the allowable limit.
Energy assistance funds in Colorado and throughout the country are very scarce due to federal cutbacks. We must stretch those dollars to address the overwhelming demand this winter.
The primary focus of LEAP is to serve the most vulnerable citizens in our community. This includes the “working poor.” Colorado is one of only six states providing benefits to those with incomes up to 185 percent of the federal poverty index. Unfortunately, wherever we draw the line, someone like Vecchio is going to be above that threshold.
LEAP determines eligibility based on the circumstances reported at the time of application. If applicants like Vecchio face a loss of income during the winter heating season, they are welcome to reapply and be reconsidered based on their new situations.
Energy Outreach Colorado, a non-profit corporation, provides energy assistance to those whose incomes are higher than the LEAP limits. Those interested in help through Energy Outreach Colorado should call, toll-free, 866- HEAT-HELP.
Glenn Cooper, Denver
The writer is manager of the Low-income Energy Assistance Program, a division of the Colorado Department of Human Services.
NSA eavesdropping
Re: “Who leaked NSA story?” Jan. 4 Open Forum.
To balance the question, “Who leaked NSA story?” I ask: Who is the whistleblower we should congratulate? One does not need to be a liberal Democrat to understand that a president who breaks a well-established, clearly written law should not be given a free pass. Nixon learned this lesson with far less infraction. This makes Clinton’s sexual escapades minor in comparison. If there is any justice left in this country, this imperial presidency should suffer the consequences of trashing the law.
Gary Julian, Aurora
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Letter-writer Brian Stuckey and I have very different opinions of what was the reprehensible act – he thought it was someone leaking the story to the press, while I thought it was President Bush’s violation of our constitutional right to privacy. God bless whistleblowers!
D. Brad Wilson, Denver
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