Higher gas taxes would be consumer burden
As I was reading a news story about congressional hearings on gas prices, I was taken aback to see that some Democrats and Republicans are calling for higher gas taxes. This would be terrible for the people of Colorado.
The average price of regular unleaded gasoline in the state is about $2.75 a gallon. Federal and state excise taxes alone make up more than 40 cents a gallon, or roughly 15 percent of the total cost. So, how would higher taxes lower prices? Far from lowering prices, higher taxes on energy companies will just be passed along to the consumer at the pump, driving the price of a gallon of gasoline even higher.
Higher energy taxes also hurt consumers in other ways. Energy costs factor into the cost of manufacturing and shipping, which increase the cost of consumer goods. Higher energy costs also reduce disposable income, as consumers have to pay more. Higher energy prices have already strained the economy, and new taxes will only compound the problem. Congress would be foolish to raise taxes, and I hope that our representatives will reject higher energy taxes.
Mark Raynes, Lakewood
Proposed bill on firefighting air tankers
Re: “State’s firefighting resources are scarce,” June 7 editorial
The editorial about the shortage of air tankers is the sort of thing readers typically respond to by saying “Gee, I wish that there was something I could do.”
Actually, there is. There are bills before Congress that would help turn this situation around before it’s too late. There is a bill in the U.S. House, HR 4533, the Air Tanker Emergency Release Act, that would help get the grounded tankers inspected, repaired and back in the air.
Also, the pilots and crew of heavy air tankers are contractors who don’t qualify for the PSOB (Public Safety Officer Benefit) that is extended to families of firefighters who die in the line of duty. Two measures in Congress would extend the benefit to air-tanker pilots.
Let your representatives know you want these bills passed.
Mike Archer, Glendora, Calif.
Beauprez doesn’t trust voters
Bob Beauprez protests that he is committed to battling for Colorado by supporting a ballot initiative that could overturn the wishes of those who supported Referendum C. He says he wants to clarify what the voters meant. He apparently doesn’t trust the voters to have made a sound decision because their decision doesn’t agree with his view. Perhaps the voters of the 7th District should require Beauprez to clarify his numerous congressional votes that did not agree with their centrist views.
Beauprez is backing an ill-conceived, technically flawed referendum that would force Colorado to drastically reduce its budget and slash popular, necessary programs. These cuts would provide us with a $33 to $50 refund. That’s not what we said we wanted. A true leader doesn’t oppose the will of the people before he even becomes their leader.
Pat Kennedy, Lakewood
Domestic partnership ballot measure
Re: “Initiatives weigh heavily on ballot,” June 5 news story
An important point to make to ease the minds of those who are wavering over the proposed domestic partnership referendum is that it will not permit marriage for lesbians and gays. What it will do is require that such couples live up to the same responsibilities now demanded from married, heterosexual couples.
The referendum will ensure that same-sex domestic partners make the necessary decisions if a partner is hospitalized. If one partner dies, the other can take care of paying off any debts, administering the estate and be accountable to the government concerning taxes. If children are involved, the proposal will create solid, legal ties for both partners to continue providing care for the children’s health, education, and welfare should the partnership be dissolved.
This bill simply acknowledges the fact that same-sex partners exist, and that some households include children. So, it is simply prudent to make sure that these children continue to be the fiscal responsibility of the partners. Society can only benefit.
Riki Matthews, Denver
Bolton’s outburst
Re: “Bolton chastises U.N.’s No. 2 for his remarks criticizing U.S.,” June 8 news story.
Does John Bolton, our Ambassador of Acrimony and Bully-in-Chief, know the first thing about diplomacy?
Consider his recent response to Deputy Secretary-General Mark Brown’s well-deserved criticism of this administration’s treatment of the U.N. as the equivalent of the demented nephew locked in the attic and fed through a slot in the door.
In the eyes of the world – admittedly not a concern of the gang that runs this country – the U.S. is looking more and more like the greatest threat to world peace.
If foreign policy were a business commodity, we as shareholders/citizens would have fired the entire bunch as incompetent years ago.
Lewis Thompson, Denver
Flag-burning proposal
The Flag Desecration Amendment, the first in our nation’s history to restrict our First Amendment freedoms of speech and expression, is due to be voted on by the Senate soon. It is an unnecessary amendment. It is not wise to coerce patriotism in America. Gen. Colin Powell, former U.S. secretary of state, said of our now-challenged First Amendment, “I would not amend that great shield of democracy to hammer a few miscreants. The flag will be flying proudly long after they have slunk away.”
Folks should know what our government is trying to do to protect us from ourselves.
Deborah Chouinard, Littleton
Some bikes safer
Re: “Cyclists embrace rules of the road,” June 5 news story.
It is ironic that the Post article about Sunday’s Elephant Rock Ride and its emphasis on safety also featured a photo of a family on their five-passenger bike.
Any cyclist who has shared the road with tandem bicycles knows the hazard presented by over-sized machines careening at high speeds on a downhill grade. Their weight and bulk create the momentum of a runaway freight train, which the rest of the riders have to avoid. A five-passenger behemoth with three children ages 10 and under aboard screaming at 50 mph presents an extreme danger.
Doug Henninger, Denver
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