A much-needed lesson in the joys of frugality
Re: “Thriftiness far cry from stinginess,” Aug. 7 David Harsanyi column.
Poet William Wordsworth said it best: “The world is too much with us; late and soon, getting and spending, we lay waste our powers.” David Harsanyi’s interview with Dawn Cadwell in Monday’s Post treated us to a delightful and much-needed lesson in the joys of frugality – a virtue far too often smothered in our frantic rush to get more and more stuff, then stash it in storage lockers.
Halfway down the column, however, Cadwell touches on a deeper issue which goes to the root of our whole value system, and it’s a little too hot to handle. She urges us to ask when shopping, “Do I really need this?” and then shies away from the implications of that question. Harsanyi asks her whether frugality vs. materialism is a moral issue, and Cadwell doesn’t think so. News flash, Dawn: Materialism is the mother of all the isms, and the downfall of opulent civilizations since the dawn of avarice.
Sixty years ago, a passionate sage from Pennsylvania told it plain: “There is enough in the world for everybody’s need, but not enough for everybody’s greed. If everybody cared enough, and everybody shared enough, wouldn’t everybody have enough?” The best question to ask ourselves is, “How much is my share?” That would start a moral revolution that would make history.
William McLaughry, Castle Rock
The Democratic Party and this year’s elections
Re: “Democrats’ goal: Demonstrate values,” Aug. 6 news story.
Just a few thoughts on The Post’s article, which featured a photo of the book “Jesus rode a Donkey.” First, as the article indicates, there are in fact many thousands of Christians in the Democratic Party. The Democrats’ problem has been that these Christians do not stand out because their values are Democratic values, and they tend to read Scripture and the Constitution similarly – as living documents – which means what they want it to mean, when it suits them.
Second, I find it interesting that “mainstream media pundits” that have soundly criticized Republicans for their close association with Christians have for some time now been advising Democrats to find common ground with these voters.
Third, it will not escape the so-called “values” voter that the Democrats have to “search” for these common values, instead of demonstrating them by their voting records, and that good intentions on the campaign trail mean nothing when far-left lobbies begin throwing their muscle and money at the Democrats in Congress.
Lastly, I cannot escape the conclusion that the Democrats want to use Jesus as a vehicle rather than a participant in their quest for votes. Perhaps a more appropriate book and bumper sticker would read: “Donkeys ride Jesus.” Note to Democrats: Get the values, get the votes.
Jon Rhodes, Lakewood
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Re: “Lamont wins primary in upset,” Aug. 9 news story.
I was glad to see Ned Lamont beat Joe Lieberman in the Connecticut primary. I felt that Joe has sold his soul to the Republican Party and I feel that this is a wake up call to all who are seeking re-election in November, whether you are Republican or Democrat.
It was nice to see a man such as Lamont speak with a spine. Let’s hope the rest of the Democratic Party follows suit in this man’s approach to win back the House and the Senate in November.
Linda J. Rudzinskas, Lone Tree
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Tuesday’s primary was the first election in which I have not voted since I became eligible in 1970. I did so regretfully, but while I never felt that my vote counted for anything, I felt it was an obligation of a citizen to vote and, more importantly, a contract into which I entered to abide by the outcome of the election. Our system is so corrupt with money, gerrymandered districts and outright fraud that I am no longer willing to enter this contract. I do not know what this America has become, but certainly it is not a republic or a democracy. When this country returns to a republic, I look forward to voting again.
David Price, Arvada
Frustrated by problems at voting center
My wife and I arrived at Denver’s Botanic Gardens vote center at approximately 8 a.m. Tuesday (more than an hour after voting was supposed to open) to vote in the primary election. There was no convenient parking for myself and my pregnant wife. Next, we checked in and waited patiently for a voting machine. It appeared that less than half of the machines there were in operation. Once it was my turn to vote, the voting machine would not register Senate District 32, the only open contest on the ballot. A search for a functioning machine finally allowed me to cast my vote.
Frustrated vote-center volunteers complained that the Election Commission personnel were 45 minutes late in arriving at the vote center with computers and other equipment. Some confusing code for programming machines by vote center volunteers allowed some voters to vote for Senate District 32, while other machines would not present a Senate District 32 ballot.
In my experience, the voting center at Botanic Gardens did not work. The solution is to end the three-person Denver Election Commission and replace it with a single head who can be readily fired for mismanaging something as mundane as an August primary election.
Frank Ohrtman, Denver
Judicial term limits
Re: “Bipartisan coalition fights court purge,” Aug. 5 Bob Ewegen column.
Along with former Senate President John Andrews, I initiated the judicial term-limit proposal to rein in our runaway courts. More than 100,000 Coloradans have now signed petitions agreeing with us that it’s time to limit the judges. Information about the proposal is available at limitthejudges.com, including arguments pro and con.
The 10-year term limit would apply only to the state Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, not to trial judges. Sen. Andrews has advocated this reform since 1999, unrelated to the 2003 redistricting case. Our concern is with many serious instances of judges rewriting the law, from leniency to murderers and infringement of property rights to denying religious freedom and trapping poor kids in bad schools. Term limits will help prevent such abuses of power.
Kathleen LeCrone, Centennial
Cruelty to sled dogs
Re: “Iditarod champ set standard,” Aug. 9 editorial.
Susan Butcher never overcame the criticisms that animal protection activists leveled against her for participating in the Iditarod. She couldn’t prove that the race, with its well-documented history of abuses, isn’t a sweatshop for dogs.
A short list of what happens to the dogs during the Iditarod includes death, paralysis, penile frostbite, bleeding ulcers, broken bones, pneumonia, torn muscles and tendons, diarrhea, vomiting, hypothermia, fur loss, broken teeth, viral diseases, torn footpads, ruptured discs, sprains, anemia and lung damage. On average, 52 percent of the dogs that start the Iditarod do not make it across the finish line.
The facts show that the level of cruelty in the Iditarod is profound. The race belongs in history’s garbage can.
Margery Glickman, Director, Sled Dog Action Coalition, Miami
Damning the DAM
Re: “Addition to the Denver Art Museum,” Aug. 9 Open Forum.
I just might be able to help letter-writer Norman Kautsky grasp the concept of the new expansion to the Denver Art Museum. Long before it was built, there was a model of the expansion in the museum. As I was standing there, hoping they weren’t serious, I noticed a little boy standing with his mother, and they were also looking at the model. Finally, he looked up at his mother and said, “Mommy, did it already fall?” And now that’s what I think every time I see pictures of it – it has fallen.
Joanne R. Woods, Parker
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