The new Democrats
Pundits correctly point out that Democratic victories this year happened largely from a new centrist ideology. The implication is that the Democratic Party has moved to the right and is thus basically “Republican lite.” If so, Democrats will offer precious little hope for a real change of direction on anything.
But this new Democratic Party is not necessarily Republican lite. Democratic leaders are mindful now that they have some mandate and need to define themselves through a narrative that preserves economic and environmental stability and security in a globalized world. Unlike the current Republican leadership, they are actually competent – mostly – and have the ability to come in like the great Democratic minds of yore (think FDR, Truman, JFK) launching an era of awesome intellect and leadership which will restore Americans’ faith in reason and education. Reminding them that patriotism means looking up to leaders who are clearly smarter (and often better) than they are. But that will take deep integrity and vision. It’s a grand opportunity. And it’s one that goes double for Bill Ritter and Colorado’s Democratic legislature.
Finally, condescending anti-intellectual Republicans might stop calling them the “Democrat Party.”
Julian Friedland, Lafayette
Election Day problems
Re: “System flawed but not unfair,” Nov. 9 David Harsanyi column.
David Harsanyi downplayed the fiasco that was Election Day in Denver by comparing it to the 2005 election in Iraq. Waiting in a long line, he reasoned, is not as bad as risking decapitation by Islamic fundamentalists. But “better than Iraq” should be a given, not a reason to pat ourselves on the back. The truth is that a three-hour wait to vote is fundamentally unfair. It discriminates against the most vulnerable. A single mom working two minimum-wage jobs might be able to snag a half-hour to vote with her kids in tow. But asking her to spend half of the workday to exercise her right to vote effectively disenfranchises her.
Joshua Fine, Denver
…
What makes David Harsanyi think that the senior volunteer election workers aren’t as tech-savvy as many of our college students? How dare he take a slap at some of the city’s most valuable workers? Most of them probably e-mail and webcam their grandchildren as well as do much of their business on the Internet. They also don’t need remedial classes to teach them how to read and write, as do many of our “college” students. The problems on Election Day had more to do with the programming of the laptops than the people using them. The people who neglected to include a reminder to close the check-in windows were the programmers, not the users.
Harriet Rosen, Denver
…
Who knew voting was an extreme sport? After waiting in line for five hours and 15 minutes, I stepped up to take my crack at the voting machine. I’m lucky – healthy, fit and able-bodied. Around me in line were visibly pregnant women, women in horribly uncomfortable shoes, a man on crutches with a recent hip replacement, and several people with small, tired children, up long past their bedtimes. That we all had to wait so long to exercise the right to vote speaks of gross incompetence and bad planning. That we were all so patient and enjoyed one another so much, voters and election workers alike, speaks of far better things.
Amy Boughner, Highlands Ranch
Glen Haven’s name battle
Re: “Let Glen Haven keep its name,” Nov. 6 editorial.
Thanks to The Post for supporting retention of the Glen Haven name, so vital to the full-timers and dear to the many more summer residents. It’s part of our family history, with a cabin built in 1915, the site of four weddings (three generations) and a source of joy to many others.
Vivian Dodds, Denver
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