Workers run stacks of ballots through the counting machine at the Denver Election Division on Nov. 4. (Kathryn Scott Osler, The Denver Post)
The election of 2014 in Colorado was heavy on spending from interest groups inside and out of Colorado, attack ads with outright distortions and lies, and seemed to focus on what shouldn’t be talked about. There was little debate on issues that affect the lives of ordinary Coloradans. Public debates offered questions to candidates that seemed off-mark, narrow and predictable, with candidates providing deflective and non-committal responses, knowing that no position or definitive response ensures no accountability. Flagrantly absent were voters, even though all they had to do was fill out the form and mail it in.
This past election wasn’t informative, stimulating or engaging, but more an exercise in the art of avoidance.
Stan Hrincevich, Littleton
This letter was published in the Nov. 8 edition.As a citizen who left several blank entries on this year’s ballot, I wanted to respond to the condescension aimed toward others like myself. Voters should know that not voting sends just as important a message as does checking a random box in a “lesser-of-two-evils” situation. I, for one, did my part to send a message to the candidates that they had nothing worthwhile to offer me this election cycle and I do not stand behind their policies or general attitudes toward public office.
To drive home the point, imagine that the winner of Colorado’s Senate race only received 100,000 votes instead of 1 million. Third-party or other less-established candidates would take note and the next election would see more robust competition. Instead, we have the “duty-to-vote” crowd doing their best to ensure we get the same two candidates over and over and over again.
Steve Schow, Lakewood
Speaking as a Democrat I can say that I agree with what Sen.-elect Cory Gardner said Tuesday night: “It is time for a new way forward.” That way forward is the path of bipartisanship. The Republicans do not have 60 votes, and for at least two more years the president will be a Democrat. Any bills too liberal will be voted down by the Republican-led Senate and any bills to0 conservative will be vetoed. There are no mandates here.
Mark Lane, Denver
This letter was published in the Nov. 8 edition.
