LETTERS: Horner redistribution schemes; Thanks, commissioners; and more
Your silence is their strength
On one hot July day, our nation’s forefathers convened in secret and in treason to bring forth a government that would shatter the world’s idea of a nation — a nation based on liberty, equality, and prosperity. Generations afterward have battled and sacrificed to ensure that that free nation, like none other, would thrive.
And yet today, that same country is forsaken by its citizens — the blood in its veins, the breath in its lungs — who renounce all responsibility and relinquish it to death. And why? They take for granted the country that fostered them in freedom.
Do not blame your brothers for our country’s woes; the fault lies within yourself. For no citizen can claim citizenship if he does not vote, if he does not pay taxes, if he does not remain aware and if he does not care for his country.
What can you say of new laws, you who said nothing when they were but ideas? Your apathy is their ambrosia, your silence their strength. Seek just a tenth of the passion that our forefathers summoned to create this nation, and you will see it prosper as every past generation has dreamed of.
Breanna Bailey
Colorado Springs
Whammo! Here we are
John Horner’s support for re-distribution of wealth and evermore government programs may be explainable. (“Think before we say ‘never’), Feb. 9. Horner focuses on Social Security/Medicare and the “wealth” of seniors.
He fails to mention as to what his definition of a senior citizen is. Some consider themselves seniors at 50 plus. The federal government defines a senior at 65 plus. That could make a big difference in measuring wealth. The average paycheck of a Social Security recipient is about 13,000/yr. And since medicare premiums have gone up about 1,300 percent since 1976 and are projected to go higher, they could wipe out most of any Social Security payments that remain.
If seniors are so wealthy, then it must be because they have accomplished tasks such as paying off their home, other investing, etc. Cause it sure as heck ain’t from Social Security!
But the main question is: why do intellectuals such as Horner still support socialist policies? After all, history shows us that socialism/communism has been a failure. And with increasing socialist policies in this country all we have to show for it is trillions in debt. So one might conclude that the small percentage of conservatives in the academic community is a result of the fact that liberals receive many direct benefits from the government.
And those benefits seem to ever increase. It would seem therefore, that there are advantages for academics to living in, and supporting an interventionalist society. In turn, we find that for the past half century or so that our children and grandchildren have been taught this philosophy. And whammo!
Here we are today, broke, and losing our quality of life.
Dave Maxwell
Colorado Springs
Kudos for commissioners
Dear Amy Lathen, Dennis Hisey, Sallie Clark:
I want to commend you on your vote to require baseline and periodic water testing in El Paso County drilling areas. This is a responsible and courageous stand. Many people like myself already appreciate your action. There are probably many more who will be grateful in the future. Sally Clark, I appreciated your statement that, “one size does not fit all.”
Dennis, I had previous correspondence with you on the open pits. You have been adamant in your opposition to them, favoring a closed tank system. Please stay strong on this as you work with the state people. There is documentation that the toxic air pollution from chemicals evaporating from these pits has caused illness and even death. (See Emmy-winning documentary, ‘Split Estate’.) We know our Colorado winds will carry this invisible menace far and wide.
Another commendation: The meeting on Jan. 31, was the first county commissioner meeting I had ever attended. I was impressed with two things:
• The enormous amount of work and research you had put into studying the oil and gas drilling issue, and the way you made your findings available to the public.
• The agenda included hearing from people not listed on the agenda. You gave them your undivided attention; you did not rush them; you treated each person with the utmost respect and compassion. It was a beautiful example of a governing body acting in the way we all should behave toward each other.
Lucille Bell
Colorado Springs
