Trump administration needs to be checked on deportations
Re: “Deportations: Judge questions Trump officials over disregarding weekend order,” March 18 news story
On Saturday, a federal judge barred President Donald Trump from using a wartime powers act to deport suspected Venezuelan gang members without a hearing.
On Monday morning, White House border czar Tom Homan said, “We’re not stopping. I don’t care what the judges think.”
Clearly, the checks and balances that have undergirded our democracy and the rule of law for almost 250 years will not restrain the authoritarian Trump administration. The Republican Congress seems not to care. Will the American people defend our democracy — or is the rule of law dead?
Mark Vanderbrook, Morrison
It mystifies me why the Supreme Court can’t, or won’t, issue an opinion to the DOJ and others in the Trump administration that says, “You can appeal a district judge’s decision, but you cannot ignore it. No exceptions. End of discussion.” Surely, the justices at least could agree on that.
Jeff Stroh, Denver
Re: “Columbia student’s deportation arrest should scare all Americans,” March 16 commentary
The Trump administration’s war on illegal immigration has taken an ominous turn; not only are they aiming to deport criminals, they have now gone after legal immigrants who have done nothing wrong but have used their legal right to free speech and protest.
Coupled with this weekend’s blatant disregard of a court order, we see a dismantling of our bedrock government order. Checks and balances are being ignored.
Power is being consolidated in one branch, indeed, in one man.
The slippery slope is turning into an avalanche of the abuse of power. Immigrants today, citizens tomorrow; a dictatorship next week.
Bob Stephenson, Englewood
Don’t gut the voter-approved legislation on VPAs
As a pet owner, I consider my dog a part of my family. As such, it’s important that they get the best veterinary care possible. Unfortunately, staffing shortages, limited clinic hours, and exorbitant costs lead to less availability, longer wait times between appointments, and sometimes an inability to pay, putting my pet’s health at risk.
Last fall, Colorado voters approved Proposition 129 to expand access to safe and affordable veterinary care by creating a career pathway for veterinary professional associates (VPAs). This new profession expands options for access to high-quality pet care.
Yet, Rep. Karen McCormick has introduced House Bill 1285 to gut it. If HB 1285 passes, it will restrict VPAs from practicing procedures specifically laid out in Proposition 129, prevent them from directly creating relationships with clients, impose excessive hiring and supervision requirements, and more.
This legislation is sponsored by a lawmaker who also happens to be a veterinarian. Just like greedy physicians tried to prevent the expansion of physician assistants, and greedy dentists tried to prevent the expansion of dental technicians – they wanted to protect their pocketbooks — so too do McCormick and her fellow vets now want to limit the expansion of veterinary care in Colorado. And what will be the result? Families with pets that struggle economically will have to forego care of their beloved animal because they can’t find or afford care. ”]
Jason Smith, Littleton
Rough Colorado roads are shameful
Re: “In national road condition study, Colorado tumbles to 43rd place,” March 14 news story
Colorado ranked almost last in road quality, and it doesn’t surprise me. I’ve driven pretty much the entire lengths of Interstates 70, 80, 90, 10, 25, 65, 75 and 95 and can personally attest that no other state, with the possible exception of Indiana, has worse roads. You can actually see Colorado coming just based on the road quality. We once lost cabinet doors after hitting a pothole in our RV on I-70 near Vail, one of the most expensive places on Earth. Shame on us.
Frank Hanou, Golden
Sign up for Sound Off to get a weekly roundup of our columns, editorials and more.
To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.