Handing over the power and our sensitive information
Re: “Elon Musk tightens grip on federal government as Democrats raise alarms,” Feb. 3 news story
All U.S. senators and representatives take an oath promising to uphold the United States Constitution: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same … ” But I’m afraid many do it with their fingers crossed behind their backs.
They will uphold the Constitution only until President Donald Trump threatens them with a primary. Their allegiance is not to the Constitution of the United States but to Donald Trump, whom they do not so much admire as fear.
Our Constitution is so obviously under attack, with one of the most basic tenets, that the “power of the purse” rests with Congress, being ignored by both Elon Musk and his puppet, Trump. The Republicans who control Congress are being controlled with the threat of “primary.” They lack the political courage to defend our Constitution.
If you receive Social Security benefits or get a paycheck, the U.S. Treasury has your Social Security number, your bank account information, and more, and now Musk and his minions have all that information. And the Republicans in Congress are fine with that. They lack the political courage to protect us.
Nancy Sanger, Longmont
Musk volunteered to help taxpayers
I find it very amusing that the Democrats are calling for the firing of Elon Musk. He isn’t an employee; he’s a volunteer. He takes no salary.
Can you not find it in your hearts and minds to wonder why he is doing what he’s doing? He wants to make sure we get the most bang for our taxpayer dollars. He is finding massive frivolous spending, waste and fraud, which we have all railed against for years.
We have got to get government spending under control if we are to succeed as a country. Hello?
Kay Robbins, Denver
How can we harness the power of “no”
Re: “Silence is dangerous. Time to say “Hell, no.” Feb. 6 commentary
To be blunt, I and my circle of friends and direct family have been saying “no” since 2015. “No” to those preposterous GOP primaries, where nobody knew how to beat Donald Trump. “No” to the media’s attempt to maintain some credibility while hosting the presidential debates with Hilary Clinton and then with Kamala Harris. “No” to the idea of using laser technology or bleach to protect my body against the pandemic. “No” to the notion that Vladimir Putin and Kim Jung Un somehow were really good guys. And “no” to his eventual control over a once-credible political party that, while it didn’t always check all my boxes, offered a much-needed balance to achieving a sustainable democracy.
I said “no” with my vote, with honest discussions or comments when I felt I had to, and with service to my community. And for the past two months, yes, I have turned off the news while I attempt to reconcile what the hell just happened and how I go forward. What can I do to make a difference? I have lost friends over this.
There are many, I believe, who wake up, turn on the television, and laugh their keesters off because this is exactly what they want. I am still proud to be an American, but how do I say “no” to all of this in a way that will do some good?
Gary Rauchenecker, Golden
“First they came …”
First they came for the undocumented, and I did not speak out — because I was not undocumented.
Then they came for the transgender, and I did not speak out — because I was not transgender.
Then they came for federal employees, and I did not speak out — because I was not a federal employee.
Then they came for me — and there was no one left to speak for me.
Mark Vanderbrook, Morrison
Editor’s note: Based on the post-World War II work “First They Came,” by Martin Niemöller.
Enforcement is warranted when construction work is active
Re: “State to use photo radar cameras,” Feb. 3 news story
CDOT announced it will start using photo radar in construction zones for speed enforcement. Will this enforcement be on roadways where work is actually being done? Driving around the metro area and the state, I encountered countless construction projects, but no work was being done. Speed enforcement by cameras or actual police officers should be done when work is actually occurring by CDOT. Otherwise, let’s call this what it is: another way for the Democratic party to fine/tax people.
Jeff Jasper, Westminster
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