More occupancy, more problems
Re: “State poised to ban occupancy limits,” March 23 news story
I guess I’m not surprised that an unthinking Democrat-controlled legislature would propose unlimited occupancy as the solution to the housing shortage in Colorado. I don’t have a dog in this fight since I’m 86 years old and live in a senior facility, so I believe I can give an unbiased opinion on unlimited occupancy’s impact on a normal residential neighborhood.
The vision that comes to mind is vehicles fighting for on-street parking, in-yard parking, blocked driveways, and frequent out-of-control parties infringing on the peace-and-quiet rights of residents. This bill is a slippery slope to all kinds of problems. Once the genie is out of the bottle there’s no putting it back.
John Wallace, Centennial
K.C. stadium sales tax rejection something to cheer about
Re: “Voters reject stadium tax for Royals and Chiefs,” April 3 sports story
As a lifelong Bronco fan, I seldom say a kind word about the Kansas City Chiefs. However, I must offer my sincere kudos to Jackson County, Mo., voters for their rejection of a sales tax to fund a new stadium for the Royals and Chiefs. As successful as the Chiefs franchise has been, do they have the nerve to ask the citizens to pay for a new stadium?
These sports franchises are corporations, and as such, they don’t need any tax dollars.
Take heed, Denver; we subsidized Elitch Gardens’ move downtown (only to have Kroenke Sports & Entertainment buy it for future development). We paid for Mile High Stadium to be replaced, and we will be asked to pay when the billionaires decide to move the current stadium. I said no to all these and will continue to say no.
I might be a fan, but if I want to support a franchise, I will do so by attending games and buying merchandise. I don’t need to support them every time I make a purchase.
Don Gonzales, Denver
Our personal gains can help alleviate suffering
Charles Dickens’s “A Tale of Two Cities” contrasted economic and social discord amid times of political unrest with an underlying message: Things may not always be as quiet as they seem. Pop financial writers effusively proclaim the good news about all-time highs: personal net worth, stock, and housing prices, economic activity, air travel miles, plus 5% rates on bank deposits amid other positives reflecting continuing global prosperity.
Yet, other writers also remind us of some not-so-welcome, all-time national highs: drug overdoses, homelessness, food stamp dependence, inflation, and national debt. Not to mention increasing global armed conflict. Is this reason for unprecedented concern or in keeping with human history?
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Civilized humanity has come a long way in the past 2500-plus years, yet the essence of what is human always remains. What is basic to humans is basic to humanity: All will, to some degree, be predisposed to natural behaviors, positive and negative, within what is common to all of humanity. Humanity is a messy, natural existence. Neat and tidy have no relevance within our natural order.
Have our successes come at the expense of recognized failures? Are our failures the only reason for our successes? Take the middle path. Cherish the good and work to make it better and more widespread. Acknowledge all challenges faced and work to alleviate the suffering of those in need. Do not vilify one at the expense of the other. That is merely a waste of time and resources and not in keeping with natural, go-stop-go human progress.
Douglass Croot, Highlands Ranch
Deserving of the life and honor we fought for
I fought, flew, was shot down, and saved in Vietnam. I didn’t do that to allow America to surrender to selfish autocrats like former President Donald Trump.
David L Stevenson, Denver
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