Copyright Boulder Daily Camera
With Bennet, Colorado can be a beacon for the country As a former U.S. intelligence officer, I spent over four decades defending American democracy against Soviet authoritarianism. During the Cold War, I watched entire nations fall under tyranny, and I devoted my career to help ensure that would never happen here. Today, we’re watching Donald Trump embrace fascism while the Republican Party betrays its oath to the U.S. Constitution by bowing to authoritarianism. As someone who has seen the consequences of this kind of governance, I can confidently say it never ends well for we the people. Now it’s up to the states to ensure the protection of the people. Colorado’s next leader must be someone who will defend democracy no matter what. There is nobody more equipped than Michael Bennet to carry out that duty. He has proven he will stand for what is right, even throughout national dysfunction like the current government shutdown. He’s stood up to billionaires trying to change our election system. And as our next Governor, I know he will always fight for what’s right for us — fixing our health care system, making housing more affordable, and standing up to Trump and Trumpism. I urge fellow Coloradans to stand with him so Colorado can be a beacon for the entire country — one where we find solutions to our biggest challenges and stand tall for our Democracy. Gail Nelson, Boulder Republicans could end shutdown by ending filibuster Has anyone noticed that Trump has said that the Republicans ARE in control of the U.S. government shutdown? The Republicans could end it tomorrow if they ended the filibuster … which Trump has called for. It’s not about the health insurance issue; it’s about the Republican fear of giving up the filibuster! Just let it be a simple democratic majority in the Senate. Why won’t the Trump people do it? Why won’t they let the control of the Senate be a simple majority? Michael Dille, Boulder The power of the purse belongs with Congress As the shutdown drags on, President Trump has threatened to end all “Democratic programs.” Democratic-initiated programs include Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, consumer protection, unemployment insurance, the 40-hour work week, food safety reform. Historically, Republicans tried to block those programs from becoming law, but went along as their popularity soared over time. That changed when President Trump targeted anything that regulates business and banking, protects workers and consumers, and provides basic safety nets. With the extreme right dominating the Republican party, even federal programs like free school lunch and public libraries that had no partisan history are being hollowed out. Project 2025 named school meals as a wasteful federal subsidy, so the President’s Big Beautiful Budget bill slashes food assistance for children. Trump wants to end public support for community libraries and museums and is defunding non-profits that promote the arts and humanities. Holding the SNAP (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program) hostage, the Administration is exploiting the needs of some 42 million Americans in an effort to make Democrats cave to his spending whims. In September, the USDA, citing Congressional intent, announced the SNAP program would continue during the shutdown using contingency funds. Trump reversed that promise and has prohibited House Speaker Johnson from working out a solution with Democrats. Behind this vindictive campaign is a more troubling issue. The Republican Party in Congress rolls over while the Administration implements taxes, plays tariff roulette, fires employees and rescinds legislative programs without legal authority. By insisting on a negotiated end to the shutdown, Congressional Democrats are not only fighting to keep health insurance affordable for millions of Americans. They’re also insisting that the power of the purse strings goes back to where it belongs: our elected representatives, not an imperial presidency. Charlotte Roe, Longmont
