The middle class is nothing to fear
Editor:
Since I have had the advantage of working for several large financial firms in New York City — Morgan Stanley, Bank of New York and the audit firm Arthur Young — I thought your readers might be interested in one of the things I learned since it is relevant to the current presidential election and something Mitt Romney said.
During my first job with Morgan Stanley, I realized that most of the men in the firm were millionaires. I set out to determine if they were different from the rest of us. Almost all had inherited their wealth, and their goal was to preserve it and increase it if possible. They had a fear that the rest of us (the 47 percent) might unjustly take their money from them.
I also heard them refer to themselves as among the “best and the brightest.” I had always thought that it was the general public that had dreamed up that saying. Now I know it was their public relations people.
That brings me to the first presidential debate when Romney kept saying he was all for “strengthening the middle class.” I am a news freak, and I had never heard him say that before. He occasionally mentioned creating jobs, but nothing to do with the middle class. While head of Bain, he shipped jobs to China. I figure that the jobs stay here for our middle class if our middle class will work for the same wages as the Chinese. And we can guess the jobs will be in the energy field providing we allow big oil to shoot chemicals into the water our children might end up drinking.
I think the most frightening thing about the election is that Paul Ryan could possibly become president, and then his extreme-right views would become law. Romney was born into a family with money. He doesn’t know what it is to struggle. He never had to worry if he would have the funds to go to college.
Don’t idolize the wealthy. Very few earned their money, and they have unjustifiable fears about those of us who have worked hard all our lives. They don’t understand the middle class. We are not like the 47 percent pictured by Romney while addressing his rich friends in a closed fund-raising meeting. No one can tell you better how kind and good the middle class can be than a Coloradan when he or she is in need. The neighbors will pitch right in and help.
Grace Todd
Idaho Springs
Wheelock would make
excellent commissioner
Editor:
I’m writing concerning the race for Clear Creek County commissioner. Most people who are paying attention to this race are aware of the passion and longtime community involvement of Randy Wheelock. If you want the details of where Randy stands on any of the important issues of our county, you should visit his website: vote
wheelock.com.
I would like to add my name to the list of Randy’s many supporters. He’s one of the hardest workers I’ve ever known, and he truly puts his work ethic where his mouth is.
If you want a dedicated and effective representative for our county, please join me in voting for Randy.
Becky Cook
Ochs believes state
shouldn’t interfere in education
Editor:
People agree education is important. The debate stems from quality versus quantity, as well as money and control. School districts should raise their own money and make sensible decisions that fit the need of the community together with parents’ teachings.
This will result in a better-quality system. When the state government acts as a tax collector for schools, then the state feels compelled to monitor, regulate and dictate what will be done with the funds.
Thus the state government controls the schools. The state legislature has many other bills and responsibilities, therefore not specializing in education, and tends to make one size fit all or, in other words, quantity decisions.
A goal of Adam Ochs, candidate for state representative in District 13, is to let the school districts operate without interference from the state, not to power grab control of the schools. Mr. Ochs does know how to get things done and cares about the future of his toddler. Please remember Adam Ochs on Election Day.
Michael Hocevar
Georgetown
Turner would make an excellent DA
Editor:
This is the last opportunity to endorse a candidate, and this is the most obvious endorsement I’ve written. I’ve known district attorney Scott Turner for a number of years due to my service as an animal control officer with the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office.
I also have been a victim’s advocate for 12 years. Scott has been a passionate, competent and judicious person in my dealings with him as a DA. He has been on the board of Clear Creek County Advocates for a number of years and is now president of that board. He wrote and was instrumental in getting the state legislature to pass Vonnie’s Law in response to the tragic shooting death of Vonnie Flores, a stalking victim in Lake County. Scott has been consistently diligent in promoting victims’ rights for a long time and has significant experience in protecting these rights. He is a decent, compassionate human being and deserves the support of the citizens of this and the other counties in the 15th district.
Martin Gitlin
Clark the right choice for commissioner
Editor:
With the upcoming election, it is important to get out, cast your vote, and bring in the best candidate to continue to move Clear Creek County in the right direction.
George Clark brings a lot of benefits to the table from his ability to work with people, to carefully examine issues from all sides, as well as to problem-solve. George’s leadership and management experience in the U.S. Air Force will bring valuable skills to our community.
As a county, we are facing several challenges, and we will need the capability to think in a progressive and effective manner for us to continue to be successful. I have had the opportunity to work with George on several veterans’ projects as well as spend time discussing a variety of issues, and I have come to respect and appreciate the manner in which George educates himself on the issues, listens to differing opinions, and, using his calm demeanor, explains his decision and the supporting information.
Since George moved to our community, he has spent a significant amount of time attending meetings of local agencies and learning about their purpose and impact on our community. He has taken the extra effort to network and meet people in order to provide the best in service and leadership to all of us. With the turnover of two of the three commissioners, this is an important time to make sure we elect the best qualified candidate, and that person is George Clark.
Troy Erickson
program manager
Mt. Evans Qualifying House