We will be left defenseless

Isn’t it funny how Governor John Hickenlooper takes our gun rights away and the next day he closes down the Capitol and beefs up security because (sadly) Tom Clements gets killed. But if someone in my neighborhood gets killed, we will be left defenseless.

Do as he says but not as he does!

Linda K Gomez

Colorado Springs

Nothing more than window dressing

Governor John Hickenlooper: What a crime and a shame. You are responsible for running businesses out of Colorado. You are doing more damage than the benefits that you think are to be had with the signing of House Bills 1224, 1228 & 1229.

These bills do absolutely zero to address the real problem of the mentally ill in this country. So now what do we have as a result — perhaps 1,000 or more Colorado residents without jobs. The mentally ill will continue to find any way possible to carry out their sick acts while you feel good, thinking that you took action. I feel very sorry for those who are losing their jobs. I also feel sorry for victims and their families of future tragedies inflicted by the mentally unstable. I urge you to focus on the real issue and please stop taking actions that are nothing more than window dressing.

Glenn Littman

Colorado Springs

Place the blame where it belongs

Oh whine, whine. What is the AFA whining about? The AFA is fussing that they can’t do maintenance projects or have fireworks this summer or that new construction projects are delayed. And boo hoo — no coffee shop or art gallery. How about placing the blame where it belongs? There has been no budget passed in four-plus years, which by law is supposed to happen and hasn’t. Who is responsible for this — the elected president? There are no real cuts in spending. There will be more spent this year than last. This cut represents 1/4 of 1 percent of GDP. Spending is out of control and this is a minor cut. Obama only wants the cuts where they hurt and are more visible.

Cherry Burger

Colorado Springs

Why not let the public vote?

After reading an Associated Press article, I am totally convinced the Democrats and news media are not in tune with the voting public nationwide. As stated in the article, it appears the governor and others are more interested in appeasing east coast Democrats rather than hearing Colorado residents.

The article states polls show overwhelming support for tougher gun restrictions such as universal background checks or limits on the capacity of magazines. This statement gives no indication of where and/or how any polls were taken. Makes one wonder doesn’t it? Why not just have the public vote on these issues before making them laws? I, for one, did not vote for any politician to make these decisions for me.

It is stated later about 1,000 protesters swarmed the state capitol, but there is no mention of anyone being there, in a swarm or not, to support the Democrats. And why is it that the featured testimony by gun control advocate and ex-astronaut Mark Kelly was even allowed, since he is not a citizen of Colorado. Then Vice President Joe Biden called Colorado Democrats and urged them to approve the package saying it would have “potent symbolism” in a western swing state. Symbolism vs. actual impact smacks strictly of politics and another step toward taking away rights of legitimate, law-abiding citizens.

Laura Chapin argued that gun rights groups don’t understand the realities of a world where gun massacres are intruding into the suburbs. This is a point I disagree with completely. If anyone doesn’t understand, it is people like Chapin who can’t grasp the fact that these demented shooters intentionally attack unarmed, defenseless people. Though I believe my rights are being trampled upon, it should be noted I am not a member of any group except being a Colorado and United States citizen.

My final words are, forget the polls, which can be arbitrary, and let us vote on these issues.

Roger Shambaugh

Colorado Springs

Tide changing for the worst

I might be just a barnacle planted in Colorado Springs, but I can feel the tide changing in the economy, for the worst.

Our “walk-in contracts” have been down 40 percent during the last four years (Obama’s dark ages). Our income is down by the same. I’d be insane to keep doing what I’ve been doing these past four years.

I guess it’s time to retire and drop out of the workforce, albeit six years earlier than I expected! Chalk one up for Obama’s dropping unemployment rate. I may be out, but I know three other guys that just became unemployed.

Richard Sisco

Colorado Springs

Caught in a dilemma

I am caught in a dilemma with our El Paso County Sheriff, Terry Maketa. For those who weren’t paying attention; when we lost our Detox Center due to more budget cuts, Sheriff Maketa found a way to set one up that was not only at no cost to us, but enabled his staff to do their jobs with the publicly intoxicated. When he was under Constitutional constraints with an over-crowded jail and no more money, he found a way in the system to keep us and his staff out of trouble and house the dangerous — again at no cost to us. When we had a city manager who was punishing us nationally for not voting in more taxes, Sheriff Maketa quietly made his department work with what he had.

In November, Sheriff Maketa came to us honestly saying he has run out of options and he needs more money. This time we gave it to him and I am confident that he will use it for exactly the reason(s) he asked for it.

This last month, when our so-called representatives were debating (sic) the new gun restrictions, our sheriff went to Denver to stand on our behalf when they wouldn’t let us do so, to tell them “This is wrong!” When these same representatives threatened him and his associates (doesn’t matter how they spin it, it was a threat), Sheriff Maketa let us know they were doing this and he still was not going to bow to them. Then last week at the town hall meeting, he said it again!

My dilemma? He is term-limited and soon this champion for the Constitution, Colorado Springs and El Paso County will do his duty again and step down as the rules dictate. We are going to lose one of the best champions we have ever had. There is an answer to this problem. Who do we talk to and how do we get Terry Maketa to run for state office?

Jim Coda

Colorado Springs