Debating warning stickers on gas pumps
Re: “Under bill, gas stations would have to post climate warnings,” April 3 news story
House Bill 1277 (which requires stickers on all gas pumps in Colorado alerting consumers about the negatives of fossil fuel) is an asinine misuse of the Colorado State Senate’s time. I’m guessing little tikes riding tricycles know, at least, that much.
Rep. Ron Weinberg is right in saying that it is an insult to our intelligence.
Moreover, requiring the Colorado Attorney General’s Office to be involved in investigating compliance on something so ridiculous would be yet another asinine misuse of time. The sponsors of this harebrained bill should take some time to learn what real public policy is and attend to that.
Nan Young, Denver
As a physician trained in public health care and a pediatrician living and practicing in Denver, I treat children who live in some of the most polluted zip codes in the country. I can tell you firsthand that the burning of fossil fuels is making them sick. Children are especially vulnerable to pollution-related illnesses like asthma and increased respiratory infections, which can have lifelong impacts, especially as we experience more days of extreme heat.
In light of this health threat, HB 1277, a bill moving through the Colorado legislature requiring warning labels on fuel products, is a viable and necessary public health strategy. We know from history that putting warning labels on tobacco products shaped consumer behavior and was key in advancing tobacco policies that continue to save lives. It is time to take similar action on fossil fuels.
My patients, their families, and all Coloradans have a right to know how the products they are using are impacting their health.
Clare Burchenal, Denver
Party discipline hurts our country
Re: “Congress began ceding power to presidents long before Trump,” April 7 commentary
In his commentary, David Drucker correctly observes that strict party discipline means the U.S. government functions like a parliamentary system, without checks and balances, when the president’s party controls Congress. Parliamentary systems have a check on an out-of-control executive when the electorate is closely divided; changing a few votes in the legislature can force an early election and bring down the government. That is not a feasible option with our fixed terms of office.
We would be better off with less party discipline or a parliamentary system.
Paul Lingenfelter, Denver
Student-athletes deserve fulfillment of education
Re: “The term ‘student-athlete’ is a lie that must die with House Bill 1041,” April 5 commentary and “Bring back the amateur athletes,” April 5 letter to the editor
Jim Martin and the letter writer did not mention an important fact about student-athletes: if they are injured enough to be unable to compete anymore, their scholarships are gone. Unless they also have an academic scholarship, they are on their own. They will have to return home without an education, with a potential lifetime injury.
The perks they may have received as a sports hero are gone; they might have some extended medical care related to the injury, but no way to support themselves. If they were close to graduation, they might be able to get their degree if they planned ahead. Maybe if they were good enough, they could get a position back home as a school coach. Otherwise, many former student-athletes are limping along without a way to make a living.
At the very least, student-athletes should be guaranteed an education if they are injured while fulfilling their obligations to the school.
Beth Heinrich, Colorado Springs
Sign up for Sound Off to get a weekly roundup of our columns, editorials and more.
To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.