Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., joined by TikTok supporters, leads a rally to defend TikTok on the Capitol in Washington on March 22, 2023. (AP Photograph/J. Scott Applewhite)
TikTok good for enterprise
As a queer and Latinx entrepreneur, I’m dedicated to uplifting small enterprise house owners, particularly these from underrepresented demographics. Beginning a enterprise is troublesome for anybody, however these of us from marginalized communities face extra challenges than most. TikTok provides a platform to market our companies and construct our manufacturers. Now, some lawmakers need to ban it.
Throughout the nation, each state and federal lawmakers are pushing laws to ban TikTok. These lawmakers don’t appear to know the worth of this platform to their constituents.
TikTok has been instrumental in supporting and rising my enterprise ventures. The platform has utterly revolutionized how small enterprise house owners attain and keep clients. Character and genuineness have grow to be key elements to attach with customers. Sharing cooking movies with different meals lovers helped develop my small enterprise — Combi Taco – all it took was my very own creativity.
TikTok goes past publicity. The platform amplifies the voices of those that have historically been silenced. The inclusive nature of the app permits creators like me to have fun our cultures and thrive in an inclusive enterprise panorama.
I imagine that Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper and our representatives in Congress look after the perfect pursuits of Coloradans. I urge them to listen to these pursuits. Banning TikTok will harm our state’s entrepreneurs and marginalized communities. Belief me; I do know the dangers.
Alejandro Flores-Muñoz, Denver
Phil Washington ought to give attention to DIA’s failures
Why are we standing in line for over an hour to get via safety at one of many busiest airports on this planet? Why are parking tons full throughout the non-holiday season? Why are the indicators we noticed within the Customs/Immigration space in English solely? Why aren’t there higher indicators directing vacationers (in a number of languages since that is an Worldwide airport) to the assorted TSA screening areas?
I journey steadily, and it’s onerous to think about a worse expertise than DIA provides vacationers. I see individuals consistently turned away on the TSA-Pre checkpoint after they waited within the incorrect line. I see individuals stand within the incorrect traces coming into customs (finally lacking connecting flights) because the indicators are solely in English.
DIA is barely about 20 years previous, and was constructed with mainly limitless area, and but the parking expertise is horrible and plenty of tons are sometimes full. Different airports submit the price of the assorted tons properly earlier than one enters a parking space. DIA has no signage till you’ve dedicated to parking short-term, distant, coated, and many others. They’ve a group of 18+ attorneys and but no one is reviewing vendor contracts that appear questionable. Is it any surprise the airport’s CEO, Phil Washington, just lately pulled his identify from consideration to steer the FAA within the face of Republican opposition?
Randy Thompson, Denver
Lawmakers needs to be compelled to earn their paychecks
It appears to me that our representatives are getting free checks from the American individuals. They apparently do not know easy methods to resolve points which have impacted us for a few years, but they proceed to obtain paychecks regardless of undertaking nothing. Border disaster, immigration reform, the price range, gun management, local weather change, LGBT, and primary human decency.
They appear to benefit from the theatrics and particular pursuits which might be dragging us down and dividing the nation. We deserve extra from them and they need to as an alternative give attention to making issues higher for the nice individuals of this country-before it’s too late. We want management with options, no more divisive disruptions. Earn your pay and get issues mounted!
Jerry Catron, Golden
Don’t demolish the 1stBANK Heart
Re: “Metropolis Council votes to terminate contract with 1stBANK Heart,” Might 26 information story
One other constructing will probably be demolished. Extra Earth supplies are being taken from the Earth (raped) after which put again into the Earth (landfills) with no decomposition, put again into the oceans with out decomposition. However “Oh” progress. Who decides this stuff? Is it at all times about cash? These decision-makers have been clearly born with silver spoons and have been by no means taught to consider the longer term.
Colleen Ostlund, Boulder
For this Democrat, it’s anybody however Trump
Re: “Leaning in on the responsible occasion,” Might 28 letter to the editor
I’ll say it up-front: I’m a Democrat who had Republican mother and father, and I agree with the saying “It’s not your mother and father’ Republican Social gathering.” A couple of weeks in the past a Republican speaking head on CNN stated one thing alongside the traces of, “All Democrats need Donald Trump to be the Republican nominee.” In fact, there are some Democrats who need Trump to be the nominee, however the overwhelming majority of us love our nation and need the Republican candidate to be a traditional particular person like a Chris Sununu or a John Kasich or perhaps a Chris Christi. We’re terrified that Trump has an opportunity of taking up, and I do imply TAKING OVER.
Susan Clare, Westminster
Capitalism’s weaknesses could be exploited
Capitalism isn’t in itself a monolithic Holy Writ. There are kinds and interpretations that vary from a easy barter change to mega-corporate world commerce, neither is it mechanically a mannequin of civic benevolence.
“Communist” China went absolutely capitalist in organizing its large inhabitants into a producing powerhouse. Beijing is now not a metropolis full of bicycles, and China, having performed worldwide capitalism masterfully, is now a worldwide energy.
Ever the Achilles heel of capitalism is greed and an ensuing “free-market” focus of wealth that consistently strives to take care of its place atop the socioeconomic order. In America, such an “Upstairs/Downstairs” ethos is enshrined within the Structure, and the ability of wealth is constantly protected in Supreme Court docket rulings.
Not like right here, Xi Jinping appears now shifting to rein in China’s rising financial imbalance as being detrimental to the well-being of the nation. Whether or not one calls this communism, an assault on libertarian freedom, or prudent financial regulation is a matter of political persuasion.
Robert Porath, Boulder
Seniors’ tax exemptions ought to proceed when downsizing houses
I bought a brand new residence, and we shall be shifting there quickly. I lived at my present location in Denver for over 40 years and was getting the Senior Property Tax exemption for over 12 years (I’m 76 years previous). Once I tried to use for this exemption for my new residence, I discovered that I don’t meet the requirement of 10 years of residency.
Speaking with the assessor’s workplace, I discovered there is no such thing as a exception for seniors who transfer and lose this exemption. We have to contact our state legislators to hunt an modification, as many seniors are on this state of affairs all through the state. I really feel this wants to alter in order to not punish seniors who select to downsize.
Girish Bhargava, Denver
Editor’s notice: Proposition HH on the November poll would add portability to the Senior Property Tax Exemption so downsizing seniors wouldn’t be penalized.
Work necessities put again on Congress
The GOP needs you to get a job to qualify for SNAP advantages and Medicaid. Many individuals I do know have two jobs simply to interrupt even, and they don’t qualify for these advantages. Congress members get good salaries and wonderful medical insurance paid by taxpayers. Do your one job, Congress! It’s not not possible to resolve the GOP-induced “debt disaster. Don’t lower advantages. Increase income and repeal the Trump tax cuts to rich households and companies.
Victoria Swearingen, Denver
Out of doors Retailer present supplied area for grassroots’ organizations
Re: “Colorado to review feasibility of a substitute for the Out of doors Retailer present,” Might 19 on-line information story
In a current Denver Publish article in regards to the lack of the Out of doors Retailer Commerce Present, the idea of one other “non-trade present” substitute was speculated. I attended that coming collectively of the outside recreation tribe for over 30 years and imagine that the time has come for a brand new and improved manner of bringing collectively all of us who love the nice outdoor and use the gear that’s on show for patrons and sellers of the most recent gear.
You see, I went to not purchase or promote the most recent gear or clothes for the outside however to promote the significance of rallying on behalf of the land we liked to recreate on. I used to be there on the founding of Depart No Hint, the Conservation Alliance, the Out of doors Recreation Coalition of America (now the Out of doors Business Affiliation), the Camber Open air, and so many different grassroots efforts that concentrate on the problems that have been close to and expensive to us.
The producers and retailers have been a mandatory financial power that enabled us to return collectively for seminars and keynote speeches and political engagement, however the grassroots organizations’ volunteers and advocacy made all of the distinction in creating consciousness and insurance policies that have been desperately wanted.
Bruce Ward, Denver
The debt ceiling disaster — who can pay?
To those that insist on drastic spending cuts to boost the debt ceiling, I submit the primary lower needs to be to repeal the Trump tax cuts for the wealthy.
William Inexperienced, Colorado Springs
Right here we go once more! The federal government is threatening to not pay out the Social Safety advantages if the debt ceiling disaster isn’t averted. As a enterprise proprietor, I submit Social Safety/Medicare payroll taxes on a weekly foundation. Why would the federal government not pay the beneficiaries of those taxes first? If they’ll not pay out, does this imply that I wouldn’t have to submit these taxes? In fact not. I’d be penalized and nonetheless owe these taxes.
Most recipients of those advantages agonize over the considered not receiving their checks on time. Stop preying on our older residents!
Ron Griffith, Fort Rock
Re: “When will the U.S. run out of cash? It’s difficult,” Might 19 information story
With a $30-plus trillion deficit hanging over the heads of American taxpayers, the query isn’t difficult; relatively, it’s easy. We ran out of cash the second we borrowed what we couldn’t pay again in full.
Anybody who runs a household price range may inform you this.
Donna Jorgenson Farrell, Broomfield
Re: “COVID-19 period of spending offers option to deficit focus,” Might 14 information story
Is anybody taking note of the small print of the proposed debt ceiling disaster? Congress needs to chop again meals stamp (SNAP) applications, trim senior advantages, and cut back the Youngster Tax Credit score. Based on the Children Rely Knowledge Heart, over 144,000 Colorado kids beneath 18 have been dwelling in poverty in 2021. 144,000 kids with not sufficient meals and diet to steer a wholesome life. Are you aware what it’s like as a toddler to not have sufficient meals to eat? Are you able to think about what it’s prefer to go hungry day after day?
Everyone knows {that a} excessive debt load is an issue. What I can’t perceive is why some in Congress assume it’s alright to take meals out of children’ mouths as an alternative of {dollars} out of the pockets of those who have a lot to eat and drink. Please contact your .S. Representatives and inform them to alter their minds. Ask them to assist a Youngster Tax Credit score which lifted over 45% of kids out of poverty in a single yr! Inform them to not lower applications that devastate these individuals least capable of afford it. Ask them to honor promised applications like Social Safety. Inform them, if something, to extend SNAP advantages.
Mark Clarke, Highlands Ranch
Supreme Court docket has misplaced our respect
I used to respect the Supreme Court docket. I don’t need a conservative Supreme Court docket. I don’t need a liberal Supreme Court docket. I would like an goal Supreme Court docket that may resolve what’s Constitutional and what isn’t in accordance with simply what the Structure says, not how a political occasion interprets it. I feel most Individuals need this.
Amongst his failures, Donald Trump ruined the Court docket, saying forward of time that he would solely appoint justices that might overthrow Roe vs. Wade. Then he appointed three liars who stated of their Senate hearings that Roe vs. Wade was established regulation. Then upon their appointment, the liars promptly overthrew it.
Now now we have justices on the Supreme Court docket that may’t even be trustworthy and inform the reality. It isn’t a great state of affairs for America when residents don’t respect the best court docket within the land for what is true. Now now we have justices who can’t even be trustworthy.
James T. Watson, Highlands Ranch
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