Letters to Editor supporting Diane Mitch Bush

Vote for a thoughtful plan over empty words

Last week, I bribed my high school classmates with glazed donuts to register to vote. I did this because, on top of standard teenage angst, I’m worried about this election. I’m 16, and it’s a frustrating time: I closely follow current issues, but I can’t vote. I have to rely on adults to choose wisely in Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District.

I tried to understand Lauren Boebert’s policy views, but only found vague ideas on her website. She’s “pro-America, pro-guns, and pro-Constitution.” What does that even mean? Boebert talks about “freedom,” but freedom to do what? — limit my rights as a woman and destroy the climate? She has no familiarity with political office or governing. I think it’s great to elect non-politicians, but that doesn’t excuse Boebert from her responsibility to create policy plans at a critical time.

At least Diane Mitsch Bush has experience and plans. Go to her website. You’ll see the specific bills she supports that will protect our health care, public lands, renewable energy, economy and infrastructure. I’d vote for a thoughtful plan over empty words any day.

Willa Schendler
Basalt

Elect an entertainer or a leader?

We in Western Colorado are facing a very important election — the 3rd Congressional District race.

The feisty Lauren Boebert sure knows how to throw some attitude! Her pistol packin’, no compromises, ‘I make my own rules’ style makes for dynamic and entertaining campaign stops.

I’ve been trying to imagine how Boebert’s approach might translate into effective leadership in Congress. Grandstanding on divisive hot-button issues is an easy way to stir up a crowd. Reconciling our differences is a more fruitful way to get things done in politics.

While Colorado and the U.S. face significant challenges, both are blessed with abundant resources to address those challenges. The path forward lies in shepherding those resources to address the problems at hand. In these polarized and divided times, we need someone with the experience and maturity to reach out to all her constituents, and to forge solutions that benefit all of us.

As a former Colorado State Representative and Routt County Commissioner, Diane Mitsch Bush has a long history of public service, a proven record of collaboration, and a willingness to address the flaws in our political system. She doesn’t shy away from the hard work of understanding the issues and getting things sorted out.

If we tire of Boebert’s entertainment, it won’t be easy to switch channels to the dedicated leadership we truly need now. In these uncertain times, let’s elect the proven public servant — Diane Mitsch Bush.

Pat Kiernan
Carbondale

Mitsch Bush is clear choice for CD3

There is a clear choice this year as we vote for our next 3rd District Representative in Congress. Diane Mitsch Bush is a strong, thoughtful leader and person of integrity. As an elected official, Mitsch Bush represented her constituency in a balanced manner. She is a master at working with colleagues across the aisle to find common ground.

Mitsch Bush understands the task in front of her. Not only has she worked on local and state issues, but during her time as a commissioner and legislator, she was engaged in national issues that impacted Colorado. She knows that we need a representative in Congress who can educate her colleagues in DC and fight for solutions to the unique issues that we are facing in rural Colorado, including lowering health insurance costs, protecting our public lands that support our agricultural and recreational economies, and bringing infrastructure projects to our district. As wildfires continue to spread across the West, Mitsch Bush knows how important it is for our country to work globally on addressing climate change, and nationally on supporting forest and grassland health efforts.

We are in need of leaders who are informed and will work to bring our country and world leaders together to address numerous issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic; high impact natural disasters; and the thousands of people uprooted by war, drought and poverty. Mitsch Bush is that person.
Please join me in voting for my friend and former colleague, Diane Mitsch Bush.

Trési Houpt,
former Garfield County commissioner