The battle for the soul of the GOP
Re: “The Colorado GOP wall of shame is a list of honorable Republicans,” March 17 commentary
Although I admittedly don’t share the same party affiliation as Krista Kafer, I felt compelled to write to commend her for the courage she has been demonstrating throughout the past several months regarding the current political situation.
Her op-ed on Sunday was very well-written and well-researched, and she confronted a number of issues that should be deeply troubling to many of us, regardless of political affiliation. The latest pronouncements by Donald Trump should put everyone on high alert for what could happen if a second Trump presidency were to actually occur. Krista’s voice of concern and caution should not be confused with being a RINO. Rather, it is a demonstration of real patriotism.
Krista has faced disparagement from members of her party for her opinions, and she mentioned that outrageous epithets like “traitor” have been used against fellow Republicans who have been so unfairly labeled as “RINOs.” Make no mistake about it: We have entered a dangerous period in American politics, and we must, like Kafer, speak out with clarity, courage, and strength if we want to preserve the democracy that we claim to so love and cherish.
Jean C. Lindsey, Denver
Why does Krista Kafer persist with her quixotic belief that the RINOs will be able to return the Republican Party to something resembling its former self? The primaries have demonstrated that the GOP is the party of Trump, by Trump and for Trump. Only those who demonstrate unquestioning idolatry are worthy acolytes.
From the people who still claim the title of “Republican,” one will often hear that while they do not like Trump, they like his policies. This means they are in favor of tax cuts for the rich, higher deficits, more debt, isolationism, and, in the words of Kafer, are untroubled by “epic dishonesty, moral cowardice,” and “counterfeit religion.”
It sounds like the Republican Party has left Kafer. She and other Republicans like her should take the hint and change their registration to “independent.” Of course, if “moderate” Republicans leave the GOP, the power of the Trumpists will be entrenched. But if it’s no longer your party, why stay?
Guy Wroble, Denver
Thanks to Krista Kafer for sorting out Trump’s MAGAs (Make America Great Again), and RINOs (Republicans in Name Only). Actually, Kafer shows many of the current MAGA policies, but not methods, are former liberal RINO policies. And the current RINOs are the problem-solving and all people’s conservative Republican Party of Lincoln. It no longer exists in Colorado. Nor in the nation, with Eric Trump’s wife now its new national vice-chair.
The only Republican organization left in our state is the Lincoln Club of Colorado, which has been here for over 100 years.
Disaffected or disengaged Republicans and former RINOs probably outnumber active, organized current MAGA RINOs. Like Liz Cheney, we may have to show ourselves at the polls with President Joe Biden. Our vote will prioritize saving the American way, values, civil discourse, and the Constitution’s highest political power that so many have fought and died for, ahead of policies that can be changed with a shift in administration and Congress.
Mary Estill Buchanan, Boulder
Editor’s note: Estill Buchanan is a former Republican two-term.Secretary of State; elected U.S. Senate nominee.
Thank you, Krista Kafer, for providing a true North Star for those who adhere to the Republican Party’s philosophy.
For the others who have lost their way in the feckless wilderness of Trumpism, may you take a deep breath and remember what it means to be an honorable Republican.
And Bravo to Kafer for presenting to us her well-wrought skills as a political cartoonist! She is a Renaissance woman!
Evan Siegel, Westminster
Speaking of Ken Buck …
Krista Kafer calls herself an honorable Republican, but all she has done as a Denver Post columnist is denigrate Donald Trump, the MAGA movement, and the Colorado GOP, and she less frequently is writing about the disastrous policies of the Biden administration or the two-tiered justice system and federal bureaucracy weaponized against conservatives and Donald Trump’s candidacy. She tried to prevent the more than 500,000 Coloradans who voted for Donald Trump in the Republican primary from being able to make that choice.
I will comment on one “honorable” Republican she lists. Rep. Ken Buck used to be a conservative hero. But he inexplicably decided against voting for the impeachment of Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, whose actions to implement Biden’s open border policy have done nothing but undermine our national security. Buck is also walking away from his U.S. House seat, leaving it unfilled for months and making a slim Republican majority in the House even slimmer because he can’t have his way. He is denying representation in Congress to his constituents who elected him.
Kafer claims to support lower taxes, a leaner government, a balanced budget, American world leadership, entrepreneurship, natural rights, the rule of law, personal responsibility, honesty, dignity, and optimism, which conservative Republicans stand for. However, as evidenced by current Biden administration policies, she will not see these things in a second Biden administration, which she is, in effect, endorsing.
Steve Lloyd, Cheyenne, Wyo.
What about a presidential ticket of Ken Buck and Liz Cheney to reinstate civility in Washington?
Bill Campbell, Arvada
Re: “Buck to step down,” March 13 news story
The article states that Ken Buck “indicated, without offering specifics, that he hopes to play a role more broadly in improving electoral politics in the U.S.”
U.S. Representative Ken Buck would do well by joining the movement of improving politics through the implementation of Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) in state and federal elections. In Alaska and Maine, which have implemented RCV statewide, the result is representatives that better represent their constituents, don’t need to cater to the polarized extremes in their parties, and have campaigns that are less cantankerous.
The job of a legislator is to represent all constituent voters and to bring a broad spectrum of ideas to the table. Single-party legislatures, like those in blue Massachusetts or red Wyoming, are known for orthodoxy rather than looking at things from different angles. Most Americans on either side agree on some fundamental principles and solutions that would make our nation work better. However, polarization from extreme elements of a party prevents working together and compromise. Compromise can cause a reasonable legislator to be “primaried” by that extreme element in their party.
The USA is operating on democracy version 1.0. We can improve our democracy through RCV.
Thomas G. Alley, Broomfield
In suddenly stepping away from Congress, Ken Buck has displayed his utter frustration and anger at the radical turn of the Republican Party, now so deeply enthralled with Donald Trump. Local conservative voices, such as Krista Kafer’s, have also expressed particular dismay at the joining of Colorado Republicans to Trump’s wildest claims. They see the Party as having gone off the rails. This is no guarantee that they will vote Democratic, but it does reveal a sizeable dent in the Republican Party structure.
Robert Porath, Boulder
Give victims more time to come forward
Re: “Child sex abuse: No time-limit for justice,” March 17 commentary
Thank you to Jill Brogdon for her excellent article in last Sunday’s Perspective. The stakes are huge. We need to give survivors time to heal and seek justice. Otherwise, our institutions will rot from within. Their crimes against children have a huge impact, and institutions won’t clean up their acts unless they see that they could be held accountable.
For a better society, give victims more time to tell the truth about what goes on in some institutions of learning or religion.
Joanne Hafer, Cañon City
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