‘America First’ is more likely to make America last

It is an outrage that President Trump has unleashed Elon Musk against the United States Agency for International Development. Foreign aid and developmental assistance are major instruments of U.S. foreign policy. Often referred to as “soft power,” supporting health and welfare across the globe makes the world a safer place and presents the United States as a force for decency. Trump’s “America First” fervor is more likely to make America last in international affairs. President John F. Kennedy encouraged Congress to create USAID over sixty years ago in order to establish the U.S. as an agent for good in a perilous world. The current president who appears to have an affinity for dictators and authoritarians is undermining the security of our country.

I urge Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper and Congressman Neguse to speak out clearly and loudly against these wrong-headed policies. International politics is too volatile an environment to wreak diplomatic havoc.

— Rob Mortimer, Boulder

My columns are meant to spark independent thinking

In response to the recent letter to the editor “You are putting your readers to sleep” (Feb. 7): My Daily Camera columns are not intended to make people comfortable. They are meant to spark independent thinking. I welcome strong, respectful disagreement and critical views. That said, the author’s comments on my Jan. 30 article, “Wake up Boulder,” fail to engage its main point, namely: a major source of Boulder’s vitality — its knowledge community — is imperiled. I offered concrete suggestions on how to ward off this danger and bolster our vibrant city.

The letter’s author faults me for “the occasional reference to long-dead and obscure educational philosophers.” Actually, I cited only one philosopher, the renowned John Dewey, whose work continues to have profound influence on schools. Dewey’s message is timely in our fraught times. To strengthen the public arena, he called for educational institutions to serve as training grounds for democracy. Moreover, Dewey emphasized the importance of the news media in making ideas public so that they can be debated and help form shared understandings of the world.

In this spirit, I am open to lively and fearless debate. But the letter’s author has yet to express alternative ideas or advance proposals.

— Jim Mittelman, Boulder

We can support unions and workers locally

While unions and workers are fighting federal layoffs and closures nationally, we can support unions and workers locally.

King Soopers workers are on strike due to severe understaffing, creating an untenable and unsafe situation for everyone.

Striking workers are asking for proper staffing at their stores. Being expected to do the work of multiple people leads to burnout and risks for workers and consumers (e.g., insufficient cleaning).

In addition, workers need more protections, like emergency alerts and protections for outdoor workers (e.g., the folks collecting carts in minus-18-degree weather).

Some shoppers crossing picket lines have said the workers should find a different job if they don’t appreciate the one they have. This perspective overlooks the reality that many workers can’t simply quit due to financial and personal obligations, and it disregards the fact that shoppers are also less safe when stores are understaffed.

We can support workers and safer stores by shopping elsewhere during the strike and visiting picket lines to show appreciation — simple gestures like bringing coffee or saying “thank you” help. And if you have 30 minutes to spare, grab a sign and join the picket line.

Learn more about the 2025 King Soopers Unfair Labor Practices (ULP) strike and how you can support our community’s essential workers at www.ufcw7.org.

— Nicole Speer is a member of the Boulder City Council, works at CU Boulder, and is a member of UCW Local 7799. She is writing in her personal capacity.