Protection of Colorado’s native bee population is crucial to our environment

While reading about the University of Colorado Boulder’s recent studies on honeybee swarm behavior, I was reminded of how much outstanding appreciation exists for bees within all levels of our campus community.

Since coming to CU, I’ve had the opportunity to get involved with a number of student-led events, all with the aim of raising awareness for declining bee populations. Having talked to countless other students about the importance of protecting bees in our state, I found myself surprised by just how much Boulder students care about bees.

Whether it’s through student activism or x-ray research, there’s no shortage of enthusiasm for bees around CU.

However, so many of the students I talk to aren’t even aware of the threats presently facing our native bees.

Currently, Colorado’s bee and pollinator species are experiencing historic population declines, impacted heavily by the use of harmful neonicotinoid pesticides.

With the pivotal role that bees play in our environment, their protection is crucial, and with a community so passionate about them, it’s incredibly important to spread the word on this pressing — and underrepresented — ecological crisis.

— Conor Dwyer, Boulder

Contribution of Boulder’s older residents shouldn’t be overlooked

I am in complete agreement with Sunday’s editorial: “To keep Boulder Thriving, accept Necessity for Growth.”

However, I disagree with this statement: “As the current population ages in place and prevents a new generation from moving in …”

As a member of this aging population who can afford to live here, I notice many of my kind who are going to restaurants, shopping and certainly paying our share of taxes. There are many of us who rent a room or two to those in the younger generation so that they can work in our fair city.

Is this not part of the solution as opposed to part of the problem?

— Susan Stephens, Boulder

When will we see the illusion of our democracy?

Of course, everyone knows that socialism is evil, just ask your Congress critters who voted to pass House Resolution 9, “to denounce socialism in all its forms.” I expected most Republicans would vote for this, but Colorado Democrats, with the notable exception of Rep. Diana DeGette, voted for this, too, baring their true intentions.

Let there be no misunderstanding, churches are forms of pure socialism where congregations pay a tithe to support their members who have fallen on hard times.

And let us remember that Jesus threw out the money changers, the Wall Street denizens of his time.

Medicare and Social Security programs are pure socialism. Here is why your privatized health care costs so much: socialized Medicare takes only 3% in overhead to administer its program, while privatized HMOs take 30% in overhead to administer privatized health care. Socialism is not efficient? It is TEN TIMES more efficient in healthcare than the private sector. Our Congress critters, even the Democrats, have just told you that they want to privatize Medicare and Social Security.

Do you like having a fire department that will rescue you from your burning house or provide an emergency trip to the hospital? It’s pure socialism.

Do you wonder why we cannot pass legislation for universal healthcare or a decent minimum wage? Do you wonder why we continue to admit millions of illegal immigrants who provide cheap labor for American corporations, keeping wages low?

Wonder no further.

Your Congress critters are dedicated to eliminating “socialism in all its forms” and lining the pockets of their corporate donors.

Republicans wail about voting corruption.

Democrats wail about threats to our democracy. Forget the wailing, our democracy is an illusion. What shock will it take to make us notice?

— Michael McNeil, Mead