Trying to enjoy nice weather without getting run over

The spring warmth is a welcome reprieve from the pent-up cold and snow of winter. It is with great joy that I take a vigorous walk daily, and my heart and lungs thank me for doing so. Once the Front Range paths are clear of ice and snow, I make for them thar hills and, again, my heart thanks me.

I had a heart attack several years back, and now I merrily drag along my prosthetic leg. Is it time to put on a helmet and maybe some shoulder pads? I am often faced with the speedy folk who think they are always in control of their motorized bikes and scooters. Just because they are electric and quiet as a mouse does not mean there isn’t a motor. I urge those who are out for a joy ride to exercise better caution and slow down on our concrete walkways. My heart would be in your debt.

— Michael Rady, Arvada

Yet no concern for Capitol Police officers

Re: “Johnston stays even-keeled during congressional hearing,” March 6 news story

I find the Republicans’ attack on Mayor Mike Johnston the pinnacle of hypocrisy. They accuse him of putting police officers in danger, while only one of Colorado’s Republican U.S. representatives condemned the pardoning of the Jan. 6 rioters. The rioters injured police officers doing their sworn duty to protect the very congressmen and women who criticized Johnston. I’m sickened by what the GOP has become. They will certainly go down on the wrong side of history.

— Charles Largent, Greeley

Speaking of federal job losses, keep an eye on those midterms

Here we are, just weeks into a new presidency, and the nation, most likely, has never been so divided as it is at this point in time. Instead of using a scalpel to cut out any spending mismanagement carefully, Trump and his minion, Elon Musk, have applied a hatchet to federal agencies and departments that have resulted in disrupting millions of lives in our country and around the world.

Looking forward to the 2026 midterm elections. I wonder if the Republicans in Congress who won their campaign by the slimmest of margins already may have lost re-election. Instead of sitting back, smiling and slapping one another on the back, perhaps they should think about doing what is right for the country by returning to a system of checks and balances and stripping the dictator of his unchecked power. Who knows? Maybe the Republicans will win a few votes from the left and center!

— Cory D. Wheeler, Durango

DOGE needs to be re-acronymed to something resembling the truth … perhaps SNAFU?

— Harry Puncec, Lakewood

Living in a dual monarchy

Inevitably, the Supreme Court of the United States soon will be faced with a decision or series of decisions that will have existential consequences for the future of the republic: Will the current de facto co-presidency of the world’s most powerful man, Donald Trump, and the world’s wealthiest man, Elon Musk, be allowed to devolve into what would be for all practical purposes an unrestricted dual monarchy made up of the same two individuals?

— Frank Tapy, Denver

Time for a bargain defense department

Now that Vladimir Putin and Russia are apparently no longer a threat to the United States, do we really need a massive defense budget to defend against Greenland, Canada and Panama?

— Edward Dranginis, Centennial