Abortion opponents need to keep their distance

Re: “Denver woman challenges long-standing abortion law,” June 6 news story

Having an abortion is a life-changing and difficult personal decision for a woman; the very idea of having some uncivil crazed objector such as Wendy Faustin in their face harassing them is outrageous. It’s difficult enough to have circles of protesters at 8 feet away with disgusting signs yelling and parading around calling them baby killers. Every woman deserves protection from this kind of harassment.

— Elaine Little, Denver

Sad that Colorado is the abortion destination state

Here is some very sad news: 28% of all abortions in 2022 were performed for women from other states. In 2018 it was only 12%. Colorado is now the No. 1 abortion destination in the world. This is shameful for our beautiful state.

— Dianne Moyers, Centennial

Out-of-state money tarnishes election

Re: “Johnston next mayor as Brough concedes,” June 7 news story

It’s a damned shame when big money from out of state can buy our elected officials, i.e., Michael Bloomberg and the other millionaire that spent almost $2 million to get Michael Johnston elected mayor of Denver.

These people have no business sticking their noses in our state’s election process.

When will laws be passed to prevent such B.S.? When the endorsements of former mayors and a governor of a qualified person don’t mean a thing, it shows we have a broken system that these outside big spenders are buying.

It reminds me of the old Sunday comic strip character in Li’l Abner; “What’s good for General Bullmoose is good for” (everyone).

We aren’t people in a comic strip and shouldn’t have to live by such B.S.

This isn’t the first nor the last time outside millionaires and billionaires have bought elected officials here and in the whole country.

It’s long past time that “we the people” insist on changes to this behavior so that some billionaire from New York can’t buy our elections.

— Peter Beckley, Aurora

Tipping conundrums

Re: “Democrats Let Down Labor,” letter by Thomas Johnson, 6/3/2023.

Gov. Jared Polis has not let down working people, in the long run, by vetoing the bill to expand tipping.

He has let down the employers instead. Tipping subsidizes employers by allowing them to pay their employees lower wages in the expectation that customers’ tips will make up the difference.

Then the employers can charge lower prices. Tip credits already exist to help employers meet their minimum wage obligation.

Tipping raises some unpleasant questions: Tipping makes the listed price less than what I totally will pay, but by how much? How much should I tip if I do tip? If the tip is shared with other employees, which employees will be hurt if I don’t tip? Will I get better service next time if I tip? Or worse service if I don’t? Will cash tips be properly recorded?

I’d like to walk into a business expecting to pay the listed price, plus any tax, and get good service without needing to consider any of the above.

— Jill Moring, Pueblo West