Letters

Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Jul 25, 2006

5TH DISTRICT RACE

State senator has record of protecting GOP ideals

I am concerned that the Republican Party is losing its core values. I want to support a candidate for U.S. Congress who won't forget our conservative ideas once he gets to Washington. The best way to know what someone will do is by looking at what he's done.

State Sen. Doug Lamborn has a 12-year record of boldly and confidently representing our beliefs without hesitation. Lamborn passed the largest tax cut in Colorado history and fiercely opposed Referendums C and D. The Colorado Union of Taxpayers rated Lamborn the Senate's top tax and budget cutter.

Lamborn is the only proven leader on illegal immigration. He fought to eliminate state funds to illegal aliens, opposes amnesty and wants increased border security to prevent terrorism.

Lamborn has worked to protect the rights of unborn children. Colorado Right to Life gave him a 100 percent rating as a pro-life legislator. He fought for legislation to preserve traditional marriage and worked to keep explicit materials away from our children.

Former U.S. Sen. Bill Armstrong and 17 Colorado legislators have endorsed Lamborn.

John Vander Meulen

Falcon

Power of persuasion works in Crank's favor The ability to lead, the ability to persuade, the track record to prove to us that he believes in our conservative values and the commitment to be honest. These are all things that make Jeff Crank the unquestionable choice to be our next congressman here in the 5th Congressional District.

Crank has proven to us for years that he is a staunch conservative, and, maybe even more importantly, he has proven to us that he has the ability to bring people together and get them to listen to and agree with his point of view. What good is a voting record if one is not able to get others to vote the same way? What good is putting your name on a pile of bills if you are not able to convince people to vote for those bills? What good is being popular if you sell out your constituents so you can appear more powerful? And what good is being conservative if you are so unwilling to work with those on the other side of the aisle that you never open doors of opportunity to advance your agenda?

Crank is able to open those doors while standing firm in his beliefs. He is willing and has proven his ability to fight to protect this country, not only from threats outside our borders, but from the liberal left which is working to change everything about the freedoms upon which this country was founded.

After years of being deeply involved in the Republican politics of this county, I am honored to support Jeff Crank.

Amy Lathen

Colorado Springs

Lamborn's record speaks for itself

Don Littleton was totally wrong in his assessment of the 5th Congressional District race ("Having a voting record sometimes just isn't enough," Letters, July 20). State Sen. Doug Lamborn has been a very effective legislator. He was able to pass the largest tax cut to date that has saved Colorado taxpayers more than $1 billion. He was able to pass a redistricting plan out of the Legislature that caught the Democrats off guard. He is responsible for Interstate 25 being named the "Ronald Reagan Highway" in El Paso County. He has also successfully blocked numerous bad bills. For 12 years, Lamborn has been a champion of the family, the taxpayer and the military.

We need a congressman who will consistently fight for limited government, lower taxes, family values, the military, and support the president in the war on terror. Lamborn has a proven, conservative track record. He has the character, integrity and leadership skills necessary to serve the district well.

Cheri Ofner

Colorado Springs

DISTRICT 19 RACE

Looper is tuned in to desires of the people

This is in response to the story, "Activist vs. Insider in District 19," in the July 14 Gazette. Let's set some facts straight about Jim Brewer and Marsha Looper.

In Brewer's mailing, he says he is a strong supporter of private property rights, yet in 1999 he was a strong opponent. He supported zoning unincorporated eastern El Paso County. He has not supported constitutional amendments to let the voters decide on issues of private property rights. He does not support the constitutional amendment to let voters decide on issues of eminent domain.

I have been going to the state capitol for the past two years for the "Super Slab" issues and I have never seen him there. He is not involved with the people nor knows their needs or wants.

I know Looper is aware of the people's needs -- water, private property rights, roads, development and urban sprawl. I have seen her get bills passed by working with others at the capitol. She knows the ropes and the needs of the people of District 19 and she would not be just another rubber-stamp official. Marsha Looper has my vote; I've seen what she is capable of.

Russell Watt

Calhan

SHARING THE ROAD

Leaverton deserves credit for listening to all sides

I have worked with the U.S. Forest Service and local groups for 14 years in an effort to protect and preserve the closed section of Gold Camp Road and find a compromise that would be a win for both sides of this issue. Because of my close involvement with this subject, I feel it is important to respond to the Gazette's July 18 Our View, "Road-hog heaven."