Biden’s patriotic act
Re: “Biden drops out of race,” July 22 news story
On this day, when Joe Biden has dropped out of his candidacy for re-election as president of the United States, I feel compelled to acknowledge his patriotism and courage in taking this action. He has come to terms with the harsh reality regarding his advanced age and its political consequences. To walk away from this fight runs counter to all that is at his core.
It is to defeat the existential threat to our Republic posed by Donald Trump that Joe Biden has sacrificed his candidacy. Just as the founders of America dedicated their lives, fortunes and sacred honor to the nation, so too has Biden relinquished his opportunity to retain what he has sought for most of his adult life: the presidency. Acts of greater political courage and selflessness are difficult to imagine.
Americans of all political stripes should praise his action and admire his sacrifice.
Jim Riley, Westminster
When former President Donald Trump was slightly wounded in an assassination attempt, President Joe Biden called him to express his sympathy and concern and spoke to the nation to express his disdain for political violence of any sort.
When the president made the painful decision to drop out of the race, how did Trump react? By thanking Biden for his 50-plus years of public service and wishing him well? Of course not. He just spewed hateful rhetoric. (“Crooked Joe”, etc.).
What a contrast in character.
John Goldstein, Denver
In 1796, George Washington announced he would not run for a third term as president and established our country as a democracy run by the people and not by a king. Sunday, President Joe Biden reaffirmed that we are a democracy and not a dictatorship. I feel empowered. For months I’ve believed our presidential candidates are too old, and now Biden and his Democratic Party have listened to the people’s concerns and moved to fix that problem.
Compare that to the Republican Party: Donald Trump holds the GOP tight in his iron fist and will not listen (much less respond) to everyday moderate Republican concerns. Over the last few years, how many Republicans have attempted to nudge the GOP in a different direction and been squashed by Trump’s demand for absolute loyalty to him?
Consider Trump’s vice president pick. We all know JD Vance’s real opinion of Trump, but he cannot do anything but obey if he wants to move ahead in the MAGA Party. Trump’s GOP is not interested in the people’s ideas, only loyalty to Trump — whatever his ideas. It’s Old Man Trump’s way or the highway.
Our country is a democracy where all ideas should be heard and seriously considered and where the majority view should prevail. I’m glad to see a young, vibrant, and intelligent woman with deep and recent experience as a candidate for president.
Kevin Rudolph, Littleton
Study the party platforms
Given the political rhetoric of the presidential campaign so far, and the recent events, one can expect the campaign ads to only increase in disrespect, questionable information, and outlandish statements regarding the candidates.
In preparing to vote, ignore anything and everything about the candidates and focus only on each party’s platform. While information about the candidates can be twisted to meet the goals of their opponents, party platforms are the only things that are clear and unambiguous — “what you see is what you will get” information.
Ask yourself, “What will each party platform, when instituted, do for me?” Use what you find in the party platforms (yes, carefully study each one) to determine what will happen to you if the person and party you plan to vote for wins.
Dan Krygowski, Golden
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Originally Published: July 23, 2024 at 12:46 p.m.
