Sentinel is too quick to find favor with Hurd
It would be amusing, if it weren’t so sad, watching the Sentinel bending over backward trying to find something positive to say about Jeff Hurd. But the truth is that all the things the Sentinel commends him for are performative only, because he has yet to cast a meaningful positive vote.
Now that the Democrats have caved and allowed the government to reopen, Jeff Hurd wants to extend the health-care subsidies that the Democrats were trying to get. He could have sided with the Democrats during the shutdown, and possibly accomplished his stated goal, but no, he waited until all leverage was lost and now comes forward with a proposal that Speaker Johnson will just ignore.
He could have signed on to the discharge petition to release the Epstein files long ago, but no, he waited until Trump said to release them before saying he supported their release. Jeff Hurd wants to come across as moderate, and the Sentinel seems to desperately want to support him, but when it comes to the votes that actually matter, he’s just another rubberstamp Republican voting for whatever Trump wants, regardless of the interests of his constituents.
RICK BEAUHEIM
Grand Junction
Are we better off since Trump took office?
The Daily Sentinel praises Jeff Hurd’s decision to essentially extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as a bold move, arguing that the ACA cannot be fixed overnight. However, it’s important to recognize that the ACA has been in effect since 2015, and Republicans have consistently failed to propose a viable alternative. Hurd’s vote was instrumental in passing the “Big Beautiful Bill,” which prioritized tax cuts for the wealthy over providing assistance to those in need. Simply cutting taxes exacerbates the financial struggles of the poor, while the wealthy continue to accumulate wealth.
Furthermore, we are told to prioritize deporting undocumented immigrants over adequately caring for our own citizens. Hurd has not addressed any issues that truly impact us all. Trump’s lack of a plan to replace the ACA means that Hurd is not standing up to him. The polls suggest that our representatives are indifferent to their constituents’ desires. Where is his moral compass when innocent human lives are being lost? Why does Trump send in the National Guard when there is no immediate need? However, there is a need to demolish the East Wing of the White House to build a ballroom that the Saudi prince can enjoy while none of us will ever be invited to?
Ultimately, the question that remains is whether we are better off since Trump took office.
ANDREW BACON
Grand Junction
State does little to solve rural health challenges
My name is Diana Reed. I am the owner of MLS Senior Care. We provide an all-encompassing solution for our aging and developmentally disabled population on the Western Slope.
We have four assisted living facilities in Grand Junction, home care offices in Grand Junction, Delta and a small office in Naturita.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with the Uncompahgre Clinic, Region 10 and Tri County Health. However, what I would like to address is the challenge facing my business to provide care for our most vulnerable population especially in the West End.
Medicaid reimbursement rates continue to stay stagnate while state regulations keep increasing. I had the perfect opportunity to open a small assisted living facility in Naturita, but realized I no longer have the energy to fight the endless battle facing independent operators at the state level.
I have also been trying to become approved to provide non-emergent transportation, on the West End but because of the moratorium I have not been successful.
The state Department of Public Health and Environment is its own worst enemy when it comes to providing care in rural areas.
DIANA CONNER REED
Grand Junction
Where is the long-term plan to help unhoused?
Winter is fast approaching and temperatures will soon be plummeting. What about the estimated 2,300 human beings that are homeless and without shelter?
Do we have a moral obligation to show kindness and compassion to them? All of the major religions of the world agree that we must care for those who are less fortunate than us. Jesus told us that what we do to the least of these we do unto him. The Buddha taught us that we must show mercy and compassion to all creatures.
Here in Grand Junction, city officials have done very little to help our homeless brothers and sisters. They closed Whitman Park and then rousted homeless people from Emerson Park so that they could spend millions of dollars converting a historic city park from a peaceful green space to an ugly concrete play area that serves only a tiny group of young skateboarders. In recent years, more than 30 homeless human beings have died each year from various causes: malnutrition, untreated chronic diseases, hypothermia. Homeward Bound, Catholic Outreach, Mutual Aid Partners, Solidarity Not Charity and other organizations have done admirable work in helping the homeless, but now we learn that the homeless shelter on North Avenue will be forced to close in early January. What happens then?
The Grand Junction City Council has failed to fulfill its moral and fiscal responsibility to those suffering and dying on our streets. Other cities like Denver, Aurora and Reno have stepped up with innovative programs that provide for the needs of homeless people. They have invested millions of dollars to open special campus’ for homeless people so that no one has to try to survive on the streets. In contrast, our City Council has endless meetings and discussions on this topic but takes no action other than police action against these poor people. When they closed the Homeless Resource Center after only one year they promised that they would come up with a more comprehensive plan of action to help the homeless people in our community. So where is that plan now that freezing temperatures are coming soon? Will they step up to this challenge and do the right thing? Or will they continue to bluff and fail? We are watching and waiting.
JOSEPH HAYES
Grand Junction
Nonprofit grateful for Sentinel coverage
As Chairman of the Support A Soldier Clearinghouse, I wanted to thank The Sentinel and Jace DiCola for the article about our military-based charity. As mentioned in the piece, we have been a 501(c)(3) since 2011 and in that time we have sent more than 6,000 pieces of non-lethal gear and equipment to U.S. military personnel in areas of combat operations worldwide that makes them safer, more comfortable or better able to perform their missions.
More than 90% of all funds donated goes to the men and women we support. Many of us are combat veterans, none of us are paid, and we have no offices, salaries, company cars, marketing team, or trips to Vegas. We are “grunts,” just like the brothers we support at the pointed end of the spear.
Thanks again for the article and kudos to Jace.
Our new website is now fully operational. Please see what we do and click on the two-minute video (crank your speakers) at http://www.supportasoldier.com.
DAN REID
Board chair, Support A Soldier Clearinghouse
Grand Junction
Will president ever own up to his ‘despicable’ behavior?
In these stressful days when the norms of our society are eroding, the letters to the editor in the Nov. 29 edition of the Sentinel cast a sunbeam of hope.
Comments by Mr. Sarmo (discussing the horrible behavior of our president), Mr. Zaucer (cutting down on our beef consumption), and Mr. Almond (encouraging healthy eating) are views to embrace. Let’s hope we take their advice. Ten months into this administration, and the hate and dysfunction still spew forth. Will our country survive this ugliness? Will Trump ever own up to his despicable behavior?
Thanks for those excellent letters.
P.K. FORDNEY
Grand Junction
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