student loans; McWhinney Drilling; January 6; climate concerns; Loveland Politics – Loveland Reporter-Herald

Canceling student loans presents a moral hazard

Student loan forgiveness? Is this another Democratic bribe for votes? Doesn’t forgiveness require taking responsibility for one’s choices (without any excuses) and trusting that the person will not repeat the same act in the future? I can understand someone rejoicing that their debts are forgiven. What about those who have fully accepted their responsibility to repay their student loans? What about those who decided not to take a student loan but saved, worked, joined the army to pay for their college education? Should we tell them “too bad”?

Does it make sense that a truck driver, a plumber, a construction worker should pay for someone’s humanities doctorate with their taxes? With universities sitting on billions in endowments, shouldn’t they be paying off some of their student loans? Isn’t the high cost of a college education (forcing a student to take out a loan) an integral part of the problem of student debt?

Isn’t a student loan an “investment” in one’s future income? The average college graduate will earn $1 million more over their lifetime. Canceling student loans presents a moral hazard. Another bad idea from Joe Biden.

larry roche

Windsor

Thanks to Troy McWhinney for investing in Loveland

Last Friday, I took advantage of Troy McWhinney’s offer to visit several oil and gas sites in Windsor as well as to visit proposed sites for his two drilling ventures. I was the only one on the tour and was amazed that Troy gave his valuable time to just one interested resident. I encourage residents who do not benefit from education to do so. Instead of complaining about the oil and gas industry, do some research and ask questions instead of demonizing the McWhinneys. It was an eye-opening and informative hour.

Several takeaways that I didn’t know about: 1) There are nine sites where sewage is disposed of. It does not go into the groundwater at the drill site. 2) Over their lifetime, the wells will generate about $60 million in tax revenue and, if I remember correctly, about $20 million for schools. 3) Methane mitigation on new wells is state of the art and ignites methane internally, and there are no emissions. 4) Sites are virtually silent. 5) Petroleum is not stored on site and there is no truck traffic. 7) The proposed west site is approximately 7,000 feet deep and poses no threat to groundwater. 6) Sites easily exceed current state setback limits.

Some think it’s a publicity stunt. I was in public relations for several years. I know a publicity stunt when I see one, and this tour doesn’t qualify. Troy is attached to this city and its inhabitants. Take the time to meet him and thank him for his time and his investment in this community. He and his associates have lifted this town from the backwater it was when I moved here 30 years ago into a progressive and prosperous town, and it is necessary to recognize that this growth will continue and that no amount of complaints and uneducated misinformation is only beneficial to understanding such a complex issue.

Jim Dowd

land of love

Just another Menzel confusion of facts

Don Menzel got it wrong again in his latest attempt to inflate the January 6, 2021 incident, in which perhaps 300 unarmed thugs entered the US Capitol to protest to sway Congress over some crimes perceived to be committed by Democrats in the months leading up to . Many of these protesters have been placed in solitary confinement for their indiscretions.

Now a similar situation, just as serious as January 6, is occurring in which unarmed thugs try to influence the votes of members of the Supreme Court by threatening them in their homes. The only difference is that the current thugs will not go to jail.

Carl Langner

land of love

Representative Buck deaf to climate concerns

I loved the May 6 article “Climate Action Requires Sustainability from Business Big and Small”. Given the ongoing wildfires and drought conditions, I’m glad to see the Reporter-Herald taking an active stand on climate change.

I wish we could convince Congress of this impending disaster. Rep. Buck (who will run for Congress in the updated 4th Congressional District) has been deaf to these issues. In a letter from Buck responding to my call for climate action, Buck said, “Many of the plans to tackle climate change hurt the poor and businesses the most.” It’s icing on the cake — in fact, innovation will create new jobs and drive growth. He went on to say, “I’m also very concerned that most efforts to combat global warming are both terribly expensive and, according to proponents, not very effective in lowering the average global temperature.” In fact, a carbon tax will have little effect on the bottom line and will be huge in terms of reducing greenhouse gases. In conclusion, he noted, “I am confident that future generations will be much better off financially and technologically to adapt to any potential effects of global warming. So it’s the kick-the-can mentality that haunts us with the climate.

Needless to say, any discussion of climate change mitigation falls on deaf ears with the congressman. His lack of interest in the climate shows that he is more interested in campaign contributions than in solving the enormous challenges of climate change.

Scott Simmons

Windsor

Tired of petty politics

Here we go again! As history repeats itself, we again have the same vindictive faction of people who want to organize a petition to recall Councilman Don Overcash. This campaign is destructive in nature and designed to hurt a good and loyal public servant. These endless policies are not good for Loveland. If you were running a business that was considering moving to Loveland and you were doing your research, you would have some concerns. You will find a beautiful community with a high quality of life. However, below the surface you’ll find drama, name-calling, and a city council that seems to be on a roller coaster. I think I can speak for many in our business community when I say we’ve had enough of the petty politics going on at City Hall and on social media.

How do you remember a councilor who votes 95% of the time with the majority, while on major issues the mayor votes about 90% of the time in the minority? It defies logic and makes one wonder who should be the one being called back. Recalls also cost us taxpayers money. The estimated cost of a recall ranges from as little as $65,000 to over $240,000, depending on who is doing the math. This recall effort is shameful and a personal attack by a vengeful group on a good person. Don cares about the citizens of Loveland and his constituents in Ward IV. I urge you to think twice before signing this recall petition and ask that you support Don as Ward IV Councillor.

Count Sether

land of love