Letters: Proposition NN; election civility; artificial intelligence

Wow! Seven amendments and seven propositions.

We have a lot to think about this election cycle. From law enforcement communications to tax issues. I’ve looked at two issues Amendment 87 and Proposition NN. Proposition NN was placed on the ballot by the legislature; keep that in mind.

I’m asking all voters to really think about what you approve of and vote for. In the past I have asked people to think of the following results of an idea they are thinking of or voting for. Again, be a two-stage thinker: What will happen when the first thing has happened? Are the results good or bad or are they beneficial or are the results not so good?

Amendment 87 is for a graduated income tax. The results may sound good in the short term but, what if it discourages business from entry our state. That would mean a loss of jobs. Right now, the tax rate is 4.4%, a low-wage earner can move up the scale and still be taxed the same and not penalized for earning more and advancing. Some businesses may leave Colorado because of the higher tax on businesses. That means a loss of jobs, not good! Envy is not a reason to penalize a person who has a business and hires people to work for them.

Proposition NN is for keeping and spending money for education and other purposes. Other purpose is the catch. After 10 years the money does not have to go to education. And there are no more TABOR payments to anyone if this passes this year! So, the surplus gets spent by politicians and does not go to taxpayers. Is that a good idea? Look at NN Figure 2, Scenario 2 (in the State Ballot Information blue book, page 43) “This is the most likely scenario for the next several years, unless there is a recession.”

As the election season approaches, I’d like to remind everyone of our elementary school lessons on civility. We learned the golden rule, to treat others as we would like to be treated. We learned that we are all alike a lot more than we are different. We learned how we could agree to disagree and put ourselves in someone else’s shoes.

Our federal politicians have set a poor example with their name-calling and bully behaviors. Calling names like socialist and fascist does not help anyone.

I urge Lovelanders and fellow Coloradans to rise above and set a standard for our kids.

The world’s two biggest economies are supposedly racing to invest in artificial intelligence. I would like to point out that in the world markets of today, AI stands for artificial investment.

Is there an overinvestment in a commodity that has proven to be very expensive and in initial trials has interrupted and exceeded the masters of this planet? Combine the use of lots of water for cooling and massive amounts of energy to operate these towers and a formula for future depletions of resources seems certain.

The citizens of this nation are losing trust in such technology by the minute, but the investment is on the brink. What would happen to all those stocks and bonds that artificially support this dubious technology should it fail the globe?

I have removed all my money from such foolishness. Have you?