Dec 30, 2023 2 min read

The Observer-Reporter has of late published several letters from readers earnestly seeking to warn the rest of us about the evils of former President Trump. On Dec. 22, Oren Spiegler recounted a recent Colorado Supreme Court judicial action. He eloquently and passionately saluted the “courageous decision” by several Colorado Supreme Court justices to bar Trump from Colorado’s presidential ballots.

But in commending the Colorado court’s actions, Spiegler’s commentary also praised two concepts that, as an American, I find to be ugly and unacceptable.

First, he praised the Colorado judiciary for its bravery in declaring Trump an insurrectionist. The “brave” Colorado judiciary simply decided that a person-in this case Trump-was guilty of a crime for which he has been neither charged, tried, nor found guilty. Think about that-no evidence, no trial, no due process-they just “decided” he was guilty of insurrection.

Then because he was “guilty,” they “punished” him by taking him off the ballot to great fanfare and praise. Were it not so ugly, the arrogance of these men and women who have sworn to fairly uphold the laws of their state and the nation would be laughable. Characterizing such arrogance and lawlessness as “bravery” is insulting and illogical.

The second concept Spiegler indirectly praised is one in which a very small group of self-important people get to decide who the citizens of a state-or a nation for that matter-can vote for. Thanks for the help, but I am OK with the primary system and then making up my own mind in the general election. As an American citizen it is my right and obligation to help define who is on the ballot and to decide for whom I will vote. None of us should cede our right to choose our leaders to a bunch of arrogant, biased bureaucrats. Suggesting that such a concept is acceptable is neither logical nor praiseworthy for Americans.

Steve Johnson

Washington