Sometimes, the news comes at me so fast from CBS, CNN, or MSNBC that I have to grab a tall, ice-cold Diet Coke and kick my feet up, then click, click, click the remote to play digital solitaire. This Big Beautiful Bill that the admin and GOP are promoting threatens to continue the upheaval of our Big Beautiful Democratic Republic that the squirrely Muskox guillotined. 

In the last few years, I, like a lot of us in the Valley, have relied on disability, social security, Medicare, Medicaid and SNAP. Our population and the six counties we serve need these programs and services. The numbers in the bill would cause our hospitals to close, our nursing homes to shut down, and even our public education system to falter.  

We would witness income being slashed, losing our homes, cars, healthcare and home health services, too. Yet, when I see my doctors in Denver, or at the Monte Vista Medical Clinic or Rio Grande Hospital Specialty Clinics, I still have hope that all of us will let the Senate and administration know that gutting these programs is not wise or in a Godly form. Our whole society could implode on itself so we would have more and more homeless, more and more unemployed. 

Some in our government might look at how kindness empowers the psyche to make the best of any situation. The attention Dr Echols gives her dermatology patients is healing in itself. Her staff is always kind and smiles in welcoming nods. When I need help to get to my car after the procedure, I'm rolled out in a wheelchair to my Chevy. They even hold open the door while I slide into the driver's seat. This maneuver is a fete because I have to somehow squeeze in with my Inogen Oxygen Concentrator, purse, cane and keys.  

Joette Eyser always smiles when she enters the room saying, "It's so good to see you, Nelda." Then, in reviewing my records, she ensures I have the necessary referrals, medications, and prior authorizations. It's a quick stroke of the computer to send the prescriptions to the Monte Vista Pharmacy. In leaving the building, the receptionists are friendly and always callout, "Have a good day." 

Being greeted and seen with sincere smiles and encouraging words makes me want to call more senators to ensure none of us lose these good people and services in our lives. By the way, I'm so proud of our local citizens protesting and writing to the U.S. Senators as they consider their actions regarding the Big Beautiful Bill and halting more money being diverted to these ultra-rich instead of protecting our human services. 

Nelda Curtiss is a retired college educator and long-time local columnist. Reach her at columnsbynellie.com or email her at columnsbynellie@gmail.com.