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Home Archives for Ben

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Colorado State Government’s “Non-Union Rep” Launches Site

Dave Ohmart, the unofficial "non-union rep" for Colorado state government, finally has his Colorado Loses website up and running. Look for newsletters, events, and relevant legal information pertaining to employee rights in state government. Colorado Loses is the clever foil to the Colorado WINS union organizing coalition:Colorado WINS, the big state employee union, recently held a convention. Union loyalists were shown a video depicting flood and famine – images from the Gulf Coast of slums, Hurricane-ravaged homes and the like. The moral of the story: state employees are the only line of defense Colorado has against, uh, Hurricanes. No, floods. Wait, I’m confused. Hurricane Katrina was a tragedy, but it has nothing to do with … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, General, Labor Tagged With: Amendment 49, Amendment 54, Colorado Loses, Colorado WINS, convention, Dave Ohmart, employee rights, events, exploitation, Face the State, foil, good government, Hurricane Katrina, initiatives, legal information, newsletters, non-union rep, politicking, state government, tragedy, union organizing coalition, website

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Former Sen. Hank Brown Touts Colorado Amendment 49 Endorsements

Update: Audio embedded The campaign for Amendment 49, the Ethical Standards initiative, has released a new 30-second radio ad featuring former U.S. Senator Hank Brown: Here's the text of the ad:Both the Rocky Mountain News and the Denver Post urge you to vote Yes on Amendment 49. 49 stops government from being the bagman for special interests and lobbyists. This is Hank Brown, and I'm thrilled that nearly every newspaper across Colorado agrees: Yes on 49. The Pueblo Chieftain, the Grand Junction Sentinel, the Colorado Springs Gazette, and yes, the Boulder Camera, just to name a few. Join me and Bill Owens in voting Yes on 49. 49 keeps lobbyists in line. Paid for by EthicalStandardsNow.com. I'm not sure if there is any other … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, General Tagged With: Amendment 49, bagman, Bill Owens, Boulder Daily Camera, Colorado, Colorado Springs Gazette, Denver Post, endorsements, Ethical Standards, Grand Junction Sentinel, Hank Brown, Independence Institute, lobbyists, major newspapers, Pueblo Chieftain, radio ad, Rocky Mountain News, special interests

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Watch Tonight’s Presidential Debate Live with Snide Comments Included

I won't be covering tonight's final Presidential debate (thankfully!) , but you can watch some other wiseacres from the People's Press Collective provide their live, MST3K-style commentary. If all works as promised, you should be able to watch the video below as the debate is going on: Update: Live embedded feed removed … [Read more...]

Filed Under: blogging, General, National Politics Tagged With: live video, Mystery Science Theater, Peoples Press Collective, Presidential debate

2/7/2026 By Ben 8 Comments

Why Barack Obama’s Ties to ACORN Should Really Scare (or Anger) You

It was good to see ACORN brought up in tonight's debate. My frequent attention of late to the topic has brought on Lefty critique (22 comments!) that the group has never actually been convicted of electioneering fraud. But we'll leave that dispute aside for the time being. Investigative reporter Stanley Kurtz points us to the deeper problems:On ACORN, I continue to be stunned by Obama’s denials of his extensive ties to this execrable group. The fact that ACORN came up at all is good. Most folks still don’t know what ACORN is, how bad it is, and how deeply it’s tied to the financial meltdown. John McCain needs to make sure the public learns about ACORN and Obama. Obama’s dissembling on his ties to ACORN shows that he recognizes … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General, National Politics Tagged With: ACORN, agenda, association, Barack Obama, cherished freedoms, column, debate, electioneering fraud, financial meltdown, investigative reporter, lying, New York Post, socialist program, Stanley Kurtz, The Daily Blogster, weak economy

2/7/2026 By Ben 1 Comment

Former I.I. Intern Smiles for Washington Post during Presidential Debate

(Photo: Washington Post) Former Independence Institute intern and now Washington insider (ha!) Dan Head smiles widely as he watches John McCain deliver a zinger at last night's debate. After two mediocre McCain performances, last night was the aging Arizona senator's best debate of the season against Democrat Barack Obama. The only question that matters now is whether it will make enough difference to impact the election. For that, we'll just have to wait and see. Way to go, Dan, making it into the Washington Post. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General, National Politics, Random and Miscellaneous Tagged With: Arizona, Barack Obama, Dan Head, debate, Democrat, election, Independence Institute, intern, John McCain, photo, senator, Washington insider, Washington Post

2/7/2026 By Ben 4 Comments

Three Cheers for Joe the Plumber, Just Don’t Call Liquid Plumber First

As the son of a pipefitter, I'm proud to say that Joe the Plumber - with his common sense and courage to "speak his mind" and ask the right question at the right time - might yet become the hero of the 2008 election: Of course, there is always the chance that the John McCain campaign makes the fatal mistake of calling Liquid Plumber first.* Let's hope that doesn't happen! Even if he is from Ohio, God bless Joe Wurzelbacher. *In case you were trying really hard to figure it out, this is neither a product endorsement nor any kind of deep metaphor. It's just a bad joke. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Lobbyists Against Amendment 49? Former Sen. Hank Brown Explains Why

I ran across this satire site someone created, called Lobbyists against Amendment 49. But seriously, why would many of Colorado's political lobbying groups be against Amendment 49, the Ethical Standards initiative? Likely because they have grown quite accustomed to the special privilege of the government serving as their banker, collection agent, and bookkeeper for free. That's a gig I wouldn't want to end either. Unfortunately, I think the people of Colorado may be of a different opinion. While appearing recently on 850 KOA's Mike Rosen Show, former U.S. Senator Hank Brown explained the problem pretty concisely: Here's the transcript:Taxpayers have to pay for the cost of transferring the money, collecting the money, accounting … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, General Tagged With: 850 KOA, Amendment 49, audio clip, banker, bookkeeper, broad coalition, collection agent, Colorado, Ethical Standards, gig, good government, government, Hank Brown, Lobbyists against 49, Mike Rosen Show, satire site, special privilege, taxpayers

2/7/2026 By Ben 1 Comment

Ultra-Rich Colorado Lefties Will Pay You Money to “Educate the Idiots”

Apparently the Lefties are willing to pay quite a bit for you to help them campaign here in Colorado. I got this email recently:Get Paid To Ensure A Progressive Majority In The Colorado Legislature Earn $500 For 4 Days Walk Precincts And Drop Literature For The Colorado Citizens’ Coalition Saturday, November 1st- Election Day Tuesday, November 4th The Colorado Citizens’ Coalition is the group dedicated to using grassroots organizing to educate voters about the progressive candidates for State House and State Senate. To get involved contact Final Four Director Cory [N] at [PHONE #] or [EMAIL] Join the Colorado Citizens’ Coalition for the Final Four Days to make a difference this election cycle. We are recruiting a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, General Tagged With: "Educate the Idiots", 527s, attorney, bookkeeper, campaign, Colorado, Colorado Citizens Coalition, Colorado Democracy Alliance, cozy relationship, Julie Wells, labor unions, Lefties, liberal funders, Mark Grueskin, paperwork, Pat Stryker, Progressive Majority, Rutt Bridges, Secretary of State, Tim Gill

2/7/2026 By Ben 4 Comments

Like Thomas Sowell, I Wonder: Do Facts Matter to American Voters?

The always astute, insightful, and persuasive Thomas Sowell has an especially good column about the national election before us. It's titled "Do Facts Matter?" If you only read one column this week, please make it this one. And spread the word. I'm only left to wonder if there are enough rational voters left in the center of American politics. Every two to four years, it seems like there is a little bit less rationality than before. But if the current trend continues, it would be a big step forward in my opinion. Some seem to want to choose Barack Obama as the next "flavor of the month" -- the President of the United States is like an ice cream cone or a cup of coffee. If only the rest of us had such trivial consequences to face from … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Movie Reviews, My Life, Random and Miscellaneous, Second Amendment Tagged With: column, Do Facts Matter, national election, rational voters, Thomas Sowell

2/7/2026 By Ben 1 Comment

All You Need to Know about Why You Should Vote NO on Amendment 59

I've just updated my 2008 guide to the Colorado ballot to include a link to a new website with all the main reasons why you need to Vote No on Amendment 59 (H/T The Daily Blogster). Quite simply, big-spending liberal politicians want to take away your TABOR refunds forever - and they're deceptively hiding behind schoolchildren to do it. So in case you needed the simple reminder, please Vote No on Amendment 59 and avoid getting ripped off. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, Fiscal Policy, General Tagged With: 2008, Amendment 59, Colorado ballot, liberal politicians, no, schoolchildren, TABOR refunds, The Daily Blogster, website

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Inside

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  • Colorado Ballot Reviews
    • Colorado Ballot 2008
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  • Mary and Jacob: From the Forgotten Dust
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  • Passion and Purpose:
    The Rise & Fall of Al Gansee
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About Me

Ben DeGrow
Grateful and growing Christian, devoted husband and father of 3, public policy analyst, returned to Michigan by way of Colorado, conservative writer, lifelong learner, Detroit Tigers fan.

Recent Posts

  • AI-Enhanced Cyberbullying: The Dark Side of Teen Innovation
  • My Baker’s Dozen of Top 2023 Reads
  • Common Learning Disabilities in Children
  • Tips to Teach Kids to Set and Achieve Goals
  • The Christmas Music Countdown You’ve Been Looking For: 2022 Edition

Colorado News

  • Colorado Senate News
  • Complete Colorado
  • Independence Institute
  • Loveland Politics
  • The Colorado Observer

National News and Politics

  • Drudge Report
  • Hot Air
  • National Review
  • Politico
  • Real Clear Politics
  • Reason
  • The Washington Times
  • TownHall
  • Wall Street Journal
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Blogs Extraordinaire

  • American Thinker
  • David Harsanyi’s Blog
  • E!! The True Conservative Story
  • EIA Intercepts
  • Evangelical Outpost
  • Hugh Hewitt
  • Instapundit
  • LaShawn Barber
  • Lileks
  • Little Green Footballs
  • Michelle Malkin
  • NRO's The Corner
  • Power Line
  • Red State

Completing the Blogroll

  • Alarming News
  • Black Five
  • Blogs of War
  • Eduwonk
  • Flypaper
  • Fraters Libertas
  • Historical Conversations
  • IMAO
  • Jay P. Greene
  • Mike Anderson
  • Mullings
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  • Right Thinking
  • Right Wing News
  • Right Wing Nuthouse
  • Shot in the Dark
  • Talking Points Memo
  • Virginia Postrel
  • Volokh Conspiracy

Christian Commentary et al.

  • Kevin Pierpont
  • Sharper Iron

Conservative and GOP Sites

  • Backbone America
  • Cal Thomas
  • Colorado Republican Party
  • Colorado Republican Study Committee
  • Dennis Prager
  • Denver Metro Young Republicans
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  • Mackinac Center for Public Policy
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  • Rush Limbaugh

Colorado Blogs

  • American Kestrel
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  • Rossputin
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  • The Spot (Denver Post)
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Other Sites

  • Technorati
  • Word Press

Rocky Mountain Alliance 2.0

  • Reclaim the Blue
  • The Business Word
  • The Daily Blogster
  • View from a Height

To Contact Me:
bendegrow-at-gmail.com

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