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Home Archives for Ben

2/7/2026 By Ben 1 Comment

Ironically-Named Accountability for Colorado Dishing Up Vicious Anti-GOP Smears with Teacher Union Money

As a political junkie, among the funniest things I find are the terribly misleading names given to those 527 groups. The Lefty Democrat big donors and unions have operated a slew of them. Remember the misleading Coloradans for Life from election cycle past? Well, in 2010 we have the Lefty 527 group Accountability for Colorado... And what could truly be less accountable? Spewing poison and slander about conservative state legislative candidates, and no one there to answer a reporter's phone call. A couple examples have been documented by local newspapers: The Pueblo Chieftain reports the group has attacked Republican state house candidate and local businessman Keith Swerdfeger: "The music sounds eerie and the announcer's voice is full … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, Education, Labor, liberty, PPC

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Tea Party / Liberty Group Leaders, Chime In On State Legislative Races

To the extent that I have communicated with leaders of Colorado Tea Parties and other liberty groups, I have sought to emphasize the importance of making an impact on state legislative races. In fact, followers of this blog know I have put out several updates ranking the likelihood of seats changing in the state senate and state house. My next, and likely final, analyses are slated to come out in September. Anyway, Ballotpedia's Leslie Graves this week announces a study that should attract significant interest and involvement: "Is the tea party movement impacting state legislative elections?" More information is here, including a direct link to a survey that I encourage all Colorado Tea Party and other liberty group leaders to chime in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, liberty, PPC

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Support State House Candidates at R Block Party Event: It’s That Important

My friends at R Block Party are putting on their second annual picnic tomorrow afternoon (Wednesday, August 25) as a fundraiser for state house candidates. Many of you know I have devoted several postings to analyze this year's showdown for the Colorado state house and Colorado state senate. Many of these races remain critically important even as they are outshone by higher-profile statewide races (and have become even more important in light of the folly that is the governor's race in this state) -- including the 22 candidates participating at R Block Party tomorrow. The state representatives of today also help form the bench for runs at higher office in the future. The R Block Party's second annual picnic includes a live and silent … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, Fiscal Policy, liberty, PPC

2/7/2026 By Ben 1 Comment

More Serious Doubts Raised by Legal Complaint Against Bernie Buescher

As Election Day draws closer, appointed Democrat Secretary of State Bernie Buescher can't be feeling too good. He has been nagged by his office's failure to ensure that overseas military personnel have timely ballot access, perhaps affected by his long hours away from the office. Then yesterday comes the painful, ironic news of a campaign finance complaint against the state's chief election officer. As reported by Steven Paulson of the Associated Press:A Denver attorney has filed a complaint against Secretary of State Bernie Buescher claiming Buescher violated state law by using state workers to coordinate his campaign for re-election. A press release from the campaign of Republican opponent Scott Gessler highlights the other part of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, PPC

2/7/2026 By Ben 2 Comments

New Innovative Data Colorado Poll Gives Reason for GOP Optimism

Update, 8/19: Interestingly, party identification for the poll fits very closely with what would be expected based on national trends and turnout in the recent primary election: Republican (39%), Democrat (36%), Unaffiliated (25%). Since not all respondents answered every question, the actual percentages for individual questions may vary slightly. Thanks to Jim Pfaff for supplying the information. A Colorado political survey released late this past week has garnered little attention. The survey (PDF) of 1,091 likely voters was conducted by my friend and Right-leaning political consultant Jim Pfaff of Innovative Data Solutions. Among the interesting top-line findings: U.S. Senate: Ken Buck leads appointed incumbent Democrat Michael … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, liberty, National Politics, PPC

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Just What John Hickenlooper Wants: “Crash Tax” Back in National Headlines

Earlier this week Fox News' Ed Barnes featured a story, "Accident Victims Being Hit Again -- With 'Crash Taxes'." You know what I'm talking about, the ordinances adopted in some cities to impose fines on non-resident motorists for getting in an accident. It's become a growing trend nationally, as tax revenues have taken a hit during the current recession. As Barnes details, sometimes municipalities contract with debt collection services to go after accident victims for money: … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, Fiscal Policy, liberty, PPC, transportation

2/7/2026 By Ben 2 Comments

Colorado Unions Abuse Non-Union School Employee Paychecks

This is a sticky post. Please scroll down for newer content. I know I'm biased, but watching this video is 4 minutes well spent if you want to understand how some Colorado unions representing teachers and other school employees put money and power before common decency. Watch non-union Pueblo school employee Becky Robertson tell about the year she missed the September deadline to opt out of paying union fees because of family medical emergencies, and what happened when she asked for the money back: Thank you, Colorado teachers unions (not to mention the school district negotiators that agree to make these deals). And yes, it's entirely legal in Colorado. For more information on the school districts where non-union teachers and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Education, Labor, liberty, PPC

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Ed Perlmutter Casts Deciding Adjournment Vote Against Tax Relief

We already knew that my Congressman, liberal Democrat Ed Perlmutter, can twist himself into knots defending the Death Tax. But today Perlmutter went further, providing the decisive vote on the House floor (210-209) to adjourn Congress to keep from voting on extending the Bush tax cuts that would provide relief to my family and millions of others. Thirty-nine Democrats voted against adjournment to give a chance to debate tax relief. But not Ed Perlmutter. The official response from the campaign of Republican challenger Ryan Frazier:“Ed decided to skip town early rather than vote to get our nation’s economy back on track,” Tyler Q. Houlton, Ryan Frazier’s Campaign spokesman, said. “Ed would rather put his reelection chances above the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, Fiscal Policy, liberty, National Politics, PPC

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

WhoSaidYouSaid Nails Hickenlooper: Your Taxes “as Low as They Can Go”?

Compliments of the creative team at WhoSaidYouSaid, here's a great new video with a candid response from Denver mayor and Colorado Democrat gubernatorial candidate John Hickenlooper: According to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll, Hickenlooper currently leads Republican Dan Maes, 41-33, with 3rd-party candidate Tom Tancredo picking up 16 percent. In a hypothetical head-to-head matchup, Hickenlooper and Maes are tied at 45. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, Fiscal Policy, liberty, PPC

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Dan Maes Racks Up Key Support; Tambor Williams as Running Mate?

News this afternoon from the Dan Maes for Governor camp brings news of the Party core growing more united around his candidacy, with a couple of giant endorsements reported on Facebook: But all the speculation now is around tomorrow's deadline for Maes to announce who his running mate will be. As Amy Oliver ably speculates, one of the two finalists almost certainly is Tambor Williams of Greeley. While she won't wow anyone with big name recognition, she would balance Maes' weaknesses with her experience as a four-term state legislator, head of the Department of Regulatory Agencies and appointed service on the state's Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission, in addition to her private legal practice. In 2002 Williams signed the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, Judiciary, liberty, PPC

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Inside

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    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

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Blogs Extraordinaire

  • American Thinker
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  • Instapundit
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  • Lileks
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  • NRO's The Corner
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Completing the Blogroll

  • Alarming News
  • Black Five
  • Blogs of War
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Christian Commentary et al.

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Rocky Mountain Alliance 2.0

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To Contact Me:
bendegrow-at-gmail.com

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