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Home Archives for Ben

2/7/2026 By Ben 12 Comments

Closer Look at Rasmussen: Ken Buck Surging Up, Jane Norton Standing Still

Last week, Republican U.S. Senate candidate and former Lt. Governor Jane Norton received a lot of attention for her 46-37 lead in a new Rasmussen poll over incumbent appointee Michael Bennet. Rossputin did a good job of summarizing the results. One Norton primary challenger, Weld County District Attorney Ken Buck, showed a smaller lead of 42-38. Afterward, Buck told RMA blogger Don Johnson that the poll results show he can win in the general election. Even so, what makes the strongest case on Buck's behalf is the trend line. What do I mean? Look at the only clear apples-to-apples comparison: a pair of Rasmussen surveys conducted a few months ago. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, General, media bias, National Politics, PPC

2/7/2026 By Ben 1 Comment

State-Level Education Tax Credits Merit Place Near Top of Pro-Liberty Agenda

While we're busy waging battle on the defensive fronts against Obama Care and cap-and-trade and card check, pro-liberty forces also would be wise in 2010 to continue looking for opportunities to go on offense. Writing at the Washington Examiner, Michael Barone makes at least one point that deserves the attention of activists, strategists and officials:[Tech entrepreneur Jim] Manzi, citing models in Sweden and the Netherlands, calls for "the creation of a real marketplace among ever more deregulated publicly financed schools -- a market in which funding follows students, and far broader discretion is permitted to those who actually teach and manage in our schools." Democrats are prevented by their teacher union paymasters from pursuing … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, Education, Energy, Fiscal Policy, General, Health Care, liberty, National Politics, PPC

2/7/2026 By Ben 7 Comments

BREAKING: Bill Ritter Not to Seek Re-election?

Update III, 7:45 AM: Joshua breaks down the pluses and minuses of potential replacement bids by Hickenlooper and Romanoff. Meanwhile, Michael at Best Destiny tells conservatives: "Don't start celebrating yet" Update II, 10:30 PM: Rossputin offers his analysis of the breaking news and handicaps the early possible Democrat rivals in general election matchups versus Scott McInnis. Rocky Mountain Right has its money on Ken Salazar. Don Johnson at Business Word also weighs in with some thoughts: "Pretty impressive" for McInnis, he writes. Update, 8:15 PM: The decision apparently is not "fundraising related". Is it scandal related? This story will be unfolding for awhile.... Wow, this news should get the local blogosphere buzzing... … [Read more...]

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

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Fondly Remembering My RMA Friend Jim Cannon One Year After His Passing

Today brings a difficult reminder of how quickly time passes. It was exactly one years ago that the Rocky Mountain Alliance lost a charter member, and I lost a good friend and Christian brother: Jim Cannon. From our point of view, he left us all too soon. But God knew just when to bring him home. I am thankful for the opportunity to have known Jim, and for the positive impact he had on my life. Here is the eulogy I was honored to deliver at Jim's memorial service last December. And here is a passage from Revelation 21 to lift our thoughts heavenward: … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christianity and Faith, Commemorative, General, My Life

2/7/2026 By Ben 3 Comments

Flashback: Diana DeGette says Hickenlooper “at least as liberal as me”

Sometimes a look back into the recent past can help glean some important insights into the present. Such is the case with Colorado politics and the potential slate of candidates to replace Governor Bill Ritter as the 2010 Democratic nominee for the state's chief executive. Do you remember a little over a year ago when so many Democrats were angling for now-lame duck Ritter's appointment to the U.S. Senate? Like liberal Denver Democrat Congresswoman Diana DeGette -- who has a lifetime American Conservative Union rating of 3.64 out of 100, lower than Barack Obama. In December 2008 she told the Denver Post that mayor and prospective gubernatorial candidate John Hickenlooper is "probably at least as liberal as me": … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, General, History, liberty, National Politics, PPC, Random and Miscellaneous

2/7/2026 By Ben 1 Comment

Happy 239th Birthday, Beethoven

Yes, me and Schroeder both... In honor of the great Ludwig von Beethoven's 239th birthday, why not pop in a CD or MP3 and take in one of his symphonies: maybe the overlooked 1st, the mighty 3rd, the classic 5th, the serene 6th, the passionate 7th ... or if you have a lot of time on your hands, the transcendent 9th? Blasts from the past: - Happy Birthday, Ludwig (2004) ... in case you want to know why Beethoven is such a big deal - 2nd Annual Beethoven's Birthday Blog (2005) ... including the famous Lucy / Schroeder exchange - Happy Chanukah / Beethoven's Birthday (2006) ... with a few interesting ideas for musical blends … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Commemorative, General, History, Random and Miscellaneous

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

2010: Time to Take the New Survey of Colorado’s Political Temperature

This post will stick to the top until January 15. Please scroll down for newer postings. Okay, you political junkies out there: Come on, admit it. You've missed the Survey of Colorado's Political Temperature since we announced the last results in November. Well, the survey is back and better than ever -- with fewer, better-organized issue statements, as well as the opportunity to predict head-to-head general election matchups in all the different Colorado races. You only have until next Friday, January 15, at 5:00 PM local Mountain time to get it done. You know you can't resist. What are you waiting for? Click here to take the January survey The best news of all is that with the 2010 election year upon us, the Survey of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: blogging, Colorado Politics, General, liberty, My Life, National Politics, PPC

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Harry Reid Has 60 Votes for Obama Care? Now It’s Time to Speak Out!

Harry Reid says he has 60 votes to pass the Obama Care monstrosity -- Is he telling the truth? We'll see. But if it wasn't a given before, then passing this bill means Colorado will spend most of 2010 preparing to say "good-bye" to the short-lived disastrous Senate term of Michael Bennet. As Red State reports, three key procedural votes remain: Early Monday morning to end debate on a "manager's package" of amendments (383 pages being read and live-blogged by RMA's Don Johnson, if you want to see some of what's being shoved down our throats) Tuesday to end debate on Reid's health care proposal as amended by the "manager's package" Wednesday for final passage of Obama Care in the U.S. Senate So speak up. Go here to take action and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, Fiscal Policy, General, Health Care, liberty, My Life, National Politics, PPC, property rights

2/7/2026 By Ben 2 Comments

Popular Tea Party Trumps Dems, GOP

Check out Newsbusters' coverage of the new NBC/Wall Street Journal poll (PDF). The Tea Party is "viewed quite a bit more favorably" than either the Democrats or the Republicans. But of course, the Tea Party movement hasn't had the opportunity and/or the reins of power to spend like drunken sailors and trample on the few precious liberties we still have in this nation. A reminder to Republicans in this ever-shifting political landscape: You have to court (not co-opt) the Tea Party crowd. Then success will follow. Al Maurer also points out what the Tea Parties can do with their growing popularity. … [Read more...]

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

2/7/2026 By Ben 2 Comments

Recent Plights of Penry and McDaniels Give Me a Little Pause about 33

There's no stopping the forward press of time. I'm not so sure about turning 33 today, but at least my name isn't Josh. A few months ago the combination of age and name seemed so charmed. They were a pair of Colorado wunderkinds: one 33-year-old Josh making strides towards one of Colorado's most powerful positions, the other 33-year-old Josh newly occupying the other. Josh Penry was making giant strides toward the Republican nomination for governor. Then one day in November the plug suddenly was pulled on his campaign. Now he isn't even running for re-election to his own state senate seat in 2010. What's going on? But he's on Cloud Nine compared to Josh McDaniels, who yesterday felt the bitter sting of missing the playoffs in his … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, Commemorative, General, liberty, My Life, PPC, Sports and Leisure

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Inside

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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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Completing the Blogroll

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Rocky Mountain Alliance 2.0

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To Contact Me:
bendegrow-at-gmail.com

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