Mount Virtus

"Happy to come back to Michigan, but I miss the mountains!"

Ben on Social Media

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Home
  • About Ben
  • Mount Virtus?
  • Writer / Editor For Hire
  • What I’m Thankful For
  • Colorado Ballot Reviews
    • Colorado Ballot 2008
    • Colorado Ballot 2010
    • Colorado Ballot 2012
  • Archives
  • Passion and Purpose:
    The Rise & Fall of Al Gansee
  • Mary and Jacob: From the Forgotten Dust
  • The Westfield Gardener
Home Archives for Ben

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Source: Bob Beauprez NOT Running

Update II, 6:10 PM: Within the past hour Bob Beauprez has sent out and posted an official announcement:Not every opportunity is the right one though, and having been presented with the potential to serve in the United States Senate, Claudia and I considered it very carefully. However after significant reflection, I will not be a candidate for the Senate in 2010. Recently, we started a new family business, raising buffalo on a ranch in Colorado’s mountains. I’m enjoying working with our son, Jim, who is managing the ranch, much as I worked side-by-side with my own father in the dairy business. And most personally, Claudia and I love being grandparents as well as spending more time than we’ve ever had with our grown … [Read more...]

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

2/7/2026 By Ben 3 Comments

Announcing Straw Poll Evasion Another Strange Scott McInnis Campaign Turn

What's the deal with Colorado Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott McInnis skipping out on this month's state party candidate forum and straw poll? And then making a big deal out of it? Apparently, the strange interviews weren't enough. The candidate touting broader polls he commissioned showing his own name recognition advantage won't stand next to Josh Penry (whom I support) and Dan Maes (whom I respect) to gauge the support of the party faithful. Who does he hope is going to elect him? In search of satisfactory answers, read Westword's account of an interview with McInnis campaign spokesman Sean Duffy. If the trajectory of this race continues to any extent in the direction it's going, it's not a long matter of time before Josh … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, Fiscal Policy, General, liberty, My Life, PPC

2/7/2026 By Ben 2 Comments

It Looks Like NRSC Can’t Talk Ryan Frazier Out of U.S. Senate Primary

With word spreading that Ken Buck will drop out of Colorado's U.S. Senate primary on Monday, there is very good reason to believe the NRSC's effort extends to trying to push Ryan Frazier out of the race as well. However, a trusted source has directly contacted the Ryan Frazier campaign this morning and tells me that Ryan is in it to win it. In fact, Frazier and his team are working hard today at the State Fair in Pueblo. The state of the race is changing quickly, but I am heartened and reassured by the news that it still looks like the people of Colorado still will have the choice of a credible pro-liberty candidate. In related news, Joshua weighs in on developments in the Senate race and notes:I spoke with Dick Wadhams yesterday and … [Read more...]

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

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Friday: Denver Counter-Protest in Response to Obama Care Bandwagon

Local blogger Zombyboy is organizing a counter-protest this Friday evening (August 28) at 5 PM at the Tivoli Commons on Denver's Auraria campus as the pro-Obama Care crew buses into town. Richard Combs plans to attend, and is drumming up more support. If you can make it, remember to take the opportunity not only to say No to the Obama Care government health care takeover, but also Yes to consumer-centered, pro-freedom health care reforms. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General, Health Care, liberty, PPC, Random and Miscellaneous

2/7/2026 By Ben 1 Comment

Must-Read: Why We Seriously Need to Re-Think American Health Reform

If you are a concerned citizen (Left, Right, or anywhere in between), and you only get the opportunity to read one article this week, I highly recommend David Goldhill's new piece in The Atlantic titled "How American Health Care Killed My Father" (H/T We Stand FIRM). It's lengthy, but very insightful and thought-provoking. If you or any of your loved ones ever has had to make use of American medical services (or paid for them in many cases without thinking about it), then you are the intended audience. Do I agree with every conclusion and proposal the author offers? No. Most of them? Yes. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, General, Health Care, liberty, My Life, PPC

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Happy Cost of Government Day!

Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) notes that today, August 12, is the official "Cost of Government Day" for 2009:Working people must toil 224 days out of the year just to meet all costs imposed by government - a full 26 days longer than last year. In other words, in 2009 the cost of government consumes 61.34 percent of national income. We all know that the size and scope of government has been growing steadily for some time, but this report from ATR brings home just how quickly the Obama administration has accelerated the spending and debt, and what it means for families like mine. Those who want to know more should read the detailed report (PDF). … [Read more...]

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

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Replaying Discussion of Colorado Political Developments: Jeff Crank Show

For my handful of fans out there, yesterday morning I was honored to appear as a guest on the Jeff Crank Show to discuss developments in Colorado's governor's race and the U.S. Senate race. The podcast of the August 29 episode is available compliments of AM 740 KVOR in Colorado Springs. I join the show at the 12-minute mark. Thanks to Jeff and Laura for setting up the appearance -- I truly enjoyed myself! You can tune in to the Jeff Crank Show for entertaining conservative political commentary every Saturday at 8 AM local time. … [Read more...]

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

2/7/2026 By Ben 1 Comment

National GOP, Don’t Be the Pandering Stupid Party in Health Care Debate

I've been a member of the Stupid Party for most of my adult life. And when I say the Stupid Party, I mean the Republican Party. Has the Republican National Committee learned anything from the recent election disasters? If anything, the wrong lessons. I'm talking about today's Washington Post op-ed by RNC chairman Michael Steele that actually pits the GOP as the pandering "Party of the Entitlement Status Quo" (H/T Jon Henke). The tide has turned against Obama Care's government health care takeover, and what do we get? The Democrat-light "seniors' health care bill of rights," rather than a serious proposal that injects more freedom and portability into the debate. … [Read more...]

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

2/7/2026 By Ben 3 Comments

Anti-NRSC Backlash Grows, Many Supporters Urging Ken Buck to Stay In

Word is spreading about the new online petition calling for the National Republican Senatorial Committee to butt out of Colorado's primary election and call for a fair and open process. Night Twister makes a strong statement. Yesterday I reported that Ryan Frazier has decided to stay in despite the pressure to bow out. And now I'm learning that early reports of Ken Buck's announced departure from the field may be premature. Buck is getting many calls from his supporters urging him to stay in, too -- apparently enough to give any candidate pause. I'm not sure that many people expected the outrage from Colorado's grassroots to be so instant and loud. If the people want to ensure they have a strong voice in a fair primary electoral … [Read more...]

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

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Decline of “Freedom Philosophy” at the Colorado Springs Gazette?

Could a rare newspaper editorial voice for liberty -- a long-time fixture on Colorado's Front Range -- be on its last legs? Sean Paige writes about news of bankruptcy at the Colorado Springs Gazette (where he used to be the editorial page editor) and the possible demise of the "Freedom Philosophy" on the newspaper's opinion pages. Like the demise of the Rocky Mountain News, this too would be a sad development for Colorado. But if it does come to pass, is new media ready to step in the gap? Paige's own Local Liberty Online is one place to start, but those are huge shoes to fill. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: blogging, General, Journalism, liberty, PPC, Random and Miscellaneous

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 62
  • 63
  • 64
  • 65
  • 66
  • …
  • 256
  • Next Page »

Inside

  • About Ben
  • Archives
  • Colorado Ballot Reviews
    • Colorado Ballot 2008
    • Colorado Ballot 2010
    • Colorado Ballot 2012
    • Colorado Ballot 2014
  • Mary and Jacob: From the Forgotten Dust
  • Mount Virtus?
  • Passion and Purpose:
    The Rise & Fall of Al Gansee
  • The Westfield Gardener
  • What I’m Thankful For
  • Writer / Editor For Hire

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
  • Weekly Standard
  • World Magazine

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
  • Professor Bainbridge
  • 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
  • Free Republic
  • Heritage Foundation
  • Jefferson County Republican Party
  • Mackinac Center for Public Policy
  • Mark Steyn
  • Michael Medved
  • Rush Limbaugh

Colorado Blogs

  • American Kestrel
  • Bob Agard
  • Colorado Charter Schools
  • Colorado Peak Politics
  • Colorado Pols
  • Colorado Right
  • Conservative Libertarian Outpost
  • Coyote Gulch
  • Ed Is Watching
  • Free Colorado
  • Jeff Crank Show
  • Mark Hillman
  • Patient Power
  • PirateBallerina
  • Protein Wisdom
  • Reagan Girl
  • Rocky Mountain Alliance 1.0 (Archive)
  • Rocky Mountain Alliance 2.0 (Archive)
  • Rossputin
  • Stop the ACLU Blog
  • The Spot (Denver Post)
  • We Stand Firm

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

Copyright © 2026 RSS Feed · WordPress · Log in