I've written here before about Governor Ritter's proposal to raise taxes for new education programs. But a more thorough and carefully-constructed opinion can be found at the new Independence Institute op-ed I penned: "Ritter's Tax 'Freeze' Plan is Melting: New Education Spending Proposal Needs Voter Approval." Please check it out. … [Read more...]
On the Air
If you're bored, I'm on the air this hour (5 PM - 6 PM MDT) on KVOR in Colorado Springs to discuss the Merrifield-Windels email and more about education. … [Read more...]
Welcome Back, Clay
My friend Clay Calhoun of the Rocky Mountain Alliance has returned to the blogosphere after an extended sabbatical that clearly included some time for reflection. It looks as though he brings a fresh perspective. I look forward to many engaging analyses and challenging insights. His prologue stirs a bit of my own ongoing reflections: There is a certain love-hate relationship with the political process that many believers in conservative values and limited government, myself included, possess. We need to build alliances while balancing principles with pragmatic compromises, yet we're often left jilted by representatives and officials we've supported who seemingly have lost their way. We understand that the allure of government power plays a … [Read more...]
Democrats Officially Married to Iraq Defeat
It's official: the Democratic Party has married its political future to American military defeat, voting 218-212 in the U.S. House of Representatives today to send a gift telegram to Islamist terrorists and Iraqi insurgents. Trapped in their political bubble, Congressional Democrats have convinced themselves that the United States can't prevail in establishing even a measure of stability in Iraq and thus are working to fulfill their own hand-wringing prophecies: "The American people have lost faith in the president's conduct of this war," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. "The American people see the reality of the war, the president does not." I'm left to wonder if Pelosi and her cohorts didn't come away from the last election … [Read more...]
Colorado Dems Ram Through Bill, Snub Voters, Raise Taxes
Today is one of those sad days when I must take upon myself the duty to highlight a clear example of the dangers of putting Democrats in charge. This example involves the Democrats' underhanded scheme and arrogant attack on your pocketbook to appropriate your money into a bloated state budget in the name of "the children." Earlier, a bare majority of 18 Colorado state senators approved Governor Bill Ritter's cleverly named "Children's Amendment" to set in motion a school district property tax increase that will raise an estimated $1.74 billion in new taxes over the next 10 years. The proposal came as part of S.B. 199, the annual School Finance bill. The bait-and-switch backdoor tax hike was rammed through the legislature and soon will … [Read more...]
Four Weeks Since Ritter Hiked Your Property Taxes
Four weeks have passed since Governor Ritter signed into law a bill that raises property taxes. As one dissenting elected official pointed out in yesterday's Denver Post: Gardner called Ritter's "defining bill" the mill-levy tax freeze that will let school districts keep an extra $64 million per year by freezing property-tax rates. "It sets the tone for his first four years as governor," Gardner said. "What do the people have to look forward to? Probably more tax increases." Since I agree that it's definitely the Governor's defining bill, I will continue reminding readers about it at regular intervals. Today seemed a fine opportunity to do so. To learn more, if you missed any of my observations and analysis the first time around: - … [Read more...]
Straw Poll Deadline
Thanks to all those who have voted thus far in the Colorado Senate GOP straw poll. After the early rush, the voting has slowed down. But since the campaign is in no hurry, I'll keep the polls open until Saturday, March 31, Noon MDT (or as soon thereafter as I get time to deal with it). … [Read more...]
Harsanyi: Why Not Ask Voters First?
The Post's David Harsanyi hit another homerun today, assailing Governor Ritter and most Democrats in the state legislature for shoving a tax increase down the voters' throats. Here's a taste of the brilliant, sharp analysis: Ritter claims he was elected to solve problems. And by "solve problems," politicians mean spending more money. In this case, Ritter says the funds are needed to help cash-starved schools - despite evidence that offering blank checks to wasteful school bureaucracies does not help children. But let's consider for a moment that the governor is right. Why is Ritter so terrified of bringing such a no-brainer to the people? The governor is no dope. Maybe he feels that Coloradans have heard one too many apocalyptic … [Read more...]
Schaffer Website Up
It sure seems early, but the campaign for the most competitive 2008 U.S. Senate race in the country is underway. Republican Bob Schaffer has started rallying the party faithful and commonsense independents and Democrats to his cause with his new campaign website. Check it out, donate, sign up to volunteer, whatever you're able to do: and be sure to spread the word! The race against Boulder liberal Mark Udall is on. Cross posted at Schaffer v Udall … [Read more...]
Salazar & Udall Explain Defeatist Votes
No time for in-depth writing this morning. Instead, if you haven't already read them, read Michael's coverage of the statements of Ken Salazar and Mark Udall regarding their respective votes to telegraph a date for defeat to our enemies and to load down the funds for our troops with wasteful pork. Colorado's own Democrat Senator and would-be Senator have a LOT more explaining to do. As usual, kudos to Best Destiny for keeping a close eye on our state's defeat caucus. … [Read more...]
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