As college basketball fever sweeps the land today (have you filled out your brackets yet?), let's not forget another type of March Madness: the ability of taxpayer-funded lobbyists to treat our elected officials to luxury box suites and high-priced seats at NCAA Tournament games. Check out RealMarchMadness.com, sponsored by Americans for Prosperity (HT: John Fund, Opinion Journal). By the way, how does this Final Four sound?: Florida, Pittsburgh, North Carolina, Louisville. If you think I'm crazy, just remember what time of year it is. … [Read more...]
The Tax-and-Spend Ritter Chronicles: K-12 Education
Our Democrat Governor Bill Ritter announced today to Colorado homeowners: "No tax cut for you!" The Governor's plan is to freeze a scheduled cut in property tax rates so he can increase funding for K-12 education - already the richest, healthiest part of the state budget. The proposed funding increase (part of Senate Bill 199, this year's School Finance legislation) is primarily designed to create more full-day kindergarten and preschool slots. According to the reliable source of Colorado Senate News, Republican Senator Josh Penry correctly identified the move as a "tax increase," while Assistant Senate Minority Leader Nancy Spence rightly questioned the "one-size-fits-all approach" that trumps the Democrats' conveniently played "local … [Read more...]
Bill Ritter, AFL-CIO, and HB 1072: Deal Broken?
So today the AFL-CIO has officially threatened Governor Bill Ritter with throwing its weight around to move the Democratic National Convention from Denver, just because the Governor vetoed HB 1072. A bill Ritter once described as "not a big deal" is certainly much more than that to labor union leaders. Here is the statement in full: AFL-CIO Executive Council Statement March 8, 2007 Las Vegas, NV COLORADO’S WORKING FAMILIES For a decade, working families in Colorado have fought to build a stronger, more unified labor movement and create a more balanced political and economic environment – an environment responsive to working people’s needs and concerns. This extraordinary effort has produced significant progress and … [Read more...]
New Charter School Blog
For a highly knowledgeable insights, in-depth reporting, and the latest scoop on charter schools in Colorado, check out Denise's new blog: Colorado Charter Schools. Anyone interested in educational freedom and parental options in our state should bookmark this site. … [Read more...]
Report from Baghdad
While I work on investigating more carefully a couple of issues in the world of Colorado politics, I decided to take the easy road this morning and link to an article that will challenge the defeatists in this country to keep an open mind about events in Iraq. To add a little dose of perspective to your mainstream news intake, I recommend you read Notes from Baghdad, from yesterday's Opinion Journal. (HT: Conservative Grapevine) Now is not the time to pull the rug out from under our military operations - a la the Democrat leadership in Congress. Let's not be afraid to give success a chance. … [Read more...]
Democrats: Paroled Felons Vote, No Proof of Citizenship Required
More substantive blogging later, but it's always instructive to open up the Denver Post and read that the Democrats' idea of cleaning up elections is giving paroled felons the right to vote. Of course, the Post article omits mention of a basic fact in the Senate Bill 83 debate. You have to read the Rocky Mountain News to learn that Democrats defeated an amendment requiring proof of citizenship to vote. Not that any of us should be surprised by these revelations. On the point of paroled felons, the Rocky reports: But Sen. Peter Groff, D-Denver, had a different view. Groff, who amended the bill to allow parolees to vote, argued that state law bans anyone confined behind bars from voting. "When you look at moving people from prison … [Read more...]
Senate Bill 61: A Topsy-Turvy Education Battle
Three Republican state legislators made a statement by walking out of yesterday's House Education Committee meeting yesterday, and the least this blog can do is shine the light on it. Here's the thumbnail of the ongoing story. Senate Bill 61, devised by Senator Sue Windels (D - Arvada), was written to empower the education bureaucracy at the expense of parents who want to exercise the option to start a charter school. That's right: empower educrats, distrust parents. Yes, ignore the fact that there are thousands of kids in this state on waiting lists to get into charter schools. Ignore consumer demand. The all-wise educrats need to keep a tighter thumb on charters, according to the logic of Windels' bill. Well, after weeks of … [Read more...]
“Good Guy. Needs to blog more to be included.”
A new professional-looking, self-styled Colorado Republican blog has emerged today to encourage its cohorts to engage in more clear, direct, factual, and systematic attacks on the state's ruling Democratic majority: Colorado Index. The site's proprietor also seems keen on keeping a tight and selective focus on bloggers who consistently focus on state issues. So what does (s)he say about Mount Virtus? "Works for one of my favorite organizations. Good Guy. Needs to blog more to be included." Okay, okay. I admit I've slacked off lately. Consider the fire lit. Overall, I couldn't be more pleased to see the new site, even if it's sure to reinforce the opinions on the Left that we are connected cogs in Colorado's Vast Right Wing … [Read more...]
Welcome Aboard, Wadhams
An official welcome from Mount Virtus to the new chairman of the Colorado Republican Party: Dick Wadhams. You know the state Republican Party may finally be getting its act together when the Left goes unhinged with slanderous attacks. Putting up a tough front can often be a way to cope with fear. Let the mud fly! You can almost hear the Left in Colorado hearkening back to their great hero of 2004 ... "Bring it on!" I may actually start looking forward to the 2008 election cycle. It could be fun. … [Read more...]
Iron Shrink to Debunk Anti-Conservative Studies on Rosen Show
Ever been told that your conservative views are a result of stupidity, emotional insecurity, or a defective upbringing? Ever seen such puerile claims shrouded in scholarly robes to give them an aura of credibility? Then you should read the well-reasoned responses of Colorado's own Iron Shrink (here and here) to some recent "academic" studies that appear to be guilty of one of the worst sins in the liberal PC pantheon: stereotyping. You also will want to listen to the Iron Shrink (aka Shawn Smith) during his guest appearance during the 10 AM hour of Thursday's edition of the Mike Rosen Show. Memo to those on the Left: I hope you don't take these studies too seriously. After all, I believe some of you can have intelligent debates with … [Read more...]
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