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Home Archives for General

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

What Happened in NY-23?

Everyone and his brother (a particularly strange piece of slang I picked up from my childhood) has been offering spin to explain why on an election night so good for Republicans and conservatives, insurgent Conservative Doug Hoffman came up short against Democrat Bill Owens. I think that's looking at it the wrong way: given the facts and observations provided by Michael Patrick Leahy, it's fairly remarkable Hoffman came as close as he did. I spot three major factors Leahy cites that determined the outcome. First: … [Read more...]

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

2/7/2026 By Ben 1 Comment

Ed Perlmutter’s Health Care Solution: Raise Taxes, More Government

As the political stomach turns ... My Democratic Congressman Ed Perlmutter wants to raise taxes (H/T Complete Colorado) on investments to pay for government health care. As if that will do anything but further slow down America's economic engine and further erode your personal medical freedoms. Don't just get angry. Put your support behind one of our good Republican candidates running to oust Perlmutter: Ryan Frazier or Brian Campbell. … [Read more...]

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

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

State Treasurer Fundraising Update: Stapleton’s Advantage Even Greater

Last Thursday, in quickly responding to the release of fundraising numbers in Colorado's state treasurer's race I wrote:Stapleton’s GOP primary rival J.J. Ament — who won out over Stapleton in our most recent survey of Colorado’s political temperature — brought in a very respectable $86,000. No cash-on-hand amount was reported, but clearly he is behind both his Republican rival and the incumbent Democrat. Upon further review, there's more to the story that could call into question my initial use of "very respectable" to describe Ament's fundraising numbers. In that $86,000 total, about $9,300 came in the form of in-kind contributions (including about $7,300 contributed directly by the candidate). As a result, Ament was left with a little … [Read more...]

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

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Support for Education Reform Funds = Support for Bill Ritter’s Re-Election?

Update, 10/24: Received a third pro-Obama Care email from Bill Ritter (and Mark Udall and Michael Bennet) today, still nothing on education reform ... Colorado Governor Bill Ritter has a page set up where you can sign a petition to support the state's effort to receive federal Race to the Top competitive grant dollars that support education reform. If you sign the petition, you end up on some sort of mailing list for Ritter's re-election campaign. In the two weeks since I signed the petition I've received two mass emails urging me to back Obama Care! Here's the complete text of the online petition: … [Read more...]

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

2/7/2026 By Ben 4 Comments

Rumors Okay as Long as School Board Candidates Not Backed by Union?

In the world of K-12 education politics, when you are trying to do something right and shake up the status quo a little bit, it's very hard to avoid flak. And anyone running for local school board deserves careful scrutiny. But when silly rumors start flying and supposedly serious news agencies report them, I suppose it's time for someone else to step up and take on the challenge. Hey, no problem: I'm used to being called silly names by teachers unions. In case you're not aware, I'm talking about the upcoming elections for Douglas County Board of Education, an area south of metro Denver for the uninitiated. The story begins last December when the local teachers union -- affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers -- endorsed and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, Education, Fiscal Policy, General, Journalism, Labor, liberty, PPC

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Latest Democrat Travesty: Stuffing Hate Crimes into Defense Appropriation

Reason #2,637 why Democrat one-party rule in Washington has proven itself a travesty: sneaking an unconstitutional, politically-correct hate crimes legislation into the military appropriations bill. Opposition to the hate-crimes bill is by no means a socially conservative preoccupation -- it's common sense and good policy all around. Tim Lynch from the libertarian Cato Institute explains the problems with it. Republicans may be doing well now at starting to make the case why they would be less of a travesty in Congress, but many of us out here long for something better -- and are willing to work and sacrifice to make it happen. I'm talking about a large cadre of truly fiscally responsible reformers, devotees of liberty and limited … [Read more...]

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

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Savoring Silver Anniversary of Detroit Tigers’ Last World Championship

A quick walk down Detroit Tigers memory lane: Today is the 3rd anniversary of Magglio Ordonez' walk-off 3-run homer that won the ALCS and launched the Tigers into the World Series (also the first epic late-inning playoff loss for Huston Street, then of the Oakland A's). Which also means it was exactly 25 years ago today that the Detroit Tigers last celebrated World Series triumph, with an 8-5 victory over the San Diego Padres in Game 5 down at the Corner (and my childhood hero Alan Trammell named Series MVP). Sadly, the stadium is gone now. But the memory lives on. Here's hoping that Detroit repeats the feat sometime before that anniversary turns golden and my hair turns (completely) gray. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Commemorative, General, liberty, My Life, Sports and Leisure

2/7/2026 By Ben 2 Comments

Ryan Frazier Announcement Thursday, 10 AM, at Brighton Ford

Speculation started flowing fast and furious on Monday about U.S. Senate candidate Ryan Frazier's "big announcement". Now we have official word from the campaign when and where that announcement will be made:Aurora, CO - Ryan Frazier, candidate for U.S. Senate, will provide critical details about the future of his campaign during an announcement to supporters. Frazier, who has been described as an atypical Republican candidate and a rising star in the party, has attracted significant grassroots support. Speculations have surfaced that Frazier may move his race to run for Lt. Governor or for the U.S. House of Representatives in District 7. WHO: Ryan Frazier, U.S. Senate Candidate The Honorable Mike May, Colorado House … [Read more...]

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

2/7/2026 By Ben 2 Comments

7th CD Perlmutter Showdown Brings On New Challenges for Ryan Frazier

Update II, 2:45 PM: I've seen it written that blogs are the first draft of history. First drafts often need revision. I strive to note where I am writing conjecture as opposed to hard fact. But I prefer to be open about the process, because I recognize that I am prone to make mistakes from time to time -- particularly when I wander into conjecture. After talking to several sources following up this announcement, it has become apparent to me there is no deal with the NRCC on the table. It was poorly worded at best. Clearly the Frazier team sized up their prospects and decided it made more sense all around to move to the 7th Congressional race -- to increase fundraising opportunities and make for a stronger Republican field across the … [Read more...]

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

2/7/2026 By Ben 1 Comment

John McCain Reshaping GOP in His Image? Jane Norton in His Shadow

As if Monday morning weren't bad enough, this Politico report (H/T Rocky Mountain Right) is a terrific way to make conservatives nauseous:Fresh from a humbling loss in last year’s presidential election, Sen. John McCain is working behind-the-scenes to reshape the Republican Party in his own center-right image.... Yeah, since this support includes ACORN friend Charlie Crist over conservative Marco Rubio in the Florida primary, "center-right" is a generous term. But beyond that, it's just plain disturbing. Whether he intends to or not, it seems to me that Senator McCain is preparing to take the GOP down the same path of irrelevance as his own failed presidential bid. But he seems determined:Erick Erickson, founder of the influential … [Read more...]

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

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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
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  • The Christmas Music Countdown You’ve Been Looking For: 2022 Edition

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