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I’m On KBDI Channel 12 Tonight to Discuss Colorado Amendment 49

Update: A trusted reader says you can also watch on Channel 23 in Colorado Springs. Update: I added a link to Michael's blog. Please tune in tonight at 7:30 PM to KBDI 12 (in the Denver metro area) for an important episode of Independent Thinking with host Jon Caldara. Guests Jefferson County teacher Michael Alcorn and I will discuss what Amendment 49, the Ethical Standards initiative, does, and the effects it has (and doesn't have) on teachers and other public employees. For those of you heading out to theaters to catch the premiere of An American Carol, please don't forget to set your TiVo or VCR to record. But in case you forget, the episode is scheduled to re-air next Tuesday, October 7, at 5:00 PM on KBDI. … [Read more...]

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“Experienced” Joe Biden is All Confused about the Office He Is Running For

Apparently, "experienced" Joe Biden doesn't know much about the high office of vice president he is running to fill. My first-year law school friend Tyler at Constructively Reasonable has the details (and as Tyler points out, so do the legal minds at the Volokh Conspiracy). So does the Washington Times. A man who has been in the U.S. Senate for 35 years could be so ignorant about how our federal government works? What if it had been Sarah Palin who had made the gaffe? You can imagine the mainstream media reports would be swift, harsh, and unforgiving. But since it's Slow Joe Biden at the Wilmington, Delaware Home Depot, representing their favored Democratic Party ticket, for the most part there's been nothing but the sounds of crickets … [Read more...]

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Time to “Educate the Idiots” about the Authenticity of CoDA Documents?

A controversy is brewing over the authenticity of the Colorado Democracy Alliance (CoDA) documents, specifically the memo discussing their plan to "Educate the Idiots". Ironically, the satire blog by the same name has all the scoop on the controversy - here and here. Can't wait for Sunday's story in the Denver Post. It looks to me like the Lefties in CoDA are scrambling hard to cover up. We'll see. … [Read more...]

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Backroom Deal Sheds Light on Colorado Labor Union Leader Priorities

Much ado has been made out of the 11th-hour deal that pulled four labor union-sponsored initiatives from the Colorado ballot. As opined by the editors of the Rocky Mountain News:On Thursday, labor peace was restored in Colorado. At least until the 2009 legislature convenes. The announcement that two labor-backed groups would remove Amendments 53, 55, 56 and 57 from the November ballot - and in return business groups would fund a joint business-labor campaign to defeat Amendments 47, 49 and 54 - is a positive development. The state's economic health was in the crosshairs of the labor measures, a couple of which probably had a good shot at passage. There's no doubt that the "economic health" and well-being of Colorado families and … [Read more...]

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Ben’s Guide to the Colorado Ballot 2008 Now Updated with Illustration

If you have yet to visit my page with information and recommendations on the long list of initiatives and referenda on Colorado's 2008 ballot, now is the time to stop by. After all, thanks to the clever and capable stylings of Colorado cartoonist Ben Hummel, the page is now illustrated! … [Read more...]

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“Real” Public School Teacher Speaks Out for Colorado Amendment 49

The Rocky Mountain News today takes a closer look at Protect Colorado's Future and its use of "real" people in advertisements to foist its deceptive messages on the public:Firefighter Joel Heinemann says he would rather run into a burning building than face a movie camera. Yet it's his face Coloradans are seeing in television ads and home flyers urging a "no" vote on Amendments 47, 49 and 54. Heinemann is a "messenger," one of about a dozen firefighters, police officers, nurses and teachers who volunteered to enter the political limelight to speak against three ballot initiatives they believe are anti-union. Of course, it's also important to note that Joel Heinemann is president of the Littleton firefighters union, and that Denver … [Read more...]

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Joshua Sharf Confronts Opponent about “Educate the Idiots” Campaign

Now that the whistleblower has come forward to verify the authenticity of the Left-wing Colorado Democracy Alliance documents, including its "Educate the Idiots" campaign, here's a video of Republican state house candidate (and longtime blogger) Joshua Sharf posing the issue to Democrat opponent Lois Court at a recent televised forum: And if you want to know more about what issues distinguish the two candidates, here's a glimpse at their closing statements: It's an uphill battle for Joshua to win this race in a majority-Democrat district, but he is making an impression as an aggressive and articulate candidate for rock-solid conservative Republican principles. Party leaders should take notice. … [Read more...]

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Ultra-Rich Colorado Lefties Will Pay You Money to “Educate the Idiots”

Apparently the Lefties are willing to pay quite a bit for you to help them campaign here in Colorado. I got this email recently:Get Paid To Ensure A Progressive Majority In The Colorado Legislature Earn $500 For 4 Days Walk Precincts And Drop Literature For The Colorado Citizens’ Coalition Saturday, November 1st- Election Day Tuesday, November 4th The Colorado Citizens’ Coalition is the group dedicated to using grassroots organizing to educate voters about the progressive candidates for State House and State Senate. To get involved contact Final Four Director Cory [N] at [PHONE #] or [EMAIL] Join the Colorado Citizens’ Coalition for the Final Four Days to make a difference this election cycle. We are recruiting a … [Read more...]

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Gov. Bill Ritter’s “Slow (Hiring) Freeze” vs. Bill Owens’ Immediate Action

Here's a nice, clear contrast in leadership for you. Last Thursday, Gov. Bill Ritter sent out a press release announcing ways to save state taxpayers money. First on the list:Implementing a hiring freeze for the Executive Branch effective Oct. 1. For those doing the math, that left a few extra days to give all departments notice to fill all open positions. In 2002, then-Gov. Bill Owens, also facing a fiscal crunch, issued an executive order with a similar purpose:Pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-2-102(4), I order a hiring freeze applicable to state government. This hiring freeze is effective immediately. [emphasis added] It will be interesting to see how many last-minute hires came in before Bill Ritter's "slow freeze" went into effect. … [Read more...]