Last week I introduced readers to a one-of-a-kind, in-depth survey of Colorado's political temperature co-created by El Presidente and myself. The response so far has been great, with hundreds registering their opinions on key national and state issues, as well as candidates for national and state office. Everybody else is doing it ... why not you? Don't miss your chance -- Click here to vote in the July 2009 survey of Colorado's political temperature! El Presidente has added some enticing questions to pique your interest. Don't forget: You can only take the survey one time, but you have to take it by this Friday, July 17, at 5:00 PM local Mountain time. We look forward to hearing you chime in! … [Read more...]
Steven Crowder’s Canadian Field Trip Highlights Obama Care Problems
So you like the idea of Obama Care? You want to go in the direction of the Canadian health care system? Follow the creative and energetic Steven Crowder into the waiting rooms of Quebec clinics and doctors offices, and take a reality check. If you have 20 minutes to spare and you aren't convinced about this important issue, it's well worth your time: … [Read more...]
Josh Penry Off to Great Start as Bill Ritter Kicks Door of Opportunity Open
The big local political news for the weekend, of course, was the worst-kept secret: Republican Josh Penry officially threw his hat into the ring to run for governor in 2010. By all honest admissions, Penry's entry into the race has been well-executed and well-timed. First glimpses on the campaign trail indicate the strong delivery of a clear, consistent message: 1) incumbent Democrat Bill Ritter's misguided philosophy and lack of fiscal leadership have contributed greatly to an unfriendly economic climate and pain in the wallet for many average Coloradans, and 2) Penry's own record of effective leadership in the areas of fiscal responsibility, expanded energy options, and education reform qualifies him to take Ritter's place. If he … [Read more...]
Spinning Their Wheels (or, I…Am Not…a Spoke!)
At the beginning of Wednesday's session of the TABOR Negation Fiscal Stability Commission, Chairman Rollie Heath asked the commission members to introduce themselves. HD-6 Rep. Lois Court, who was a strong supporter of Amendment 59, and campaigned on the repeal of tax and spending limits, had this to say (I'm doing this from memory, but it's very close): I teach political science at a local community college, and I always tell my students that society is like a wheel, and the people are the spokes. And it's the job of the government to keep the wheel balanced. This statement followed a theme of the day: that the job of the commission is to determine what kind of society we want to have, and then figure out how to fund … [Read more...]
Making a Case for Limited Government: Long-Term Fiscal Stability Commission
A Thursday afternoon hearing of something known as Colorado's "Long-Term Fiscal Stability Commission" doesn't sound like a spectator event for which you might grill a few steaks or even pop up some popcorn. In most cases you'd be right. But yesterday brought an alternatively cutting, humorous and genial showdown between the intellectual heft and fiscally sound policies of economist Barry Poulson, representing the Independence Institute, and the silver-tongued sob stories of Wade Buchanan from the Left-leaning Bell Policy Center. Okay, so it still doesn't sound like action-packed, thrill-a-minute viewing entertainment. But since we're talking about what to do to keep our state budget sound, revenue stable, services efficient, and taxes … [Read more...]
Bill Ritter Not Alone in Credibility Taking a Hit over Stimulus No-Bid Story
Under the headline "Governor gave no-bid deal to former partners", the Denver Post's Karen Crummy reports today:As the first stimulus money flowed into Colorado, it was doled out to shovel-ready transportation projects — and some of Gov. Bill Ritter's former law partners. Ritter hired the politically connected firm of Hogan & Hartson three months ago to work on issues surrounding the state's disbursement of federal stimulus funds. The firm has been paid $40,000 through June and is expected to file monthly bills. Did Bill Ritter do anything illegal? Almost certainly not. Unethical? Well, if he were a Republican governor, you can be sure Colorado Ethics Watch would have filed a complaint by now. Ritter's cronyism aside, this story … [Read more...]
SS GOP: New Captain, not Jump Ship
Let me be the first to welcome Michael at Best Destiny back to the blogosphere following his hiatus. It seems he is rather despondent about the Grand Old Party, and not without good reason. As a result of the lack of national leadership, he writes:The Republican Party is dead. It must either be reborn in a Reagan/originalist image, or it must be stashed and have dirt heaped on it's grave. I'm open to the latter. I'm not sure what you would have to call it, but let me throw this out: the Independence Party. We stand for originalist ideas of limited central government, states' rights; we stand for a strong national defense with limited and clearly defined international responsibilities; we stand for open markets and economic freedom; we … [Read more...]
New Gallup Poll Provides Clear Road Map for Republican Themes in 2010
Gallup yesterday posted the results of a very interesting poll that shows far more Americans self-identifying in a conservative direction than in a liberal direction. Brian Faughnan at Red State has it about right concerning the broad message of the poll:I think it’s a growing distrust of what they view as the liberal agenda of this Congress and this president. At the same time, when you break down the poll on an issue-by-issue basis, Rossputin makes a great case that on most issues Americans are tending to move in a libertarian direction. It's hard to say how much the broad shift against environmental policies that harm the economy and against restrictive immigration policies are the result of our current economic situation versus a … [Read more...]
Really Wanting to Know More About Why Mr. Curtis Left the Colorado GOP
Congratulations appear to be in order for Jeremy Pelzer, who has landed some sort of gig at the new online Rocky Mountain Independent. Jeremy's fairly long feature today is the latest Colorado GOP postmortem piece, with the standard news hook of a lifelong moderate Republican switching parties in disgust:The Colorado Republican Party has had few supporters more loyal than Brandon Curtis. The 32-year-old sales marketer from Denver had voted straight Republican in every election since he first cast a ballot in 1996. Last year, he was a delegate for John McCain in the Republican presidential caucus. But in the general election last November, Curtis voted Democratic for the first time in his life, picking Barack Obama and Mark Udall for … [Read more...]
Happy Independence Day, 233 Years
Other days leave us to ponder and fight for the future of personal and economic liberty. Other days leave us to dwell on the financial challenges that face so many Americans. Today we celebrate and commemorate the blessings of liberty enshrined in sacred words of our nation's founding, ratified 233 years ago during a remarkable time that tried the souls of patriots: … [Read more...]
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