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Home Archives for PPC

2/7/2026 By Ben 3 Comments

It Stinks to Be Michael Bennet: Andrew Romanoff Nets Big Labor Backing

It really stinks to be the Appointed One these days. As if trailing all potential Republican rivals in the polls (including Jane Norton by double digits) wasn't bad enough for junior U.S. Senator Michael Bennet. Then Bennet sticks out his neck, kowtows to Barack Obama to cast a losing vote for Craig Becker and back-door union card-check, only to get this news shortly thereafter: … [Read more...]

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

2/7/2026 By Ben 2 Comments

CO House Bill 1147: Police to “Ticket” Kids for Not Wearing Bike Helmets

Now that the Democrats in charge of the State Capitol have solved the budget crisis by raising taxes and raiding cash funds, the Colorado News Agency reports the Dems have set out to solve a major problem that confounds us slow-witted peon parents:House Bill 1147 would authorize law enforcement to issue an “informational” traffic citation–a card containing safety information about wearing a helmet, not an actual ticket–to any child over 2 years old who is on a public roadway or public place and who is not wearing a helmet. The purpose of the bill is to promote helmet usage and to foster a better relationship between young people and the local police, said Kefalas. My friend and colleague Amy Oliver isn't sure how "I would 'manage' … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, liberty, PPC

2/7/2026 By Ben 1 Comment

March Pre-Caucus Survey Winners: Ken Buck, Dan Maes, Citizen Action

On the eve of Colorado Republican caucus gatherings, which this year include a preference poll of statewide candidates (governor, U.S. Senate), here's a possible glimpse ahead with the release of our March survey results from the Survey of Colorado's Political Temperature. Major headlines: Ken Buck Wins Majority of Votes, Widens Lead Over U.S. Senate Field 50 Percent Support Dan Maes, 50 Percent See Scott McInnis as Stronger Participants Still Suggest Bigger Numbers for Caucus Participation Other bits from the survey: Survey-Takers Predict 5-Point Victory for Clear the Bench Underdogs Make Up Small Ground on CD7's Ryan Frazier, CD3's Scott Tipton Cory Gardner Still Strong in CD4, Stephen Bailey Tops in CD2 J.J. Ament Holds … [Read more...]

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

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Mr. President, Welcome to Denver

One year and one day after President Obama came to Denver to sign away hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars into generational debt for the creation of some government jobs (and in the process, taking out some in the private sector), he's coming back. This time Obama will be here to help save another job: the political career of the Appointed One, U.S. Senator Michael Bennet. Republicans and liberty-loving Coloradans aren't frightened by the visit. Probable GOP nominee and Bennet challenge Jane Norton shows as much, taking to the airwaves. Can anyone say Chris Christie? Scott Brown? Hey, CNN polling now shows even the President's own political future in jeopardy with the American people. The more public the appearance, the more Obama … [Read more...]

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

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

When Will Colorado Be Ready for a New Labor Model Rooted in Freedom?

Is the United States ready for a new labor model, one more grounded in freedom of association and individual liberty? That's the central thrust of the Evergreen Freedom Foundation's new book -- Sweeping the Shop Floor -- for which I was honored to be a contributor. EFF labor policy analyst Rachel Culbertson joined me and my Independence Institute colleague Mike Krause for a conversation to whet your appetite for the book. Click the play button below (or follow this link) to listen to the 12-minute iVoices podcast: For more detail on the book's argument about how we can give workers more freedom in designing a labor model for the 21st Century and how it might work in Colorado public education and other government agencies, check … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Book Reviews, clean government, Education, Labor, liberty, PPC

2/7/2026 By Ben 2 Comments

Anti-IRS Domestic Terrorist Suicide Attack Time for Moral Clarity

So today we have the sad story of a frustrated nutcase named Joseph Stack who committed suicide by flying his plane into an Austin, TX, building that houses some IRS offices -- after leaving behind a rambling manifesto. Hopefully a singular outlier, and not an inspiration or the start of a trend in these trying economic times. Hot Air's Allahpundit deconstructs Washington Post contributor Jonathan Capehart's column, which insinuates some sort of connection with the Tea Party movement and omits key passages and phrases that show the suicide attacker was anything but a lockstep Right-winger. Closer to home, we have John Tomasic at the Colorado Independent. To his credit, Tomasic notes that Stack "was not right or left." But then he … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, liberty, PPC, World Events

2/7/2026 By Ben 1 Comment

On Eve of Caucus, Here’s March Survey of Colorado’s Political Temperature

This post will stick to the top until March 12. Please scroll down for newer postings. Update, 3/8: With the news that CD 7 candidate Jimmy Lakey has withdrawn from the race (H/T Complete Colorado), his name has been removed as a possible selection on the relevant questions. I hope it wasn't anything I said giving my off-the-cuff analysis of the CD 7 GOP primary last night as guest co-host on Backbone Radio. Time flies, so here comes another edition of the Survey of Colorado’s Political Temperature. The deadline is next Friday, March 12, at 5:00 PM local Mountain time. What are you waiting for? Click here to take the March survey The March edition has even fewer issue statements, but adds attention to the 2nd Congressional race, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: blogging, Colorado Politics, liberty, National Politics, PPC

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Tea Party Movement Still Rising One Year After Rick Santelli’s Famous Rant

A quick retrospective on a crystallizing moment for the still-nascent Tea Party movement that looms so large over the Colorado and American political landscape today. The grassroots upswell against Washington D.C.'s big government bailout and spending sprees already had started to take shape and pick up steam, when one year ago today CNBC's Rick Santelli delivered his famous rant on the floor of the Chicago Merchantile Exchange, delivering a name that has stuck to a movement -- and has been embraced with pride: … [Read more...]

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

2/7/2026 By Ben 2 Comments

Post Smacks Bill Ritter on Education Reform: What Did You Expect?

Update, 3/5: Better late than never, I guess. At least Ritter has finally named members to his "educator effectiveness" panel, for whatever that's worth. I don't mean to kick a man when he's down, especially when he's biked his way into the hospital with broken ribs. But it was quite the experience to open the virtual pages of the Denver Post this morning and read the lead editorial raking Governor Bill Ritter over the coals for his weak-kneed half-efforts at education reform:The governor's executive order was quite clear: Members of a panel who were to devise ways of linking teacher evaluations to student achievement were to meet on or before March 1. They have not. But don't blame panel members. Gov. Bill Ritter hasn't bothered … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, Education, Fiscal Policy, National Politics, PPC

2/7/2026 By Ben 1 Comment

North Denver Candidate Search 2010: Your Don’t-Miss Weekend Event

This event Sunday is one you don't want to miss:North Denver Candidate Search 2010 Forum A forum hosted by the people, for the people. Sunday, February 21, 2010 Doors open at 2:00 p.m. Forum starts at 2:30 p.m. The Pinnacle Events Center 1001 West 84th Avenue Denver, CO 80260 (Located 10 blocks west of I-25 on 84th Avenue. It is on the north side of 84th Avenue, and has more than ample parking) $5.00 admission fee. There will be door prizes. Seating is limited - consider registering earlier rather than later. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, 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
  • Common Learning Disabilities in Children
  • Tips to Teach Kids to Set and Achieve Goals
  • The Christmas Music Countdown You’ve Been Looking For: 2022 Edition

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Completing the Blogroll

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bendegrow-at-gmail.com

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