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Mount Virtus?

Every day is seeking to rise to the challenge, 'neath the shadow of the mighty Rockies.

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Sometimes the choices are daunting or confusing, sometimes they're as clear as a Mile High view.

Writer / Editor For Hire

If I had five more writers just like him, I think my job would be the easiest in journalism....

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

RTD vs. The American Dream

Via the Independence Institute's (disclosure: where I work) Property Rights multimedia page, here is the "East Denver Story" of Daniel Gallegos, whose family's property was confiscated by the Regional Transportation District (RTD) at well below fair market value: The video is also up at The Property Rights Project blog (along with links to Gallegos' speech and other key documents), at the Caldara blog, at the Competitive Enterprise Institute's Open Market blog, and at Rocky Mountain Right. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, General, property rights Tagged With: Competitive Enterprise Institute, Daniel Gallegos, Denver, Independence Institute, Open Market blog, Property Rights Project, Regional Transportation District, Rocky Mountain Right

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Dr. Jay P. Greene, Blogger

It is my pleasure to share the following notice with my readers: Dr. Jay P. Greene, head of the University of Arkansas Department of Education Reform and Manhattan Institute scholar, one of the sharpest minds in the world of education policy, has started a blog under his own name. In only a few days Jay already has provocative posts up on the proximity of teachers union headquarters to state capitols, comparisons of sexual misconduct data on male public school teachers vs. male Catholic priests, and more evidence of the myth on K-12 education spending. ( As he explains on the introduction page, all views expressed on the blog are his, and not necessarily those of the respective institutions for which he works.) I would invite you to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: blogging, Education, General Tagged With: edublogging, Jay P. Greene, University of Arkansas Department of Education Reform

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Sure Signs of a Colorado Democrat

Mark Hillman has a great post on "You Must Be a Colorado Democrat" if:If you think taxing marriage will reduce child abuse, you must be a Colorado Democrat. If you plan to pay for new programs with revenues from the oil and gas boom but then punish oil and gas companies with higher taxes and ridiculous regulations, you must be a Colorado Democrat. If you believe illegal aliens should get a break on college tuition but decorated veterans should not, you must be a Colorado Democrat. If you believe it’s OK to require a photo ID to buy beer or cigarettes but not to vote, you must be a Colorado Democrat. If you believe businessmen and women are motivated by greed but labor union bosses are not, you must be a Colorado … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, Fiscal Policy, General, Labor Tagged With: Colorado Democrats, Mark Hillman, taxes, trial lawyers, Unions

2/7/2026 By Ben 1 Comment

Sharing Samsphere Link Love

Promoted with more updates: El Presidente has posted some key video excerpts, and (under imaginary threat of compulsion) here is a post written by one of Jon Caldara's minions. Follow-ups on Samsphere Denver: - Brad Jones' Buzz at Face The State - Bob Agard - Randy Ketner, Night Twister If you were at Samsphere Denver and posted on the topic, but I overlooked you, please drop an email or a comment with a link to your post, and I'll put it up. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: blogging, Colorado Politics, General, My Life Tagged With: Bob Agard, Face the State, Jon Caldara, Night Twister, Samsphere Denver, Slapstick Politics

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Thanks, Sam!

The official business of Samsphere Denver is over. Thanks to the Sam Adams Alliance for putting on a great event, the repercussions of which may be felt in Colorado for a long time to come. The Left won't be sleeping so well tonight. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: blogging, Colorado Politics, General Tagged With: Sam Adams Alliance, Samsphere Denver

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Speaking Out for Individual Workers’ Right to Choose, Free from Coercion

For the second time in the span of a week, I have been quoted in the Rocky Mountain News. Quite astonishing, really, except for the fact that the writers of these stories on all the political battles over right-to-work and other initiatives must be glad to find a different voice than the standard pro-business and pro-labor mouthpieces. I was glad to be able to give a pro-liberty view to the article:"The Labor Peace Act is unique and offers some protection, but it doesn't offer complete protection," said Benjamin DeGrow, an analyst at the Independence Institute. "Anything that best protects the individual worker's right to decide what they want is the right sort of policy." Instead of addressing the argument in the story, the other side … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General, Labor, My Life Tagged With: Beck rights, Ben DeGrow, coercion, freedom, Independence Institute, Labor Peace Act, labor unions, right-to-work laws, Rocky Mountain News, Roland Zullo

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Support General Petraeus

Texas Congressman Michael Conaway, member of the House Armed Services Committee, has a great online petition you can sign as a way to respond to the Left-wing anti-military smears General David Petraeus has endured:In response to these attacks, I would like to present the General with a petition that includes signatures and comments from citizens who support both our efforts in Iraq and the men and women in uniform who are currently making such immense sacrifices for victory. We must show solidarity behind our heroic military and make our voices of hope and support louder and stronger than those of the radical anti-war groups. We must illustrate that the efforts of the military in this successful surge have not gone unnoticed. We must … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General, National Politics, World Events Tagged With: General David Petraeus, Iraq, petition, Rep. Mike Conaway

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Letting a Felon Back in the Classroom: An Instructive Example from Tennessee

Ken the Blue Collar Muse details an interesting story about a former Tennessee high school football coach, years after pleading guilty to racketeering charges and having his teaching license revoked, then lying about his past to get a teaching job in Michigan, has had his license to teach reinstated by the Tennessee Board of Education. Here's how Ken brings the story home:Lynn Lang should not be licensed to teach. Tennessee educators gave him a pass simply because a period of time had passed. Despite a felony conviction and deceiving Michigan’s Board, Tennessee says Lang is fit to teach in Tennessee. I’m still trying to find out if he is. Even if he’s not, the fact he could be is outrageous. He was banned from coaching for life. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Education, General, Labor Tagged With: Blue Collar Muse, Lynn Lang, school choice, Teachers Union Exposed, Tennessee Board of Education

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

What are Colorado Dems Hiding?

Based on stories like this one at Colorado Senate News today, it's all but apparent that Colorado Democrats have no real interest in open, transparent government:A Republican staffer was ejected from a Senate Democrat caucus meeting today at an eatery near the Capitol, raising concerns by Republican leaders that the ruling party might be debating public policy in private--a violation of state law. By law, when two or more members of the General Assembly meet to discuss legislative business--regardless of the location--other members of the public cannot be refused entry. There are no exceptions for members of an opposing political party or the news media. The meeting had been announced on the Senate floor today by Democrat Sen. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, Education, General Tagged With: Colorado Senate News, Democrat Party, law-breaking, open government, State board of education

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Meeting Erick Erickson and a Little Colorado Blogging Reciprocation

Not so long ago, when I attended Samsphere in Chicago, I made quite a few new good blogging acquaintances. Most of them I only became aware of their blog through the Sam Adams Alliance's introduction of the list of participants. But one of a few who I already knew by reputation was Erick Erickson, the managing editor at RedState - one of the most well-trafficked and successful conservative websites around. I was glad for the opportunity to meet Erick and to discover that he wasn't a self-absorbed self-promoter, but rather a very down-to-earth guy with a passion for building the conservative, limited government cause. He talked to the crew about applying the spirit of servant leadership to blogging, and it's something he clearly believes … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, General, My Life Tagged With: Erick Erickson, Joshua Sharf, Red State, Rima Barakat Sinclair, Samsphere

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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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  • American Thinker
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Completing the Blogroll

  • Alarming News
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Rocky Mountain Alliance 2.0

  • Reclaim the Blue
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To Contact Me:
bendegrow-at-gmail.com

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