Mount Virtus

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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.

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

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 1 Comment

Health Care Reform Video

From the Independence Institute, the latest in the pantheon of great videos on the health care reform debate: Meanwhile, here's a more sensible, patient-centered health reform plan. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General, Health Care, liberty, My Life, PPC

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Algore Shuts Down Climate Debate as Denver Endures Record Freeze

Update, 10/12: Here's the video of Phelim McAleer's question, with a little more context. Yesterday I told you about the important October 18 premiere of the movie "Not Evil But Wrong". The movie's producer and co-director Phelim McAleer yesterday confronted Al Gore at a public forum with inconvenient questions about the errors in his movie "An Inconvenient Truth". After Gore failed to answer his question, McAleer's microphone was turned off. Listen: Meanwhile, here in the metro Denver area, record cold temperatures have forced the postponement of a first-round Major League Baseball playoff game. May ironies never cease. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Climate Hysteria, General, liberty, National Politics, PPC

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Come to Oct. 18 Independence Institute Premiere of “Not Evil Just Wrong”

Update, 10/14: Here's a (substantially) complete worldwide listing of all the premiere showings of "Not Evil Just Wrong" -- looks like there is only one other showing in Colorado, and that's down in the Springs. Don't miss this one! Forget Michael Moore's latest ironic anti-capitalist screed. If you're in the Denver metro area on Sunday, October 18, then check out a movie premiere from the Independence Institute you won't want to miss: Not Evil Just Wrong:Join the resistance against extreme environmentalism that threatens the lives and livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people in the developed and developing world. This will be a record-setting, international Cinematic Tea Party! Watch the compelling trailer about the human cost … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Climate Hysteria, Energy, General, liberty, My Life, PPC, property rights

2/7/2026 By Ben 1 Comment

Amanda Teresi’s Case for Free Market Health Reform: Not Just Provocative

A few weeks ago, Liberty on the Rocks founder Amanda Teresi made a provocative statement to an NPR reporter about health reform after Obama's big speech before Congress. Today Amanda provides an extended explanation of her remarks in a special guest column for the Colorado Springs Gazette. Here's a key excerpt:It is true that many people today with pre-existing conditions have trouble finding affordable coverage. But politicians, not a free market, created the problem. Just another provocative statement, you say? Well, check out the whole thing. And drop in on a Liberty on the Rocks near you -- or if there isn't one near you, contact Amanda to find out how to get a chapter started. … [Read more...]

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

2/7/2026 By Ben 2 Comments

Josh Penry Rakes In a Strong $416,000 … 92% from Colorado Donors

Colorado gubernatorial candidate Josh Penry is solidifying his case as the Republican frontrunner with a strong fundraising take of $416,000 during his first 10 weeks in the race. Here's the press release from the campaign, complete with a more detailed breakdown at the end: … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, General, liberty, PPC

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Thank ACORN: Subsidized by Federal Taxpayers, Teachers’ Union Dues

I'd like to take the opportunity this morning to thank ACORN -- Say what? Yes, thank ACORN ... not only for exposing your own corruption but also for helping to remind us that the federal government is overflowing in tax dollars far beyond any rational sense to redistribute the money in any sensible (much less constitutional) way and that one hand of the D.C. bureaucratic monster scarcely knows what the other is doing. From today's Washington Times:Nearly $1 million in Homeland Security funding typically earmarked for fire departments has been awarded to ACORN, despite a clear signal from Congress that it intends to cut off federal funding to the embattled group. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, Education, Fiscal Policy, General, Labor, liberty, National Politics, PPC, property rights

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Bill Ritter Needs Public Shame to Ensure Ethical Disclosures from Cabinet

Yesterday I brought to your attention the fact that Colorado Governor Bill Ritter publicly thanked the Independence Institute -- and speaking of thanks, thankfully no one (to the best of my knowledge) was hurt from overreacting to the shock while driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery. Read Jessica Corry's new piece in the Denver section of the Huffington Post to find out exactly what sort of ethical shortcoming Bill Ritter had:Ahh, wouldn't it be nice? When you fail to comply with a law, just rewrite it. This is the strategy of Gov. Bill Ritter, a Colorado Democrat and former elected district attorney, who was questioned publicly this week after failing to enforce a major ethics executive order. Under the mandate, put into place … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, General, PPC, property rights

2/7/2026 By Ben 1 Comment

Luke Korkowski Out of U.S. Senate Race … Then There Were Seven?

Received a press release at noon local time, announcing that Luke Korkowski has withdrawn from Colorado's Republican primary for U.S. Senate. An excerpt:Unfortunately, it is time to call this campaign to a close and to wish all the best to the other Republicans in the race. We have some good and decent folks competing for the Senate position, and Colorado is lucky to have such a selection of choices. With your help, we'll see a solid conservative take office in January 2011, and I strongly encourage you to stay engaged in the race and to support your favorite candidate. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, General, liberty, PPC

2/7/2026 By Ben 1 Comment

Restoring Some Substance to the Political Junk Food Menu at Mt. Virtus

With the nearly never-ending election cycle, those of us here in the trenches can sometimes too easily lapse into the day-to-day tussles of the news without enough time spent in more serious reflection. (Or maybe it's just those of us with small children whose attention spans are so easily distracted.) Earlier this year I wrote several more reflective essays, most of which have ended up ignored by now. But while I still plan to write about the immediate issues of the day and follow events leading up to the 2010 election, I am also interested in engaging once more in deeper discussions about the status and future of the conservative movement -- albeit, as dictated by the limits of my own time, occasionally. What (besides the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Cultural Conservatism, General, History, liberty, My Life, PPC

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    The Rise & Fall of Al Gansee
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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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Rocky Mountain Alliance 2.0

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To Contact Me:
bendegrow-at-gmail.com

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