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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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Colorado Ballot Reviews

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....

7/14/2009 By Ben Leave a Comment

Initiative to Protect Secret Ballot Reminder of Michael Bennet’s Hall-of-Fame Indecision

In case you need a reminder of how much Big Labor bosses hate the secret ballot, Face The State brings a story today about a simple, newly proposed 2010 initiative and the union legal challenge facing it:Unions have challenged the language of a ballot initiative that would amend the Colorado Constitution to guarantee employees' right to a secret ballot in unionization elections. Meanwhile, legislation is pending before Congress that would remove that requirement from federal law. “The purpose for this amendment is to guarantee the fundamental right of an individual to vote by secret ballot,” said Patrick Davis, a Colorado Springs political consultant backing the measure.... The 39-word proposal reads, “The right of individuals … [Read more...]

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

7/14/2009 By Ben Leave a Comment

Three Days Left for You to Chime in on Colorado’s Political Temperature

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...]

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

7/13/2009 By Ben Leave a Comment

Josh Penry Hits the Stump: A Promising GOP Candidate for Governor Emerges

Earlier this evening I got the opportunity briefly to attend a Josh Penry for Governor meet-and-greet session in Broomfield. The campaign is just out of the gate, and the Grand Junction native is busily plowing his way around Colorado. No doubt he's been on a hectic schedule, but Penry demonstrated a good stump speech delivery, staying on message. I am pleased to see him make no bones about the national Republican Party's failure to govern according to fiscally conservative principles, and his clear decision to run against that failing as well as against incumbent Bill Ritter's weak leadership, misguided philosophy, and misplaced priorities. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, Cultural Conservatism, Education, Energy, Fiscal Policy, General, My Life, PPC

7/13/2009 By Ben Leave a Comment

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...]

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

7/13/2009 By Ben 2 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, Education, Energy, Fiscal Policy, General, liberty, PPC

7/12/2009 By Ben 1 Comment

All-Star Break: Detroit Tigers Putting the Hurt on Cleveland and AL Central

Mercifully, for the sake of fellow blogger Civil Sense, I haven't harped on the American League Central race in awhile. But the All-Star break is upon us, and a good time for reflection on the standings: 1. Detroit Tigers 48-39 -- 2. Chicago White Sox 45-43 3.5 GB 3. Minnesota Twins 45-44 4 GB 4. Kansas City Royals 37-51 11.5 GB 5. Cleveland Indians 35-54 14 GB It's not looking good for the Indians, especially after the symbolic 10-1 spanking Detroit delivered to them this afternoon. GO TIGERS! … [Read more...]

Filed Under: blogging, My Life, Sports and Leisure

7/12/2009 By Joshua Leave a Comment

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...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, Fiscal Policy, liberty

7/12/2009 By Joshua Leave a Comment

Slumming

Due to a security breach (since fixed), visitors to my own site, View from a Height, are receiving a message that claims that it's suddenly turned into the blog equivalent of Cujo.  I've cleaned off the offending files and am reloading the new version of Movable Type, but until I can persuade Google that there's nothing to see here, Ben's graciously letting me co-blog here at his place. Ben started in on the Bell Policy Center's Wade Buchanan's comments to the TABOR Repeal Fiscal Stability Commission on Thursday, but I wanted to point one of the rhetorical devices that he used to justify once and future extravagance on the part of the state government.  The title of this post actually applies to Mr. Buchanan's comments. During his … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, Fiscal Policy

7/10/2009 By Ben 2 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, Fiscal Policy, General, liberty, My Life, PPC

7/10/2009 By Ben Leave a Comment

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...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, Fiscal Policy, General, 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
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  • Tips to Teach Kids to Set and Achieve Goals
  • The Christmas Music Countdown You’ve Been Looking For: 2022 Edition

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bendegrow-at-gmail.com

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