The other half of Colorado Democrats' shell game rolled through the state senate last night - with one of the longest debates on a state legislative bill in recent memory. Senate Bill 228 would repeal the state general fund's 6 percent spending limit and allow additional funds to be diverted from transportation to pet government programs (now mainly supported by Democrats). It's the latest in a series of actions by Governor Bill Ritter to raise taxes and grow government without asking the people of Colorado first. So much for confidence in his own agenda. … [Read more...]
Is Barack Obama for Transparency, Except As It Might Apply to Labor?
For all the serious disagreements I have with President Barack Obama over policy and philosophy, I have been pleased to hear him promote the idea of greater government transparency. That's something all citizens can rally behind, regardless of partisan affiliation. Only a few days into office, Obama sent out a memo to department heads about the Freedom of Information Act:A democracy requires accountability, and accountability requires transparency. As Justice Louis Brandeis wrote, "sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants."... All agencies should adopt a presumption in favor of disclosure, in order to renew their commitment to the principles embodied in FOIA, and to usher in a new era of open Government. The presumption of … [Read more...]
Markets Don’t Like What Obama and Dems Are Inflicting on Economy
Rossputin has the in-depth commentary on the markets' reaction to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, and points to two polls showing the American people want more tax cuts, less federal spending. Are Colorado's U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and Mark Udall even paying attention? Polipundit has the telling visual about Geithner's negative impact on the markets. What's so funny? I guess you had to be there. Finally, Michael at Best Destiny says it's time to start tagging this as "the Reid/Pelosi/Obama economy". I agree: they can have it. If it only didn't hurt so many of the rest of us in the process. Things do look bleak - you can't blame investors for their reactions. The President isn't the Savior. Here's a start: sign the No … [Read more...]
GOP Leader Mark Hillman Speaks Reason to the Conservative Coalition
Former Republican legislative leader Mark Hillman once again shows why he deserves a leading position in Colorado's GOP, by speaking reason to the conservative coalition. It's a must-read from beginning to end, but here's the key thought:If the goal is winning elections, rather than purging membership rolls at the country club, throwing social conservatives under the bus is a catastrophically bad idea. … [Read more...]
Call the President for a Special Session of Congress to Address Energy Problem
Update: You can sign an online "Don't Go" petition that has a similar sentiment. After seeing the Congress adjourned, Nancy Pelosi shut off the lights, kicked out the reporters, and fled from the issue of the nation's domestic energy supply. But under his Constitutional authority, the President can call a special session of Congress to force our elected officials to remove the burdensome restrictions that keep the United States dependent on foreign oil and people paying $4 a gallon for gas. Call the White House comment line at 202-456-1111 Monday to Friday between 9 AM - 5 PM Eastern (7 AM - 3 PM Colorado time), and respectfully urge the President to call a special session of Congress. Liberal Democrat elites in Congress like … [Read more...]
Support for Congress Matches Belief that Astrology is “Very Scientific”
Public confidence in the U.S. Congress has never registered lower than it does today under the leadership of Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid:The percentage of voters who give Congress good or excellent ratings has fallen to single digits for the first time in Rasmussen Reports tracking history. This month, just 9% say Congress is doing a good or excellent job. Most voters (52%) say Congress is doing a poor job, which ties the record high in that dubious category. The level of cynicism is stunning across the board (only 13% support from Democrats, 8% from Republicans, 3% from unaffiliated voters). Based on what Townhall columnist Jon Sanders pointed out last year when Congress' approval rating was 14 percent, as many Americans believe that … [Read more...]