Marostica Makes Nice, Sort Of

Rep. Marostica should receive our support

All of this is just another indication of the right-wing dogmatism of the Republican Party. The Republicans have only one goal and that is to destroy the government. The actual needs of the state in the areas of transportation and education and others are simply irrelevant.

For the Republican Party every single way to hinder the funding of government is to be raised as a roadblock, and then when government can't perform basic services for lack of funds these same Republicans slam the government for being ineffective and use that as an excuse to demand further revenue restrictions or program cuts. It is simply blind and mindless ideology.

But all of this also shows how the Independence Institute ("II") has become disconnected from the Business Community. Successful business people by nature are hard nosed because they must return a profit to succeed but they also realize that without roads and good education system, their long term economic viability is in jeopardy. Therefore most business people realize tax revenues are a necessity and, within reason, are more than willing to support these basic programs.  Not the Independence Institute. It has one goal and that is to strangle the government while asserting half baked policy proposals that seemingly would allow government to perform functions like education and transportation with almost no revenue stream. Of course, when these proposals are analyzed, the viability of each evaporates and it becomes obvious they are just another ruse to justify extinguishing government.

For example, three years ago before Bill Ritter was governor, the II rolled out a so called way the budget could be cut. The JBC staff and Governor Owens' budget staff analyzed it and uncovered the fact the cuts couldn't be made without destroying specific programs or the alleged budget savings had already been maximized. In other words, it was smoke and mirrors. By following the II, the Republican Party is simply walking off the cliff and in the end becoming estranged from the business community.

On a larger stage, all of this again points to the fact that present day Republicans are anything but conservatives. A true conservative believes, as Edmund Burke pointed out over two hundred years ago in his Reflections on the French Revolution, in supporting existing institutions (e.g. education and transportation), while allowing for change and improvements when facts and circumstances dictate them. True conservatives are not in the business of destroying the institutions and values we have built up since our Revolution in 1776.
But today's so called Republican conservatives wrap themselves in flag, crawl up on the Christian cross and proclaim that by destroying our institutions they are taking us back to the America that was. In reality, they are doing nothing of the kind. Instead, they are simply trying to destroy our existing institutions by masking themselves as conservatives while replacing them with nothing. Their philosophy is not a prescription for greatness. It is the road to oblivion.  

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by: Republican 36 @ Fri Feb 20, 2009 at 10:51:55 AM CST

IMHO, people like you Republican 36

Hank Brown, Don Marostica, Laughing Boy, and Al White are a handful of the few Colorado pubs (or ex pubs) who really get it. You have to govern and you have to compromise, otherwise you slowly marginalize yourself to the point you become a fringe element, holding no power whatsoever.  I think we saw that fringe element rear its ugly head this week, and it was beyond messy.  Out of touch with ordinary Americans is a phrase that comes to mind.

It is going to be really interesting to see where the Republican party goes over the next few years.  We are seeing the fizzures now, and Colorado is a microcosm for what is happening on a national scale.

I really hope there is a place for all of you when the dust settles - I really do.  Someone has to keep the dems in check.  David Thielen points this out frequently, and it is valid.

Finally, why an elected official like Don Marostica owes an explanation about ANYTHING to a complete hack like Jon Caldera is just amazing to me.  Jon has no responsibilty other than stirring the pot and media whoring to please a downright kooky base, while Rep. Marostica is dealing with probably the largest budget shortfall we've had in decades. I just don't get it - but nothing makes any sense anymore.

BTW, I always love reading your contributions here.  They are very well thought out.

"Good judgement comes from experience.  Experience comes from bad judgement" - Jim Horning

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by: Fidel's dirt nap @ Fri Feb 20, 2009 at 11:24:26 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Thank you, I appreciate your comments and your hopes for a sound and responsible opposition party

but the fanatics, even now, are organizing new ways to control the Republican Party here in Colorado. Colorado Christian University is establishing a separately funded entity named the Centennial Institute. Its purpose is to study and promote "family and faith" values. The first executive director is former state senate President John Andrews. We will have to wait and see how this new institute develops but I'm concerned that it will be just another instrument to bludgeon Republican candidates and officeholders into line with so called conservative Christian values. In other words, it will be utilized as another forum to organize, control and maintain control over the Colorado Republican Party. It sure looks like there are more dark clouds on the horizon.

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by: Republican 36 @ Fri Feb 20, 2009 at 11:35:49 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Very good point

Finally, why an elected official like Don Marostica owes an explanation about ANYTHING to a complete hack like Jon Caldera is just amazing to me.

Under what logic does a party require a rep to apologize to the head of a private think tank?

Amazon tax? Bad Idea!

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by: DavidThi808 @ Fri Feb 20, 2009 at 18:01:53 PM CST

[ Parent ]

You really don't understand

how politics work in this state, David.

Seriously, if a Republican congressman went rogue and called Grover Norquist a loser and a has-been, he would have to make the same apology, and on bended knee, too.

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by: RedGreen @ Fri Feb 20, 2009 at 18:17:19 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I can't speak for David

But I sort of think he's saying that's NOT the way it should be.

When I use lots of words, they always form an analysis (and, while producing high volume, also produce high information-density).
--Steve Harvey, 2009

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by: Ralphie @ Fri Feb 20, 2009 at 19:44:54 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Thank you - yes

That is a major problem the GOP faces - they must pay fealty to a number of unelected windbags.  

Amazon tax? Bad Idea!

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by: DavidThi808 @ Fri Feb 20, 2009 at 22:07:23 PM CST

[ Parent ]

My Dem State House Rep

has said that on various pieces of legislation during his time so far as a legislator, Rs have approached him to say they thought the legislation was good and are sorry but they just can't come out and support it.

Maybe these people would surprise themselves and survive primaries and get re-elected anyway if they sought to explain to their constituents why they think something is going to be the best thing for them instead of knuckling under. Just a thought.  

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by: BlueCat @ Fri Feb 20, 2009 at 13:05:03 PM CST

That is pure Dick Wadhams

I'm not saying I'm surprised, but it's really sickening. I can't believe the amount of power that he and the other has-been losers wield over this state. Thankfully they're in the minority. I cringe to think what they'd be like if they were actually the ones setting the agenda.

Can you imagine how much better off we'd be if we had legislators on the right side of the aisle who could actually legislate? I hope that Marostica's outburst, and then subsequent non-apology apology, is setting a precedent of dissent from the Wadhams machine.

No one should be able to tell a legislator how to vote except his or her constituents. Especially not someone who's de facto blackmailing them by threatening to remove them from committees and whatnot. The threat to take him off the JBC was, of course, only phase one. Phase two is running a far-right primary opponent and then spreading a ridiculous smear campaign against him.

To all of our sane Republican legislators, I will say this: you have a choice. You are the one who is in power, not the Party chair. Don't let them bully you into voting a particular way. Do what's right. That is what our government is based on, and it's the only way it can function properly.

"Nice driveby spin" -- Libertad

"This site is filled simpletons..." -- JO

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by: redstateblues @ Fri Feb 20, 2009 at 13:16:53 PM CST

[ Parent ]

And go straight to your constituents

If you are well liked incumbent, maybe they can't primary you out as easily as they think they can.

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by: BlueCat @ Fri Feb 20, 2009 at 14:16:47 PM CST

[ Parent ]

The fact that most Rs in the Legislature

haven't learned how to differentiate between politics and governance is precisely why the people of the State of Colorado have taken the the Republicans out of a position to govern.

When I use lots of words, they always form an analysis (and, while producing high volume, also produce high information-density).
--Steve Harvey, 2009

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by: Ralphie @ Fri Feb 20, 2009 at 15:18:43 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Follow the Mike Coffman route

Tell the party big-wigs to take a hike and then go win your seat. Once you do that they come crawling to you.

Amazon tax? Bad Idea!

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by: DavidThi808 @ Fri Feb 20, 2009 at 18:03:42 PM CST

[ Parent ]

If that's true...

then I have to wonder why any self-respecting, independent minded person would belong to this party, even if they agree with the Wadhams-Caldera camp 100%. People who respect freedom do not belong to a group that quashes internal dissent and debate like this.

"Fine, let's take a vote. Who wants fish for dinner?...Yeah, democracy ain't so fun when it fucks you, huh?" - shitmydadsays

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by: Aristotle @ Sat Feb 21, 2009 at 13:07:09 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Maybe today's Rs have unresolved daddy issues

and only feel safe in the context of a regimented top down structure to keep them warm and safe. Think of the modern Republican ultra conservative litmus test party as a cult and it all makes sense.

This is not the party in which people like Eisenhower and Dirksen felt at home and it sure as hell ain't the party of Lincoln anymore. Heck, it's not even the party of Nixon.  Dead Rs brought back to life from 35 years ago wouldn't recognize it.

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by: BlueCat @ Sat Feb 21, 2009 at 17:27:06 PM CST

[ Parent ]