January 27, 2009 09:52 PM UTC

Go Pound Sand, Poundstone

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• by: Colorado Pols

Where do they find these nutjobs? As the Rocky Mountain News reports, some Republicans continue to insist on cutting more government and taxes. Nevermind that MOST Americans are fed up with their crumbling government.

The governor and many lawmakers say they’re cutting state government to the bone.

Former lobbyist Freda Poundstone says there’s still way too much fat.

Both sides are making their pitches to Colorado voters this week in an oddly timed clash of government philosophies.

Poundstone on Monday submitted a proposed ballot measure that would drastically cut taxes and fees paid by Coloradans on everything from car registrations to telephone bills.

It bears a resemblance to a measure that former Rep. Douglas Bruce, of Colorado Springs, failed to get through the legislature last year.

Critics howled over the ballot proposal…

…All levels of government would feel the impact if the ballot measure passed.

It calls for drastically reducing the “sales ownership” tax when Coloradans buy cars – money that now goes to counties. It also eliminates a telecommunications fee that the state uses to help rural and mountainous areas get affordable phone service.

“This isn’t going to destroy government,” Poundstone said. “Government is not easy to destroy – it seems to be growing when nothing else is. I think the reduction of some taxes would be helpful.”

But Colorado already is dealing with a revenue shortfall that could hit $1 billion next fiscal year.[Pols emphasis]

Colorado is facing A BILLION DOLLAR SHORTFALL, and the Republican solution is to cut taxes?!

What continually drives us crazy about this wingnuttery is the insistent claim – with absolutely no facts to back it up – that there is still a lot of “fat” in government. Really? Where? Point to it, Poundstone. Give us just a couple of examples of this gross waste you are talking about. Anybody can throw out broad claims like that. Where are the facts? Where are these unnecessary programs or spending? WHERE?!

El Paso County is falling apart, to the point where they are talking about De-Brucing. The state is facing budget problems of unheard-of amounts. These aren’t just policy debates – this is serious business with serious problems that are going to negatively impact the lives of real people. That’s the world we live in. It sounds nice in Poundstoneland.