Tuesday Open Thread
“The promise given was a necessity of the past; the word broken is a necessity of the present.” –Niccolo Machiavelli
Search Results for: give
Blue Dog Adopts Black Dog
While many Americans are wondering if their grandchildren will be eating “kibbles and bits” due to extending the Bush Tax Cuts for the rich, there is other canine-related news. (This story was previously reported in Friday’s Colorado Statesman by reporter Ernest Luning.) Senator Michael Bennet, his wife, Susan Daggett, and their three little girls, did […]
Musings on “Compromise”
Our country is so screwed. The GOP doesn’t like the unemployment extension and the Dems don’t like the wealthy tax cuts extension and the estate tax giveaway. Conventional wisdom has now concluded that the compromise must be good since both the Dems and the GOP don’t like the deal. This brilliant reasoning has come […]
Why a scoop still matters
( – promoted by Colorado Pols) In a public discussion Wed. of media coverage of the 2010 election, The Denver Post’s political editor Curtis Hubbard said if The Post reports on a news story that’s appeared previously in another outlet, the newspaper is committed to giving proper credit to the news outlet that broke the […]
Tax Cut Negotiations Continue, Udall Stands Firm
The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports, a group of Senators including Mark Udall of Colorado have an alternative to the Bush tax cut deal between President Barack Obama and the GOP: [E]ight Democrats including Ohio’s Sherrod Brown wrote to Majority Leader Harry Reid to propose capping the tax breaks for incomes over $1 million. People making […]
Illinois Yearling, Where Are You?
I first encountered him when I was 10. I know this with certainty because it was my fifth grade teacher, Ms. Rosen, who announced one morning, “We’re going to have an Illinois yearling with us today.” I remember a certain sense of wonder: are we having a young calf in class? Within an hour the […]
2012 Dream Matchup: Mike Merrifield versus Sally Clark for El Paso County Commissioner
After reading yet another letter yesterday to the Gazette’s editor complaining about what many Republicans and Democrats alike consider the shady term limits language used on the November ballot to give County Commissioners and other county offices three terms instead of two; after hearing Mrs. Clark’s interview weeks ago on the Jeff Crank show defending […]
Mejia for Mayor Official Campaign Kick-Off – Tues, Dec 14
Wanted to share this letter James Mejia just sent out with the Pols community and invite everybody to stop by the kick-off reception next Tuesday. Whether you are supporting James or have yet to decide on a candidate, we hope you’ll come by to meet James as he shares his vision for moving Denver forward […]
Udall Fumes As “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Repeal Fails
UPDATE: According to DC reporter Chris Geidner, Sen. Mark Udall is introducing a standalone bill to repeal the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. Reportedly co-sponsored by Sens. Joe Lieberman and Susan Collins, Lieberman says that the bill will get a vote in the Senate before year’s end. —– The statement we just received from Sen. […]
BREAKING: House Democrats Reject Obama Tax Cut Compromise
UPDATE #2: From National Journal, covering the same resolution, which appears to confirm the earlier report of Rep. Jared Polis’ support for the deal–keep in mind that this was a voice vote: Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., who introduced the resolution, said the vote was intended to instruct the House leadership to tell the Senate and […]
On The 30th Anniversary Of John Lennon’s Death
On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of John Lennon’s untimely death at the tender age of 40, I would like to initiate a discussion on how his life’s work influenced people here. A huge Lennon fan, I find myself more moved by his work with every passing year. Songs like “Watching the Wheels”, “Imagine” […]
Colorado gets a D+ for tax subsidy transparency
(Does anyone seriously think we shouldn’t even know–just know–how much the state is giving away? – promoted by Colorado Pols) Colorado grants tens of millions of dollars in tax subsidies annually but provides only minimal information to taxpayers about who receives the support. That’s among the findings of a report and online research tools issued […]
Live Blog: Journalism and the 2010 Election
( – promoted by Colorado Pols) With the Rocky Mountain News gone and journalism in the midst of major changes, did Denver media outlets provide citizens with the information needed to make informed decisions during the 2010 election? What were the journalistic triumphs and lapses during the election cycle? Join us for a live blog […]
Elizabeth Edwards fought hard; President should, too
As I learned of the death today of Elizabeth Edwards, I am saddened at her loss but also thankful for the example she set for so many of us who have fought or are fighting cancer. When we learned of the seriousness of her disease during a time when her husband was a candidate for […]
BREAKING: Udall Will Oppose Obama Tax Cut Deal
From The Hill: A deal between President Obama and congressional Republicans to extend the Bush tax cuts for two years has met with an angry backlash from Senate Democrats. Sen. Mark Udall (D-Colo.) joined Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) in stating his opposition to the deal… “I’m opposed right now,” said Udall, who added that some […]
Reminder: Udall, Bennet Voted For Middle-Class Tax Cuts Only
The Colorado Independent’s John Tomasic reported yesterday, just so there’s no confusion: Senate Republicans killed two bills Saturday that sought to extend the Bush tax cuts to the middle class while letting the cuts expire for the country’s wealthiest taxpayers. The first bill, passed by the House on Thursday, would have secured tax breaks for […]
The Law of Diminishing Returns
When is enough enough? When does the law of diminishing returns set in? Colorado is currently 48th in tax burden, with a state spending level to match. If you are a believer in lower taxes and less government, when do diminishing returns set in? When is government too small or taxes too low? […]
Alienated from both political parties
(Ellie’s attracting a lot of interest with her Hamlet-like essay: “To Be or Not to Be [affiliated with either of the existing two major parties.]” Let’s bring it up front so everyone can join in. – promoted by Voyageur) Over the course of the last few years I have largely found myself in […]
My (rough) proposal to the Hick Veteran Transition team.
(Hickenlooper needs to read and act on this. Superb job! – promoted by DavidThi808) (Still a work in progress. I want to be able to add a veteran home-loan program like California’s CalVet Program, and somehow come up with the money to help this cheap-ass state pay more than $400 a county for veteran’s services…) […]
Buck’s Pal Opens Mouth Again, Idiocy Pours Out
Oklahoma US Senator Jim Inhofe, the barely literate GOP anti-climate science warrior and Ken Buck hero, refuses to grace his hometown Tulsa residents this year by doing his usual horse ride and wave through the Christmas Parade because the town changed the name of the parade to the Holiday Parade, which is somehow a slander […]
Broomfield’s Level 3–Net Neutrality Guinea Pig?
As the New York Times’ media blog reports this afternoon, Broomfield-based network provider Level 3 Communications’ conflict with cable TV giant Comcast could be the start of a new showdown over “net neutrality”–the issue of whether all data transmitted across the internet is created equal, or whether providers can prioritize some traffic over other traffic. […]
Fear Rules: Why Washington Will Continually Fail America
( – promoted by Colorado Pols) Many Americans wonder why their political leaders cannot get along and appear to be unable to solve the tough problems facing the country. The reason is simple — our leaders are afraid to lead because they fear us. They know the truth but are scared to death that, if […]
Giving Thanks
In these difficult economic times it is more important than ever to give thanks for that which we do have. As I spend time with friends and family, I will reflect on my blessings as father of three wonderful daughters and my good fortune to be married to my amazing wife Heather. I will reflect […]
Colo. Capitol Staff Changes
( – promoted by Colorado Pols) In the wake of the elections, some significant positions at the Capitol are changing hands, State Bill Colorado has learned. The top administrative position at the Colorado Senate is in transition. Karen Goldman, the secretary of the Senate, is out. Her No. 2 for the past two years, Cindi […]
The hardest job I’ve ever done
(JPSandscl says this dairy, about his recent jury service, “isn’t really political.” He’s wrong on that point — serving on a jury where you literally weigh the life, liberty and property of a fellow citizen is in fact the highest form of citizenship and, thus, truly politics in the highest sense. – promoted by […]