GreeleyReport.com - Greeley's New Media balance

A Day Full Of Government

Yesterday Sam was driving down the highway, and passed a billboard that told him to "buckle up for safety."  Later he saw one that warned of the dangers of texting and driving.  It wasn't too far away from yet another one discussing the dangers of meth use.

Sam has friends that had a struggling marriage.  They found a local marriage seminar that was provided at "no charge" to them.  They still fight, but now they use the class rules when they do.

At the hospital the other day, Sam overheard someone disclose the fact that they had no insurance while at the Emergency Room.  This person was indigent and illegal.  The government picked up their bill.

Sam has watched District 6 pay for school breakfasts and lunches on behalf of students that have not eaten at home, or brought food.  They claim it helps the students do better in school.

Who paid for these items?  Well, you did.  Actually, you paid the taxes to the government.  They took their chunk for overpaid bureaucrats that processed grants, laid out grand social schemes, and mapped out ways to make the government the societal savior.  Then they disbursed the remainder to organizations that came to the government, hat-in-hand, to take some of that government money because "after all, it's free."

The next time you turn on the radio and hear a "public service" message, chances are, you paid for it.  If you hadn't paid for it, people would have had to take personal responsibility.  Children would have to turn to parents to eat meals.  Couples would have to resolve their marital conflicts with the help of social organizations that don't take government handouts, and billboard companies might have to adjust their fees downward.  After all, they profit handsomely from government dollars.  Government is everywhere these days, and it's time to slash spending and regulation.  It's the only way to get control of this runaway society.  Some may be hurt, but those that are wise will find better alternatives in the private sector.  Because in the end, big government is not the solution.  It's the problem.

Democrats, RINO's and Conservatives

The Democrats are quietly waiting in the wings, supporting their 2 or 3 candidates in the area behind the scenes while they gleefully watch the conservatives and Republicans wade through the primary season.  They hope that the RINOs will prevail and that they will have candidates much like their own, so they can bash conservatives for not being true to their views.  While this may be more true at the Federal level, they are missing the shift at the local and state gatherings.  RINOs are starting to lose, and it will soon become obvious.

In the past, many in Northern Colorado have been assured of winning simply because they had an R behind their name.  This brought people like Tom-Tom Selders into the camp that would flip flop back and forth between parties, just to try and sway politics depending on the way the wind was blowing.  However, since the emergence of 9.12 groups, tea parties, Ron Paul activists and Obama, the shift toward the right has been palpable.  Some on the right have galvanized.  While they may fight among themselves because they are truly independent thinkers (as opposed to being sheeple), there is a core value system emerging that thinks along the lines of fiscal responsibility, a return to closer alignment with the Constitution, and a moral value system closer to conservative ethics.

What this will do in November remains to be seen.  It won't have as much of an impact nationally, yet.  But the shift in Colorado has begun.  The primary campaigns will reflect it at the local levels, and in some races there may actually be a clear choice between candidates instead of just party labels.  That would be a good thing for a change.  The conservatives have more than an even chance, and the liberals know it.

Thompson Schools Lay Off Workers. What About District 6?

Thompson School District (in the Loveland area) has announced it will eliminate 48 positions at the end of this school year.  This comes on the heels of their district lay-off of 187 employees at the end of the 2010-2011 school year, and is a result of the financial pressure all of the Northern Colorado school districts face.  A significant portion of every business is employee-related, and this is especially noted among school districts.  Thompson has taken the steps to rein in costs, by dealing with staff issues now.

What steps has Weld District 6 taken in this regard?  Apparently none, based on their recent focus and communications.  Presentations by School Board leader Doug Lidiak have not dealt with any staff reduction issues, choosing instead to focus on the need for additional revenue for the district.  This will be a difficult sell, to increase taxes out of local pockets when others are laying off instead.

District 6 receives millions of dollars every year.  They have tended to block the insertion of innovation and private enterprise for years, holding back charter schools, denying parental involvement at the administrative and curricular levels, and denigrating ideas such as school vouchers or public contract negotiations.  This has left parents and taxpayers with a sense of distrust.  Their wallets are not open because their faces have been repeatedly slapped by the administration.  Perhaps it's time for District 6 to begin to cut back as well, given the fact that their present plans are not sustainable until they become accountable.

Thompson Schools have decided to address their staffing issues and cut back.  This may impact school programs and things people like, but they made the call.  They will live within their means.  How does District 6 plan to do this without increasing their spending?  Watch and learn.  You are about to get an education.

What's That Smell?

Greeley Mayor Tom Norton gave his "State of the Union Colony" address at the local Republican breakfast this week, with slides and glib words.  He touted the fact that Greeley is solvent, looking for growth, and has recruited a cash cow or two such as Leprino Foods, to help bring jobs to the area.  He also mentioned the thousands of potholes filled by the city crews.  Norton also mentioned the fact that Greeley has wide streets that need several million dollars more in maintenance, and the city needs to bring in more revenue.  Every municipality faces this burden these days, so that was no surprise.

Norton did take a few questions, and there were a couple surprising issues.  First, no mention was made of the tow truck measure, where Norton and the Greeley City Council refused to allow tow truck drivers to park their vehicles at home.  Norton lauded the response times of police and fire crews in Greeley, but he failed to mention any time that was wasted on-site, for example, at an accident scene.  The tow truck measure would reduce tow response times significantly, but Norton and the city didn't want it.  Those big, job-generating, fast-responding trucks must be an eyesore in neighborhoods.  The threat of neighborhood blight beat out common sense.

One question that seemed to surprise Norton was the question about the University of Northern Colorado serving halal (Islamic) food.  He said that he would basically stay out of it, but that it was in response to their "needs."  It was obvious that the rank-and-file were not happy with either Norton or his spouse, UNC President Kay Norton.  They seemed to think the University has opened a dangerous door by catering the religious demands of Muslims.

So what were the overall observations?  First, Greeley is better off than some cities, worse than others.  They love to over-regulate, cater to Muslims, push for big business, and pretend to be conservative when they are socially liberal (and always want more tax money).  People aren't very happy with the arrangement, but there doesn't seem to be a groundswell of support for any alternative candidate.  Greeley is stuck with Norton, at least for another term.  What's that smell?

Don't Die!

Ah, those ridiculous little politicians.  Where do they come up with there ideas?  There is the leader of the small Italian town that ordered the people in his village "not to die" this past week!  And then there is German Chancellor Angela Merkel.  She wants to tax sites like Drudge, just for showing up in her country via the internet.  They are such lovable types, aren't they.  (Insert chuckle here.)

Of course U.S. leaders are no different.  They can gut the Bill of Rights on the national level, and force everyone to have health care and death panels that lets the government determine when your time is up (just the opposite of the Italians, that want you to keep on living).  At the state level, they can let criminals and illegals carry firearms anywhere they want, as long as they don't get caught.  Citizens can carry firearms too, as long as they don't put a sweater over them.  Then, you need a government sanctioned permit, because after all, you are a law-abiding citizen.  Ahem.

These are the thought processes of people in government today.  Remember that when you question candidates.  The right to carry firearms means just that.  You have one, you carry it.  Period.  You are a citizen, not an illegal that seeks permission from the government to breathe!  The government should protect the borders (something they aren't doing a good job at), provide for interstate transport with a few roads, and butt out!  But that is just Sam's opinion.  Perhaps though, it would be a good place to start the dialogue with friends and neighbors...and politicians these days.  After all, they are telling us when to live and when to die.  Shouldn't we be telling them a few things while they listen for a change?

It Doesn't Go Far Enough

News reports on other sites report today that House Concurrent Resolution 107 has been introduced, to impeach Barack Obama if he consults with international agencies regarding the introduction of U.S. military troops and armament into a battle.  This was precipitated by an exchange between Obama's staffer Leon Panetta and Congressman Pete Sessions, where Panetta told Sessions that international consultation trumps Congress, the Constitution, and every other law in place in the United States.

But this resolution in the House doesn't go far enough.

• Obama should be impeached for having a phony birth certificate and selective service registration card.  If you were discovered to have fraudulent documents, would you be at work today?  No.  You would be in jail!  Obama must live by the same law.

• Obama should be impeached for introducing and passing NDAA, that allows for the arrest and indefinite detention of U.S. citizens (that's you and me, folks).  This in itself is a violation of the Constitution and Bill of Rights.

• Obama should be impeached for Obamacare.  As the bill is read, it is all the more horrifying and demands access to your bank accounts.  And yes, it does have death panels.  He should also be impeached for refusing to demand that Elena Kagan recuse herself from the Supreme Court during proceedings about Obamacare.  He has stacked the deck and played partisan politics.

• Obama should be impeached for continuing the Patriot Act, to be used against U.S. citizens.  It has already been confirmed as one horrible piece of legislation, but he continues it despite the fact that he promised to shut it down.

• Obama should be prosecuted for not closing our borders, and pushing instead for his friends outside the country to be brought in, carte blanche.  He has politicized national security at the expense of our safety, that that alone would be enough to throw him out of office.
  

There is a great likelihood that Obama will remain in office, however.  Most Republicans don't have the courage to do something against him, let alone the Democrats.  Ask yourself how many of these bills the Republicans voted into being, or how many approved Kagan to the Supreme Court bench.  They are gutless, and that is precisely the problem.  No, the current resolution doesn't go far enough, but at least it's a start.  Someone has courage to stand, and for that we express our thanks.  It's too bad it's nobody from around here.

It Isn't Just Me

• This week thoughts and comments from various readers have poured into my e-mail address (mr.samhill@yahoo.com) along with news tips and ideas.  Thank you for each of those.  Thank you for your concern for Northern Colorado, and for the United States of America.  It makes this blogger know this.  It isn't just me.

• It isn't just me that is concerned about the fact that the documentation the President of the United States of America posted on the official White House website has been found to be a fraud.  Furthermore, at least one other document (Obama's selective service registration) is also forged.  There is a conspiracy to show Obama as something he is not.  This is an impeachable offence and it began as a push to clear the President's name and validate his story.  The United States of America is being run by an impostor, and you are concerned as well.

• It isn't just me that screamed out in anger when Leon Panetta told Congress to take a hike.  When he said that international interests trump our elected representatives, it made us want to call our senators and representatives.  He should be tried for treason.

• It isn't just me that sees through the "green energy" lies.  One reader sent a "bumper sticker" to Sam that said:  "Money Laundering.  The only green jobs Obama can deliver."  It hit the nail on the head.  Vestas, Solyndra and Abound are being paid for by surcharges on coal, oil and gas (and funded by our tax dollars).  We think all government funds need to be pulled, and corn should be eaten instead of being put in the fuel tank.

• It isn't just me that is sick and tired of liberal candidates on the right and the left.  We are following candidates around, asking tough questions.  We are tired of being lied to by people like Corey Gardner that approved the largest debt increase in American history, supports NDAA, funds bombing in Libya, continues the Patriot Act, and then calls himself a conservative.  No more!  We want some people that will uphold God, guns, babies, freedom, lower taxes and repealed regulation.  Get out of our lives and let us be free again!

• It isn't just me that actually likes Rush Limbaugh calling a spade, a spade.  He may have been crude when he used a slur to label that woman, but she is a well-placed lesbian-supporting shill for the left.  If she needs that much money for birth control, she's out of control.  Get richer and stronger, Rush.  You have our appreciation for your courage.

• It isn't just me that is angry about how big business gets off the hook instead of failing, because government is in bed with them.  We are angry, and want to get every politican back to accounting to us.  We the people matter and you will hear us roar in time to come.

 

• It isn't just me that is concerned about illegal immigration because it's a national security issue.  We have been painted as racist, haters, and bigots, but we are none of those.  We appreciate immigration and want equal rights for them.  In fact, we understand that a part of illegal immigration is pushed by big-business because they want cheap labor and corporate slavery, and that's wrong.  We believe every person that comes across our border has a responsibility to this nation, to pledge allegiance to it with the same heart and soul as we do.

• It isn't just me that is well aware that Muslims have started to try and conquer the United States.  We are opposed to it, and will stand until we die, if necessary, to defend the roots of our nation as a free, Judeo-Christian nation.  If you don't like it, go to Iraq, Iran, or a host of other cesspool nations and help them build a glorious Islamic empire.  We are interested in maintaining the moral and economic values that came from our heritage.  Get over it, if you feel otherwise.

• It isn't just me that has started to completely ignore CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, the Denver Post and the Greeley Tribune (just to name a few).  We see through your pile of crap, formerly known as journalism.  We find our news in other sources because it's more accurate, not because of the political leanings.  You are in bed with the others, and we know it.  May your ratings and circulation continue to plummet.  We will read the comics, clip coupons, mock your advertisers, and take everything you say with a grain of salt.  We will tune in and read, just to watch you die off.

• It isn't just me that appreciates the resolve of the various groups like Tea Parties, Constitutionalists, and 9.12 groups.  Oh, we may not always be at their events, but we are glad that somebody is actually standing up for America again.  We wondered if the Occupy movement would be another good group, but they revealed their communist, anarchist colors relatively quickly.  They had some good points, but too many bad ones.  We see these groups for what they are.

• It isn't just me that is attending caucus meetings, conventions and primaries this year.  There are lots of us.  We will vote before November, and we will be watching the events of the nation closely.  Welfare was paid for by our tax money.  The nation died while we slept.  But some of us are waking up.  No, it isn't just me.  There are lots of us now, and we haven't even gotten started yet.  We may squabble among ourselves, and need to get over our stubborn, independent ways to work together, but we will get there.  Because it isn't just me.  It's you.  And there are more like us than we know.

Like Greece

If you look back and take a moment to evaluate what has happened in the past 4 years around the nation, and even around the state, it hasn't been good.  Here are a few items worthy of reflection.

• Gas prices.  They constantly go up, and only go down during election seasons.
• Food prices.  They are soaring.
• Utility prices.  Thanks to the two-tiered program and the constant work of the PUC we pay more for gas, electricity and other utilities than ever before.
• Home prices.  They plummeted into more of a "normal" range for awhile, but seem to be climbing once again.
• Raw materials costs.  Have you built something lately?  You will know how expensive it is to just buy the raw materials.
• Taxes.  Everyone wants more from you for their project.  Oh, it might be a bond issue that will cost you "just $60 more per year," or it will be good because "it's for the children."   But the bottom line is this.  Every government entity from school district to city, to state, to federal wants the money that you work to earn every day.  This takes chunks of serious money out of your hide.
• Discretionary needs.  Vacations?  Scaled back!  Recreational items?  Priced to sell.  Why?  Because we don't have the funds at our discretion.  They are now taken by the government.
• Medical costs.  Soaring, despite Obama care and the impending "great one" and his ways.
• Coupons.  It seems everyone is using them these days.  Why?  Because they have to.  It's not an option any more.  People are doing everything they can, to cut costs and save money.  Just ask the girl scouts and their cookies this year.

With all of this on our plates, take a good look at our candidates.  There is the impostor in chief on one side, and a few people displaying more of the same on the other.  Who would reset the fundamentals this nation needs to survive?  That is a key element in this election, or else we will be like Greece within a few short months.

Play Nice!

The Aims Community College diversity council doesn't get it.  They are offering a program on politics and diversity on Friday that will teach others how to participate in discussions with people they may not necessarily agree with.  Welcome to the land of Kool-Aid.

This promises to be one of those incipid forums that urges everyone to be tolerant and get along.  Funny.  Someone forgot to invite homosexual extremists, and the members of the occupy movement.  Some of these are advocating the use of violence and refuse to dialogue over any course of action except violent, destructive behavior.  (Sam has held personal conversations with members of both groups, and this is an accurate statement based on those talks.)  So who is suckered in by these kinds of forums?  You got it.  The "moderate," the "RINO," and the weak, stupid conservative.

If you are one of those people, be sure to attend this forum.  Then later, when you are stomped on by someone that isn't playing by your rules, ask yourself what happened.  The answer will come as you heal from your bruises.  The enemy doesn't play by rules.  They intend to win.  Do you?  Then you might have to get a little stronger, and stop listening to corporate Kool-Aid lectures.  But some people never learn.  They lose, usually by playing the middle of the road.  Do-nothing meetings are filled with these kinds of people, thinking they are making a difference when they are not.  If you aren't changing society, you aren't doing anything, no matter what Aims tells you.  If you don't believe me, look over the last 50 years and ask yourself who won the culture battle in that era.

So Far, A Collective Yawn

The District 6 school drama has slowed down with the departure of Brett Reese from the board.  But the pattern seems to be eerily similar to others from years past.  Children are failing with remarkable regularity, graduation standards have been lowered and not raised, the district is poised to ask for more money from the community (it's for the nice buildings this time, and maybe for curriculum), and regardless of who is on the board the district continues to slouch toward mediocrity.

Last Fall three new members were added to the board: Doug Lidiak, Logan Richardson and Scott Rankin.  So far these three have voted in lock-step with Judy Kron, Linda Trimberger, and Julia Richard.  Superintendent Ranelle Lang still has a huge bloc of power, and almost nothing has changed.  But since Reese (the lightning rod and catalyst of the group) is gone, it seems the city is once again content.

Are you happy with our schools?

• Do you like the fact that half the students presently enrolled don't meet minimum standards?
• Do you think the district deserves more money?
• Do you believe it's right that the district can hold you and I hostage over spending money on curriculum and textbooks when it's a fundamental need?
• Do you think Lang deserves the extravagant salary she receives?
• Do you believe the curriculum should be controlled by a closed group of teachers and administrators without any parental control?

If you believe these things, then do nothing.

However, if you are fed up with years (yes, years) of garbage, then we need more than the "cope-with-the-existing-garbage-and-ask-for-more-money" mentality.  It's obvious Trimberger, Kron and Richard won't do anything.  Now we are concerned the three new board members will join them in the collective yawn.  The time to shake things up is now.  Reese is gone.  Who will stand up now?  Who cares?

Dirty, Filthy "Green" Dumped In Your Back Yard

Yesterday, liberal Demoncrat Senator Michael Bennet decided to play his green card.  He partnered with a RINO from Kansas and introduced a measure that would extend the wind energy credits that are needed to keep Vestas afloat.  After all, Vestas is a great, green energy company.  Right?  Wrong!

According to Vestas itself, the waste generated from the production of each blade is nasty, toxic stuff.  It never decomposes.  Never!  According to inside reports the Windsor plant produces about 40 blades each week.  Each blade produces approximately one ton of waste that is taken to landfills around Northern Colorado.  Forty tons of waste is dumped in our area weekly, by this so-called green company.  What is in it?  Fiberglass resin, hardened resins of other kinds, epoxy, glues, hardners, vinyl, plastic, etc.  And it never decomposes!

So when Senator Bennet proposes the tax credit be pushed through, he looks green.  But Vestas isn't green at all.  It makes Bennet and Vestas and Obama look good.  In the meantime, who pays for this huge taxpayer subsidy for these jobs?  You do!  Who endorses the landfill disposal of this eternal trash?  You do.  Who looks the other way when the flight paths of various birds run directly through these wind farms, killing thousands of birds annually?  You do.  Congratulations.  This is what happens when the government subsidizes and controls business.  It looks green, but you get the trash.  (Link here to Vestas data.)

Who Voted For This?

An extreme overhaul of the FAA (Federal Aeronautics Administration) was recently passed by the Obama administration, that will use satellites to assist with air traffic control.  The wrangling over this bill took 5 years, and there were 23 temporary bills passed to keep the FAA afloat during all of the controversy.  In fact, the FAA was shut down for 2 weeks at one point, just because of the acrimony.

What were the sticking points that took so long to pass?  First, there was the issue of ensuring air traffic safety.  People in the air are vulnerable, and there was much debate on whether to use satellites and new technology, when older, more stable manual process had a solid track record.  But there were other issues and agendas in this bill as well.

One of them involves the tracking and use of drones, unmanned aircraft, in the United States.  The Federal government wants to use drones for various things, and so does law enforcement.  Law enforcement wants drones for air tracking of various thugs and thieves in their surveillance measures.  A little drone in the sky isn't as easily noticed as a squad car on the street.

But the drones are also wanted by Federal bureaucracies.  The EPA wants them, to track what they may think is illegal waste dumping on private property.  The department of Agriculture can use them to hover over private farm land and snap pictures of crops, acres used, even water consumption.  Get the picture?  Big brother is about to really watch you, because the uses of drones by government are virtually endless.  And who are they intending to watch?  You!

So who voted for this piece of legislation?  Actually, local Republican Cory Gardner did.  It joins his votes for the continuation of the Patriot Act and the NDAA debacle in his hall of infamy.  Make no mistake.  Just because somebody is a Republican, doesn't mean they are for freedom and true liberty.  Check it out for yourself.  Then ask yourself what the difference is between the Republican and Democratic candidates.  Sometimes, there won't be much difference at all.  And that is the huge tragedy.  Because of the, Big Brother is watching you.

Vestas. Not Good.

Greeley Report thanks the local readers for their insights and contributions.  This story is your information, shared with the public.

More information has been gleaned about the direction of Vestas during 2012.  Their performance during 2011 was weak.  In fact, the Chief Financial Officer (not the CEO) has resigned.  The chairman of the board of directors will not run for reelection, nor will two other board members.

In a recent meeting with employees, Vestas encouraged them to contact their senators and representatives, and push for passage of the production tax credit (PTC).  Although Vestas does not directly benefit from this utility company subsidy, their connections and benefits are unmistakable.  They need this, to survive.  Wind turbines cost around $4 million to produce.  The PTC gives utilities roughly $2.2 million per turbine.  You can do the math, and connect the dots yourself.

Shouldn't Vestas continue to receive government subsidies, pay employees well, and create green jobs and energy?  After all, government subsidies are rampant, spreading from farm and ranch to the medical industry.  Government tentacles even subsidize alcohol plants.  But these government funds are really your money!  You pay, the government takes their chunk out of the pot, and then they spend (and print more empty dollars) to give to whatever segment of society they deem worthy.  It is truly redistribution of wealth.  Your wealth.  Your children's wealth, controlled by the hands of tyrants, pickpockets and thieves.

When we realize this, we also start to realize this government handout program has to stop somewhere, and sooner or later, it must get to everywhere!  The Federal government is literally controlling huge segments of local industry through handouts.  But it cannot continue.

So, as the government picks their winners and losers for the year, which businesses will fail?  Which will succeed?  Shouldn't it be free markets that dictate the terms?  If we radically cut government subsidies across the board, we would find out soon enough.

Watch Out Windsor

Today there are so many crimes and so little time.  There is the story of the supposed Obama exceptions made for Catholics on his Obamacare plan (that isn't a retraction at all, but actually strengthens his power in this area).  There is the supposed "bailout" of the mortgage fraud industry, where only $2,000 will actually get to the homeowners themselves.  But the local story that we will look at today is the emergence of a potential "Solyndra" case in our own back yard.  It involves Vestas, in Windsor.

Vestas is a wind turbine manufacturer, and one of the emergent "green energy" companies.  However, in the past year 5 of their executives (including their CEO) have resigned, citing financial issues, declining demand for their products, and a tough market.  Now, they say they may lay off over 1,000 workers including many in Weld County, if they don't get a renewed governemnt grant from the Federal government.  Ah!  So that's it!  All of those high-paying, green jobs have once again been funded by the government!  That means that you and I are subsidizing every salary.

Brace yourself, Windsor.  You have a green energy company in your back yard right now.  But by June, you might lose hundreds of high-paying jobs.  Unless of course, you ascribe to Obama and his green policies.  This is a link between local business and vitality, and the Federal handouts.  Solyndra couldn't make it without the Federal government.  How many other companies are in the same boat?  It's time to find out.  Perhaps you will discover government tentacles in places you never expected.  Windsor, you may seem conservative in your views, but Obama is about to either whack you, or be your benevolent dictator.  How do you like that feeling?

What's The Catch?

Thanks to a frequent reader for this information.

Do you remember the battle royal over extending the payroll deduction "tax break" for two months?  It appeared that Obama caved in, and the sound of rejoicing was heard around the beltway.  However, what did the RINO's give up in return?  We find out now.

A new fee has now been located, tacked on to Fannie and Freddie mortgages.  This "fee" will be paid over the life of the loan, and it replaces the lost monies that would have been generated by the payroll tax.  How clever.  Bury a fee in another area, run it for 30 years on somebody else, don't tell the public, and all is well in Washington.

The nation should be outraged at the Republicans and the Demoncrats over this one.  Our Federal senators and representatives need to be grilled on how this was passed into law, and what their vote was on this "fee."  It's just political self-protection, searching for ways to move private money into Washington coffers.

What will they do next?  Will they try to bury the mortgage fraud cases with sweetheart deals that prop up the too-big-to-fail banks again?  Oh!  That's happening today?  Well, of course it is.  No wonder we the people are fed up with both parties.  (Link here for the CBS story.)

Romney Snubs Weld, Santorum Visits

According to eyewitnesses in the UNC ballroom, Saturday night was an eventful evening for Weld County Republicans.  Presidential candidate Rick Santorum greeted Republicans at the annual Lincoln Day dinner, and spoke to sustained applause.  As Republican Representative Cory Gardner discovered, it was a tough act to follow.  He spoke to lackluster applause later in the evening.

However, according to other sources, some of the real drama occurred during the preparation for the meeting.  Other Republican presidential candidates began calling in their attempt to sway the local Republican crowd.  The Lincoln Day dinner was one of two this weekend, in Colorado.  Romney wanted to send a representative while he travelled to Nevada, when he found out Santorum was coming.  Instead, Weld County Republicans extended an invitation to Romney as well, which he refused.  He chose Las Vegas; Santorum chose Weld County.

Santorum did manage to stir many in the party, and bring fresh name recognition for himself.  Will Romney's snub and Santorum's visit impact the Presidential race in Northern Colorado?  Stay tuned.

Behind The Good Headline

Last week the mainstream, brainless ones were trumpeting the great news from Weld County District 6 schools.  First, there was going to be a great deal of tax money spent on renovating existing schools or building a couple of brand new ones.  But the bigger news was in the so-called academic field.  More students graduated from District 6 than in years before.  It was a moment of giddy joy.

It's too bad folks didn't grasp the obvious or at least think back a few months to a fateful board meeting that created this event.  District 6 lowered their standards for graduation, thereby guaranteeing a bump in graduation statistics.  If graduation rates had gone down, that would be news.  But when you lower standards, the rates are guaranteed to increase!

Of course, to the outsider, this looks like an improving district.  How convenient.  The news comes just in time for District 6 to push for more money via bond issues, tax increases or other forms of extortion, so they can spend it on buildings, high-tech equipment and other things.  They will tell us that most of their money is tied up in salaries, and they need more.  (That's the case for most sizeable firms, so it's not really news.)  But they haven't proven their case.  Northridge is the newest high school, and they have their struggles despite high technology, a new building, and a commitment to be cutting edge and innovative.  The issue isn't in the money we give them, but still lies in what they do with it.  The charter schools that remain committed to fundamentals in how education is administered and in what is taught do better.  District 6 needs to know that we are on to their scheme.  Graduation rates soar.  The crowd goes wild!  More uneducated kids hit the street.  Now what?

Audit More, Not Less

Every 90 days the vehicle emissions testing stations around the state are audited by the state program.  Republican Senator Steve King (Grand Junction) wants to change the audit frequency to once every 6 months, so that it complies with Federal mandates.  But Weld County Senator Scott Renfroe disagrees.  He wants to keep the audits front-and-center, to keep the heat on the state.  Why?  Because he is still convinced that Weld County air standards are excellent and pollution levels are well-below EPA mandates.  The frequent audits prove his case, and provide an opportunity in the future to try and release this region from the hated emissions tests and fees.

Government frequently puts programs in place and then tries to "fix" them by ignoring them later.  It never works, and the fees and tests put in place are left for you and me to pay for over the course of many, many years.  King has the wrong approach because emissions testing doesn't harm his area.  Renfroe lives here, and he understands.  His committment and stance on this bill, the "red-light camera" bill and others demonstrate his commitment to conservative values, limited government, and pushing back when government intrudes.  It may appear he is for more regulation with this vote, when actually the reverse is true.

Illegal Love

Grand Junction Republican Tillie Bishop is a RINO.  Colorado taxpayers expect their education tax dollars to pay for the schooling of Colorado citizens, but Bishop is contemplating turning those tax dollars over to illegal aliens.  Bishop is one of seven Regents on the board of the University of Colorado.  Last year he rightfully opposed the same type of measure brought forward, saying illegal students shouldn't be given tuition perks when out-of-state students that are citizens of the U.S. pay non-resident rates.  He was right.

This year however, the board that consists of 4 Republicans and 3 Demoncrats is swinging toward the left, thanks to Bishop.  Now he thinks these illegals need to be given a chance.  So let's get something cleared up right now.  The people Bishop seeks to give your tax money to are residents of other nations.  These nations have colleges and universities, and these students have national, legal status there.  Your tax dollars should go to help U.S. citizens.  In-state tuition is for Colorado and U.S. citizens, not just Colorado residents.  If a U.S. citizen moves to Colorado from another state he or she must go through various steps to gain in-state tuition status, even as a U.S. citizen.  It would be an attack against the United States to give citizens of other nations in-state tuition, when others that are citizens cannot have this same benefit.

This is why the bill before the Colorado statehouse giving illegals in-state tuition benefits must be quashed once again.  Hickenlooper wants it.  UNC President Kay Norton wants it.  Other RINO's, libs and thieves all want this bill.  Furthermore, CU's Board of Regents must kill this issue again this year in their own rulings.  It's not an issue of race, but of right.  There are only so many tax dollars to go around, and Colorado citizens should reap the benefits, not illegal aliens with citizenship status and benefits from their native lands.  Let Tillie Bishop know where he needs to stand.  Apparently he thinks the Republican badge makes him something he's not.  He's sure not a conservative, and he needs to know that RINO hunting is in season.

China Roads

ABC News did a recent feature on the fact that many of Obama's "shovel-ready" projects such as road building have provided a significant amount of work...for Chinese.  (Link here for story.)  In fact, the Chinese companies that bid the jobs are bringing in those from China to do the physical labor.  This is no surprise to some around this area that know about Chinese oil and gas drilling units, nor is it a shock to folks around Boise that know China wants to establish a 50 square mile outpost near their city as a trading, sovereign zone.

Some may argue that this is all simply paying the lowest bidder for the job, but there is a larger problem when it's looked at in overall context.  It's as though Obama views himself as king of the world.  He appoints people to positions without congressional support, he establishes fresh czars, he says he's for energy while he destroys projects like the keystone pipeline and clean coal with a stroke of his pen, and he doles out money to his cronies in companies like Solyndra like it's water.

There is a mindset behind these deliberate acts, a mindset that seeks to destroy America.  You and I are paying for this, and Obama must go.  The problem may be the fact that most of the so-called Republican candidates would merely slow the decline and not turn much of anything around.  Perhaps it's time to find the most radical, most conservative candidate many would eschew.  If not, Chinese-built roads may soon come to Colorado.  After all, they are the lowest bidder.

Elections And Borders

Election season.  It's that time of life when the Democrats tell the U.S. Border Patrol to step up enforcement.  In an exclusive Associated Press article the governmental organization has revealed it will now be tougher this year on detaining and returning illegals crossing the border.  Surprise!  Obama and his cronies are working toward the right so he can appear to be more "conservative."

In other news, the hispanic group "Somos Republicans" has endorsed Newt Gingrich because of his stance on immigration and creating a path to citizenship for some illegals.  He may have a serious voting base in the Southeast that will draw support away from Romney because of this.  However, Gingrich isn't working toward the middle; he was already there.

These are the games that are played in election seasons.  Watch them.  Look at prior voting records and watch who supports various candidates.  Look at how those in office wield their authority!  It speaks volumes.

Little George And The Republicans

When so-called 'news man" and political hack George Stephanopoulos was selected to moderate the Republican debate held on national tv, every Republican candidate should have boycotted the event.  His ill-concealed liberal views eventually erupted during the debate, as he began to obsess about pro-life issues and other statements made.  He should have been dumped by all the candidates at the very outset.  Instead, they chose (earlier in the year) to boycott a similar forum moderated by...Donald Trump!

It's true.  Trump has an agenda all of his own, and at times seems to have aspirations and interests in the political arena for himself.  However, that is no different than Stephanopoulos.  The fact of the matter is this.  Many of the questions the conservatives would ask the candidates aren't being thrown at them.  Why?  Because the moderators are RINO's, pseudo-conservatives, or complete liberals.

In all reality candidates like Romney, Gingrich and others don't mind an extremely liberal moderator.  It's easier for these candidates to appear conservative when questioned by somebody farther to the left.  Remember that. It's yet another tactic to try and sway you from your values and steal your vote for someone you really don't like.

Obamney?

He squeaked out a win over Rick Santorum in Iowa.  He won in an Obama state in New Hampshire.  But will RINO Mitt Romney be the Republican choice for President?

• Romney has money.  Besides his personal wealth and the LDS machine backing him, Romney has the support of large, monied power brokers in the nation.

• Romney has experience.  He didn't get to become governor back East without some type of political acumen.  He has also used his previous campaign knowledge to his advantage.

• Romney has personality.  He uses his "clean" image to advantage.  This is especially helpful to the casual voter that merely watches Fox News and thinks it's conservative.

The trouble is this.  Romney will lose a great number of Republicans and conservatives if he is the candidate.  He may well win over Colorado since it has a powerful Mormon political machine anchored by Ryan Call, the LDS head of the Colorado Republican Party.  But he will probably lose conservatives, people that question LDS credibility, and those that know Romney's true colors.  Like John McCain, he's a RINO, a pseudo-conservative.  Ron Paul supporters will bolt for the exits, and they are a large bloc of Republican support this year.  This leaves Romney looking like John McCain, four years ago.  He would be the candidate Republicans put forth, trying to force party faithful and conservatives to swallow a bitter pill once again.  It won't happen.  The Tea Parties and 9.12 groups have had enough.

Undoubtedly the Obama camp is salivating over a Romney victory.  With right-wing demographics like the ones put forth above, it all but guarantees their illegal candidate a victory.  While this may anger some conservatives, it really is a Republican problem.  Obama is not president because there is a great liberal swing in the Demoncrat party, but because there is a distaste for true conservatives on the right.  Many will not vote for Romney.  What does that leave?  More of the same.

You Bought The Phone

Sam knows several impoverished folks in the Greeley area that are stuggling with the economy much like the middle class.  However, he has noticed they seem to have the same amenities as the others.  True, they may live in subsidized housing, pay no taxes, and have food and energy assistance.  But they also have flat-screen tv's, and nearly all of them have cell phones (including many of their pre-teen children).  Where did all of this come from?  The truth is that you probably paid for all of it.

Check out SafeLink Wireless (link here).  They are a government-run organization that gives cell phones to the "poor" and pays for them with your tax dollars.  This is only one of many such programs that take the money from you and your family and give it to others they deem to be deserving of your money.  If your family can't afford a cell phone, that's just tough.  You make too much already.  Are you on a fixed income and retired?  Who cares?  Obama wants to redistribute your wealth.

These are the programs that can be weeded out of government, and quickly.  Helping the needy always works best in the private sector when zero tax dollars are provided.  Until the government gets out of the business of taking your money to make charitable contributions, they will do nothing except create poor, dependent voters.  And they will vote to the left every time.

The Views Of This Government...

We have heard the old disclaimers at the front of a program that say "the views of this program are not necessarily the views of this station."  Unfortunately, the views of the U.S. government don't necessarily reflect the views of the average American.

Take the viewpoint on the indefinite detainment of U.S. Citizens that has been debated with NDAA, or the renewal of the Patriot Act.  Most citizens oppose these issues, and yet they passed.  Most citizens want lower taxes and less regulation.  Instead, we get more.  Most people don't want the large, to-big-to-fail banks to be bailed out, and want the Federal Reserve to be audited and exposed.  It doesn't happen.  Why not?

Most politicians will tell us what we want to hear during campaign season, but will vote another way during the time when government is in session.  When challenged they will use several tactics, including telling us that we don't understand how it is "in government."  They try to explain their bad votes.  But the truth is this.  They didn't stand for our liberties when it mattered.

This is when we should vote them out.  If a Republican is voting like a Democrat, he or she is a Democrat.  Period.  If a so-called conservative votes liberal, they are liberal.  Period.  Vote them out.  They might have nice hair, a good personality, and be really kind.  It doesn't matter.  They are in governemnt to do one thing; that is to vote your way.

This is why the views of many in government do not reflect you or me.  We give them a pass.  We buy the lie.  "They intended to vote right," we reason.  But they didn't, did they.  Hold them accountable.  It matters, if you love liberty.