Saturday, January 30, 2010

Notification to Withdraw from Voluntary Spending limits…

I was notified today that John Hickenlooper has filed to be a candidate for Governor of Colorado but has not filed the form, “voluntarily acceptance of campaign spending limits” for his campaign. I now have the option to withdraw my commitment to limit my campaign spending based on Colorado statute. By statute I can withdraw, on principal I cannot.

I believe if I have the ability to spend $2.65 million I could win, even if another candidate raises a billion dollars. Truth and principle always win when the message gets out to the people. $2.65 million is enough to get the message out.

With the Mayor’s refusal to accept spending limits I actually would have the opportunity to spend more than the $2.65 million if I chose to but why? Social media has leveled the field significantly and if you can’t manage $2.65 million to win a campaign, you don’t deserve to manage the state’s affairs.

Thank you Mayor Hickenlooper for giving me the opportunity to increase the amount of money I can spend but, I'm disinclined to acquiesce to the opportunity your campaign has given me. Good luck!

The Answer Lies With The Governor…

I will continue to herald the call to read our US Constitution and when you’re done, read the Tenth Amendment, twice. Continue to educate yourself on our founding and you will start to understand my consistent drum beat on electing a Governor that will stop the out of control federal spending and borrowing against our will.

The constitution and our founders were absolutely clear that the power remain with the states. The constitution was only ratified because the states insisted on the Bill of Rights and particularly the Tenth Amendment. Read it again "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people." could it be any clearer?

Nancy Pelosi spent $101,000 of taxpayer money on booze and food just on her taxpayer paid airline flights (using military jets because she is so important) which totaled $2,001,000 for the use of the military jets. We know it is more than that but what it shows is a completely elitist attitude in the federal government. The federal government is now pursuing the College football bowl series because senator Hatch and Obama don’t like the way it is run. Many don’t like the way it is run but should the federal government be involved? Where do these federal government representatives derive the power to intrude on college football and don’t they have more important business? Terrorism comes to mind.

If we don’t elect Governors this election cycle to start the revolution back to our constitutional principles we will be bankrupt in 5 years guaranteed. Then it will be too late because the chaos will be leveraged by the federal government to take even more freedom for us. The founders argued about national government Vs. federal government and determined that federal form of government kept the government closest to the people. They believed by keeping the government close to the people the people would retain the power to keep it in check. They knew through history that the propensity of men to rule each other was best kept in check when the central government was limited and distributed. We are upside down today.

We need to turn the national movement back through reading and educating everyone on the constitution. We can turn back this pending crisis by electing Governors that will stand up to the federal government. The Governors have the greatest weapon of all to stop the federal takeover of our liberty; the Tenth Amendment. We need someone with the guts to use it.

The “tea parties” have begun and it was three years after the original tea party in Boston before we declared our independence. We are ready now with all of the grass roots movement afoot. We just need to combine our passion with the constitution and we can return to our founding principles. The men and women that have died for our cause deserve our commitment to the constitution they swore to uphold and protect.

We need a Governor that will do the same. I will be on the front line standing up against this out of control federal takeover if you give me the chance. We can do this if we all know our history and believe in our founding principles…

Friday, January 29, 2010

Looking For Change in All the Wrong Places…

We need to look within our own hearts if we expect things to change. Expecting change from people and organizations like the two political parties is simply unrealistic. The Tea Party movement is real change because that movement is made up of people that have decided to make change within themselves. This group has decided, and rightly so, that the two parties can’t be trusted, and they must look outside the candidate pool that has been traditionally dished out to them without their input. The tea party folks are not a GOP organization although many in the GOP are attracted to the movement, they are people that are fed up with the current political class, and the direction the country is heading.

My hope is that this group remains true to its core values and considers my campaign as an alternative to the two parties. More specifically as an alternative to the current GOP candidate. This group knows that any candidate has a chance to win if they focus on the core principles of this country; family, hard work, and individual opportunity. They are looking for someone that will not let them down; again. They are looking for someone to focus on reduction of government intrusion instead of candidates that believe government is the answer to all of our ills. They are looking for principle over party.

The GOP is courting this group of patriots but they know that even though they are a better choice than the Democratic Party, it is more disappointing when “one of your own” lets you down, like they have been doing for the past decade. The GOP is on egg shells with this group because they have lost the trust of the people due to their past actions. So what will be different this time around?

I know I am a long shot but I hope members of this group start looking closer at who has a better chance of delivering on their goals, a candidate connected to a party that continually disappoints, or a new candidate that understands the plight of small business, has spent his entire life in the private sector, lives what he preaches, and will have a Citizen Oversight Board that will include regular citizens with access to the activities I plan to pursue as Governor (see my 90 Day Plan).

The nation was looking for change in 2008 and boy have we been getting change. When the Republican Party was in control we also saw a change; another huge federal program (Medicare prescription), an effort to give amnesty to 20 million illegal’s, and a continual bloating of government spending that has put us in the critical spot we find ourselves today.

The change I propose is called constitutional government. It is an approach that supports the founding principles of freedom and individual liberty. It is a change to limited government as outlined in our founding documents. It is the belief that we are the greatest country in the world because we have nurtured individuals chasing their dreams. We believe in divine providence and that our rights are God given. We are proud to say God and country. Is this a change we should try? What is the alternative? Expecting change from the party candidates that have already failed us for the past decade?

Governor of Colorado; First 90 Days…

• I will appoint a group of citizens to be part of a Citizen Oversight Board to oversee my administration so they can communicate directly with the people. I will include members of the Tea Party movement, GOP, Democrat, Libertarian, and unaffiliated influences. These folks will be chosen by their respective organizations to insure they are represented properly. They will have access to observe all policy discussions involving my administration. The objective is to provide true transparency as I try to reform government. Building trust again with the people is priority one.

• Language created to introduce a ballot initiative for Colorado Constitutional Amendment to limit the federal government income tax rate to a maximum of 15%.

• Introduce a resolution that affirms our commitment to the U.S Constitution and specifically our recognition that it is the state’s responsibility to address all powers not enumerated and our commitment, and our full compliance to the Tenth Amendment.

• Introduce a plan to eliminate the corporate income tax for Colorado based businesses for three years. At the end of 3 years the program will be audited for effectiveness in creating jobs and new businesses in Colorado. Review federal regulations that are impacting small business and nullify the ones that are unconstitutional.

• Introduce a plan that will focus on adjusting all state pensions and benefits to the average of the private sector.

• Reduce the Governor’s executive budget by 30%

• Create a team that will audit all federal programs for the constitutionality, effectiveness, and possible process of nullification for those deemed unconstitutional.

• Introduce healthcare reform; make individual policies tax deductible, eliminate state mandates on health insurers, and eliminate income tax on doctors and hospitals that promote market based pricing to cover patients that choose not to purchase insurance.

• Review Medicaid and unfunded mandates to determine focus and reform.

• Reduce state income tax rates for veterans.

• Create group to consider K-12 education funding that promotes excellence and results.

• Create a media campaign to promote Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

I will be reaching out to the citizens of Colorado to become active in their government. It will be critical to include people in the process to build credibility and trust. Without credibility and trust we will remain divisive and paralyzed. We will never make the changes necessary to stop the out of control government unless we have the backing of our citizens. They will not be lobbyists, they will be chosen in ways that open up the process to everyone, not just the politically connected.

This is not comprehensive but a start to real change toward a truly constitutional government.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Trains, Jobs, and Arrogance…

The SOTU speech by the president last night was full of stuff and not very “presidential”. It was a little too flippant and arrogant for me and I can’t imagine if I were unemployed how I would feel. The smiles, inside jokes, and disconnect from the American people was palpable. It was actually disgusting to watch.

The part where the president built to a crescendo saying “and I expect a Jobs Bill” to blah, blah, blah, was so pathetic as if any government program could snap its fingers and jobs would appear. It showed the lack of understanding of how real jobs are created, and the result of their “jobs bill” will be a longer recession.

The real kicker to me was the number of times “green jobs” was used. Most people don’t give a crap about the color of their job as long as it pays in “greenbacks”. The president was flying today to Florida to “kick off” a new rail project which will probably make him feel good because it seems he is envious of the Europeans focus on trains. In Europe trains make sense. In America we love our automobile and before Florida spends a trillion dollars on a new train they better survey the true usage patterns of public transit.

The dirty little secret is that public transportation limits people’s ability to travel when and where they want, and most people only use it when it is convenient to their particular travel plans. I know there is a huge push for more trains but they went out of business for a reason, and those reasons have not changed. If there was a true market for more trains, Buffet would be building them. The only reason they are being considered is the commitment of our tax dollars that will subsidize the losses just like we do with Amtrack.

Last night was a real disappointment but I don’t look to Washington for my future. Unfortunately too many Americans do…

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Free Colorado Survey

I filled out this survey from FreeColorado.com. It's long but it will give you an idea of where i stand. In case you missed it on their website:

SUMMARY

In a Twitter-length reply (140 characters maximum), please state why you are running for political office.
I am running to re-affirm our tenth amendment rights and keep Colorado money in Colorado supporting Colorado’s citizens. We must stop the federal spending and borrowing and the Governors are the last resort.


ECONOMIC ISSUES

* Should the federal or state government spend money in an attempt to "stimulate" the economy? If so, on what sorts of projects?
No. We need to limit the flow of money by challenging the sixteenth amendment through a constitutional amendment of the Colorado Constitution to limit federal taxation to a maximum of 15% of income. The federal “stimulus” kills jobs by undermining free market principles.

* Should tax dollars be directed toward energy projects, tourism, or any other form of business subsidies?
Tax incentives should be used at the state level to drive behavior. In Colorado we need to diversify energy development to use all sources of energy. We should not pursue energy policy based on a political “green” agenda. We need a practical approach that focuses on energy development that works in Colorado based on our resources and 300 plus days of sunshine.
We need to minimize the cost of doing business and reduce regulatory burdens to attract business. We need to stop imposing more and more barriers to business. We need to make healthcare costs deductable for individuals so small business is not burdened with the cost of healthcare. I will review and reduce mandates on health insurance policies so that these companies compete with flexible plans that fit the consumer not some state bureacrats vision of health insurance.

* (State-Level Candidates:) Should the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights be kept completely intact? If not, how should it be altered?
Absolutely! We need to hold government accountable and make the state communicate the value of programs and fight for funding if necessary. If the voters don’t want to pay for a service then we don’t provide it. I will look to separate funding so that Citizens understand what they are paying for in their taxes and determine if they believe it is worth supporting. We work for the taxpayer not special interests.

* (State-Level Candidates:) Should Amendment 23 be repealed, maintained, or modified?
Education is a key to success. We need to continue to encourage alternate education programs outside of public education. Amendment 23 represents the voters understanding of the importance of education and we need to continue to find the best ways to educate our kids. My plan to limit the amount of income taxes sent to Washington (challenging the sixteenth amendment) would help support additional funding for alternate education funding. We need to revisit the way we are currently funding education overall. We need to look at a stable funding mechanism that limits the fluctuation of the current tax program.
So I agree with the Amendment in principle but I have a problem with public education formulas for distribution, the amount of money leaving our state that could be used for education, and the inconsistency of the funding sources. We need to look at better ways and not be blinded by the current interests surrounding public education. It’s about educating our kids, not supporting union demands.

* (State-Level Candidates:) Should any particular state taxes or fees (such as the state corporate income tax or the subjects of the tax-cutting initiatives) be repealed or reduced? Should any be added or increased?
I would eliminate the state corporate income tax for employers that have their operations based in Colorado. We need to create jobs and stop punishing business for being successful. The more money business can make, the more they will put back into their business and the economy.

* Should state or federal spending (depending on which office you seek) be higher or lower than it is currently?
Federal spending needs to be tied directly to the constitutional limits of the federal governrnent. Colorado citizens and businesses should pay no more than 15% of their income maximum to the federal government. We need to reaffirm the tenth amendment and challenge the sixteenth and while we’re at it repeal the seventeenth amendment.
When people feel they have control of the process they are more likely to support the services needed. Government should not be growing at this point. We have too much already. We need to reduce or transfer funds to programs that have the people’s support. The reason ballot initiatives keep failing is that people are tired of the waste and fraud in government, especially at the federal level. We should not be sending our money to bail out GM, Chrysler, Financial institutions, while we lay off our police and firefighters. People are ticked off and are making that known where they have control; at the local level. We need to bring government closer to the people and start building trust again.

* Should the state or federal minimum wage (depending on which office you seek) be repealed, maintained, or increased?
Repealed. I am a small business man and let me tell you, you get what you pay for. Good business people know this and pay accordingly. Minimum wage kills jobs for our kids and entry level workers.

* Should college education be subsidized by tax dollars?
No. A college education should be earned and not an entitlement. We need to support students that are willing to invest in themselves with tax incentives to their parents and make loans available at fair interest rates. The current system encourages higher institutions to be less efficient because they know that government is under writing college educations. A college education is critical but that means every student needs to make the commitment of their own resources. We need to drive the prices down for college by introducing some market principles into the process. They operate in a bubble and have very inefficient business practices that is supported by the knowledge that government will keep subsidizing their institutions.
Colleges need to start looking at their courses and deciding if they keep a department of foolish studies. Too many college courses today would be better suited for some other venue and we need to increase true disciplines like mathematics, sciences, engineering, history, political science etc...
Education is a business with some unique drivers. I think we need to look at tax breaks and incentives for Colorado citizens to save for a college education. I would support helping individual students that deserve college rather than throwing tax dollars at the institutions themselves.
I expect a lot of push back here because there is an industry around colleges and they believe they should not have to “compete”. I would love to see every Colorado student graduate college, but every kid will want to go to college.

* Should antitrust law or its enforcement be changed?
No

* (Federal-level candidates:) Should Sarbanes-Oxley be repealed?
NA


SOCIAL AND CHURCH/STATE ISSUES

* What do you believe is meant by the "separation of church and state," and do you endorse it?
It is used improperly all the time. We are a Christian nation and I am proud to believe we are endowed by our creator with inalienable rights. As Governor or any politician for that matter can’t force people into any religion. The separation is simple; the state cannot infringe on people that want to worship God. The state can’t mandate a God. People need to read the founding documents and our history to reset their understanding of the first amendment. I am a man of God but I don’t endorse any particular church or religion.
You can’t have a free society without a moral foundation. God should be accepted and celebrated. If that offends people they need to get over it.

* Should religious institutions receive tax dollars for providing welfare or other faith-based services?
Definitely. Government has a horrible track record of helping people get off welfare. They actually have a self interest in perpetuating it. I trust private foundations to provide social services and I would want to insure auditing of the programs is in place but if we are looking for results to help people become productive we have to trust private organizations and churches to do the job government has shown it can’t.

* Should the teaching of creationism or Intelligent Design be subsidized by tax dollars?
I think all subjects that get kids thinking is good for students. I also believe there is no reason religion should not be discussed in the classroom. Are we afraid that knowing about God is going to ruin our kids? Insanity. No special tax dollars are needed we just need teachers that are willing to teach and get kids passionate about learning.

* Should tax-funded schools establish a period of permitted or required prayer?
Permitted prayer is fine. I believe with tax dollars tied to the student, parents can choose where to send their kids. That will eliminate the need for state bureaucrats to get involved. If the school prays everyday and parents don’t like it they move their kids. It is a local issue to be decided in school districts.

* Should government officials promote religiously oriented displays and comments on government property and at government events?
“Government official” is a loaded term. Is a teacher a “government official” just because they work for a public school? As Governor I would promote the Christian faith and Jewish religious symbols at Christmas and Passover. I would recognize the importance of these religions on our culture and history.

* Do you support gay marriage?
No but I do support individual rights. If two people want to enter into a contract with each other and share their resources that’s great. Marriage is an institution that creates the best environment to raise our kids. We need to respect that and also respect people’s individual rights to enter into contracts and call it what they wish. But not marriage.

* If you answered no to the question above, do you support domestic partnerships, civil unions, or comparable legal recognition of gay couples?
I will do nothing as Governor to promote the gay agenda. I will promote the rights of individuals protected under our constitution. The gay agenda is an agenda to promote acceptance of a lifestyle most people don’t agree or take part in. I do not have to accept their agenda but I will respect their right as individual citizens.

* Should gay couples be allowed to adopt children by the same standards as heterosexual couples?
This issue is more complicated for me. I believe and will support adoption of children by people with the right intentions for adopting children. First we want kids in traditional families, man and woman. But when any family is abusive and the choice is violence or no adoption I would support couples adopting these kids with the same vigorous background checks as heterosexual couples.

* Should government never, always, or sometimes mandate parental notification and consent before a minor may legally obtain an abortion, and, if sometimes, under what conditions?
Always notify parents.

* Should government mandate waiting periods or ultrasounds before a woman may legally obtain an abortion?
No

* Do you endorse the "personhood" measure that may appear on the 2010 ballot?
No

* Should abortion be legal in cases of fetal deformity?
See the one question on abortion for my stand on the issue
* Should abortion be legal in cases of rape or incest?
See the one question on abortion for my stand on the issue

* Should abortion be legal in cases of risk to the woman's life, as determined by the health professional selected by that woman?
See the one question on abortion for my stand on the issue

* Should elective abortion be legal?
As Governor this is my position on abortion. I will produce and support an education program that factually describes the procedure of aborting a child. A fetus is a life with a beating heart and with today’s technology we understand more clearly than ever what happens when an abortion is conducted. We see that life struggle to get away; we see the baby’s features and formation. Education will reduce abortion more than any government policy ever could. I will support laws that limit abortion at the point of the baby’s ability to survive without the support of the mother. Before that point we are in very dangerous territory to hand over authority to government. I am consistently suspicious of government in our lives and when it comes to the monitoring of our woman for the purpose of applying law, I can never hand over that decision to a government bureaucrat.
Conservatives are always talking about getting government out of our lives except in the arena of abortion. I am consistent. We will all be judged by our maker and we can only do what we can to convince people of the ramifications of abortion. I will never support the tax funding of abortion under any circumstance.
This is a divisive issue and this is what I can live with as Governor. I will not apologize or pander to either side on this. This is what I believe my maker will accept at judgment time for me. Others will have a different opinion. That is their right.

* If you believe that abortion should be legally restricted, what criminal penalties do you advocate for a woman and her doctor for obtaining or facilitating an illegal abortion?
See the one question on abortion for my stand on the issue

* Would execution ever be an appropriate penalty for obtaining or facilitating illegal abortions?
No

* Should types of birth control be legal that may prevent a fertilized egg or zygote from implanting in the uterus?
yes

* Should fertility treatments be legal that may result in the freezing or destruction of a fertilized egg or zygote?
Yes not government funded

* Should research involving the use of embryonic stem cells be legal?
Yes not government funded

* Should abortions or embryonic stem cell research be subsidized by tax dollars?
No


IMMIGRATION

* (Federal-level candidates:) Should the U.S. expand a legal guest-worker program or legal immigration, and, if so, by how much?

* (State-Level Candidates:) Should Colorado government force employers to verify with the federal government the legal status of potential employees, and, if so, what penalties should apply for failure to do so?
Yes and I would impose severe penalties for businesses that hire illegal workers.

* Should federal or state tax-funded benefits (depending on which office you seek), including K-12 education, be extended only to U.S. citizens, to legal immigrants and guest workers, or to everyone in the U.S. including illegal immigrants?
We need to get the federal government to do their job of enforcing and closing our borders and as Governor we will not be supporting any illegal immigrant with any services. By creating a severe penalty for business to hire illegal workers we will see a exodus from our state. I support legal immigration and work visas. I have no tolerance for law breaking.


PROPERTY RIGHTS

* What restrictions, if any, should be placed on the use of eminent domain?
Eminent domain must pass the test outlined in the constitution. As Governor I will never use it unless the circumstances are so clear that everyone is supporting the land taking and I am the last one standing.

* Do you endorse the use of eminent domain in the case of the Pinon Canyon military expansion? Do you support the military expansion if it does not involve eminent domain?
I support the tenth amendment and state’s rights. I stand by the ranchers and land owners of Pinyon Canyon. I could only support expansion if 100% of the land owners agree and there is a contract in place that protects Colorado from a future pullout of Army operations. That land is too precious from a state perspective regarding the economy and if the Army ever closes up and leaves the base, where are we? Overall I think the military has many options besides taking additional land.

* Should the Endangered Species Act be altered or differently enforced?
We need to have common sense here or we will end up like California, ruining human lives for a guppy. Unacceptable to me. As Governor our people will come first and we will be good stewards of our land. They can work together.

* (State-Level Candidates:) Should the smoking ban be maintained, expanded, or repealed? Should it apply to on-stage performances?
This is a freedom issue for me. I don’t smoke but I don’t think government should decide how business is run. If the business wants to ban or allow smoking I am good with allowing the market to dictate. In open air we just need to respect each other.


BILL OF RIGHTS

* Should McCain-Feingold and state campaign finance restrictions be repealed, maintained, or expanded?
Repealed. I support free speech and that includes organizations and individuals.

* Should the federal government control what radio or television stations may broadcast?
If I am Governor they will control very little here in Colorado. They should only control what is important for emergency response and military frequencies to keep us safe.

* Should the FTC's rules regarding blogger endorsements be rescinded?
I don’t like the FTC but I support people knowing where any information comes from and where the funding source is so they can make good judgments about the information.

* Should students with licenses be legally permitted to carry concealed handguns on the property of tax-subsidized colleges?
I support concealed, exposed, and the ability to carry a hand gun. Good citizens should be able to carry. At 18 I believe we all have adult rights and why limit that at college. I support the constitution of the United States and the second amendment is no exception.

* Should additional restrictions be added (or repealed) on gun ownership? Please specify.
No additional restrictions. I believe the more people that have guns in their homes the greater security we have.

* Do you believe that desecration of the U.S. flag should be outlawed by Constitutional amendment?
I hate the idea of our flag being desecrated because it represents the greatness of our country and veterans that have died for it. I believe the people that have died for our flag would be disgusted but would support the freedom to do so. So no I would not support an amendment although it would feel good to do so.

* Do you believe that pornography or obscene materials involving consenting adults should be legally restricted?
I think pornography is a cancer and needs to be eliminated. It undermines our woman and children and I would support throwing the bums in jail that produce it. The problem is that there are people that have come to accept this degradation of society and is not high on the minds of voters.


OTHER

* Should state or federal laws (depending on which office you seek) pertaining to marijuana be altered, and, if so, how?
I believe marijuana leads to more addictive drugs and undermines people’s motivation in life. I am not convinced it has medical purposes but if it does it should be in pharmacy outlets and not in separate places where we see criminals targeting them to steal the drug.

* (State-Level Candidates:) Should rules pertaining to petitioners be altered, and, if so, how?
I love that citizens can petition their government. I believe in our representative republic but I think people generally get the issues right when the information is clear.

* If there is any important issue that you believe we have missed, please state what it is and state your position on it.
I just want to emphasize that I will ask the voters of Colorado to amend our state constitution to limit the amount of money our federal government can take from our income. It starts there. When we reduce the scope of the federal government we can focus on the things that are most important here in Colorado like a job creation environment, individual healthcare reform, and a focus on education.
We must reaffirm our tenth amendment rights, challenge the sixteenth amendment, and repeal the seventeenth amendment. It’s that simple...

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Root Cause Analysis

Root cause analysis is a process used to find not just a symptom of a problem but what the underlying cause is so it can be rooted out and fixed. I would like to apply it to three major problems we face today; a failing economy, a divided citizenry, and the pending bankruptcy now projected to be upon us within ten years if something isn’t done right now.

The root cause of our failing economy is a movement away from the free market principles that once were the foundation of our capitalist system. We allowed government to intervene in the process of loan qualifications. Instead of 20% down on a mortgage the government encouraged no verification loans to get specific groups of people qualified even though they didn’t have the income to pay back the money they borrowed. The private sector went along because the government threatened them with closure and more importantly promised to take the risky loans off their hands through the Fanny Mae Freddy Mac scam. This not only created a housing crises it created a culture of corruption because bad decisions were now acceptable and the flow of money drove the worst out of the people in the financial industry.

The moral compass of the American people turned for the worst and everyone wanted to get on the band wagon and forgot the principles of hard work and saving. Against their better judgment Americans went along with the government housing scam and leveraged their safe assets to get in on the boom. The result today is clear. Our core principles were abandoned therefore our economy collapsed.

A divided citizenry is the result of the two party political system. We have drifted from our founding principles of individual freedom to a clear delineation of group think within what is now called the Republican and Democratic Party’s. All Americans at one time were thriving for the dream but today politics is built around demographic groups stealing from each other through the government apparatus fostered by the two political parties. They have become brands that represent specific groups determined to use the government to get ahead economically. The democrats steal our individual wealth for the “working” man and the republicans steal our wealth for the corporations. They both use the other to raise funds, distract from the real issues, and both are consistently growing government for their own benefit. Long ago are the days that we united around our constitutional principles. The parties are divisive and a cancer that eats away at our ability to be individual Americans.

At today’s pace of spending and borrowing our debt will take up 98% of total Gross Domestic Product. That is the total amount of goods and services created in this country. We will have no money in less than ten years. The root cause is our drifting from our constitutional republic that insisted on limited central government. We have ignored our constitution to our peril. We are spending on programs that shouldn’t even exist. We no longer fight for our rights; we fight for a piece of the “bacon”. The bacon is the wealth of individual citizens that is stolen unconstitutionally from us with the blessing of our two parties.

The way to solve these critical problems is simple; reaffirm our constitutional republic by electing and holding accountable our elected officials to our constitutional principles. It all comes down to living up to our founding documents, returning to our moral roots, and living as individuals under a common principle of government so eloquently authored in our constitution.

The solution is simple when you know the root of the problem. We know the root cause so let’s take the steps to fix it before it is too late…

Colorado Jobs, Jobs, Jobs…

If you expect an out of control federal bureaucracy to have any idea about how jobs get created, you need to do an assessment of your expectations. The answer to job growth in Colorado is reducing the tax burden at every level of government on the individual and small business. Individuals and small business is the answer to job growth in Colorado and the nation.

Think about the current course we are on and ask yourself this; what government program do you trust to help small business to create a job for you? Government programs kill jobs; reducing government in our lives is a job creator. What creates jobs is an economic policy that reduces government intervention and incentivizes institutions to lend to the individuals and small businesses that create jobs.

The way you incentivize lending is you reduce the amount of taxation you attach to profits and capital gains. The way you incentivize job creation is you reduce taxation and regulations on hiring employees. You need to encourage businesses to hire by not forcing a particular wage on the employer or mandates on the types of insurance they must carry. That is a discussion between the employee and employer. Big government and unions will scream but the free market works even when it comes to hiring human resources. Businesses need good people to make money in their business and employees want to negotiate the best deal for themselves and their families. Today, government at every level is a drain on the private economy especially when they are “focused” on creating jobs. That “focus” usually means trouble for the private sector.

Colorado needs to focus on reducing the federal burdens being forced on us by out of touch and unconstitutional programs. The best way to do that is by following the spirit and law of our constitution.

As Governor, with the help of Colorado’s citizens, I will reduce the amount of money going to Washington DC so individuals and businesses in Colorado can create jobs. And we will take care of the state of Colorado and not General Motors, Chrysler, Financial Institutions that made bad decisions, the UN, and bridges to nowhere. We were not founded on the principle of stealing from one individual to give to private groups with strong lobbyists. We did not prosper because of big central government but on individuals in communities building a better life together on basic common decency and principle.

It is time for a new order of priority. It is not a new “world” order, it is the order of our founding principle; Individual freedom creating a better world. Let it begin again here in Colorado…

Monday, January 25, 2010

Individuals Create Economic Stability

The president is going to talk in his State of the Union speech about renewing his call for economic “stability.” Translated in real terms he means socialism, class warfare, and redistributing wealth. We must stop this man and his Marxist tendencies from ruining our country.

The only way a government can attempt to create economic stability is by stabilizing our economic activity to where we are all miserable. I know after watching this president at every turn; he is a dictator at heart. He uses populist message that sounds good but has no practical application in the real world like, limiting executive pay, making access to student loans available to anyone and everyone, and returning “fairness” back to the struggling middle class. What we need to return to is free markets and capitalism.

It is all a bunch of empty rhetoric from an empty individual that is doing his best to ruin this nation with government expansion in the auto, financial, and healthcare industries, with an eye toward as much of the economy we will let him steal. The only light is the people have awoken from a political slumber.

We must reject this president and his policies and bring back our constitutional government by fighting this takeover with the greatest weapon we have; the US Constitution.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

More Fraudulent “Data” from the UN on Climate Change

It is clear to me but for many of our kids who have been bombarded with “Global Warming” fears, need to understand this entire movement is built on fraud. The real agenda is to blame the US for their role in the fraud of “global warming” and make them pay retribution to the poor countries of the world. It is a simple money grab.

Our kids are losing sleep over the fact that everyone is not recycling, and we have the leaders of this movement continuing this fraud at the expense of the truth. We all need to be stewards of the environment with a common sense approach. The radical agenda of the UN and other groups has completely lost any credibility with me. For these people it is a religion not a science.

When you read this report you will realize how shallow the “science” is to support a warming trend that will be harmful. The “facts” are based on interviews with journalists and data that doesn’t exist. We need to discount the entire UN in my opinion but more importantly we need to put real information out about the environment.

The zealots will continue to push their agenda of pushing us back to the Stone Age, but anyone that knows their history will want nothing to do with that. A simpler lifestyle may be a choice for some but to change policies that undermine freedom based on information from these people is insanity.

Our kids need the real facts so we can all sleep better at night…

Increase Colorado’s Income…

The federal government shows no sign of understanding the message sent in the Tuesday Massachusetts election that seemed clear to everyone else; stop what you’re doing now! And what they are doing is borrowing, spending, and stealing the liberty and future of this nation. It will not stop even if the republicans take over in 2010 because they have the same propensity toward big government with a few tax cuts sprinkled in. At this time there is no indication that they will do anything conservative or move the country toward constitutional government beyond not doing it as fast as the democrats. The party will not have the nerve to stand up to the barrage of criticism they will get when they attempt to reduce the size of government. We have seen it before. Don’t be fooled.


The only way to stop the growth of the federal government is to stop the flow of money. You have heard the phrase, “follow the money.” The money is the key. If we stop the ability of the federal government to borrow on our behalf without definite requirements, and we limit how much the federal government can tax our incomes, we will not have to worry about out of control central government. They will not have the money necessary to grow. Follow the money.

And the money will be right here in Colorado if we elect the right representatives. As Governor I will ask the voters of Colorado to amend our state constitution to limit what the federal government can take from our incomes to 18% maximum. This will reduce the tax burden to support this out of control administration in DC, and keep the money in the paycheck of hard working Colorado citizens to do with what they believe is right for their family. I will also try to remove the withholding done by employers so that individuals have to pay their own taxes quarterly like small businesses do. This will highlight the amount of money people have to pay by making everyone aware of the true cost of government. This awareness will reduce what politicians can take. Believe me.


It has to begin at the state level. The federal government is so corrupted by special interests that don’t have your interests in mind. If you get to keep your money in your paycheck you will be able to take care of the one special interest I know we can agree to support; your family.


As Governor I will work to stop the money from flowing out of your paycheck and Colorado by reaffirming our Tenth Amendment rights and challenging the Sixteenth Amendment. It is not complicated but it will take resolve and an understanding of our rights as US citizens. They have been trampled by both parties. Support candidates not for their party but for their positions. There will be some candidates from the parties that may deserve support but we must look beyond the parties if we want a real return to limited federal government.


I am the unaffiliated candidate for Governor of Colorado. That is what I will work for…

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

A Revolution in Progress…

Massachusetts yesterday spilled the equivalent of 1773 “tea” overboard but this time it was the big government agenda of the democrats and President Obama that went crashing into the sea. This was not local politics; this was a national effort in a statewide election. Scott Brown received support from the entire “union” in support of stopping an out of control central government.

The next step is to unite the Governors around the country to make a concerted effort to stop the federal spending and borrowing on our behalf for unconstitutional programs by reaffirming the Tenth Amendment, and challenging the Sixteenth Amendment to reduce the amount of income the federal government can tax the citizens of the states directly.

We have seen what can be done when the American people are motivated. The spirit of freedom is ingrained in our being and is not easily converted to a culture of socialist style “reforms.” We know when we are under assault and it is motivating to see our reaction. God Bless Massachusetts; again!

This was not a republican victory, this was an American revolution. Scott Brown is a republican but his support came based on his independent streak and his willingness to stand up to the establishment in Washington DC. He happens to be a republican that became a catalyst for this new revolution in progress.

Let’s build on this effort and support the candidates that stand for our constitution and not for a particular political party.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Change the Constitution?

I often hear from people that say the constitution is old and needs a revamp. The argument goes something like this “how can a document written so long ago be relevant today? So much has changed.”

I can understand how people can argue that things have changed since the time of our founding, but it tells me that they have not read the constitution or any history surrounding its creation. I encourage all to read the document and especially those that believe it should be changed. The dirty little secret is it can be changed but the process is deliberately difficult to insure changes are not made on emotion and are vetted, debated, and voted on by the legislatures in every state to insure agreement on the proposed changes.

The fact is that human nature doesn’t change. Human beings have common emotions and in critical moments have a propensity toward mob rule, violence, and tyranny. This historical and indisputable fact is the foundation of the U.S. Constitution. It is designed to limit, when respected and adhered to, the infringement of government on the individual’s rights and to protect against the propensity of government to dominate and control others. Just look around the United States today and you will find circumstances that support the fact that humans are emotional, violent, and use government to infringe on other people’s rights. The healthcare bill is a perfect example.

The other fundamental principle the founders understood and acknowledged was there is a God. They based many of the founding principles on the premise that certain rights are God given therefore can never be given or more importantly taken away by man. Think hard about this principle even if you are not religious. This is not about religion it is about a power greater than man. That principle is the foundation that keeps those determined to rule your life in check.

Stalin, Hitler, Mao, and many other dictators knew that targeting and killing the men of God had to happen in order to control people. If there was a power greater than them it would undermine their ability to rule. Without a belief in God, who makes the “rules” of a government? What man do you trust to protect your God given right to life?

Based on these fundamental principles the founders documented the greatest government framework the world had ever and has ever seen to date. And I as well as many others believe will never be trumped because these principles do not change.

Our constitution protects our individual right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness and these are the principles outlined in our constitution so I ask; what should we change?

• Should we as individuals give up our rights to a government authority?
• Should we give up the right to private property and have a government authority divide up the land?
• Should we only assemble together when the government gives us approval?
• Should government determine the God we worship?

What should we change? Many that want this change are willing to give up their rights for the common “good”. But the constitution protects the people from the “good” of government. It limits the “good” they are allowed to do because government has a track record of tyranny, inefficiency, violence, and misery.

The individual right of Americans to pursue happiness under our constitution has been responsible for the happiness of millions around the world that have not been as fortunate as us. Free markets and free people have created the wealth that has fed nations and lifted millions out of poverty. Government can’t do that. Read your history.

Before you suggest changing the constitution, first you must learn and understand its purpose. Then if you still feel it needs changing, start a movement to make the change. Be careful what you ask for…

Friday, January 15, 2010

Brown is no Sam Adams but…

Sam Adams was an agitator, and influential in the original tea party that sparked the American Revolution, and in some ways the Brown campaign for the senate seat in Massachusetts (notice I can spell Massachusetts; twice) is resulting in a similar outcome. The oppression of an over reaching central authority has Massachusetts voters considering an action that will send a message to the “king”, President Obama, that his heavy hand has gone too far. The voters are not throwing tea over board, they are throwing the Democratic Party and socialism overboard by supporting a candidate that has promised to stop healthcare. By sending Brown to DC, Massachusetts voters will have stopped the healthcare takeover and will be sending a stern message that America and Massachusetts still harbor the spirit of Sam Adams and our founding fathers.

Having lived in MA for nearly fifteen years as a Republican I can tell you, this is huge that the seat formerly held by the Grand Poobah of healthcare, socialism, and big government, has a remote possibility of falling into republican hands. I campaigned against Ted Kennedy during the 96 senate run supporting Mitt Romney, and I can tell you Ted Kennedy’s supporters were rabidly socialist.

It could be that MA has a healthcare plan and doesn’t want to pay for a federal plan as well. But I think it is more about a revolution against big intrusive centralized government. It may also be that the spirit of Sam Adams, John Hancock, Paul Revere, and Elbridge Gerry, is watching over the future of the great state of Massachusetts and our great nation. After all they did believe in divine providence and were willing to die to achieve freedom from over reaching government. I’m betting that these founders have something to do with this latest battle for freedom…

Thursday, January 14, 2010

McInnis and GOP choose party over Colorado at Pinyon Canyon…

As a member of the Republican Party most of my political life, now unaffiliated, I am disappointed that party candidate McInnis has chosen party over the state he hopes to represent as Governor of Colorado. If the EPA or the Department of Commerce were leading a charge to take 100,000 acres of Colorado land, where would Scott McInnis stand, and those that support this GOP position? Would the GOP and McInnis be supporting the takeover of land by one of these federal bureaucracies? Maybe they would. You can’t tell where the GOP stands anymore, they seem to negotiate any value for votes these days.

So what makes this land grab different? It is still a bureaucracy leading the land grab but it is a military bureaucracy. That is the rub. The GOP doesn’t want to have to defend on principle that they are questioning anything about the military. That might look like the GOP doesn’t support the military. That is the red herring. Colorado and most republicans support the military, and Colorado is home to significant numbers of veterans and active military. But is this a military issue? Is there evidence that this expansion is necessary to the success of the military? Is there evidence that without this land our military warriors will be put in danger? Or is this an opportunity for a military bureaucracy to increase power and control over the future Army operations? Honestly I don’t know the motive since it seems to be unclear on the “why” of this latest expansion.

All indications are that military operations are relying more on technology and less on human resources. Our military is the best trained in the world on both tactical ground operations as well as technology driven operations. It is guaranteed with the current democratic administration and congress that budgets are going to be cut because the left hates our military. So if this is the case, what is the argument for the expansion? Money and jobs? Is that what it all comes down to? Money and jobs? Where is the principle? And when the military in the future decides to leave, where does the Colorado ranching industry stand then? Our ranchers are critical to our economy as well. And these farmers are committed to the stewardship of Colorado land and Colorado. Can we say that of the military bureaucracy and the politicians in Washington that decide military funding?

Put yourself in the shoes of our fellow Coloradans that have spent their life on these ranches that are critical to the heritage and economy of our state. These good folks should not be put into a situation that defending their land means they’re anti military. That is a false premise. I believe if they believed this land grab had merit and the facts supported the effort, they could be convinced. But the evidence to date seems to be contrary or non- existent to support the expansion. These Colorado residents deserve better from their state elected officials. I expect it from our federal representatives because they have sold their souls to central government but someone running for the Governor of Colorado has to think beyond the image of the party and do what is right for the citizens of our state.

I will stand by our Colorado families as Governor. Will the federal government and military bureaucracy threaten to take their bases and expansions somewhere else if these folks don’t sell their land? They will surely threaten. I have to ask the residents of Colorado; what price do we put on principle? What price do we put on our land? At what cost do we give up our state sovereignty to a bunch of bureaucrats, even if they work for the military?

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

The Declaration of Independence; 2010

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to
dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to
assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which
the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the
opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel
them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men
are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain
unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of
Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men,
deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any
Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the
People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its
foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them
shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed,
will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light
and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are
more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by
abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of
abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to
reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to
throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

These original words from our Declaration of Independence in 1776 are prophetic. Our founders knew, and addressed the propensity of man to seize power over others in all of the founding documents which we must revisit in the 2010 election cycle if we are to remain prosperous and free in the future. We don’t need simple reform we need fundamental reform. We need to re-affirm our constitution and reset our governmental policies to align with our Constitution.

We need to bring the “seat” of government back to the states and individuals as intended, and limit the growth of central government in DC by starving the funding that has allowed it to borrow against our good credit. We must also limit the ability of the Federal Bank to print money.

My plan as Governor is to re-affirm and utilize the Tenth Amendment to nullify unconstitutional federal laws. To starve the funding I will ask the Colorado citizens to amend the Colorado Constitution to limit the amount of direct federal taxation of our income to 18% maximum (Challeging the Sixteenth Amendment). Is that radical? Maybe, but what do you think they were saying in 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was being drafted?

Where is the spirit that sparked the greatest self governing nation in the world today? Where are the patriots and founders willing to talk about the revolution necessary to bring about real change? Why even have a Constitution if we are not willing to abide by it and defend it?

Where will our children be in the future if we don’t take a stand to protect our heritage? Let us declare ourselves the “Guards for their future security”…

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Sam Adams and Liberty; Never Compromise…

After reading a great book (Samuel Adams - A Life - By Ira Stoll) I am always inspired to see things with a new or re-energized perspective. I sometimes wish I lived in the days of our founding because I would have loved to have agitated the revolution along side of Sam Adams. Sam Adams and so many of our founders would have never compromised on liberty. Liberty was non-negotiable to these men. To these men liberty was God given and therefore no man had a right to infringe on it or negotiate it away.

Compare that to today’s crop of politicians currently debating healthcare on our behalf. And I use “on our behalf” loosely because the majority of our countrymen want nothing to do with this debacle. But what are they “negotiating”? Senator Harkin had the gall to suggest that this group of politicians were “creating a new set of rights” and he even used the word “inalienable” to describe what this legislation was trying to accomplish. My God are we asleep?

Where is Sam Adams? Where are the leaders promoting our founder’s principles? Where are the people in government that understand the assault that is happening against our constitution? This is the foundation of my argument against the two parties and in particular the Republican Party. Listening to the party candidates is like listening to corporate gobble de goop in a meeting where the meeting is the focus instead of the business objectives of the organization. We are supposed to believe that the GOP is the answer in 2010 since no other candidates are worthy of our attention. But I ask what GOP candidate is willing to be the Sam Adams of our generation? What candidates are willing to pledge their lives and fortunes for our liberty? What candidates are willing to agitate the current system that is just as oppressing as the one Sam Adams fostered a revolution against?

Every candidate that is running through the party system is trying to work that system to get elected. Where are the candidates that care about what is happening to our constitutional and God given rights? They are not in the “system” in my opinion. The people in the system are too concerned with garnering party activist support instead of talking about the real issues. I concede there are some that are on the right side of some of the issues but where is the candidate talking about the constitution?

Sam Adams was not afraid to stand on principle no matter the consequence. We have candidates today that just want to win the election. But winning elections as we have seen does not guarantee that the winning party will govern according to the constitution of this land. The GOP became as intrusive as the Democratic Party. That is why they have been losing elections and members like myself. Not because they are too conservative, or not open enough, or maligned by the press. It is because they have drifted away from our founding principles and are willing to compromise our rights away.

The constitutional principles of this nation are the way. Compromising on any bill before establishing the constitutional validity of the bill is what our politicians need to be debating. Sam Adams would know that. Where is our Sam Adams?

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Christianity, Massachusetts, the Tenth Amendment, and Sam Adams…

I just finished the book, “Samuel Adams – A Life-“ by Ira Stoll, and if you are a Christian it is a must read. If you are a lover of liberty you must read. If you are a lover of the Tenth Amendment you must read. And if you love to learn about the founding of this nation it is a must read!

I have to admit I had a very limited knowledge of Sam Adams beyond the taste of the beer bearing his name. After reading this I have to conclude that the American Revolution may not have happened or turned out the way it did without the agitation, devotion to God, and passion of Sam Adams. His passion for freedom and absolute faith that America was blessed with a divine providence, as long as we practiced a faith in our creator, was the driving determination behind this remarkable man’s life.

I lived in Massachusetts for about 15 years and I can say with confidence the state resembles nothing of the political and religious devotion of Sam Adam’s time. With his guidance Massachusetts was a bastion of moral behavior and religious devotion. If you have any doubt that we are a nation built on Christian principles, this book will clarify it for you. Ira Stoll uses the documents of the time to lay out the life of Sam Adams that was consumed with religious reflection in the pursuit of liberty and a representative republican government.

On page 235 Ira Stoll lays out the discussions that revolved around the ratification of the U.S. Constitution in 1787. The Massachusetts delegates of which Sam Adams was a key player, who was reserving judgment because he was suspicious of a central authority, and was happy with the Articles of Confederation, included some amendments that would turn out to be the foundation of the First, Second, and Fourth amendment’s in the Bill of Rights. Included along with these amendments was the Tenth which John Hancock suggested to gain favor and address Adam’s reservation about a central government. Hancock proposed an amendment to include “that all powers not expressly delegated to Congress, are reserved to the several states” which ended up in the constitution with the addition of “or to the people respectively’. Adams agrees to support the constitution based on Hancock’s “conciliatory proposition.” Without Adam’s blessing, it seems to be the agreement of the founders at the time; Massachusetts may not have supported the constitution. And if not for Hancock’s suggestion, which turns out to be the Tenth Amendment, our historic prosperity might have been completely different.

Sam Adams was what we would call today an “agitator” and was a newspaper writer that had a flare for stirring the masses according to documents of the time. But he never wavered on his commitment to God, country, and local representation.

I now know, Sam Adams is more than a beer and a cousin to the well known John Adams, President of the United States. Sam Adams was one of those underappreciated patriots that have not been given his due in the main stream education system, in my opinion because he was a religious man. He was responsible for many religious proclamations as a government official that today would be a constant target of the ACLU. If the ACLU was around at the times of Adams we would still be a colony.

I encourage you to read up on Sam Adams and in particular “Samuel Adams –A Life-“by Ira Stoll. You will come out of that book with a new perspective, appreciation, and passion for liberty, the revolution, our founders, the constitution, and God.

Friday, January 8, 2010

Vanity Candidate?

I was listening to Hugh Hewitt yesterday and he was talking to a republican congressman that is running for senator and the discussion turned to the other candidates in the race. The congressman used the term “vanity” candidate. I took complete offense and you should too that in a snippy fashion they both discounted all of the other candidates in that race. Hugh Hewitt just as a matter of fact stated “they have no chance of winning.” Hugh is a complete tool for the GOP. It is the one issue I couldn’t disagree more vehemently on with Hugh who I more often agree with than disagree.

People that have chosen to run have become totally disgruntled with the establishment candidates and are giving the voters a choice. And we need candidates that are not party hacks and will stand for the constitution and the founding principles of this nation. We need more “vanity” candidates because the fact is the Republican Party is as guilty as the Democratic Party for the mess we are in.

We need to vote for the candidate not the party. The party had its chance and blew it. That is the fact, and that is what people need to consider in the 2010 election.

Ask yourself; which party is responsible for the mess we are in? The answer is both parties!

Make a choice and take a chance on new candidates that are not connected to the apparatus that has served us so poorly over the past decade…

Monday, January 4, 2010

Senator Harkin is not God; Or any Politician for that Matter…

In comments on healthcare (he upgraded these remarks today to include the phrase inalienable right) from Senator Harkin of Iowa, he stated that the healthcare legislation is the start of the creation of “new inalienable rights” for all Americans. As if inalienable rights were something that any human could grant. Therefore he and this group of senators must believe they are God.

I would like the senator to explain how any human being can “grant” inalienable rights? The fact is we are endowed by our creator with inalienable rights. Is this senate, Mr. Harkin or any human capable of granting these rights?

This is ignorance, arrogance, and a true insight to the way these politicians view us, the holders of those rights. These people are dangerous and must be replaced with people that understand our constitution and its principles.

We must get every Governor and state legislature to speak out and nullify this healthcare bill and every other piece of legislation that is not authorized in the constitution.

This is a revolution against our constitution by the current crop of politicians. We have not heard a peep from the press or the GOP. They are both parties to this fraud being perpetrated on the people. They all must be voted out.

Find constitutional candidates and support them with your lives and fortunes… Our constitution must become front and center again. We answer to one God and he certainly doesn’t sit in this congress…