Do city employees not feel the people's pain?

Gov't employees dominate C-Springs annual budget meeting, push for no reduced city funding

From the main chambers, to the overflow rooms below, Colorado Spring's City Hall was packed to the heal with concerned citizens and emergency response personnel during a lively and passionate annual budget meeting at 7 p.m. Oct. 22 downtown.

Two issues that came to the forefront: ballot issues 2C and 300, a property tax increase initiative supported by police and fire department unions and Doug Bruc's latest anti-tax push to break down the city's controversial Stormwater Enterprise, respectively.

Starting out the night, the city's manager, Dr. Penny Culbreath-Graft, provided a quick brief synopsis the city's budget situation. She talked about the $388 million budget for the city, the $51 million budget gap between the 2008 and 2009 fiscal years and the $28.5 million decrease for the general services fund alone. The doctor pointed out in the beginning of her statements the city is providing more services than taxes can support.

Of course, the recession hitting the nation has hit Colorado Spring's pocket book as well, with lower sales tax revenue coming in. Dr. Culbreath-Graft then pointed out the main item of the night: through 2013 at least, the city could expect a $15-20 million budget shortfall.

With her comments over, city employee after city employee came forth, pleading their case not to cut budgets overall, or to cut more city positions altogether. Others came forward as well, pushing the council not to cut funding to city parks in the city, including Cheyenne Canyon. After them, advocates for public busing stepped forward, presenting their challenges to the council. You name it, the pleas for the government hand of money continued to go forth.

But do none of these citizens understand the situations put forth? In the worst recessions since the 1930's Great Depression, Colorado Springs has found itself into a hole that requires immediate action to get out of. So it's important to cut fat and remember: "the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few." Why are we not cutting bus routes to far reaches of Colorado Springs to provide transportation to only a handful of people, while the bus route results in a major negative red mark on the budget. Perhaps this low ridership is the reason heavy tinting has been applied to the city's buses, shadowing the reality of government-subsidized public transportation.

But why stop there? The city's parks and recreational facilities are important to the morale of citizens, and provide at-risk children with positive venues outside the realm of gang and criminal activity. But, going back to the needs of the many outweighing the needs of the few, without cutting into important emergency services of fire and police support. We can do without some of our parks for a year or two as the city nurses its wounds from an economic downturn affecting the entire nation, not just Colorado Springs.

Issue 2C is being pushed as the magical fix to our fiscal downturn. But why aren't these same people seeing it from a middle class standpoint. Raising taxes in the middle of one of the nation's worst recessions is a recipe for one thing: lower population numbers. When people start paying higher taxes for the same services, they simply look to their neighboring communities for other taxation rates. And then they make the move, leaving the city for other livelihoods, while still working in the city. The lower class of the Colorado Springs cannot support the city when these highly-technical skilled workers, many in aerospace and aviation industries, leave for Pueblo, Falcon and Front Range outer lying areas. In some cases, they will look to our big brother to the north, Denver, as well as Lone Tree, Highlands Ranch and Littleton.

Emotions have ran high in the debate for the Spring's budgetary future. Emotions must be purged from the public discourse, and clear-minded, fiscally-responsible leaders must take the lead and make the necessary cuts needed to keep Colorado Springs vibrant and thriving as we navigate the waters of this recession. And the we is the many, rather than the few.

Obamacare feels full-frontal Chuck Norris spin kick!

By Steve Collier, Colorado Springs

Just when you thought you knew what was going to be posted next here (if you guessed health care, you half way on the mark), that's the exact time I hit you with a sidewinder kick and blast you through the sky! That is, of course, if I were Chuck Norris.

Chuck, a guest columnist on the conservative-leaning site Townhall.com, wrote an interesting piece that I don't think ANYONE should miss. Obamacare has many, MANY areas of concern in it (referring to House Bill 3200). From perceived end-of-life "treatment" to rationing of health care (after all, if $1.3 Trillion dollars worth of care is needed, but only $1 Trillion is available, they aren't going to waste perfectly-good deficit spending on you and me), H.R. 3200 scares everyone of us. But if you aren't shaking in your boots yet, Chuck throws this at us.

In his blog, which you can visit here, Chuck identifies Page 838 of the bill, under Sections 440 and 1908, which has the heading of "home visitation programs for families with young children and families expecting children." Chuck explains that "well-trained and competent staff" (See: 'government workers') provide "parents with knowledge of age-appropriate child development in cognitive, language, social, emotional, and motor domains ... modeling, consulting, and coaching on parenting practices," and "skills to interact with their child to enhance age-appropriate development."

Did you get all that? It's a mouth full... a mouth full of horse hockey. The government is planning for when they will come into your home and "provide" you with all the information on how to "properly" raise your child. Assuming you're raising your child in a post-Obama America.

Now, a reasonable thinker would say "that's not mandatory... they can't just come in. Stop stoking fears you right-wing wharggggbldglglejgflg...." (You get the idea).

But, language in the bill might just allow the government to do that. Let's see page 840 now: "The state shall identify and prioritize serving communities that are in high need of such services, especially communities with a high proportion of low-income families." The government already has a target for it's Nationalized Child Care program.

Well, read the rest of Chuck's blog for all the juicy details. After all, he did the work. But I thought you should know as well.

Til next time...

Reporting "misinformation:" My e-mail to the White House

By Steve Collier, Colorado Springs

Well, it was time to do my civic duty and report some misinformation on the health care reform debate. Earlier today, I received an e-mail blast from David Axelrod, the President's political advisor for the 2012 election already going on through "Organizing for America." In this e-mail Mr. Axelrod places several links to doctors and politicians campaigning for nationalized health care. Of course, I am sure Mr. Axelrod knows very well that at this point, there are two dissenting doctors and politicians on the current health care reform being proposed to his one.

So, I copied and pasted my e-mail to the White House in this blog for all to see. Reporting disinformation from the White House's information office seems like some sick, twisted episode of the Twilight Zone. But it seems that's the world we live in today when slick-written talking points are supposed to mean more than actual facts on the subjects facing Americans today. Don't fall for the spin my friends... for that's EXACTLY what the White House wants.

And now, the letter:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUBJECT: ATTN: Misinformation on health care

GREETING: Greetings White House officials,

BODY: I want to report some misinformation on health care. Recently, I received David Axelrod's e-mail blast from the White House which spells out some additional information on health care. He is wrong on several accounts, and I would like to report Mr. Axelrod to your "disinformation brigade:"

1.
In his letter, Mr. Axelrod says that "health insurance reform is a hot topic"
REPORT: Mr. Axelrod has used spin language in his letter, changing health care reform to health insurance reform. Did polling say that Americans might be more suspectible to supporting nationalized health care if the name was changed to something else? This misinformation can not stand!

2.
Later in his e-mail, Mr. Axelrod states that "Bob Kocher, M.D., a doctor serving on the National Economic Council, debunks the myth that health insurance reform will be financed by cutting Medicare benefits
REPORT: Many economists say that cuts to Medicare/Medicaid WILL BE required to "balance the books" on health care costs delivered by the government. If H.R. 3200 passes in its current form, and lands on the President's desk, cuts are expected to made to Medicare Advantage which is rapidly growing. Even Democratic Gov. Ted Kulongoski wrote to the White House that 39 percent of those residents from Oregon are on the Advantage plan, and any cuts to the program would be detrimental to the citizens of that state. This while the President has said he was looking for $156 billion worth of cuts over the next decade to Advantage, forcing MANY seniors off the plan and back into traditional Medicare coverage.

3.
Toward to end of the e-mail, Mr. Axelrod writes that "You deserve a health care system that works as well for you as it does for the status quo; one you can depend on."
REPORT: America's health care system has NEVER turned away anyone that enters into an emergency room. America does have a health care system that does work for them, although the costs of that system are rising at an unsustainable rate. I want to report that Mr. Axelrod's disinformation on assuming there is a system that people can't depend on it needs to be made that way. This is disingenious.

4.
Lastly, Mr. Axelrod mentions the "Fact Check" Web site where you can report disinformation, like I am doing now.
REPORT: Sending information of this type so the White House can collect and categorize it is ILLEGAL and again the provisions of the 1974 Privacy Act enacted by Congress. The White House should CEASE AND DISSEST this collection IMMEDIATELY.

v/r

Steve Collier, Colorado Springs, CO

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Fight the good fight Patriots... we all want health care reform, for sure. Regulation by the government to keep the industry "honest" is critical, as Teddy Roosevelt proved by busting monopolies in the early 20th Century. Government has a role to play... but that roll is NOT BEING A HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY!

Are you 'un-American?' Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer think so ... but that's not all

By Steve Collier, Colorado Springs

I'm referring to a USA Today op-ed article both the Democratic representatives wrote together, which can be seen here.

And just to give some fair perspective, I have placed in quotes the section of the op-ed where Pelosi and Hoyer say un-American:

"These disruptions are occurring because opponents are afraid not just of differing views — but of the facts themselves. Drowning out opposing views is simply un-American. Drowning out the facts is how we failed at this task for decades."

And you know what? I TOTALLY agree with both of them. It IS un-American to drown out some one else's opposing views. That is, of course, until they start to spin political rhetoric into their argument. When this happens, you might as well be debating a broken record on its player.

But, if this is the case, where was Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer on Oct. 4, 2006, when students at Columbia University "drowned out" Jim Gilchrist, leader of the Minuteman Project when he was scheduled to give a presentation there? Wasn't THAT denying someone the right to free speech?

And, where were these representatives when Code Pink protested at numerous funerals of fallen soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines, drowning out the sermons of the priests, the rabbis and the pastors who were reading the final rights for those who gave so much to defend our nation.

Of course, the list can go on and on with organizations such as the Environmental Liberation Front, ACORN, Greenpeace, etc... The hypocrisy of Pelosi and Hoyer goes well beyond them wanting to bring attention to townhall protesters who are voicing their opposition to nationalized health care. Pelosi, especially, knows how much is riding on the passage of health care reform legislation drafted in the eyes of her, Kathleen Sebelius, the Secretary for Health and Human Services and, of course, President Obama. The President has made it one of his top priorities after taking the White House, but the emphasis placed on health care reform has seemingly become "too big to fail," much like AIG or Government, er, General Motors and Chrysler.

If health care reform is so important, like TEA Party members feel it is, why are we trying to rush a bill through the House and Senate to fast to fix it? The legislation itself won't kick in until 2013 anyways, so why the impetus of passing H.R. 3200? It's simple: the President knows mainstream Americans are not on board with his ideas of how to "reshape" the country in his image. Rarely does the President address the American exceptionalism that makes our nation great. Think about it ... our nation has elected an African American to the highest office in the world. And yet, we are still flawed? We are the only country in the history of the world to rebuild her enemies after war, such as the Marshall Plan of post-World War II Europe. After the invasion of Iraq in 2003, a large portion of the war funding approved each year has been used to rebuild Iraqi infrastructure. The same goes for our time in Afghanistan as well as Africa.

Health care reform is needed in this country; no one doubts this. But for the government to have a complete take over of 1/6 of our economy is unacceptable to America. Many believe the government can and SHOULD play the part of the regulator in the arena of health care reform. But a public option to keep private insurance honest? Why couldn't regulating the industry more strictly solve the "honesty" question? And a single-payer system, which the President himself played up to SEIU in 2003 as the way to eventually go? This legislation is designed to alter the health care landscape for a more European model. And the talking points from the Democratic Party seem to change on a daily basis to stay in front of American's frustration with changing out medical system to something that, by many economists and practicing point of view, will be "second class."

America can not afford the new system being proposed. And during a recession, do we trust politicians who are pushing their agenda when job creation should be the number-one priority to begin with?

Colorado representative schedules public meeting under cloak of darkness

By Steve Collier, Colorado Springs

Was reading the PoliticsWest section of the Denver Post online today and something shocking was posted. Reporter Ross Putin posted an e-mail he received about Colorado Rep. Ed Perlmutter of the Brighton, CO area. Apparently, after numerous calls from media asking the Congressman and his office staff when he would be scheduling a town hall or public meeting to discuss issues during the August recess, no phone call was returned.

HOWEVER, an e-mail cropped up out of nowhere from President Obama's ongoing campaign, entitled "Organizing for America," where an out-of-nowhere "public meeting" had been scheduled at the King Soopers on 500 E. Bromley Lane in Brighton. The scheduled meeting was from 1-2 p.m., and the e-mail had been distributed not more than HOURS before the event! And more than that, the e-mail only went out to the "Organizing for America" distro list, versus the Congressman's office sending the information on the public meeting out to local media for them to report on it!!!!!!

This Congressman is scared to bring his plan for voting on healthcare to his constituents! His voters know the truth about nationalized health care, and he is too afraid to face them one-on-one. Is this the kind of "change we can believe in …scared politicians running from the very people THEY WORK FOR? What the hell kind of country is this when guys like Ed Perlmutter get away from "running away" from their constituents? Are there no representatives with backbone?

Here's the blog on the information. GOOD GRIEF... throw Perlmutter out!! This is the kind of representative we DON'T need in Washington? Perlmutter should schedule a public town hall meeting NOW, instead of using the cloak of darkness and Obama's ongoing campaign to get the word out? WHERE IS THE REPRESENTATION PERLMUTTER? You say you represent... PROVE IT TO ADAMS COUNTY!

The blog.

Denouncing violent protesters

By Steve Collier, Colorado Springs

What I fear may happen during August's month-long recess is taking place. Some of the protests against nationalized health care are starting to get violent, which gives groups like the TEA Parties and the 9.12 Project a bad image, as, and I quote Sen. Harry Reid, can make us look like "the lunatic fringe."

I can understand people's frustration, I really do. I'm seething mad that our country would even concoct anything remotely resembling a socialistic program to implement on all of us (it's bad enough we have Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid). Cooler heads must prevail, and the hot, August summer doesn't help much either.

Case in point, we have some situations brewing (pardon the pun) in St. Louis and Tampa and where protesters have been arrested and some have been injured in altercations. While this is concerning, people should be reminded of this point: the far-left has been protesting anything from environmental policies to wars since the late 1960s, many times, those protests turned violent. Fast forwarding to today, organizations like the Earth Liberation Front and Code Pink are notorious for violent-laded approaches to getting their word out. So why is it that conservative-leaning protests, like those of 9.12 and TEA Parties, are scrutinized even more than the far-left protests?

From Tampa Bay

From St. Louis

The answer I think is simple: conservatives are held to higher standards and, might I add, it is those conservative values which launched us into a Revolutionary War in 1776 with the Declaration of Independence. The far left and their radical protests are to be expected, and many average, every day people just write them off as "crazies." However, if conservatives protest, that tends to be more "mainstream," and people take a closer look at WHY they are protesting because the majority of Americans, party affiliation aside, are conservative in nature. We enjoy lower taxation, we enjoy clean and safe neighborhoods for our children and we believe in God and go to church. These are the "silent majority;" the ones never portrayed on television because we are the mainstream... the cogs of our economic might. Because I have never seen our country rely on far-left hippies to ensure industry hums along.

So, we should protest and have our voices heard. But is it worth anyone getting hurt in the process? If violence happens, it should have but just one outcome: an American Revolution. But violence is being used for intimidation, our organizations are no better than that of Chicago politicians.

THE GOOD POST: Connecting ObamaCare and the Beverly Hillbillies

By Steve Collier, Colorado Springs

Not only is the headline possible, it's TRUE! The following melody comes to us from Jody Davis, a local TEA Party member who is creative in her own right. When "humming" the below lines, remember to sing to the tune of the popular show "The Beverly Hillbillies."

Come'n listen to my story 'bout a man named Fred
A poor, jobless man tryin' to keep his family fed
Then one day, he went fishin' in the sea
and up from the deep came some slimy algae
Pond scum, that is, kinda like green tea?

Well, the first thing ya know, old Fred's a millionaire
Kin folk said, Fred, move away from there
Said, California's NOT the place you wanna be
So they packed up the hybrid and moved to D.C.
Washington, that is, Capitol Hill,
Where Health Care is FREE!

Well, now it's time to say goodbye to Fred and all his kin
They've gone to save the planet, you might say they
were suckered in -
You're all invited to the White House & all its pleasantries
To have a heapin' helpin' of Barrack's amenities

Flim Flam man, that is, set a spell, have a beer

Ya'll come back now - if there is a next year!

Democracy in action: protesting government-run health care

By Steve Collier, Colorado Springs

It's almost appropriate to say the "same old song and dance" act. Government run health care, which was laid upon the ash heap of 1994, has returned full-on in 2009. With no ash heap in sight, clear-thinking Americans who see right through the far-left liberal agenda of nationalized health care are taking a stand all over the country. Here are a few videos to show that YOUR VOICE IS AND WILL BE HEARD!









If you haven't taken part in a local town hall meeting, YOU SHOULD! Arm yourself with the knowledge of what your locally-elected leaders are voting on... are they voting in your best interest, or are they cowtaling to their political leadership? Your respresentative should answer to YOU... not to an political leadership nor should they answer to who is donating money to their next re-election.

The hits keep on coming

By Steve Collier, Colorado Springs

I swear, I really try to keep the blog partisan free, and have it focus on the issues. But it just seems the far-left talking points have circulated through the Democratic ranks and the far-left liberals who receive them are reguratating them.

I have some new examples of the "tolerant left" that is often championed. Take for instance the following politicians on video .. it's like a golden hits CD for purchase:

Here's Pelosi:


And here's Barbara Boxer:


And a little sweet tart from Michigan:


If Nancy Pelosi can bring up proof of swastikas, I'll back HER up 100 percent. Barbara Boxer is an ignoramus... people in business attire don't count as protesters... what does a protester look like anyways? I hippie, pot smoking bum protesting panhandling areas being taken away? And these Michigan folks.. not sure if they are 9.12 Project or TEA Party... but FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT!!

Quote of the day: Why would you ... try to shove a health care bill down our throat .. when the President took six months to pick a dog for his kids?

By Steve Collier, Colorado Springs

DATELINE: Utica, New York

The tapes tell the tale... I have a registered Democrat here arguing with House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer on his plan for passing healthcare... and this guy digs into him. He points out some interesting things, with some really good one-liners, including:

>"Just because I don't have sophisticated language, I can recognize a liar when I see one."

>"Why would you guys try to shove a healthcare bill down our throat in three to four weeks when the President took six months to pick one dog for his kids?"

>"Are you willing to have your family members sign on to every bill you have?"

Watch for yourself how average Americans (regardless of party affiliation) are taking a stand for what they believe in!

If the video doesn't work correctly, here is the link to it: click here

Government-ran health care forces you and me to pay for abortions

By Steve Collier, Colorado Springs

It's true: Obama's health care public options and/or co-ops will subsidize abortions for those who want them... with your taxmoney and mine.

In a story from the Associated Press posted on Yahoo! News, a Democratic Congresswoman from, guess where? ... California ... has inserted an amendment into the House Bill (one of three swarming throughout the House) where "it would allow the public plan to cover abortion but without using federal funds, only dollars from beneficiary premiums. Likewise, private plans in the new insurance exchange could opt to cover abortion, but no federal subsidies would be used to pay for the procedure."

Here's the story.

So one might think with that language, no government funds (i.e.: taxpayer money) would be used in the procedure? Wrong. Read this part: "new federal funds would take the form of subsidies for low- and middle-income people buying coverage through the health insurance exchange. Subsidies would be available for people to buy the public plan or private coverage. Making things more complicated, the federal subsidies would be mixed in with contributions from individuals and employers. Eventually, most Americans could end up getting their coverage through the exchange."

And the reason the abortions would be covered? Because abortions are labeled "medical procedures," versus the term "abortion" at the doctor's office. And staff aides for some senators confirmed it here: "Staff aides confirmed that the public plan _ and private insurance offered in the exchange _ would be allowed to cover abortion, without funding restrictions."

So, with a health care reform bill that is OVER THE TOP socialistic... to add to it, we have taxmoney collected from you and I that would, and probably will, be used to fund abortions for reasons other than rape, incest or the pregnancy is determental to the mother's well being. In this case, your taxmoney and mine will go to abortions that are simply just a casual method of birth control. Sick... absolutely sickening.

Congressman Tim Bishop Encounters Angry Citizens at Townhall Meeting

By Steve Collier, Colorado Springs

This video came to me via my Facebook account -- this is DEMOCRACY IN ACTION! This is people voicing their opinions, going to their elected representatives and taking an ACTIVE part in their organic democracy. Here's the info on the video:

"Congressman Tim Bishop has been a Rubber Stamp for Nancy Pelosi, Barney Frank and the rest of the Washington elitists who want to tax and spend this nation to death. Some angry taxpayers had a little surprise for him at one of his "Town Hall" meetings on June 22, 2009."

My letter to the President

By Steve Collier, Colorado Springs

This entire health care reform debate boils my blood, several times over. I am for reform, don't get me wrong, but not Obamacare and it's societal changes from free-market principles to socialistic overtures. If we want British/Canadian style health care in America, then perhaps we should deport those interested in it to those nations.

So, I was so furious that I went to Whitehouse.gov and let the President have a few choice words. I signed up for the president's e-mail blasts, which are intended to "pump up" his base when they need to inject some additional adrenaline into the public discourse. This particular letter came from David Axelrod, the president's political advisor. Here is the letter below:

Mr. President, I recently received David Axelrod's e-mail blast entitled "This is not a game." The American people agree with that, but it seems you and your allies in the Senate are turning this into a political stunt. And based upon Senator Reid and Rep. Pelosi's statements of pushing a vote on health care reform until the August recess, you are losing your grip on a hot-button issue you have expended much political capital in getting past. In the e-mail blast, Mr. Axelrod says the following: "The President made crystal clear what's at stake in this debate." Sir, I watched your speech. You were anything BUT crystal clear. Earlier in your presidency, you said Americans will need to make sacrifices so we can all achieve success and get our nation turned around. If that is true, why did you not mention once what sacrifices will be needed out of the American people? Are you that confident that if you mention what cuts will be made; what sacrifices will be insisted upon that a majority of Americans will turn on your legislation? If this is correct, why don't we go back to the health care drawing board? Why don't we look at other means to fix our stressed health care system? These include creating a new way to regulate the health care industry, versus "competing with it" with a public option. If you want to keep health insurance companies "honest and competitive," why not regulate the industry, ensuring they are honest and work within a competitive setting. Why have the GOVERNMENT responsible for executing a health care "corporation." This is not government's role... and for a Harvard-educated man, you know this. So why do you insist upon it? Why change the way our government addresses thing... why not encourage the free-market economy to tackle this issue, but within the confines of a regulatory process. Teddy Roosevelt would give you two thumbs-up for such an endeavor. Please abandon your quasi-socialist take on reforming AMERICAS health care. You can not guarantee the "cost savings" you and your health care team have identified will, indeed, be cost savings. Because you can not project 10 years down the road what our nation will face. So why write legislation that addresses such a timeframe? The American people are fed up... they are fed up with our current healthcare dibacle. But they are even MORE fed up with the government running their lives... and healthcare, ran by the government, will intrude more than the Founding Fathers EVER envisioned. King George would be proud to see it... thus, the reason The British Crown DOESNT control our destiny.

If it's good for the goose, isn't it good for the gander?

By Steve Collier, Colorado Springs

Found this video on YouTube after an email on Facebook from the Silent No More group. If this healthcare legislation is going to be so awesome, why then won't Congress use it as well?

You make the call....

Obama admits to blogger he isn't familiar with healthcare legislation being drafted

By Steve Collier, Colorado Springs

Earlier today, the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, reported on a blogger's roundtable (interview bloggers via teleconference) and the transcript that came form the roundtable. The transcript, as they found, was quite disturbing.

If you were working to pass a $1 Trillion-plus bill through the U.S. Congress, effectively altering the U.S.'s medical system forever, wouldn't you find it prudent to review every nook and crany in the bill to become familiar with it? Perhaps, to even try and sell it to the American people?

As the Heritage Foundation reported (click here for the story), the President was asked by a blogger from main the following question: "Is this true? Will people be able to keep their insurance and will insurers be able to write new policies even though H.R. 3200 is passed?"

The President's response? "“You know, I have to say that I am not familiar with the provision you are talking about.”

The man is looking to completely alter our medical system and way of life forever with a socialist healthcare system, AND HE HASN'T EVEN READ THE DAMN BILL!!! How many times are we going to let politicians get away with passing legislation more expensive than the one before it, and not hold out leaders accountable for not reading the damn legislation!

If this doesn't upset, you are obviously devoid of the national discussion taking place in D.C. and at Town hall meetings nationwide. See some of the following videos for Americans angry at their politicans:

Call you Senators... tell them to read the bill. And once they have read the flawed healthcare legislation, tell them to vote an overwhelming NO on the legislation. Here's the phone numbers:

Senator Mark Udall
Washington, D.C. Office
Senate Hart Office
Building SH-317
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: 202-224-5941

Denver Office
999 18th Street
North Tower, Suite 1525
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: 303-650-7820

Senator Michael Bennet
Washington, D.C. Office
702 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-5852
Fax: (202) 228-5036

Pikes Peak Office
409 North Tejon St., Suite 107
Colorado Springs, 80903
Phone: (719) 328-1100
Fax: (719) 328-1129

$700 million for HORSES?!?!

By Steve Collier, Colorado Springs

I couldn't believe it when I read it. But sure enough, insanity continues to infiltrate the halls of Congress. Three days ago, I came across an article (linked below) from the blog HotAir about West Virginia's 3rd District Representative, Mr. Nick Rahall, offering up House Resolution 1018, otherwise known as the "Restore our American Mustangs Act." If only this was talking about Ford Mustangs, then at least we would know it was something to do with the American auto industry.

Link to blog.

The "good" Congressman (I use the good term lightly) is abdicating spending up to $700 million dollars to preserve wild horses in the country. This includes the purchase of 19 million acres of land (so it's obvious it's a land grab) to come into provision with the following statement from section one of the bill:

(1) ensure that acreage available for wild and free-roaming horses and burros is at least equal to the acreage where they were found in 1971

According to the news article, the acreage would equal to the amount listed above.

While I don't enjoy linking to any political party's site, the Republican National Committee does a good job of summarizing this. CLICK HERE.

The House recently passed this bill, and now the bill goes to the Senate. The voting on bill was pretty much down party lines. So what can you do to help?

CALL YOUR SENATORS! Tell Udall and Bennet with unemployment at 9.5 percent and projected to grow, wild horses shouldn't be a priority of getting Americans back to work. There contact information is below:

Senator Mark Udall

Washington, D.C. Office

Senate Hart Office

Building SH-317

Washington, D.C. 20510

Phone: 202-224-5941

Denver Office

999 18th Street

North Tower, Suite 1525

Denver, CO 80202

Phone: 303-650-7820

Senator Michael Bennet

Washington, D.C. Office

702 Hart Senate Office BuildingWashington, DC 20510Phone: (202) 224-5852Fax: (202) 228-5036

Pikes Peak Office409 North Tejon St., Suite 107Colorado Springs, 80903Phone: (719) 328-1100Fax: (719) 328-1129

'Something of historic proportions is happening'

The following analysis of America's current political make up came to me via e-mail that surely has made its way across the World Wide Web. It is very thoughtful analysis, and very engaging, comparing our current situation of an unaccountable government (see: Federal Reserve) as well as various other issues. Without further ado...

By Dr. David Kaiser, a professor in the Strategy and Policy Department of the United States Naval War College

"I am a student of history. Professionally, I have written 15 books on history that have been published in six languages, and I have studied history all my life. I have come to think there is something monumentally large afoot, and I do not believe it is simply a banking crisis, or a mortgage crisis, or a credit crisis. Yes these exist, but they are merely single facets on a very large gemstone that is only now coming into a sharper focus. Something of historic proportions is happening.. I can sense it because I know how it feels, smells, what it looks like, and how people react to it.. Yes, a perfect storm may be brewing, but there is something happening within our country that has been evolving for about ten to fifteen years. The pace has dramatically quickened in the past two. We demand and then codify into law the requirement that our banks make massive loans to people we know they can never pay back? Why? We learned just days ago that the Federal Reserve, which has little or no real oversight by anyone, has "loaned" two trillion dollars (that is $2,000,000,000,000) over the past few months, but will not tell us to whom or why or disclose the terms. That is our money. Yours and mine.. And that is three times the $700 billion we all argued about so strenuously just this past September. Who has this money? Why do they have it? Why are the terms unavailable to us? Who asked for it? Who authorized it? I thought this was a government of "we the people," who loaned our

powers to our elected leaders. Apparently not. We have spent two or more decades intentionally de- industrializing our economy. Why? We have intentionally dumbed down our schools, ignored our history, and no longer teach our founding documents, why we are exceptional, and why we are worth preserving. Students by and large cannot write, think critically, read, or articulate. Parents are not revolting, teachers are not picketing, school boards continue to back mediocrity...Why? We have now established the precedent of protesting every close election (violently in California over a proposition that is so controversial that it simply wants marriage to remain defined as between one man and one woman. Did you ever think such a thing possible just a decade ago?) We have corrupted our sacred political process by allowing unelected judges to write laws that radically change our way of life, and then mainstream Marxist groups like ACORN and others to turn our voting system into a banana republic. To what purpose? Now our mortgage industry is collapsing, housing prices are in free fall, major industries are failing, our banking system is on the verge of collapse, social security is nearly bankrupt, as is medicare and our entire government. Our education system is worse than a joke (I teach college and I know precisely what I am talking about) - the list is staggering in its length, breadth, and depth.. It is potentially 1929 x ten... And we are at war with an enemy we cannot even name for fear of offending people of the same religion, who, in turn, cannot wait to slit the throats of your children if they have the opportunity to do so. And finally, we have elected a man that no one really knows anything about, who has never run so much as a Dairy Queen, let alone a town as big as Wasilla , Alaska . All of his associations and alliances are with real radicals in their chosen fields of employment, and everything we learn about him, drip by drip, is unsettling if not downright scary (Surely you have heard him speak about his idea to create and fund a mandatory civilian defense force stronger than our military for use inside our borders? No? Oh, of course. The media would never play that for you over and over and then demand he answer it. Sarah Palin's pregnant daughter and $150,000 wardrobe is more important.) Mr. Obama's winning platform can be boiled down to one word: Change. Why? I have never been so afraid for my country and for my children as I am now. This man campaigned on bringing people together, something he has never, ever done in his professional life.. In my assessment, Obama will divide us along philosophical lines, push us apart, and then try to realign the pieces into a new and different power structure. Change is indeed coming. And when it comes, you will never see the same nation again. And that is only the beginning.. As a serious student of history, I thought I would never come to experience what the ordinary, moral German must have felt in the mid-1930s. In those times, the "savior" was a former smooth-talking rabble-rouser from the streets, about whom the average German knew next to nothing. What they should have known was that he was associated with groups that shouted, shoved, and pushed around people with whom they disagreed; he edged his way onto the political stage through great oratory. Conservative "losers" read it right now. And there were the promises. Economic times were tough, people were losing jobs, and he was a great speaker. And he smiled and frowned and waved a lot. And people, even newspapers, were afraid to speak out for fear that his "brown shirts" would bully and beat them into submission. Which they did - regularly. And then, he was duly elected to office, while a full-throttled economic crisis bloomed at hand - the Great Depression. Slowly, but surely he seized the controls of government power, person by person, department by department, bureaucracy by bureaucracy. The children of German citizens were at first, encouraged to join a Youth Movement in his name where they were taught exactly what to think. Later, they were required to do so. No Jews of course. How did he get people on his side? He did it by promising jobs to the jobless, money to the money-less, and rewards for the military-industrial complex. He did it by indoctrinating the children, advocating gun control, health care for all, better wages, better jobs, and promising to re-instill pride once again in the country, across Europe , and across the world. He did it with a compliant media - did you know that? And he did this all in the name of justice and .... .. .. change. And the people surely got what they voted for. If you think I am exaggerating, look it up. It's all there in the history books.. So read your history books. Many people of conscience objected in 1933 and were shouted down, called names, laughed at, and ridiculed. When Winston Churchill pointed out the obvious in the late 1930s while seated in the House of Lords in England (he was not yet Prime Minister), he was booed into his seat and called a crazy troublemaker. He was right, though. And the world came to regret that he was not listened to. Do not forget that Germany was the most educated, the most cultured country in Europe . It was full of music, art, museums, hospitals, laboratories, and universities. And yet, in less than six years (a shorter time span than just two terms of the U. S. presidency) it was rounding up its own citizens, killing others, abrogating its laws, turning children against parents, and neighbors against neighbors.. All with the best of intentions, of course. The road to Hell is paved with them. As a practical thinker, one not overly prone to emotional decisions, I have a choice: I can either believe what the objective pieces of evidence tell me (even if they make me cringe with disgust); I can believe what history is shouting to me from across the chasm of seven decades; or I can hope I am wrong by closing my eyes, having another latte, and ignoring what is transpiring around me. I choose to believe the evidence. No doubt some people will scoff at me, others laugh, or think I am foolish, naive, or both. To some degree, perhaps I am. But I have never been afraid to look people in the eye and tell them exactly what I believe- and why I believe it. I pray I am wrong. I do not think I am. Perhaps the only hope is our vote in the next elections."

THE GOOD POST: Michelle Obama's "United We Serve" campaign

It's been a while since we've had a good post, and as much as we hammer the administration for the crazy, insane things they do, here is a "diamond in the rough" piece of information. I signed up for President Obama's e-mail list so I can see what the White House sends out on a regular basis to push some of their what many call a "radical" agenda, including the recent climate change bill the House of Representatives narrowly passed, the TAKEOVER (not just bailout) of General Motors and Chrysler and the push for healthcare legislation that has the potential to pile ANOTHER large amount of debt onto our country, after Medicaid/Medicare and Social Security. But, the latest e-mail blast, dated June 22, highlights the administrations "United We Serve" volunteering campaign, in which the President asks us to renew our spirit of volunteerism and get out into our communities and held one another. I have re-posted the e-mail blast in its entirety:

Dear Friend, Last week, I announced United We Serve – a nationwide call to service challenging you and all Americans to volunteer this summer and be part of building a new foundation for America. And when I say “all,” I mean everyone – young and old, from every background, all across the country. We need individuals, community organizations, corporations, foundations, and our government to be part of this effort. Today, for the official kick off of United We Serve, members of my administration have fanned out across America to participate in service events and encourage all Americans to join them. The First Lady is rolling up her sleeves and getting to work too. But before she headed out today, she asked me to share this message with you.

Our nation faces some of the greatest challenges it has in generations and we know it’s going to take a lot of hard work to get us back on track. While Michelle and I are calling on every American to participate in United We Serve, the call to service doesn’t end this fall. We need to stay involved in our towns and communities for a long time to come. After all, America’s new foundation will be built one neighborhood at a time – and that starts with you.

Thank you, President Barack Obama

Hopefully, we all can get out this summer, help the elderly with painting their house, adopt a Colorado road to help keep the state beautiful or simply serve soup at a food kitchen in downtown Colorado Springs.

'Til next time...

Conyers abandons plan to probe ACORN

From the Washington Times:

House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers Jr. has backed off his plan to investigate wrongdoing by the liberal activist group ACORN, saying "powers that be" put the kibosh on the idea.

Mr. Conyers, Michigan Democrat, earlier bucked his party leaders by calling for hearings on accusations the Association of Community Organization for Reform Now (ACORN) has committed crimes ranging from voter fraud to a mob-style "protection" racket.

"The powers that be decided against it," Mr. Conyers told The Washington Times.

The chairman declined to elaborate, shrugging off questions about who told him how to run his committee and give the Democrat-allied group a pass.

Pittsburgh lawyer Heather Heidelbaugh, whose testimony about ACORN at a March 19 hearing on voting issues prompted Mr. Conyers to call for a probe, said she was perplexed by Mr. Conyers' explanation for his change of heart.

"If the chair of the Judiciary Committee cannot hold a hearing if he want to [then] who are the powers that he is beholden to?" she said. "Is it the leadership, is it the White House, is it contributors? Who is 'the power?'"

Capitol Hill Democrats had bristled at proposed hearings because it threatened to rekindle criticism of the financial ties and close cooperation between President Obama's campaign and ACORN and its sister organizations Citizens Services Inc. and Project Vote.

The groups came under fire during the campaign after probes into possible voter fraud in a series of presidential battleground states, including Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Mexico and Nevada.

ACORN and its affiliates are currently the target of at least 14 lawsuits related to voter fraud in the 2008 election and a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act complaint filed by former ACORN members.

The group's leaders have consistently denied any wrongdoing and previously said they welcomed a congressional probe. The group did not immediately respond Thursday to questions about Mr. Conyers being convinced to drop those plans.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jun/25/conyers-abandons-plan-probe-acorn/

If you aren't convinced the powerful aren't looking out for you, after the NY Times story and the Fox News investigation, here's your proof.

Our Nation and GM and Citigroup ... worth fighting against

By Steve Collier, Colorado Springs

Two disturbing reports are circulating this morning about the fate of both two, large entities in American business and financing: the fate of General Motors and Citigroup. Both entities, as being reported by Yahoo! Finance and Bloomberg.com, have such a huge stake by the federal government in them, it's almost impossible to see these companies in the near future without the government involved in financing their every move.

In the case of GM, dubbed 'Government Motors' by many of the pundits, as of 8 a.m. EST this morning, the company, which once dominated the world-wide landscape of vehicle sales, filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a New York federal court. As reported by Yahoo!, "The plan is for the federal government to take a 60 percent ownership stake in the new GM. The Canadian government would take 12.5 percent, with the United Auto Workers getting a 17.5 percent share and unsecured bondholders receiving 10 percent. Existing GM shareholders are expected to be wiped out." (I placed the "bold" emphasis)

Existing GM shareholders are people who purchased common stock in the company over the many decades it did business. If those people did not sell their stock as of 8 a.m. this morning, their money literally went belly up. But frightening are two factors here: our government, which is supposed to be built on free-market economics, owns a staggering 60 percent take in the "new GM". But also, a foreign nation, Canada, has a 12.5 percent. What the heck is going on here? In simple words, the Congress, in just a few, short months, has totally reversed the course of this nation onto a quasi-socialist bearing not one of us wants to go.

But it gets worse. Citigroup's situation us just as dire. As Bloomberg reports, Citigroup, versus its largest financial competitors, is facing a situation where the government's TARP program may be converting the TARP money into common stock of the company. What does this mean? It means the U.S. will have voting rights within the company, with the ability to force Citigroup to bend to its ever will and force out board members and employees who disagree with it. While many in the Administration will not say this, the end of all benefit for Obama having control over Citigroup allows him to mold the company's future like a piece of clay. Once again, this is NOT government's role.

Already several Congressmen have written Treasury Secretary Geithner, asking him to intervene on their "constituents" behalf. Wells Fargo is expected to liquidate a men's clothing store in its holdings, a store based out of Chicago. As reported, "a May 21 letter sent by Illinois congressmen to Geithner urging him to pressure TARP recipient Wells Fargo not to push for a liquidation of Hartmarx Corp., the ailing Chicago-based menswear maker."

Which means Congress is already meddling in the affairs of businesses under the TARP program. As long as bureaucrats think companies with TARP money can bend to the will of every Congressman/woman or Senator, then the essence of the TARP bailout program is simply just many strings on a puppet, being played and manipulated by as many politicians as possible. It's just sickening to think our nation has plunged this far into interfering with the free-market system.

So what is to be done? CALL YOUR CONGRESSMAN/WOMAN and SENATORS! DEMAND they voice their opposition to continued bailouts of corporations, including GM and Citigroup. DEMAND they publicly denounce the use of YOUR tax money for these purposes! Small businesses, numbering in the thousands, close their doors every month. Why should a big business be treated any differently. The government can't handle bailing out small businesses everywhere, even though those businesses make up the majority of hiring in our country. Why should there be a separate standard for the perceived "fat cats" on Wall Street and in Detroit?

Remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice

By Steve Collier, Colorado Springs

First off, I found this image only on May 29. It was very moving to me. So, no more words.

Healthcare: two reasons the Obama Admin needs to push legislation this year

By Steve Collier, Colorado Springs

Recently, I posted a response to a story on Politico (www.politico.com) about why Obama ad his administration knows why if universal healthcare is not passed this year. I thought you all might find it intriguing:

Why would we need to press so hard on health care in the context of "now or never?" Don't get me wrong, the need to solve this healthcare question is critical. But if the country has waited this long, why can't we wait until a robust debate has been completed on healthcare reform? It seems to me, gauging the political and economic climates, Obama wants healthcare passed before Labor Day because of two, distinct reasons:

1) From a political standpoint, 42 percent of Americans favor "every one in the United States having free health care". 44 percent oppose. (according to a Rasmussen poll dated May 18, 2009). But, by almost 2-to-1 margin, Americans "reject free health care for all if it means changing their own coverage and joining a program administered by the government." President Obama knows this, and the only way for the government to step in and administer health care at the rate he feels it could, would be a competitve federal healthcare system. The problem there is, as we see with the bailout of companies and the banks, the federal government's coffers are much deeper than any insurance companies. How long would it take for the FEDGOV to bankrupt national healthcare, much like Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid? In the end, only the FEDGOV healthcare could compete in that market, with private health insurance companies going the way of the Edsel. And then, to save money, who do you think will regulate healthcare? I'm sure a non-taxpaying healthcare czar would be appointed to oversee.

2) From an economic standpoint. We read the news each day. Tax revenue for the nation is at one of its lowest points in history. With no tax money coming in, programs either need to be slashed to compensate, or, we do what is being done now: deficit spending. Spend what you don't have to fund what shouldn't be funded. That's the Democratic Congress right now (Repubs can be blamed as well). But as the economic crisis continues, and we move deeper into the recession, Obama knows he needs to pass the legislation on healthcare this year because if it is held off until 2010, the American people will be galvanized by the tremendous debt the nation suffers from, as well as by projected inflation expected to kick in going into Fiscal year 2010.

If Obama doesn't get the healthcare legislation this year, all bets may be off. But it's a perfect storm for anti-government healthcare: The executive and legislative branches are held by liberals dominately, and arguably by far-lefter liberals than most. If conservatives (BlueDog Dems and Repubs) can't stop the legislative, it's game over for free-markets and hello to a quasi-socialist healthcare system.