BackboneAmerica

(John Andrews one week after) The split verdict on Nov. 1 from the voters, yes on C for higher taxes, no on D for deeper debt, dealt a blow to TABOR. Yet our Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights remains a vital protection to liberty and a political asset to be envied by Americans elsewhere. The glass is way more than half full. We made the spenders really sweat for once, made them beg. That’s a lot.

The valiant losing fight against Ref C can be for conservatives here, what the Miers fight was for conservatives nationally — an important new beginning. Let’s make it that. Let’s come together, do some honest self-examination, then get going and get back on offense. For starters, we might explore five questions: (more…)

By Brian Ochsner baochsner@aol.com

Salena Zito’s piece today on Real Clear Politics is pretty accurate describing Republicans in Washington, D.C. If Colorado Republicans haven’t yet gone this hog wild drinking the pork-flavored koolaid, some are certainly leaning in that direction. The Zito commentary shows three examples of principled, conservative leadership that Republicans around the country — and in our state particularly — should emulate. (Note: her advocacy of cloning is presumably tongue-in-cheek. In any case, mine is.)

(John Andrews in the Wall Street Journal, Nov. 3, and the Denver Post, Nov. 6) In Tuesday’s election, as far as taxpayer advocates are concerned, the Alamo fell. Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie are no more. Conservative defenders of the little guy fought valiantly, but the pro-tax forces overwhelmed them.

A mighty coalition of Colorado’s establishment spent the past year warning that the world would end unless voters agreed to $3.7 billion in higher taxes and $2.1 billion in deeper debt, and it largely worked. Referendum C, the tax hike, passed with 52% of the vote. Referendum D, the companion measure for bonding, fell just short with 49.6%. Interest was strong; over a million people voted. (more…)

By Jim Windham txpilgrim@houston.rr.com

“We have a responsibility,” according to US Education Secretary Margaret Spellings, “to make sure our higher education system continues to meet our nation’s needs for an educated and competitive workforce for the 21st century.” In this excerpt from the announcement of the Secretary’s appointment of a commission to study and make recommendations on the future of American higher education, I have emphasized “educated” because, while we are appropriately very concerned with our nation’s competitive strength, its research and technological leadership, and providing its succeeding generations with the tools to excel in a globalized environment, we should also be concerned with the education of our youth, properly understood. (more…)

By Krista Kafer

Ever wonder what you’re paying for with your federal tax dollars? Look at just one department (the one Republicans once promised to eliminate). This year, Colorado received $406 million in federal funds for k-12 education programs. The state received another $199 million for higher education, while students received $1.2 billion in new taxpayer subsidized loans. That’s a lot of money.

Ever wonder if the programs work? Anecdotal evidence will tell you that there are students who benefit from federal programs. Aggregate achievement statistics, however, may make you wonder. It’s pretty obvious that a lot of money doesn’t necessarily mean a lot of progress. (more…)