Radio, June 4: Draining the Swamp

Join us on radio every Sunday, 5-8pm on 710 KNUS, DenverTo listen online from anywhere, click 710knus.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hello from Seattle, where the TABOR Truth Tour rolls on. Evergreen Freedom Foundation, marking 15 years as a conservative think tank for Washington State, had John Stossel for their June 1 conference. The all-day event opened with a panel where I spoke on "Draining the Swamp: How to Reduce the Size, Scope, and Cost of Government."

I said the swamp, a harmful concentration of power and money, develops when civic responsibility hits a sinkhole. But citizens can replace that depression with a divide, a backbone to define the political watershed. A constitutional tax and spending limit is one way to slow (if not reverse) the growth of government.

Colorado's TABOR does this to an extent, I told the Evergreen conference. Yet our experience with TABOR-evading politicians, judges, and special interests is a reminder not to expect too much from any one reform. You can't people-proof political power. Only a citizenry who understand freedom is a trust, not a toy, can ultimately drain the swamp.

Rallying citizens to that understanding is our mission at "Backbone Radio with John Andrews." Our show this Sunday, as usual, will feature a spectrum of guests and topics with one thing in common: dedication to America's founding principles -- political, moral, and spiritual.

** Rick O'Donnell, Republican candidate for the 7th congressional district in suburban Denver, will update us on his race, one of the most closely watched in the country.

** Wendell Cox, an expert on market solutions for transportation, will discuss why Denver's traffic congestion is so bad -- and how toll roads could help.

** Bishop Harry Jackson, a Maryland pastor, will report on the hard-hitting Black Contract with America on Moral Values.

Plus another visit with our friend, Prof. James Humes of UC-Colorado Springs, speechwriter for five presidents, along with my recorded interview with syndicated talk-show host Dennis Prager, postponed from last week when we ran long with Iraq Purple Heart winner BJ Jackson. (If you missed the BJ interview, one of our best ever, read about him at saluteheroes.org.)

Tune in as we cover all of this -- plus the latest setback for Holtzman in his battle with Beauprez -- from 5-8pm this Sunday, June 4, on 710 KNUS in Denver and 710knus.com around the world. Call in with your two-cents at 303-696-1971. Or comment by email, during the show or right now, at backboneradio@aol.com.

There's nothing else quite like Backbone Radio, the most principled, most patriotic, most faith-based, most Colorado-proud spot on the dial. Tune in for another lively Sunday evening of fact, opinion, and insight.

Yours for self-government, JOHN ANDREWS