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Comments

1. #1
   On November 4th, 2009 at 10:22 am, verogolfer said:

   Gee, this might be a trend…

2. #2
   On November 4th, 2009 at 10:23 am, cheapseat said:

   ABSOLUTELY! these liberals in local, state and federal gubmints have killed the goose who lays the jobs. if you don’t have competitive taxes, labor wages, and resources like housing prices the GREEDY businesses will go elsewhere, and jobs will go whereever they land. obama promised jobs, and out of the same mouth he says we must tax the rich into leaving. DO YOU WORK FOR A POOR GUY OR A RICH COMPANY?

3. #3
   On November 4th, 2009 at 10:32 am, AmericaFirst said:

   They ALWAYS attack police and firefighters first. These political hacks never look at the bloated personnel staff in their own offices, lazy maintenance staff with nothing to do (or create work where none is needed) and these “cultural centers” which are nothing more than Democrat racist buildings. I guess it’s too difficult to axe people you work with on a daily basis and are close friends.

4. #4
   On November 4th, 2009 at 10:34 am, jangar said:

   Shrinking government is the only answer to fighting liberal growth and high taxes. But when was the last time a government program of any kind was boarded up?

5. #5
   On November 4th, 2009 at 10:39 am, RobM1981 said:

   Michelle,

   What you have to watch for now is California-itis. That’s the disease where the politicians claim that “the people” refuse to support cuts in service even more than they refuse to support new taxes, and grow the government (via deficit) in spite of the vote.

6. #6
   On November 4th, 2009 at 10:42 am, txvet2 said:

   I guess it’s too difficult to axe people you work with on a daily basis and are close friends.

   It’s tough for a small businessman to do it too, but they do. It’s about time government learned the term “layoff”.

7. #7
   On November 4th, 2009 at 10:46 am, granite said:

   On November 4th, 2009 at 10:32 am, AmericaFirst said:

   You beat me to it.

   What you said!

8. #8
   On November 4th, 2009 at 10:46 am, 24Klady said:

   I’ll agree with RobM1981
   By the spring of 2010, I’m guessing CA will be in bankruptcy and flailing about cutting needed services rather than their bloated feel-good programs. There are other cities across the country in the same boat. If/when our healthcare bill is passed, along with crap and tax our entire financial system is going to fail.

   My congrats go out to the voters in Colorado Springs. Good job.

9. #9
   On November 4th, 2009 at 10:53 am, DBNinKY said:

   Measure 2C, which would have tripled the city’s property tax rate, went down in flames Tuesday, losing by a margin of nearly 2-to-1, according to unofficial results.

   Good for them! I can’t imagine paying triple my current rates, which I’m sure are much lower here than in C-Springs, and I can’t understand why government always seems to seek a tax increase first before they’ll even consider reducing spending – especially in hard times, when there’s simply not enough money to maintain the status quo for anyone.

10. #10
    On November 4th, 2009 at 10:57 am, TooMuchTime said:

    “The people of Colorado Springs don’t seem to believe the claims that the heavens will fall if the city isn’t allowed to raise these taxes,” he said.

    In the late 70s in California, the same chicken little scare tactics were used by the opponents of Prop 13. One of the statements by the SF crowd was that they’d have to close the libraries. A year after it passed, a reporter was standing on the steps of the main SF library and showing everyone it was still open.

    They ALWAYS attack police and firefighters first. These political hacks never look at the bloated personnel staff in their own offices, lazy maintenance staff with nothing to do (or create work where none is needed) and these “cultural centers” which are nothing more than Democrat racist buildings.

    All state constitutions should have some type of tiered system for cutting services. Police and Fire are always in tier 1 (the highest) and it cannot be altered. Other services can be in the lower tiers. If the gov’t wants to cut services, they have to start with the lower tiers first. All services in a tier must be cut completely before any service in the next tier up is cut.

    If tier 1 is cut, all elected officials lose half of the pay for as long as the tier 1 cuts are in place.

11. #11
    On November 4th, 2009 at 10:59 am, happy2behere said:

    The voters in Colorado Springs almost always reject tax increases. I lived in the Springs metro for over a decade and I dont recall ever seeing a voter approved tax increase.

    This one was different in that the scare tactics were much worse than in the past. However, the Springs voters have been known to reject very important infrastructure. Ever wonder why one of the most beautiful locations in the country has no real convention center?

12. #12
    On November 4th, 2009 at 11:00 am, walterc said:

    I guess it’s too difficult to axe people you work with on a daily basis and are close friends.

    Axe them what? Oh, you meant layoffs, I thought you were speaking ebonics.

13. #13
    On November 4th, 2009 at 11:02 am, zyzzyg said:

    Why close recreational and cultural facilities? Why slash bus serice?

    These particular items might be ripe for privatization. Sometimes thinking outside the box is a good thing. Determine if there is a market for these services and develop a plan to allow the private operation of them.

    Yep, the viablity of such an endeavor will be a mix of various elements and everything concerning privatizing should be examined before a final decision is to be made.

    Pro-market privatization for some public services might be an answer. As for Police and Fire Fighters, that might be a bridge too far.

14. #14
    On November 4th, 2009 at 11:17 am, TooMuchTime said:

    zyzzyg, I agree with you completely. Privatize what you can.

    However, no good socialist would ever allow that. And most gov’t workers, elected or not, have a socialist bent because they don’t want to give up the power or the job.

    The gov’t will also lie by saying anything in private hands is not done as well as when it’s in gov’t hands.

15. #15
    On November 4th, 2009 at 11:25 am, TooMuchTime said:

    As for Police and Fire Fighters, that might be a bridge too far.

    It usually is. In Marin County, CA, the cities of Larkspur and Corte Madera wanted to join their police departments to become the Twin Cities Police. The problem wasn’t an operational one, it was because the city managers didn’t want to give up their power. It went through because it made sense. The fire departments are still separate.

    It’s not the same as privatization, but you can see why any type of change is rejected, due to ignorance and just a simple power struggle.

16. #16
    On November 4th, 2009 at 11:25 am, Bogtrotter said:

    Cuts in bus service? Cultural and recreational facilities? If they mentioned fire & police services last, that was where they screwed up. Here that,fire & police, has also been the first threat. I will admit such threats are less effective here since it is a somewhat rural area the fire det.. motto could just as well be “We have’nt lost a foundation yet”. As for police, most people are armed and will be calling them to simply come and remove the body anyway.

17. #17
    On November 4th, 2009 at 11:40 am, Uplander said:

    This typical scare mongering. I’ve seen this in Michigan from 2 pennie Jenny Granholm, failed Canadian actress and Governor of Michigan. Her first knee jerk when denied her utopian socialist BS is lay off Troopers, cut school spending and release prisoners.
    She has driven business and industry out of the state and is now messing with proprty and riparian rights.

18. #18
    On November 4th, 2009 at 11:44 am, RedDog said:

    Socialism has had 70 years to entrench itself here and it’s going to take a long time to unravel all the problems it has caused. People are waking up though.

    Collaborators and sellouts in business and Wall Street will alway be an issue but we can overcome them one conviction and one election at a time.

19. #19
    On November 4th, 2009 at 11:44 am, cwbois said:

    On November 4th, 2009 at 10:59 am, happy2behere said: Ever wonder why one of the most beautiful locations in the country has no real convention center?

    I have lived in the Springs since 95 and no I dont wonder why we dont have a taxpayer funded convention Center, We Dont Need it. There are many fine hotels here that are more than able to host such things without taxpayer help. The government needs to wakeup and see that its there to provide what the taxpayers (note I said taxpayer) want not what they want.

20. #20
    On November 4th, 2009 at 11:51 am, rocketman said:

    ***
    I think things are going to get a lot tougher for the liberals and socialists in Colorado now that Michelle Malkin is living nearby!
    ***
    Colorado politics is about to get a MALKIN RESET. The libtards can run–but they can’t hide.
    ***
    John Bibb
    ***

21. #21
    On November 4th, 2009 at 11:52 am, Mr Wolf said:

    Last night, I finally got a good look at what ‘Conservatives’ will be up against in the upcoming elections. Anyone

    who thinks the Party Machine GOP is accepting what is going on is deluded.

    I signed up for a call for Sen Demint’s SenateConservatives.com to discuss candidates that are CONSERVATIVE and wish

    to run to un-seat either Dems or ‘squishy’ R(INOS) in districts across the country. I am a campaign advisor to the

    ONLY real CONSERVATIVE running for Senate here in Colorado, and we were NOT allowed to even participate.

    The conf. call’s attendant came on, asked me what my question/concern was, and then I was never called upon to address

    the call. I know, for a fact, there were at least 13 callers on the conf. call for my candidate, but NONE were

    allowed to address the call.

    The call ONLY permitted TWO Senate candidates- Norton, and Buck, here in CO. NEITHER are true CONSERVATIVES in the

    ‘mold’ that Sen Demint’s site is looking for (at least, outwardly).

    3 lies were told on the call:

    –After a poll, 78% voted for Buck, ZERO voted for Norton, and 22% were ‘other or undecided’ (my only option) IF ONLY

    ONE PERSON voted for Norton, she would have had a percentage.

    –They had a poll on positions of various concern to Conservatives. SEVERAL came up ’100%’ in one direction or

    another, EVEN THOUGH several people voted the opposite way.

    –At the end of the call, they announced that ’100% of the attendees would like another call similar to this one’,

    again, even though MANY on the call voted NO (just to skew the results and prove the call was a sham)

    I am EXTREMELY disillusioned by this- and I am of the mind that the GOP party is running scared, and trying to ‘join

    in’ on the disappointment that people feel for their performance in DC under the Obama-ites.

    We are going to find out who’s behind this, and fight them every step of the way.

    This is disgusting. Its politics, but, IF YOU HAVE NO INTEGRITY, YOU HAVE NO BUSINESS HANDLING MY MONEY (RE: BEING IN

    POLITICS AND HANDLING MY TAXES)

    Wolf

22. #22
    On November 4th, 2009 at 11:59 am, Truesoldier said:

    Here in WA ST we had a chance to limit government growth through initiative 1033. Sadly the voters did not approve it, which the liberal legislature will take a sign that it is ok to pass higher taxes and the Governor will use it as way to push the income tax she so desperatly wants to push onto the voters.

23. #23
    On November 4th, 2009 at 12:14 pm, zyzzyg said:

    On November 4th, 2009 at 11:17 am, TooMuchTime said: #835644 and # 835659

    I agree that to give up power is a strong reason and motivation to go against the staus quo. I would say it is more about self preservation than socialism. I think it is an inherent human characteristic to give up anything voluntarily. If you have experienced a two year old, you know what I am talking about. Everyone of every political stripe is initialy reluctant to give up power.

    And yes, I agree, politicians and people with myopic veiws will often use misrepresetations of the facts to advance their own agenda. There are certainly things that can done be better in private hands vice public hands.

    With regard to the specific issues in Colorado, and more generally across the country, I don’t believe there is one answer, but many solutions, and that we should not be afraid, or confined to our political ideologies, to explore them. Then use what works.

    Yep, it is all about power struggles, my rice bowl, and loosing control, whatever you political outlook is, or isn’t.

24. #24
    On November 4th, 2009 at 12:16 pm, Dexter Alarius said:

    “The people of Colorado Springs don’t seem to believe the claims that the heavens will fall if the city isn’t allowed to raise these taxes,” he said.

    That’s why I voted NO on 2C, as well. There’s a lot of fat that can be trimmed; no need to warn about the meat.

25. #25
    On November 4th, 2009 at 12:35 pm, happy2behere said:

    I also remember the 1980s and the Colorado oil bust when almost every other home listed the Gazette was in foreclosure. Notice a similarity? Had the city built the convention center in the good times, it would be reaping the tax revenues today. I don’t like raising taxes either, but not voting a convention center was an appalling lack of foresight. Penny wise and pound foolish.

26. #26
    On November 4th, 2009 at 12:35 pm, dan708 said:

    The only way the voters might ever accept big-govt fear tactics is if they took out an ad in the local paper laying out EXACTLY TO THE PENNY where taxpayer money is spent. Then, they should invite the citizenry to suggest what should be cut.

    Of course, this will NEVER happen because pols would be faced with letting go of people who helped get them elected.

27. #27
    On November 4th, 2009 at 12:36 pm, Mach1Duck said:

    Colorado Springs has pinned its revenues on growth. With a slow down in growth, they loose revenue. I have been associated with the Springs since ’67 when Acadamy Blvd was still dirt and have watched it expand unchecked. Todate, the developers have called the shots, and now that they are moving on. Well?

28. #28
    On November 4th, 2009 at 12:44 pm, SpeakEasy said:

    Every state that allows their government to run over them, raising property taxes (especially in this economy) taking away property rights and NOT SHRINKING GOVERNMENT deserve what they get- a failed state. Do not look to the other (mostly red ) states to bail you out- you made the bed, you lie in it.

    I hear there is a woman named Medina running for governor of Texas who is pushing sovereign states rights. I think I’m moving to Texas if she wins.

29. #29
    On November 4th, 2009 at 12:48 pm, SpeakEasy said:

    Re: closing rec centers, how about asking for volunteers? Why not appeal to civic clubs and schools to lend a hand? How about- and I know I’m dreaming here, asking those who benefit the most from those centers to provide the upkeep? If they do not want to help it run, it probably is not that important.

30. #30
    On November 4th, 2009 at 12:55 pm, scituate_tgr said:

    AmericaFirst said: I guess it’s too difficult to axe people you work with on a daily basis and are close friends.

    And there is the difference between business – an entity that has to make “business” decisions regardless of the difficulty, and government – which instinctively just goes to the well for more, more, more.

31. #31
    On November 4th, 2009 at 2:17 pm, emjem24 said:

    I’m glad that 2C didn’t pass. It really struck me as backwards the way the City Council approached their budget shortfall. Some lame-brained city councilwoman said that 2C was the city’s way of asking for direction from the voter. So, they couldn’t figure out that voters had had enough of the scare tactics and fear mongering?

    I live in Colorado Springs now. My husband and I “hope” to retire here and buy a home. Homeowners are already overburdened with not only their mortgage but decreasing home values. Property taxes would have just added to the pain that we’re all feeling right now.

32. #32
    On November 4th, 2009 at 2:46 pm, Jeddite said:

    I voted for Initiative 1033 in Washington. Mostly because those political ads with fretting old people got on my nerves. Growwwrrwrrwwrrr, Grandma!!

33. #33
    On November 4th, 2009 at 3:54 pm, Ron said:

    Let’s face it, the responsible thing to do is curtail spending. If the money aint there, it aint there. Does that mean some people are going to be fired from government jobs? Yes, if that’s the only way we can balance the budget. Why should they be any better off than workers in the private sector? I don’t want to see anybody fired, but I don’t want to see runaway government growth and endless increases in spending and taxes. This cycle is totally ignored by Congress, where they just print money. Most city and state governments don’t have that “luxury.” It’s a pay-as-you-go operation, only we are increasingly unable to pay the tab. That means we go on a diet.