Sunday, May 19, 2013
Comment Archives: stories: Columns: Editorial
Re: “Editorial: Help prevent a TABOR train wreck”
Without the tax measure on the next ballot the city will lose all the bus routes it pays for (drivers are not city employees; RTA pays for about half the route hours so some service will survive), nearly all parks and recreation services (including community centers). Of the 1,800 city employees, 1,200 are providing public safety roles.
Fewer than 100 will be layed off from public safety without new taxes whereas hundreds more will be fired from other service departments.
Streets will be repaired from PPRTA funds if the city can afford to retain engineers and project managers to work with PPRTA for the projects voters approved in 2004.
I learned this from attending public meetings and the city website. Take time to be informed about the downside of TABOR and take civic action.
Posted by
Ray Krueger
on 09/05/2009 at 4:06 PM
Re: “Editorial: Help prevent a TABOR train wreck”
What people don't understand too often about this...ahem, "fearalwaysworks"... is that police, fire and roads are the largest and/or most complained about funds, as well as the funds that the public knows the most about. Unfortunately, the public doesn't know enough about the other funds, which brings up another weak point of TABOR; most people don't know enough about the taxes they're voting on to make an educated decision.
P.S. Check your spelling 'fearalwaysworks."
Posted by
COStudent
on 08/22/2009 at 1:52 PM
Re: “Editorial: Help prevent a TABOR train wreck”
I am enjoying reading your articles about different matters that really help me to gain ideas. Thank you for sharing your insights! I will avidly wait for your next comment entries.
-------------
Ira Gold
Posted by
Bernardcraig20
on 08/21/2009 at 9:28 PM
Re: “Editorial: Help prevent a TABOR train wreck”
Is it possible that taxpayer money is spent elsewhere. The largest department in the state of Colorado (at least in terms of employees) is human services. Those are the people who run veterans nursing homes, mental hospitals, youth corrections, make sure foster care centers are running smoothly (ie not abusing orphans)... And just Tuesday they announced that they are closing two areas of Ft. Logan mental hospital - the child care and geriatric divisions. Basically the people who look after kids and old people who can't function in society and need so much care that they can't just be in a nursing home or foster home (because they do things like beat people up) are about to be fired. Just because people don't think about those services don't mean they aren't valuable, unless you like crazy old folks and kids out on the streets.
Posted by
dw
on 08/21/2009 at 1:15 PM
Re: “Editorial: Help prevent a TABOR train wreck”
Based on this article you would think the only items the city spends money on are police, fire & roads. For some reason those are the only buget measures ever mentioned when taxes are trying to be raised.
Is it possible that money is spent else where that isn't needed? Is it possible the city could outsource services that are not required in the city charter? Nope guess not. First cut is always fire police & firemen so we can scare the public into thinking there are no other options and your home will burn down and your daughters will be rapped if you don't say yes.
Posted by
FearAlwaysWorks
on 08/20/2009 at 1:26 PM
Re: “Editorial: Help prevent a TABOR train wreck”
Write to a politician?! Better idea. Dress up like Indians, gather up all Colorado politicians, drive them up to Eleven Mile and throw them in. The only drawback is having to get the Superfund cleanup crews in to clean up the toxic mess left in the reservoir.
Posted by
Phyllis
on 08/20/2009 at 9:09 AM
Re: “Voters ready to tweak TABOR”
As Sean Paige notes, “The economy sucks. People are feeling anxious.” Raising taxes will not restore the economy. While spending may balance the budget, people have begun to understand how services and community income will be affected. It’s de-stimulus all around. This place is less viable and what’s being done is not seen as a way out.
We shouldn’t be surprised that people are anxious. Those leading the national economic rehab aren’t exactly stirring confidence either, and for good reason. We’ll all know that times are changing when we see primary jobs added to the economic base – jobs that will multiply and support retail and tourism revenue. To achieve change, we need to do something different. One step, included in Jan Martin’s pending proposal, is to eliminate the onerous Business and Personal Property Tax, a serious impediment to primary employer investment here. A more dramatic step would be to lead the movement away from all taxes on production (and jobs and property) and onto consumption, one of two tools used by foreign governments in attracting those good jobs that once were here.
It should be clear that to continue doing what we have been doing fits the definition of insanity.
Posted by
David Anderson
on 07/26/2009 at 6:44 PM
Re: “Voters ready to tweak TABOR”
I think Weiss is engaged in wishful poll-reading, and that there couldn't be a worse time to put a TABOR measure on the ballot. Read more about it at the Page by Paige blog: http://www.locallibertyonline.org/paige_bl….
Posted by
Sean Paige
on 07/25/2009 at 1:46 PM
Re: “Voters ready to tweak TABOR”
Good luck in battling the greedy TABORITES.
The voters of the area were sold a bag of what falls out of cows by Bruce and his acolytes.
Something MUST be done before the city/state/county's infrastructure is totaly destroyed.
Of course it's no help at all when guys like Rivera are so corrupt.
Posted by
Boomer49
on 07/24/2009 at 10:42 AM
Re: “Lamborn needs to hear from you”
Thank YOU for for standing up and voting NO on the Cap and Trade Bill and also the Health Reform BILL.
Posted by
fifthwheel
on 07/09/2009 at 6:55 AM
Re: “Lamborn needs to hear from you”
This is in response to the "live Town hall meeting" via the phone on July 8Th.
My question is this."Would it be reasonable to seek a legislative mandate that would require All senators and congressmen to read in detail all bills that come before them"? These bills that are pushed through( specifically the cap and trade and the upcoming health reform) seem to be outright criminal because they are being passed without true knowledge of what all is included and we the public pay for this gross oversight.It gives the appearance of hidden agendas.Is it to much to ask to take 2-4 weeks of reading that will take us 10-20 YEARS to pay off if not more.
signed: Beverly Barber
Posted by
fifthwheel
on 07/09/2009 at 6:49 AM
Re: “Ritter Responds”
Why did the ballots get printed by some company in CA? Are there no printers in this state? I urge the powers that be to keep jobs in Colorado whenever possible. Also, I believe that early voting should be extended to Saturday & Sunday before the election, and that mail-in ballot envelopes show the amount of postage necessary.
Posted by
shiksa
on 11/05/2008 at 10:48 AM
Re: “Editorial”
my party affiliation was printed in black and white right there on the outside of my ORIGINAL mail-in ballot envelope. It is not true as Balink says, that it's only on the replacement ballots.
Posted by
WantMyVote2Count
on 10/31/2008 at 1:44 AM
Re: “Town hall forum Monday will cover election issues”
Well Sir...it's on a blog, so it 'must' be true. I find it amusing how quickly the French president is being quoted. Yet when France didn't support the US decision to go into Iraq, they couldn't shout "COMMIES" fast enough. Now that France's opinion agrees with yours, they're OK and should be trusted? While you quote one source of unfavorable opinion, I can come up with 10+ pages on Google of favorable ones. I guess the keyword there is "opinions", and you know what they say about those? I say your time would be better spent trying to force feed your brand of the truth to those who might eat it up.
Posted by
downtowngirl
on 10/29/2008 at 2:14 PM
Re: “Town hall forum Monday will cover election issues”
And to provide an 'International' perspective to downtowngirl and rockwall who still believe that Obama is "The One" and are still drunk and have a hangover from their years of liberal koolaid injestion... how about how Obama is being 'received' by world leaders... check out the statement that the French President Sarkosy made in France, (from http://wwwwakeupamericans-spree.blogspot.com/2008/10/nicolas-sarkozy-says-obamas-position-on.html): Sources: Sarkozy views Obama stance on Iran as 'utterly immature' By Barak Ravid Tags: Israel News, Nicolas Sarkozy French President Nicolas Sarkozy is very critical of U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama's positions on Iran, according to reports that have reached Israel's government. Sarkozy has made his criticisms only in closed forums in France. But according to a senior Israeli government source, the reports reaching Israel indicate that Sarkozy views the Democratic candidate's stance on Iran as "utterly immature" and comprised of "formulations empty of all content." Just because the MSM in the US are not going to cover the REAL Obama and expose him for what he is (a man-child with delusions of grandure), the world press does not have the same filters being placed on it, (nor being influenced by the massive amounts of advertising money that is being spent by the Democrats on advertising with the MSM outlets). Talk about buying an election... Barack Hussein Obama is the largest and most prolific violator of campaign finance laws this country has every seen. What a two faced liar, on multiple fronts.
Posted by
OmbudsMan
on 10/29/2008 at 12:30 PM
Re: “Town hall forum Monday will cover election issues”
Speaking of drinking the Koolaid Ombudsman.....geez.
Posted by
downtowngirl
on 10/29/2008 at 7:49 AM
Re: “Town hall forum Monday will cover election issues”
Below is the direct URL web link I mentioned above in my previous post about the lawsuits that are being filed in 8 states across this land. Concerned citizens are rising up to stop this deceitful impostor from committing the biggest crime in history against the citizens of America: http://peoplespassions.org/peoplesvoice/Lawsuits/National_Press_Release_08_10_22.htm
Posted by
OmbudsMan
on 10/29/2008 at 5:24 AM
Re: “Town hall forum Monday will cover election issues”
Better do you homework 'rockwall' as you obviously have drank the 'koolaid' of the left and are about ready to commit 'personal election suicide' by casting and wasting your vote for the supreme 'empty suit'. I was recently sent an e-mail from a friend that summarized it well... The O-man, Barack Hussein Obama, is an eloquently tailored empty suit. No resume, no accomplishments, no experience, no original ideas, no understanding of how the economy works, no understanding of how the world works, no balls, NO REAL BIRTH RIGHT OR BIRTH CERTIFICATE...nothing but abstract, empty rhetoric devoid of real substance. If you want some real 'substance' on why his lack of a real birth certificate is going to be the downfall of his campaign you better check out Steve Marquis site where he is leading the charge along with 7 other patriot citizens who are filing lawsuits at the state level to stop this fraudulent and deceitful campaign. Use the standard internet URL sequence and go to 'peoplespassions.org/peoplesvoice/Lawsuits/lawsuits.htm'. If you and your liberal 'zealots' are successful, (and I pray you are not) you would be electing one of the 'Four Horseman of the Opocalypse'- Obama, Obiden, Odinga, Osama. The Socialist, The Liberal, the Marxist, and the Terrorist. Let's hope that all the 'Joe's' in America rise up against you and your liberal cult members.
Posted by
OmbudsMan
on 10/29/2008 at 5:16 AM
Re: “Town hall forum Monday will cover election issues”
To the "Wizard", are you paid to post in as many different online comment sections as possible? Here are a few links where, if you check the comments sections, you'll find "Wizard's" posting verbatim: http://www.cmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081025/FRONTPAGE/810250322/0/FRONTPAGE http://www.westlinntidings.com/news/story.php?story_id=122404704574414200 http://www.citypaper.net/articles/2008/10/09/the-fumo-theorem http://www.csindy.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A31654 http://www.csindy.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A31662 Additionally, in the www.cmonitor.com link, some thoughtful person (not me) has taken the time to respond to "Wizard's" "concerns" (reprinted here): "1) Acorn voter fraud?" Voter registration fraud. Not voter fraud. Not one fradulent registration will ever become one single vote for and candidate. Satterberg (the Republican prosecuting attorney): a joint federal and state investigation has determined that this scheme was not intended to permit illegal voting. "2) Obama's fundraising policy and how anyone can go on to his website and use any name to donate?" McCain's is no different. John McCain's campaign has received more than $1.2 million in contributions from anonymous, excessive and fraudulent contributors, McCain's contributor database shows at least 201 donations from individuals listing themselves as "anonymous" or "anonymous anonymous" "3) Obama's fundraiasng again where 80% of the donors are unknown?" 55% of Obama's money comes from donations of $200 or more and per FEC rule candidates must. identify individuals who give them more than $200 so it is not possible for 80% of the donors to be unknown. "4) Obama's promise to use public funds and then a flip flop and enriching his campaign with millions?" Can't argue that, he did change his stance, but why should he have used $84.1 million dollars of taxpayer money for his campaign if he could do it with campaign donations? "2. Everyone thinks Bill Ayers is not a situation that is disturbing - people died because of him just like McVeigh - only not as many. Wright, Rezko and all the other associations No one died because of Ayers. Gordon Liddy, John Hagee, Keating, Joseph Bonano, all the other McCain associations, etc... "3. Bothers me that Sen Obama did not know that Wright was a racist, that Ayers was a terrorist, that Rezko was a crook, that Acorn was involved with voting fraud - what does he know?" He did know about Ayers, but back then he was called an Activist, McCain started calling him a terrorist, and how would he know Rezko was a crook, Rezko wasn't charged with any crimes until after any involvment Obama had with him, and the charges had nothing to do with Obama or the State of Illinion. What about McCain? Hagee is racist, sexist, anti-jew, anti-catholic and more (and requested his endorsement), Liddy was a terrorist (and McCain was good pals with him, not just an acquaintance like Obama/Ayers), Keating was a crook (and McCain was pals with him for a long time and DIRECTLY involved in the Keating scandal, not just an acquaintance like REzko/Obama) McCain was involved with ACORN also. "5. World Trade Center - dedication ceremony - where was Michelle??" In Chicago where the couple's daughters had recently begun a new school year. Taking care of family, not just prancing around in a $300,000 gown like McCain "6. Obamas speeches saying that he was raised by a SINGLE parent and they were poor - actually his mother was single for only two years between her first and second husband - He was also raised by his upper-middle class grandparents in a high rise condominium in Hawaii, where he attended a private college prepatory school. His grandmother, was the vice president of a bank." Don't know where he ever said he was poor, I know he said he was raised in a working class family, and his grandfather was in the army then managed a furniture store and his grandmother worked in a bank (not becoming a vice president until Obama was almost an adult) and his mother was single all but 5 years of his life, and the bank of Hawaii and scholarships paid for most of his school tuition. "7. Joe the Plumber - he is middle class - he is one of us - he is struggling" And McCain is one of us? With his 15 cars, 7 houses (and he can't even remember how many he owns), estimated net worth of near $150 million dollars, a private jet, his wifes $300,000 gowns, etc? 8. Logan Act - Rico Act - why do we have ACTS if no one is responsible for their involvement - Sen Obama,as proven, talked with Iraq regarding pull out time frame of troops there. RICO - The Buckeye Institute has filed a Rico action against ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) and in the 14 page PDF report, Barack Obama is mentioned, but the action has not been filed against him. (they mentioned they did work for him, and endorsed him, which has nothing to do with the RICO action) LOGAN - Considering Obama only insisted that Congress should be involved in negotiations on the status of US troops while in Iraq, and considering that is one of the enumerated powers of congress, I don't see how it violated the LOGAN act. "9. Sixteen States have reported Voter Fraud through Acorn representatives - what happened to our every vote counts and how can we possibly use us as an example of a democratic government to other countries." Voter registration fraud. Not voter fraud. Not one fradulent registration will ever become one single vote for and candidate. Satterberg (the Republican prosecuting attorney): a joint federal and state investigation has determined that this scheme was not intended to permit illegal voting "11. "People of all ages, stations, and skills will be asked to serve;. I will set a goal for all American middle and high school students to perform 50 hours of service a year, and for all college students to perform 100 hours of service a year."" And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country. First of all, this isn't going to be law, or even required, 2nd of all it will be beneficial to everyone involved, and it's not for people of all ages, just middle school through college. At the middle and high school level, they will give more federal assistance and programs to the schools involved, and for college students, it will give a Tax Credit of $4,000 "12. Reported illegal contributions to the campaign." McCain's is no different. John McCain's campaign has received more than $1.2 million in contributions from anonymous, excessive and fraudulent contributors, McCain's contributor database shows at least 201 donations from individuals listing themselves as "anonymous" or "anonymous anonymous" "13. Mr. Obama supports a requirement for both men and women to register with the Selective Service, while Mr. McCain doesn't think women should have to register." The draft next??" Selective service has been in place since 1917 for men. saying "The draft next???" about selective service is like saying "Prohibition next???" about raising tax on alcohol. The only limiting factor to women registering for Selective service is that they can't be in combat, which last I heard most female soldiers wanted. Equal Rights, Equal Responsibilities. "15. 401K tax removal plan - spread the wealth???" Considering Obama wants to make private saving easier, cheaper, & more automatic for middle-class workers, and the fact that he supported the Save More for Retirement Act, which encourages automatic 401K enrollment, and Obama also voted for new rules to force companies to properly fund their pension plans so taxpayers don't foot the bill I dont really see where a 401k removal program comes from. Besides, how would removing someones 401k spread the wealth? "16. Obamas vision for Social Security would be a "welfare program" - low earners would receive more in benefits than they pay in taxes - can you say broke??" I can't find anything saying he wants to give more social security to poor people, only thing I know is he wants to remove the social security tax cap so that the rich aren't paying a lower percentage of their income in social security taxes than the poor. "17. Obama states that he voted against Iraq War - he was not even a US Senator to vote against it yet - in fact - before his campaign he was in the Senate less than 9 months - what kind of experience is that??" Not all votes for the Iraq war took place before the war started, Obama cast at least 10 votes for war-funding bills before voting against one last year, after Bush vetoed a version that contained a date for withdrawal from Iraq. "18. American Media - you have to go to Canada or Europe to find out the truth - why is everything being surpressed here, and why are THEY deciding who to elect, through the biased media and polls." Considering World Polls show in favor of Obama, I think that says something. Canada (69%), Italy (64%), France (62%), Germany (61%), and the UK (54%) - as well as Australia (62%), along with Kenya (87%) and Nigeria (71%) are just some of the countries in favor of Obama "Let us have a valid copy of Obamas birth certificate!! Cases are now pending in Seattle, Philadelphia and Honolulu about Obamas birth certificate. Obama s powerful Muslin law firm from Washington, DC won for him so now the case is upwards to the US Supreme Court." Who is this "powerful muslin law firm from washington, dc"? Nobody won anything for anyone, the Case in Philly was thrown out (by a republican judge) because Philip Berg brought nothing but circumstantial evidence to the table, the only solid evidence is a birth certificate, which Janice Okubo of the Hawaii Department of Health, says is real and legitimate. ------ I don't understand why so many people are against helping the poorer people of this country, I find that Un-American. You'd rather McCain keep the rich richer (and in his own words, knows next to nothing about economy issues and just months ago was saying our economy was fine), and leave the poor fighting your war. I'd bet 95% of the people commenting here would BENEFIT from Obama's tax plans, and the few who make more than $250,000 (to quote McCain, congrats, you're rich!) would probably not notice, and surely wouldnt care about the $900.00 more in taxes they would have to pay. that's a 2nd TV for your hot tub for you, and 3+ months of food for the for a poor family. Why should we be spending our tax money and childs lives in Iraq? Iraq has their own government, police, and Army now, a project surplus or over 60 billion dollars, and plenty of their own resourses. It's costing us $255 million A DAY, 1.8 BILLION a week and so far more than 4,000 of our children. If you're not voting for Obama, you should be voting against McCain.
Posted by
rockwall
on 10/28/2008 at 11:11 PM
Re: “Editorial: Help prevent a TABOR train wreck”
I do not mind taxes.
However, whenever there is a project there is BAD corruption, BAD managment, or both.
For example, a few years back, when Colorado Spring's I-25 widening project was to begin, a contract of $20,000 to $25,000 was awarded to a company to name the project. This sounds like some form of back door means to pay off someone. Why do we need to pay someone to name a project?
Many voters were LIVID!
This and many other reasons are why people ( many are not tea baggers, just independents, Democrats, and so on ) are NOT willing to terminate
Tabor. I understand the need for taxes. It is just the rampant problems of bad management and corruption that upsets lots of people.