Editorial
~ by Rick Langenberg ~
The political stakes are growing for Colorado.
On March 7, our former governor John Hickenlooper is planning a rally to celebrate his announcement on Monday to enter the presidential race as another Democratic contender. We are glad he made this decision, although Hick faces an uphill fight.
If anything, it will give Colorado more credibility in the 2020 race and a dose of much-needed publicity to fight off the political and media barbarians from New York, California and Florida. I’m not a huge fan of Hick, but believe his pragmatic approach could make him a more unique candidate from the current slate. At least Hick may organize some good parties, specializing in his favorite brews.
And that may be necessary due to the lopsided logic of our new governor, Jared Polis, who has become a familiar star on cable news stations. Polis is getting ready to put the signing touches on Senate Bill 42, the Democratic revenge bill that basically takes our future votes in the 2020 presidential election and throws them in the garbage.
Yes, all of Colorado’s electoral college votes will now go towards whichever candidate wins the national presidential vote under this plan, regardless of the verdict across the state. It is called the National Vote Interstate Compact, or let’s just trash our rural communities Act. Already, 11 states have taken this misguided direction.
This makes absolutely no sense whatsoever, and is throwing our rights down the Colorado river to California. Or selling our votes to New York.
The electoral college system was partially designed so highly populated areas wouldn’t steal democracy away from small burgs. It was meant to provide more equal representation.
Again, the 2016 victory of Donald Trump was one of those freak occurrences. He mainly won due to slim advantages in such battleground states as Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, and a love affair with outside candidates a the time. Sure, Trump lost the popular vote, but this wasn’t the first time such a development occurred. And quite frankly, Trump faces quite a challenge to get re-elected, and may even end up in jail under a worse-case scenario. Why open up past wounds with this stupid National Fraud Compact law?
Instead of playing the game as the sore loser, the state Dems should face the cold truth. Hillary Clinton was a pitiful candidate. She was great at understanding complex policies and addressing small groups, but just never exhibited the same instincts as her husband Bill, probably the best politician in the last several decades. Her campaign never embraced a clear single message, as did that of Bernie Sanders. I knew Hillary was in trouble when I attended the Democratic caucuses at Ute Pass Elementary School in Chipita Park in March 2016. The lack of enthusiasm for her candidacy was quite evident, as Bernie ended up winning the Colorado caucus tally overwhelmingly. The vote at Ute Pass Elementary, which represented a variety of precincts, representing mostly moderate Dems, was strongly against Hillary. It just wasn’t meant to be, as she was better equipped as a government official or senator from New York. As former President Barack Obama summarized her dilemma, Hillary just played defense too much.
So why join other national Dems now in seeking revenge?
The state Dems did an admirable job in the last election and focused on key issues that matter to many Coloradoans, such as health care, education and clean energy. Many folks in Teller County may not agree with these positions but on a statewide platform the Dems performed admirably well. Of course, the anti-Trump movement helped them too, and the state Republican once again performed great at self-destructing.
But that said, the state Dems need to keep their paws away from the National Vote Ripoff Campaign. By doing this, they are further widening the huge chasm that is growing between rural and urban areas in Colorado and across the country.
A new possible ballot measure campaign has started that would force this issue to a statewide vote, if the Dems get too stupid. An attorney for the group noted, “Giving Colorado’s votes for president to voters in other states creates the very real potential of Colorado voters being disenfranchised.” This campaign has been launched by Monument Mayor Don Wilson and Mesa County Commissioner Rose Pugliese. We full-heartedly support their efforts and urge Teller and Ute Pass residents to call their state leaders and tell them to stop this “your vote doesn’t count” nonsense.
That is a voting conclusion we don’t need, as it would just lead to apathy. In fact, why even vote in the next presidential election, as your tally means nothing. Maybe you should just watch the returns on TV, then
For the state Dems, go ahead and pursue any progressive ideas you want, but don’t trash our votes. Don’t get stupid.
