LIBERTARIAN PARTY OF COLORADO BLOG

Another cop hurt while not wearing his seatbelt...

A Greeley police trainee who was not wearing his seat belt was thrown from a squad car during an early morning emergency call and slightly injured, officials say.

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_7038702

In reality, I could care less if people get hurt in auto accidents for not wearing their seatbelts. The reason I like to point out when cops are caught at it is because they “enforce the law to save lives”. Yeah right. They enforce it on you and me but not on themselves, and it is typical of this whole “good for thee but not for me” mentality that is pervasive throughout all government positions of power from the police to the president of the United States and everyone in between.

Denver's new theme song "Just can't get enough", Taxes!!!

Denver has been on a building spree during the past two decades.
From swanky museums and sports venues to a top-notch convention center and accompanying hotel, the metropolis of the Rocky Mountain region offers residents and visitors alike a medley of amenities.
But the trophy projects, which were built during relatively good times, have come at a price.
While new walls went up, maintenance of the city's existing assets fell behind.
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/elections/article/0,2808,DRMN_24736_5710137,00.html

Of course the solution is more taxes! Only to have these new "swanky" projects deteriorate and need another tax increase to pay for their restoration. It is not Depeche Mode, it is Madness!

Water rates to rise for Denver area

Denver residents will have to pay an average of $13 more for their water bills next year, and suburban customers will see a $21 increase, under a new rate structure approved today by the Denver Water Board.

"We're not trying to make a profit on the rates we charge our customers. We're charging to pay for the services we provide," LaFrance said.

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_7006193

Maybe they would lower costs if they were trying to make a profit! Water and other products that the government gets involved with goes up in cost, meanwhile industries where the government is uninvolved remains the same or drops in price. Granted it gets harder and harder to find industries that the government does not meddle in.

Colorado Union of Taxpayers flunks Dems

The Democrats in charge of state government have earned an F for their voting performance during the last legislative session from the conservative Colorado Union of Taxpayers.

Former Rep. Penn Pfiffner, who heads the group, said the ratings show that the state's Democratic lawmakers are tax-and-spend power-grabbers who are not trying to actually solve problems.

Gov. Bill Ritter, for example, sided against taxpayers' interests 23 out of 25 times, earning an "8 percent" rating, Pfiffner said. Ritter's Republican predecessor, Bill Owens, earned a 50 percent rating last year.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/government/article/0,2777,DRMN_23906_5706404,00.html

RTD approves fare increase

The RTD board approved a January fare hike by a narrow margin after speeches by two members who said the transit agency hadn't done enough to trim unnecessary costs before hitting up its riders for more money.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_5707545,00.html

I would not mind RTD raising their rates, except that they get most of their money from taxes. They need to find the amount needed to sustain themselves with using tax dollars, and they will probably need to streamline costs as well.

Colorado sheriff creates roadblock so private firm can demand DNA blood samples

http://www.politechbot.com/2007/09/21/colorado-sheriff-creates/

This is a must read. Basically the Gilpin county sheriff aided a corrupt research firm whose primary goal is to extort government money and abuse civil liberties in the name of the war on drugs and alcohol.

HELP PUT A LIBERTARIAN ON THE GOLDEN CITY COUNCIL!!!

You can help get Libertarian candidate Steve Gallant elected to the Golden City Council in the upcoming election. Steve is running for the District 2 seat on the city council. The Gallant campaign team is looking for volunteers to help distribute door hangers and yard signs on the following Saturdays:

September 29

October 6

October 13

October 20

We will meet in the Golden Public Library parking lot (1019 Tenth Street) at noon to form walking teams and hand out maps of the neighborhoods we will walk that day. Snacks and water will be provided. We expect the walking routes for each team to take about two hours. If you are unable to help on Saturdays, please call to find out about volunteer opportunities during the week.

http://gallantforgolden.com/

Surprise! COHOPE supported a government program that is not living up to its promises

In an article describing the reaction to proposed cuts in the fasttax light rail line I saw this quote:

"We want what was promised to the voters," said Justin Everett, president of COHOPE, a coalition of homeowner associations in Jefferson County, during the meeting at Jefferson County Fairgrounds.
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_5702479,00.html

This type of sentiment never ceases to amaze me. Libertarians know that the government has never been able to deliver on a promise (at least not within the originally stated budget). So I am not sure what has caused this guys surprise that he supported a government program with grand promises that it will not be able to deliver. Whether the program is the overthrow of a Middle East countries dictator, educating your kids, or building a rail road track, the results are always disappointing and/or over budget.

Tax payer supported Health Clubs cut hours of operation

Denver Parks and Recreation says 11 rec centers will be open to the public 3,226 fewer hours next year.
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_5702447,00.html

This is good news for private gyms like 24 hour fitness. It is bad news for tax payers who were forced to fund these boondoggles and then find them inconvenient to actually use. I say we sell off these facilities and get government out of the business of providing exercise facilities. There certainly is not a lack of choices for private gyms in the Denver area.

Bridge goes over budget, Bureaucrat thinks it is okay because the money comes from multiple sources, but in reality it is all from the taxpayer

The pedestrian bridge over Interstate 25 that connects the Highland area with Lower Downtown came in more than $1.5 million over budget.
But the tab for the bridge is spread among several agencies, including a $1.8 million grant from the federal government, $800,000 from the Regional Transportation District and more than $378,000 from the state, Department of Public Works spokeswoman Revekka Balancier said.
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_6932648

This public works person seems to have a screw loose if she thinks that the tab for this abuse of taxpayer money comes from any agency or several agencies. It all comes from the taxpayers. 99.99% of them will never step foot onto this bridge but somehow are financially responsible for it.