Colorado
Related: About this forumHappy New Year, NoColo!
And theyre off!
The inanity abides, unfortunately. As we approach the opening of the new state legislative session we are apprised (warned?) of what some of our legislators will attempt. Northern Colorado doesnt get a pass in the OMG factor.
Unsurprisingly, new state senator John Cooke (erstwhile sheriff who was part of the engine that drove the recall of two senators for having dared, mind you, to place public safety over the demands of those who value gun rights over human life) is determined to undo the ammo magazine limitation. To his joy and our disgust, his candidacy (like Ken Bucks) was endorsed by Ted Nugent. Further, Cooke was and continues to be supported in his efforts by the same bullet enamored man who found it expedient to hold a pro-gun rally across the street from a gathering memorializing those who died in the Aurora theater shooting.
Meanwhile, over in the house, Perry Buck (aka Mrs. Ken Buck) takes her seat for another term. During the recent election campaign she displayed her dazzling disconnect from all things real when she giggled about not knowing the boundaries of her own district. Face palms notwithstanding, she vows to continue her crusade to restore gun rights to certain felons (because that is absolutely at the top of every Coloradoans list of most important stuff, right?).
Upstream, Citizens Uniteds toy, ethically challenged Ken Buck, moves into Cory Gardners vacated House seat, thanks to gerrymandering and a large helping of state Democratic party indifference to the people of the district. Before hes even sworn in Buck has given an acrid foretaste of his tenure by announcing his displeasure at seeing the President dining with a group of Sioux students in D.C.
Most sadly for the country, Colorado lost a senator and the Koch Brothers gained one. Lifelong environmentalist Mark Udalls senate desk will now be occupied by ultra slick Cory Gardner whose resume includes easy vacillation between pimp and whore for extractive interests. Well have to make sure he doesnt bill us for the cost of all those knee pads. Its going to be a difficult adjustment. Udall was here often, accessible and welcoming to anyone who lives here; his staff was unfailingly welcoming and helpful. Conversely, on the rare occasion when congressman Gardner deigned to show up here he dodged and equivocated, and his staff bordered on the hostile while his local office became increasingly more difficult to access.
Some might be inclined to just chuck it all, go someplace more sane. Indeed, its not that far to districts with more genuine representation from the likes of DeGette or Perlmutter or Polis. So why stay? Because its home. The heart is here. And capitulation is just not on the menu today.
hlthe2b
(105,873 posts)(tremendously) those who stay and fight the long fight. To better (post-election) days
niyad
(119,186 posts)mountain grammy
(27,161 posts)Grand County is right wing land, but Jared Polis is our Congressman because our district is shared with Boulder. Gardner won easily in our county, as did Boo-prey.
beveeheart
(1,396 posts)and am thankful for Polis and DeGette.
world wide wally
(21,811 posts)I live in a liberal bastion outside of Colorado Springs and I NEVER would have wished this on the rest of the state. Welcome to 1958 without the rock & roll.
locks
(2,012 posts)for keeping us posted and for staying in the good fight. My family lives in New Orleans and I know what they have to live with in Louisiana. I'm afraid the next few years will be very sad for liberals as states like our beautiful Colorado move farther to the right. Keep up the good work.