Amnesia Theater, Nancy Spence Edition

Repiglithugs

Typical tactics from the Repiglithugs. Thank you for bringing this to light.

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by: Sankore @ Thu Jan 15, 2009 at 17:26:59 PM CST

Great catch

I love how she stumbles over the words, speaking of the Colorado General Assembly, "it must oppo -- impose greater fiscal discipline on itself."

I'm actually surprised she didn't mention the prospect of grandma having to eat catfood if we fail to thank our seniors enough.

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by: RedGreen @ Thu Jan 15, 2009 at 18:33:50 PM CST

To Penry's credit...

...he did put an end to the permanent campaign for nearly a whole week.

(Unless, of course, you count Greg Brophy's press releases, in which case the minority party's campaign efforts were merely halted for a few precious hours on Opening Day.)

I think the real test of Penry's promise is whether he and his party can agree to a compromise on the transportation funding bill. Everyone agrees there's a problem, and (so far) only the Democrats have proposed a real solution. If Republicans can get on board a modified version of the bill, Penry will prove his leadership, establish some centrist, pragmatic credentials, and in so doing strengthen his chances for a gubernatorial run.

If not, it be painfully obvious that he's using the same old playbook that has failed Republicans in recent years.

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by: Athenian Stranger @ Thu Jan 15, 2009 at 18:48:57 PM CST

Republicans still don't understand

THIS is why they are in the minority. This is how they got there - by refusing to make tough decisions and address real issues because they were preoccupied with political maneuvering. And THIS is how they think they are going to make it back to the majority? By doing the same thing that got them here in the first place?

It really is amazing to watch the GOP just beat its head against the wall over and over.

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by: Colorado Pols @ Fri Jan 16, 2009 at 12:21:48 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Maybe YouTube isn't their strength

As this story from the High Timber Times points out (http://www.lcni5.com/cgi-bin/c2.cgi?039+article+News+20090114039000896), the Republican State of the State "response"...

...was recorded about 4:30 p.m. Jan. 7, a day before the governor delivered his speech.

A conundrum which yielded this delicious quote from Amy Stevens:

"The governor hasn't delivered his speech, but yes he has," Stephens said Jan. 7.

In general, the Republicans have a better media operation than this. So far, the addition of new technology has been embarrassing.

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by: Athenian Stranger @ Thu Jan 15, 2009 at 19:54:00 PM CST

Low-budget porno

Doesn't it need a little more chicka chicka wow wow?

Oh Jesus, Nancy Spence though. PURGE VISUAL.

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by: JeffcoBlue @ Thu Jan 15, 2009 at 21:09:16 PM CST

I was thinking the same thing

Yeeech. Thanks very much, though, for finally putting in print the archetypal porn-flick synthesized music track: "chicka chicka wow wow." Perfect.

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by: Half Glass Full @ Fri Jan 16, 2009 at 08:19:12 AM CST

[ Parent ]

GOP Disrespects American Flag.

The American flag should be on the speaker's right, ie, the left hand side of the photo.  I'm flabbergasted that a State Senator, especially a Republican one didn't know that(even if she's a very nice person).

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by: MiddleRoadDem @ Thu Jan 15, 2009 at 22:19:19 PM CST

Why do they hate America so much?

She's not wearing an American flag pin, either. Commie.

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by: Half Glass Full @ Fri Jan 16, 2009 at 08:20:44 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Suspend the Senior Property Tax Exemption indefinately

This Senior Property Tax Exemption was such a bad law.  The provision does not take into account income of the senior property tax payer.  So a wealthy senior with income in 7 figures, for example, gets this broad benefit if s/he chooses.  

Since it's implemented as a state pay-back to local governments, it could easily have been based on a sliding income scale to target poor seniors.

One thing for sure, the spirit of bipartisanship is not causing the Republicans to cease using tax policy as a partisan campaign theme.

I don't want to give them any ideas, but I'm surprised they haven't come up with a property tax exemption for property owners with children, owing to the fact that 'children are our future.'

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by: DemZorro @ Fri Jan 16, 2009 at 08:12:05 AM CST

Property tax exemption for seniors with children

That would be my personal favorite, seeing as I fit both categories.

And if you vote against it, you're insulting both seniors and babies!

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by: Half Glass Full @ Fri Jan 16, 2009 at 08:23:04 AM CST

[ Parent ]

It does target poor and middle-income seniors

The exemption is only for property up to $200,000. But you're right, there's general agreement it was a bad law when the voters passed it in 2000.

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by: RedGreen @ Fri Jan 16, 2009 at 10:40:11 AM CST

[ Parent ]

That's not targeting.

If a senior homeowner with a $2 milion house can enjoy the benefits of this tax exemption, that's not targetting.

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by: DemZorro @ Fri Jan 16, 2009 at 14:45:13 PM CST

[ Parent ]

The senior with the $2 million home

gets to skip 5 percent of his or her property tax bill, while the owner of a $100,000 house gets to avoid paying 50 percent of the tax burden enjoyed by his or her younger neighbors. That sounds like targeting to me. (I'm not defending the homestead break, I think it's bad policy.)

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by: RedGreen @ Fri Jan 16, 2009 at 16:39:11 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Most seniors have their homes paid for, low living expenses

Taxpayers owe nothing to seniors. We've just lived through the most prosperous period in world history, and if we weren't smart enough or disciplined enough to save and invest, it's not up to taxpayers to bail us out.

Young people raising kids have much higher living expenses, and it's unfair to not only impose the deferred costs of entitlement programs on them but also to make them pay higher taxes so seniors can live out their lives on the dole.

Responsibility for taking care of yourself doesn't end on your 65th birthday.

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by: Another skeptic @ Sat Jan 17, 2009 at 12:53:36 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I agree in the result, but not the why.

I voted against this and now the birds are coming home to roost.

AS, this is a common theme of yours, if only everyone is smart and does exactly the right thing, then they will be jus' fine in the future.

Well, some people aren't geniuses.  Some people, genius or not, make bad decisions.  Reasonable at the time, but with the passage of time they turn sour.  Seniors today probably did not expect the exponential tax burdens that are the norm.  Insurance rates, especially here in FL, have skyrocketed.  No one can plan for that.

Our home costs $8,000 a year to "run" for taxes and insurance alone. Some years ago an assessor had a real sympathetic view and cut our property taxes by a bunch.  But a few thou for wind and flood insurance, and taxes, and pretty soon there's a chunk of change for many retirees.

That doesn't include any maintaince, BTW.  

"Collective fear stimulates herd instinct and tends to produce ferocity toward those who are not regarded as members of the herd." -Bertrand Russell

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by: parsingreality @ Sat Jan 17, 2009 at 15:57:34 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Genius!

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by: DemZorro @ Fri Jan 16, 2009 at 09:52:21 AM CST