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January 27, 2009 05:29 PM UTC

GOP: Failing To Take Job Seriously?

  • 36 Comments
  • by: Colorado Pols

We’re not even through the first month of the legislative session, but we see a pattern emerging–Republicans with seemingly no interest in doing their jobs.

For starters, the Rocky Mountain News reports:

A bill that would have forced local communities to discontinue efforts to protect children from gun accidents was defeated during a hearing in a Senate committee on Monday.

Senate Bill 74 would have prohibited safe-storage ordinances in Colorado and allowed the sale of guns and accessories manufactured in Colorado to be exempt from federal laws. It was killed by the Senate State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee on a 3-2 vote…

Chris Olson, spokesman for the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police, said the proposed law was unconstitutional because it would have pre- empted acts of Congress.

…Sen. Greg Brophy, R-Wray, said he sponsored the bill because of concerns that the Obama administration would crack down on gun rights. [Pols emphasis]

“People are really concerned there is going to be some type of ban on sales of firearms in Colorado,” Brophy said.

So it doesn’t matter that there is absolutely no evidence to suggest a new firearms ban is coming, and that the only thing driving this hype about “Obama taking your guns” is a bunch of fringe AM talk-show hosts. True, the gun industry also doesn’t mind.

But since this bill would directly contravene federal law and would therefore be DOA on passage, what was the point of introducing it? A red meat fact-free appearance on the Mike Rosen Show? That’s got to be it because there’s absolutely no other sane reason.

Yesterday, a GOP state senator angrily grandstanded all over a routine highway safety measure because it would fund public service announcements on seatbelt usage…in Spanish.

Last Friday, Republicans attacked Governor Bill Ritter over his suggestion that Colorado’s federal Supermax prison might be a place to house detainees from the ordered-closed Guantanamo Bay detention center, employing some of the most hyperbolic, incendiary Bush-era fearmonger language they could find. Even the conservative Rocky Mountain News editorial board found their hand-wringing laughably over the top.

When it was disclosed late last week that Colorado was in line to receive hundreds of millions of dollars from the federal government to help stave off the worst budget cuts anybody can remember, Republicans demanded the cuts go ahead anyway, as if the federal government had no plans to intervene. A week before, anticipating the Governor’s thankless situation, Republicans hypocritically warned about “preserving” the exact same tax exemptions they had voted to zero out during the last, much milder, budget crisis.

We know there are many of you who will write this off as the “usual” partisan wrangling and grandstanding we see every year in the legislature. We’re not so sure: it seems worse this year than in prior years, more obstruction-minded, more determined than ever to exact cheap shots on Democrats instead of, well, legislating. And this juvenile bullshit sucks up oxygen under the Gold Dome while Colorado faces its gravest crisis since the Great Depression. We realize this is not the case with every Republican legislator, though it seems the ones who are determined to obstruct at every step are squelching the ones who aren’t.

And it won’t be forgotten…we’ve said it again and again and again. Republicans lost control of this state because in the voters’ eyes, they didn’t do anything. The same thing is happening now – instead of trying to form compromises on important legislation that they could then take credit for in 2010, Republicans just devolve into rampant silliness. Again.

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36 thoughts on “GOP: Failing To Take Job Seriously?”

  1. Like Pols says, this isn’t new. It might be more asinine, but it’s not new. Voters know what the Republican brand tastes like, they had a long chew on it, and I think they’re just starting to get the taste out of their mouths.

    At this point it’s hard to tell if they even mean any of the divisive things they say. For years issues like guns and immigration were easy for the GOP to hold against the Dems.

    It’s hard to tell whether this new wave of over-the-top indignation and hyper-partisanship is part of a larger strategy (Crown Jewel’s master plan) or these individual legislators are merely falling back on the old playbook. Either way, they obviously have their own interests ahead of every day Coloradans.

    I guess that “battle for the heart and soul” of the GOP has already played out, and they decided not to change a thing.

    1. ” Voters know what the Republican brand tastes like, they had a long chew on it, and I think they’re just starting to get the taste out of their mouths.”

      Well, I think that’s a metaphor, but I never taught English.  

    2. Suburban voters in Colorado are leaving the Republican Party in droves and they put Obama over the top here. The Republican brand has certainly lost its taste here in Colorado but even with that reality staring them in the face the Party’s answer is we only need to be more conservative to win back the majority. It is mindless ideology.

      1. being more conservative, this is rule or ruin.

        There is nothing wrong with conservatism, but what is being practiced by Colorado Republican legislators (and others) is not really conservatism.

        2. I don’t know, at some point I have to look at all these douchebags yammering on about how their conservative principles force them to break government, and conclude that’s what conservatism is really all about.

        3. It’s about trying to achieve results. The Democrats are at least talking about helping the people who are hurting right now. The Republicans are stuck in economic upswing mode or something.

          Dems may be trying to pass stupid things like the cell phone ban, and the “5 cars or more” law, or the puppy abuse bill, but those are obviously secondary issues. When the Governor speaks publicly, he talks about the economy more than anything else. I’ve been vocal about his mediocrity, but the Republicans are making him look pretty good right about now.

          I don’t understand how you could be a politician now and not be talking about the economy every time you make a public statement. Until the GOP realizes that these issues don’t get people as riled up when they’re worried about putting food on the table, then they’re going to be in the minority. It’s as simple as that.

          1. is that I strongly believe in a two-party system, and don’t take any pleasure in watching the Republican party make a joke of itself.

            I also consider myself to be a libertarian Democrat, believe in balanced budgets, but I certainly believe that government serves a legitimate function.  Simply saying no government misses the point.

      2. Talking points $54098:  A high school basketball team in Dallas beat another basketball team 100 to 0.  The winning team has been criticized for its running up the score and the coach fired.  So fading fast hate radio goes after this incident as an example of “political correctness,” “white guilt” and the sissification of America….the losing team is a “bad team,”..the losing team should learn a lession…winning is always good..etc.etc.etc.

        EXCEPT. the losing team was made up of special ed kids…they have never won a game..AND, it is a private, Christian school league…and every school knows that the special ed kids can’t really compete, they play for the fun…This is the gang which preaches christianity, private schools,etc.etc. etc.

        Championing beating up on mr kids ….wow.  It would have been an Imus moment for boyles…if anyone had been listening

        1. Thank God they weren’t at a public school. They couldn’t have fired the coach this quick, nor would it have stuck. He would have had contract protections that assured his position.

          2. The point is if the teams were relatively evenly matched, the one team would not have been able to run up the score. The coach and the team knew that they were playing against handicapped kids.  That was what was so cruel…and of course the hate radio’s exploitation without explaining that one team was not the equal of the other…

            The law says that special ed kids need to be educated in public schools in the least “restrictive environment.” So, they are usually not segregated into one school.  There are also special olympics for kids with special needs…

            It pisses me off, L, that you still trying to use this god awful incident to figure out a way to attack unions. You can be a jerk, too. So-called conservatives turn out, too often, IMHO, to be cowardly  bullies….always ganging up on people who are poor, or weak or trying  to twist situations to attack dems…

    3. When all of you were nattering about the fight for the Republican Party’s soul last November after the election, remember who told you there was no such thing.  Remember who told you that the fight had been lost 10 years ago.  Who told you this “soul-searching” was a creation of the media?  I’m convinced there are very few here who are willing or able to tell the truth about the Republican Party and how far it has fallen.  Well, it was me and hope you didn’t waste too much time on that BS.

  2. Here are the facts:

    1.  The CDOT public service announcements cost $15,000 and will be broadcast on two Spanish language television stations. The purpose is to promote the use of seatbelts.

    2.  CDOT is not spending state funds on the PSA’s. Funding is through the federal National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the funds must be spent to promote the use of seatbelts.

    3.  Hispanics account for 23% of Colorado’s unbuckled traffic fatalities.

    By the way, the NHTSA website has the agency’s mission statement at the top of the first page:  “Our Mission:  Save lives, prevent injuries, reduce vehicle-related crashes.” CDOT is spending these federal funds exactly as Congress intended.

    The Republicans will look silly if they attempt to use this to attack the FASTER bill when it comes up in the Senate Transportaiton Committee this afternoon.  

  3. is the poster child for the rigormortis of the Far Right.  Still twitching, still fulminating, still saying and doing things have are no help at all to solving problems.  Politically, the Far Right is dead, but this nonsense is the only act these guys have.   I mean, they had to show their rabid bonofides to get into the game; they haven’t honed any real political skills at working and playing well with others.  Were they EVER interested in governing, even when they were in control of the state house?  We shouldn’t expect these guys to change, but their influcence on the Republican party will persist until another generation of Republicans is hatched.  In the meantime they need to be watched to make sure they don’t hurt anybody.  And they need to be publicly scorned and ridiculed like the swine they are.  

  4. Ok, I have always been a Democrat. But in the past I would vote for Republicans at times. When the Republicans first took over the house, I thought that was a good thing after 40+ years of Democratic monopoly. I voted for Allard the first time around (Strickland came across as a say anything/do anything drone).

    I was a DLC/TNR Democrat who liked having both sides working together to create legislation.

    So with the GOP’s run into wingnut-ville what has happened?

    I cancelled my subscription to TNR years ago and prefer DailyKOS to the pronouncements out of the DLC. We once again had a say anything/do anything drone Dem Senate candidate in Udall and I don’t care if the GOP had been running Jesus Christ – I was voting for Udall.

    At the state level we now see the GOP doubling down on the failed policies of the last 10 (more actually) years of GOP rule. You are turning voters like me from occasional GOP votes to 100% Dem voters.

    If you can’t even get us to consider your candidates – you’re headed for permanent minority status. Because you have to get some of the middle to win.

    1. is the moderate bench the GOP has and refuses to use.

      I like the House, so I’ll use last year’s:

      Treasurer – Now Sen. White, formerly of the JBC.  Record of being sane, but didn’t always go Dem.

      SOS – Why not someone like Massey?  At least as likable as Bernie and not a crazy Repub.

      US Senator – Witwer, in two years all but one kid is in school full time.  He’s a cuter version of Bennet, not a loon, and doesn’t have a speech problem/accent/whatever the hell is going on there.

      Economic downturn=great time to make a move.  Not for these idiots, Tancredo for life!  WTF?  Are they trying to make a point?

        1. and fewer losses than Bernie. 😉

          I think this is the only elected position he’s held, however, there’s something to be cultivated in the next two years.  I don’t think he has his sights set higher, but it’s probably modesty over lack of drive.  Something else the GOP runs short of.

          Someone else I’ve been thinking of, Ellen Roberts.  In my mind she’s one of the few that could run against Salazar and not be laughed at.  Again, she would have to be groomed.

      2. of the Republican Party?

        He did do some good things and some things I don’t know much about so I can’t comment.   But,

        I looked up Witwer and found his district website:  

        “Co-sponsored legislation eliminating “sanctuary policies”, which allow cities to ignore federal immigration laws.”

        This shows either ignorance about sanctuary policies or demonization of immigrants.  Take your pick.

        “Co-sponsored legislation requiring that people provide documentation showing citizenship before being allowed to vote.”

        Isn’t that what they did in Indiana?  It’s a solution looking for a problem, a waste of taxpayer money.

        I liked his position on some education issues and on eminent domain but some of the other positions are a tad shallow.

        I would suggest taking a look at Ellen Roberts.  But she’s called a RINO, so how is that hopeful for the Republicans?

          2. You know that I left the Republican Party over this BS.  But I have to tell you that Witwer ain’t no rabid conservative.  And, yes I have seen his voting record.

          3. I can’t picture cute little Rob as a rabid anything.  

            The biggest difference between him and a DickWad type; when he talks about issues like immigration, he remembers that he’s talking about people and manages to have actual conversations without benefit of ministerial type rants.  He’s not even hung up on gays and gets that sometimes governments need money to function.

            I’ve watched him quite a bit and can’t think of any other issues that would qualify him as “rabid.”

      3. The Republicans have intentionally killed their “moderate bench.”  Moderates are defeated at every primary opportunity, they are threatened by lobbyists regularly if they don’t kow-tow to the party line, they are given shit for committee assignments, they are treated like absolute crap and believe me when I tell you it’s all done intentionally.  The people in charge care only about purity.  They don’t want moderates in the party and have done everything in their power to get rid of them or discourage them out of the party.  The few who get through (Al White and Ellen Roberts are the only two I know of) get the royal treatment when they come to Denver.  Yeah, right.  The only thing they get that royal is the shaft.

        It’s an intentional tactic, its working and the “true-believers” still think they will prevail once all of the “moderates” like John McCain are gone.

        I never kid about this stuff when I write.  I was a Republican my whole life, including a 5 year stint as a major officer of the largest County Republican Party.  I’m not a registered Republican any more, and it took me ten years after I realized it to change my registration.  Broke my heart.  But I couldn’t stand to let the absolutely insane continue to play their “Nice Moderate Craig” card anymore.  

        I’m not the only one.  As someone pointed out in another diary, its the suburban counties in Colorado which have made the change.  It’s the “Country Club Republicans” who have made the change.  And, sorry Republican Party, but you have lost me until the day I die.  And I made sure to pass my politics on to my children so you lost the next generation too.

        1. yes, I did what you’ve done, passed my politics on to my children and they are voting Democrat. Like you, I just couldn’t stand the bizarre nonsensical positions the party and its candiates have taken on most issues.

          The Republican Party is now more or less a theocracy that will not tolerate any dissent whatsoever from anyone. To be a member you must pass every single litmus test every time. No exceptions, period.

          Most Republican office holders have become public embarrasments by supporting positions that have no factual basis, like Freda Poundstone’s ballot proposal. If you have a mind that thinks, your not a Republican.

  5. would drastically reduce state tax rates and further gut the budget in today’s Rocky Mountain News.  http://rockymountainnews.com/n…

    Ms. Poundstone declares without citing one stitch of evidence that the state budget is full of fat. This is another mindless Republican proposal to destroy government regardless of the consequences.

    How can anyone take the Republican Party seriously any more or even use the term policy makers when referring to elected Republicans.

  6. with their message in Colorado looking at the last 4 election cycles, shall we?

    LOST-both state legislative chambers

    LOST-governorship

    LOST-2 U.S. Senate seats

    LOST-3 U.S. Congressional seats

    LOST-9 electoral votes for president

    Hey you still have El Paso County–with folks like Dave Schultheis attacking the quickest growing demographic; and Mesa County with folks like Janet “What about the Sheep?” Rowland driving away any modicum of moderation from the party.

    But overall, how is that shrill ‘Cut Government until it shrivels and dies’ ‘Run to the right, no further right, no further right’  ‘Speak English or die’ ‘More tax cuts’ ‘More drilling’ ‘Less regulations’

    theme working for you guys these days?

      1. and from a purely partisan perspective that’s a good thing.  From the perspective of trying to come together and actually solve problems and move solutions, not so much.

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