Just Who are The "We" of "We Pay," Anyway?
The claim that a particular behavior imposes costs on “society” is often used to justify government regulation. “Libertarianism or personal freedom cant be justified when it reaches into the pockets of others,” said Representative Dorothy Gotlieb (R-Denver) in support of her bill letting police stop and ticket motorists not wearing seatbelts, “With increased use of seat belts we can expect $80 million in savings in accident health care, insurance and related costs.”
Tobacco Settlement Revenue: The Money Belongs to the Taxpayers, not the Government
Synopsis: Senate Bill 99-054 Synopsis: Senate Bill 99-054 is one of several bills dealing with revenues from the recent Tobacco Settlement. SB 54 is superior to most of the other bills, because it requires the revenue to be placed in a trust fund. But it is illegitimate for the legislature to keep any of the tobacco settlement money, since the money is a de facto tax increase on tobacco. Tobacco settlement revenues should be refunded to the people, either through a general tax cut, or through programs to compensate the alleged victims of the tobacco companies–namely the smokers.
It Isn't About Kids, And It Isn't About Tobacco
One of the remarkable aspects of the anti-smoking hysteria is the extent to which it has been bankrolled by huge foundations with extremist public policy agendas. One constantly hears about all the money that tobacco companies spend on the issue. One never hears about the millions spent by the big non-profits. They want their share of the additional wealth and power that more tobacco regulation would funnel into government hands, and they are willing to spend big bucks to get it.
Is Gun Control A New Religion?
Some candidates for Jefferson County Sheriff want to issue more permits to carry concealed handguns. District Attorney Dave Thomas has sent a letter to each of the candidates asking for their views on concealed weapons permitting. “As chief law enforcement officer in the county, I need to know how they stand,” Thomas said. Like everyone else, Mr. Thomas can find out where candidates stand by reading the newspapers. Voters may need to know what business he has questioning candidates for office in his official capacity.
Jefferson County Schools Sacrifice Boys to Appease Feminists
“The pursuit of happiness” used to be considered one of the rights of American citizenship. According to the Declaration of Independence, governments that interfere with the right are supposed to be altered or abolished. Now that the Jefferson County School District has gone along with a U.S. Office of Civil Rights decision to penalize boys for their interest in athletics, the Jeffco schools are going to have to start explaining why Thomas Jeffersons Declaration of Independence doesnt apply in Jefferson County any more.
Towards Non-Destructive Government
At bottom, there are only two models of government. One gives the State the presumptive power to manage an individuals life. The other gives it to the individual. Throughout history State management has been by far been the most common model. In times past it was called “the divine right of kings,” in modern times it is called “socialism.” The founders of the United States broke with this tradition when they created a republic with a strictly limited government. In the American model, government was designed to serve individuals, not master them.
Theyre Back, And Theyre After Your Kids
Remember ColoradoCare Backed by Governor Romer, various lawmakers, the usual citizens groups, and underwritten by more than half a million dollars from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, it would have required government health care for all. It was single-payer health care, the delivery system that consistently produces the worst health care on the planet.
Can We Profit By Taxing Non-Profits?
Amendment 11 would tax any real property owned by non-profit groups unless the group owns and uses the property for schools, community corrections facilities, orphanages, or housing for low-income elderly, disables, homeless or abused persons. No, taxpayers are not classified as abused persons. They are cash cows.
Dumbing Down For Diversity
Attorney General Gale Norton has told Colorado higher education officials that they cannot grant admission based on race. The quota crew is in a tizzy. No one quoted in Fawn Germer’s July 11 story in the Rocky Mountain News agreed with Norton’s position. Not, of course, that Colorado schools really sort applicants by race. No, they just use race as one of many factors in admission. Says Tillie Trujillo, associate director of admissions at CSU, “Are there decisions based solely on a person being diverse…absolutely not.”
Compassion Vs. Compulsion
Estimates of illegal immigrants in Colorado vary from 17,000 to 60,000.
Studies have found that immigration has its most harmful economic impact on persons who are themselves recent immigrants. A 10 percent increase in immigration cause the wages of recent U.S. immigrants to fall by at least two percent.
Health Scare: Six Myths about the U.S. Health Care System
Myth no. 1: The U.S. health care system is inefficient. This myth is supposedly proved by the “fact” that the U.S. spends more on health care than other industrialized countries both on a per capita basis and as a percentage of gross domestic product.
ColoradoCare: Is the Cure Worse Than the Disease?
The expansion of health insurance in the United States has enabled the majority of its citizens to afford the best medical care in the world. After World War II, only about 10 percent of the population had health insurance. Five decades later, the proportion has reached an estimated 85 percent. But alarmists prefer to ignore this fact and emphasize the number of uninsured. They tell us that only a government health care takeover can ensure access to health care for 500,000 Coloradans and 37 million Americans who are said to be unable to afford health insurance.
