Do you feel as though you’re influence is shrinking? That’s probably because it is. Everyday our federal government institutes policy, drafts legislation, and passes budgets which inarguably diminish the significance of our voices. It is happening right before our eyes and if you are complaining you had better be putting your money where your mouth is. Each and every citizen ought to be rallying on Capitol steps, writing letters to their legislators and licking envelopes for candidates who have earned the right to represent the people.
With regard to opportunities for civic involvement Colorado voters will be without excuse in 2010. Poised to fill some of our most prominent public offices this year, the decisions we will make at the ballot box will have some very real, large scale impacts. The country round, a variety of candidates have emerged onto the public scene. Vying for positions of power long-time politicians alongside lesser known newcomers have already begun to pitch their promises to the masses in the hopes of 2010 victories.
Having spent the last year watching our Government augment in both size and egotism, I thought it wise we make some grass roots changes of our own right here in Colorado. As Republicans, we have a wealth of candidates to choose from as we enter into the campaign season and there is no saying which ones we have to back. Setting my sights first to the Gubernatorial Race, I offered up an invitation to the Penry, McInnis and Maes Campaigns for three separate Candidate Forums. Designed to afford my fellow citizens the opportunity to shake the candidates’ hands and ask their various questions, I imagined all of the candidates would be eager to find some time on their calendar. Josh Penry’s team was friendly and accessible though ultimately inconsequential by virtue of Penry’s early withdrawal from the race. Dan Maes’ team was swift in their response, eager and happy to the meet with the citizens of Jefferson County. Then there was the McInnis Camp. When I did finally receive a response from a member of his team it was only to assert that McInnis would be unable to attend..our open-ended invitation. Apparently his schedule has filled for the rest of the year. A representative was offered in his stead.
When Penry bowed out of the race last year, he did so in deference to a unified backing behind the McInnis ticket. Entering into January, McInnis appeared more elusive than ever while Dan Maes, the lesser known candidate, seemed poised and ready to do all he could to meet with the voters of Colorado. Not to mention the harsh criticisms McInnis has been receiving for embracing a fiscally conservative message his record has not been able to support, the push for a McInnis victory has blinded voters to the wealth of business knowledge oozing from the Maes Camp. Since the Penry withdrawal there has seemed a growing sense of entitlement by Scott McInnis for a position of power he has yet to prove he deserves. McInnis is far from the only veteran candidate who has been taking his experience for granted. Congress is filled with similar nonchalance and that’s part of the problem. So with all due respect to the handful of reputable Republican leaders who gathered in the early winter months to announce their proclamation of unity behind McInnis that in no way bound the voters to follow.
The infamous August Recess awakened a sleeping giant in the American Spirit. Most especially after the despicable display of blind support as exhibited in the 2008 Presidential Election, there was something astoundingly invigorating about the newly engaged American Electorate. I for one am not ready to let that enthusiasm wane. It has done more than populate weekend rallies, it has changed elections. This is not to say that Dan Maes is the best candidate for the Republican Party but it is to say that he might be. As Conservative Voters, we have been given choices. I say we exercise them. Let’s start supporting those candidates who seek public office not because they believe they deserve it but because they hope to earn it.
Join me as I welcome Dan Maes, the first of our American Cincinnatus Project candidates to Golden Grounds Coffee, Saturday February 13th at 10am. Help us help the hard working candidates get their voices heard.
Comments
Fact that I had forgotten about. The block purchasing of health care by all government and non-government unions is what went wrong with our health insurance in America. No one seems to be pointing the finger in the right direction. Maybe you could spread the word on this un-exposed reality.
Everything that comes from the left is crowding out the individual and forcing us into groups. WHY?
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