The Economist thinks it knows why Colorado has gone to the Democrats (via Paul). More Californians, more Hispanics.
But there is a more important reason for the Republicans’ woes: their elected representatives are bonkers.
In the 1970s the state party came under the sway of an anti-tax, anti-big government group known as the “House crazies”. This included Tom Tancredo, now a congressional scourge of illegal immigrants. The House crazies eventually joined forces with an equally fierce group of social conservatives rooted in Colorado Springs, headquarters of the evangelical Focus on the Family. …
More than one lawmaker has got into trouble for comparing homosexuality to bestiality. The small-government wing remains incensed that voters suspended a tax-restraining measure in 2005, even though it was crippling the state’s finances.
This is part right, part wrong, and part stupid.
Let’s start with the stupid. How exactly is forcibly preventing Colorado businesses from hiring workers from Mexico and elsewhere consistent with an “anti-big government” stance? Instead, Tancredo represents the populist wing of the Republican Party that has alienated both metropolitan sophisticates — Colorado is a highly educated state — and Hispanics. (It turns out that people tend not to vote for you when you threaten to forcibly round up their friends and neighbors and kick them out of the country.)
Now on to the wrong. The claim that taxes restraints were “crippling the state’s finances” is just recycling The Denver Post’s garbage. What was crippling the state’s finances was the insatiable spending habits of politicians.
What The Economist gets right is that Republicans have alienated independents and secular free-marketeers with their incessant calls for faith-based politics. Republicans complain that the left has been spending money like crazy. Well, maybe if the Republicans hadn’t constantly berated and condemned homosexuals, they wouldn’t have induced rich homosexuals to fight back. (Not that that’s where all the money is coming from.) Only Republicans act surprised when people get offended when they’re told they’re going to hell, tearing apart the culture, corrupting the youth, and engaging in sex comparable to bestiality. Who ever would have thought?
It turns out that Westerners get a little nervous when a Republican running for governor gets a running mate who claims we have no constitutionally-protected freedom from religion.
But Republicans finally seem to be figuring some of this stuff out. For example, Bob Schaffer, who has claimed he wants to end all abortion, recently came out against Amendment 48, which seeks to define a fertilized egg as a person. However, now Schaffer just looks like a spineless jerk. He told the Rocky Mountain News, “I think there are other strategies and tactics that get us far closer to advancing the cause of human life.” Is that squishing sound water in your shoes? We’ll see whether Schaffer’s dodge can save him. Meanhile, his opponent, Mark Udall, has strongly endorsed the separation of church and state. Does that matter? I’ll put it to you this way. I cannot think of a single issue other than that where I agree with Mark Udall (though I’m sure there’s something). Yet, this November, I’m going to hold my nose and vote for him. At least he knows what he believes on the matter and isn’t afraid to say.
You seem to be unaware of the effects of massive illegal immigration. Most of the Californians that have moved to Colorado did not leave to escape the bad southern California weather. The quality of life has declined! DUH! More traffic,people,overcrowded schools,hospitals going bankrupt.
Ironically many Hispanics have left California for the same reasons.
Many illegals from Mexico are pouring into Hawaii. Many state that their fellow compadres in California are NOT welcoming them. Even illegals are getting sick of illegals.
So far, many illegals have self-deported,by the hundreds of thousands. They are going “home”. -that is what the illegals say..”We are going home” Meaning that they do not consider the US their home.
So deal with that…
“How exactly is forcibly preventing Colorado businesses from hiring workers from Mexico and elsewhere consistent with an “anti-big government” stance?”
Dude, come on. Businesses do not want to even pay overtime. It is 2008 and we do not allow child labor or unhealthy and dangerous work conditions. It is against the law to hire undocumented workers. Do you need to lose your job to an illegal before you understand that.
The next time you speak with a Hispanic, try asking them if they would have a problem with the deportation of an illegal alien gang member. The answer might surprise you. Many Hispanics with green cards are in demand and can demand higher pay. Supply and demand. That is simple economics!
“Well, maybe if the Republicans hadn’t constantly berated and condemned homosexuals, they wouldn’t have induced rich homosexuals to fight back.”
HAH! Love it! You go Ari!