Bill Ritter, CO Gov State of the State: CO needs higher taxes, Renewable Energy, and more

Gov. Bill Ritter's State of the State address - quasi Live Blog - my thoughts about what I have heard thus far...

The Gov. is dead wrong on Referendum C - the suspension of TABOR. While the Governor is speaking of the need to ensure a quick economic recovery, he is also proclaiming that the way to economic stability is a higher tax rate... this mindset is sure to create a more stagnant economy, as taxpayers are squeezed for every last penny available - and are less likely to stimulate the consumer market, leading to lay-offs etc... the cycle continues... Higher taxes and more government are never the answer.

Ritter is right on when it comes to Renewable Energy. Though the higher regulations may be more costly to the construction industry - in ensuring that all new homes are solar compatible - it is an investment in the future for Colorado's independent energy infrastructure. The best way to ensure this infrastructure has minimal impact to the industry, tax incentives must be mandatory.

Ritter is right on the expansion of clean Natural Gas exploration - so long as his environmental protection programs do not entirely debilitate the ability for NG extraction.

Ritter is on the mark for Dual Enrollment. In Washington State, where I come from, there is a program called "Running Start", where Juniors and Seniors can attend local community colleges, earning college credit, and graduating High School with an Associates Degree. Such a program cuts cost for University, and entices students to achieve a higher standard in education - increasing the likelihood of pursuing Masters Degrees. This program will be a benefit to the Colorado workforce.

The Governor is wrong about climate change - pollution and lack of conservation is one thing... but "climate change" is an oxymoron... the climate is always changing... we do not have impact on speeding or slowing change... only the pollution, quality of life/health, etc... it should be our goal to build industry that is clean for purposes of a cleaner environment - but global warming is not a tool to beat us over the heads...

Partisanship is now under attack - after 8 years of Democrats attacking Republicans under a Bush administration, we are now being asked to fall in line behind Democratic leadership without partisan questions or concerns... Perhaps what Ritter fails to understand is that partisan lines are usually drawn along economic and social ideals... Higher taxes v. lower taxes, Bigger Government v. Smaller Government, Social Change v. Social Conservatism... These are partisan issues - and when the opposition is simply wrong, it is the responsibility of opposition to state these facts.

32 minutes later - a record setting and generally somber address... a sign of the times - uncertainty and introspection. Welcome to the change! Be sure to comment on your thoughts of the true state of the state (or the state of the union - for those readers out of Colorado)

Bill Ritter v. Global Warming... shame on us?

Colorado Governor, Bill Ritter, has laid out a plan to clean up the air in Colorado. He is attacking Greenhouse Gasses as a new member of the Crusade against "Global Warming".

I am a vocal advocate for environmental conservation, reusable energy, and moral obligations to maintaining resources... but Ritter's motivation seems to be influenced by the "Global Warming" band wagon.

I continue to place "global warming" in quotes because the "science" behind mans involvement in "global climate change" is shaky at best. There are several scientists who supported the theory at it's early conception, but after further review had failed to see any conclusive evidence that "global warming" is being propelled by human intervention.



Having reviewed Ritter's proposal, I would support a number of the ideas... increased personal responsibility, increased focus on alternative energy, and education of the populous on the perils of being poor environmental stewards... however, his plan of education and reduced carbon emissions have a central focus of "Global Warming"...

The debate about environmental conservation, energy independence, and clean air are being hampered by the debate over "global warming"... and to throw in an education plan that specifically teaches about the human cause of "global warming", well, for skeptics like myself, that is where we have to draw the line.

There should be a moral obligation to be good stewards of our environment, passed on by our families and communities... We should strive for alternative energy in a quest to further liberate ourselves from reliance on foreign oils and from reliance on big power industries... we should want to clean the air not because "global warming" threatens to flood our cities and destroy our future, but because we owe it to ourselves to live healthier lives under clean, clear skies.

Ritter's sweeping plan is an extension of the liberal agenda on "global warming", plain and simple.

Instead of working on environmental issues for the sake of moral obligation, the smattering of terms associated with "global warming" in it's focus on human fault are found in abundance in the document.

Though I credit ANY government official willing to champion the cause of energy independence, alternative fuels, and conservation... it all comes down to tact and intent. When you have to use inferred science to force policy, there is something wrong.

You should be able to pose a question to the community:

"Reducing particulate emissions because it will clean up Denver's air, is
it right or wrong?"
"Increasing funding for alternative energy incentives to reduce dependence
on oil, right or wrong?"
"Investing in personal sustainability in the area of energy, right or
wrong?"

Instead, what we get is:

"The world is going to flood, and we are going to be responsible for destroying
the earth for our children and the polar bears. Shame on us!"

So I have to give partial Kudos to Ritter...

But I also have to scold the Republicans for not effectively taking up the cause, and for allowing the liberals agenda to dominate, yet again, another important issue.

Republicans, remember, personal freedom and free market does not give a license to abuse the resources, or take without giving something back. With personal freedom comes moral obligations.

Do what's right.