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Colorado Governor Goes Far Left in Nationwide Appeal to Gun-Grabbers
Townhall.com ^ | September 2, 2013 | Michael Schaus

Posted on 09/02/2013 4:05:36 AM PDT by Kaslin

It never fails. Paint a Democrat into a corner (or let him do it to himself) and his true colors will start to show. The “moderate” and “reasonable” Democrat Governor of New-New-York (AKA: Colorado) has finally come out forcefully against the recall elections of some anti-gun members of the State Legislature. The two Democrat State Senators are facing recall attempts after they supported the recent slew of gun-control measures that were ultimately signed into law by Governor John Hickenlooper.

“These recall elections cost a small fortune and do nothing to improve democracy or representative government,” Hickenlooper wrote in a letter distributed by the Democrat National Committee. Nothing like preaching to the choir: Democrats have long complained about the cost of running government unless that cost is accrued as a consequence of Obamacare, Medicare, Medicaid, social security, food stamps, TANF, unemployment, Public Sector Labor Unions, etc.. Heaven forbid government be forced to fund legitimate functions of representative governance.

The assertion seemed to be that we should be outraged government is expected to fund an electoral process requested by a petition of the people. Those pesky citizens: Demanding that their representatives actually represent their interests. Such concerns are obviously trivial, and not worthy of political action. After all, it’s not as if concerns over citizen representation was responsible for 13 colonies demanding independence back in the 1770’s. . . Right?

The Colorado Governor went on to suggest that the elections are merely attempts by a radical few to “intimidate and punish a select number of Democratic legislators for daring to vote their conscience”. Well. . . I guess facing the discord of a gun owning public certainly could be intimidating. Oh, and let’s not forget that more people signed the petition to recall John Morse (one of the two State Senators who are currently facing recall) than originally voted him into office. Is the Colorado Governor really suggesting that legislators should be free from reprimand as long as they feel that they voted “their conscience”?

The former Brewery owner then had the audacity to say that the legislation was truly inconsequential in the long run, given that it only places “modest restrictions on future sales of high capacity gun magazines.” Apparently, to Democrats, the outright ban of any transfer, sale, or future possession of any high capacity magazine is merely a “modest restriction.” By that logic, the petitioners who are trying to recall the Democrat State Senators are merely trying to “modestly restrict” the remainder of their terms.

But then, Hickenlooper became accidently comical: “We were only able to pass the law because Democratic legislators had the courage to stand up to outside special interests.” I don’t suppose the Democrat Governor, and former member of Mayors Against Illegal Guns, considers Bloomberg’s $350,000 gift to the Colorado Democrats any sort of “outside special interest.” He must be referring to groups like Independence Institute (located in Denver, Colorado) which has decided to sue against some of the laws.

In addition to insulting concerned voters and decrying a legitimate political process, the Governor also recycled the tired case for his gun control bills. He mentioned how safe the world will be after placing the above-mentioned restrictions on high-capacity magazines. (Because, it’s pretty obvious that banning the 16th bullet in a high capacity magazine would somehow create a blissful land of security and safety.) He mentioned how“expanding background checks to cover all gun sales [will] prevent violent criminals from acquiring guns.”  I assume this gem is based off of the widely understood fact that criminals are notorious for following the laws, regulations, and “modest restrictions” that are placed on everyone else.

At one point the Governor even suggested that last year’s “5,000” denied gun applications prove background checks work. Having worked at gun dealerships, I can tell you that number includes “false denials” and “mistaken denials.” For those who have doubts about that claim, consider this: Out of the 76,000 denied applications nationwide in 2010, only 13 ended up being prosecuted. . . But, yeah: Making me run a background check on my best friend when I give them a gun for their birthday will completely stop criminals from obtaining illegal firearms.

The Governor’s Bloomberg-style understanding of gun issues aside, his “national appeal” via the Democrat party illustrates his liberal and authoritarian bent. Had the gun groups been abortion groups recalling Texas legislators, or labor groups recalling Wisconsin legislators, Democrats would be praising the “courage” of the citizens. Hickenlooper’s letter is merely an appeal to the Statists within the Democrat party.

Most egregious is the Governor’s decision to decry the recall efforts in a letter distributed by the National Democrat Party. Hickenlooper has shown that his interest in representing all Coloradoans is not nearly as important as accumulating support and respect among the increasingly left wing Democrat machine. His remarks were not crafted as an attempt to reach out to the discouraged voters who feel disenfranchised by their representatives. Instead, he crafted a letter to “outside interests” in an effort to inject national powers into the Colorado recall.

Hardly the actions of a “moderate” party member. If he’s not careful, the voters of Colorado may decide to place upon his future political plans “modest restrictions”. 


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Editorial; US: Colorado
KEYWORDS: banglist; colorado; guncontrol; johnhickenlooper; mayorbloomberg; outoutout; recallelections; secondamendment
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To: Kaslin
If he’s not careful, the voters of Colorado may decide to place upon his future political plans “modest restrictions”.

He was mentioned as a national Democratic [sic] party political possibility by more than one or two prominent leftist extremist editorialists. I'm sure his name has been crossed off all the lists: he should have had sense enough to tell the legislature not to go miles out of its way to pick a fight with people who stand up and fight back.

President You Didn't Build That made the exact same mistake this past winter by jumping on the outpouring of leftist extremist NRA hatred in the wake of the Connecticut shooting. If he'd been smart, he'd have sent Joey "the Genius" Biden out to rant, rave, and spew vitriol; instead, he blew all his political capital leading the charge himself—and fell flat on his ugly face in the House of Reprsentatives.

My father put it this way: "Some people learn from other people's mistakes; some people learn from their own mistakes, and some people never learn." If Marxists were smart enough to learn from the obvious misakes of Marxists who preceded them, they'd grow up and abandon Marxism.

21 posted on 09/02/2013 5:30:00 AM PDT by Standing Wolf (No tyrant should ever be allowed to die of natural causes.)
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To: Kaslin

““These recall elections cost a small fortune and do nothing to improve democracy or representative government,..”

Government that has run amok costs a pretty penny and the liberty it destroys is priceless.


22 posted on 09/02/2013 5:32:50 AM PDT by theBuckwheat
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To: BigCinBigD

Sadly, most Republicans are barely worth two thimbles of spit, but I’m working within the party to change that.


23 posted on 09/02/2013 6:04:27 AM PDT by noprogs (Borders, Language, Culture)
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To: Kaslin
“These recall elections cost a small fortune and do nothing to improve democracy or representative government,” Hickenlooper wrote...

Regardless of what it may cost, ridding a legislature, any legislature, of Constitution- and freedom-hating toadies is priceless.

24 posted on 09/02/2013 6:19:44 AM PDT by Zeppo ("Happy Pony is on - and I'm NOT missing Happy Pony")
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To: Kaslin

Just blood boiling. Walker recall and every other Wisconsin recall, good. Colorado recalls, bad.


25 posted on 09/02/2013 6:26:03 AM PDT by FlipWilson
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To: CodeToad

CO ping


26 posted on 09/02/2013 6:43:31 AM PDT by Travis McGee (www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com)
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To: Kaslin
The Colorado Governor went on to suggest that the elections are merely attempts by a radical few to “intimidate and punish a select number of Democratic legislators for daring to vote their conscience”.

I don't recall any Leftists making that argument when they mounted a nationwide attempt to recall Scott Walker in Wisconsin.

27 posted on 09/02/2013 7:00:30 AM PDT by trebb (Where in the the hell has my country gone?)
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To: Kaslin

Colorado.

Exhibit “A” in the case of “liberals creating crapholes of their own states and bringing their twisted thinking and voting patterns to crap up formerly reasonable states”.

Liberals suck.


28 posted on 09/02/2013 7:08:28 AM PDT by GatorGirl (Who is John Galt?)
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To: D Rider
Sad to see Colorado go east coast also. I hope they fix it.

Colorado did not go east coast, the east coast came here. Denver built lofts so New Yorkers would feel at home. All those northeast states that depopulated out of a congressional seat filled us with commies. Just like California 30 years ago.

29 posted on 09/02/2013 7:10:10 AM PDT by SpeakerToAnimals (I hope to earn a name in battle)
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To: RandallFlagg; MileHi; dhs12345; neverdem; ColoCowgirl; dynachrome; beaversmom; GSWarrior; ...

and Debbie Wasserman Schultz

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3061451/posts

Colorado Ping ( Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from the list.)


30 posted on 09/02/2013 7:15:50 AM PDT by george76 (Ward Churchill : Fake Indian, Fake Scholarship, and Fake Art)
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To: Kaslin
Is the Colorado Governor really suggesting that legislators should be free from reprimand as long as they feel that they voted “their conscience”?
Ya gotta understand, Mr. Schaus,


31 posted on 09/02/2013 7:18:06 AM PDT by Peet (Come back with a warrant.)
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To: Travis McGee

This is a guy who kicked the can down the road like a little wimp by delaying the execution of a violent criminal to the next governor just so he didn’t have to do it.


32 posted on 09/02/2013 8:09:16 AM PDT by CodeToad (Liberals are bloodsucking ticks. We need to light the matchstick to burn them off. -786 +969)
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To: Kaslin

CO was stupid for electing this guy in the first place. Big mistake. Helping to solidify the transition from red to blue that’s been going on for a decade.

Fortunately, though a lot of people in CO aren’t sitting back and are fighting it.


33 posted on 09/02/2013 9:27:37 AM PDT by conservativebabe
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To: fortheDeclaration
Where was he during the WI recall elections?

That was different.

34 posted on 09/02/2013 9:57:54 AM PDT by null and void (I'm betting on an Obama Trifecta: A Nobel Peace Prize, an Impeachment, AND a War Crimes Trial...)
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To: Kaslin
Oh, and let’s not forget that more people signed the petition to recall John Morse (one of the two State Senators who are currently facing recall) than originally voted him into office.

I did not know this.

No wonder the Dems are in full panic mode.

(This is why Dems simply HATE free and fair elections.

.

35 posted on 09/02/2013 11:01:34 AM PDT by Seaplaner (Never give in. Never give in. Never...except to convictions of honour and good sense. W. Churchill)
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To: D Rider

There is a small but real chance of returning colorado to the red column again. However, if amnesty goes through, that will never happen and this state is lost forever. The illegal influx is one of the big reasons we went blue in the first place....


36 posted on 09/02/2013 11:05:07 AM PDT by Mom MD (A million people attended Obamas inauguration. 14 of them actually missed work)
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To: fortheDeclaration
To vote conscience or represent the will of one's constitutents has always been a serious question.

The movie "1776" had some great lines. (A must see movie, IMHO)
[During the vote on independence]:
Dr. Lyman Hall: Mr. President, Georgia seems to be split right down the middle on this issue - the people are against it, and I'm for it.
[laughter]
Dr. Lyman Hall: However, I'm afraid I'm not quite certain whether representing the people means relying on their judgment or on my own. In all fairness, until I can figure that out, I'd better lean a little on their side. Georgia says nay.

Later in the film, he finds John Adams alone in Congress:
Dr. Lyman Hall: I'm sorry if I startled you. I couldn't sleep. In trying to resolve my dilemma I remembered something I'd once read, "that a representative owes the People not only his industry, but his judgment, and he betrays them if he sacrifices it to their opinion."
[He smiles] It was written by Edmund Burke, a member of the British Parliament.
[He walks to the tally board and changes his 'nay' vote to 'yea' on Independence]

There's plenty more HERE, including these gems, which always got a roar of approval from the audience:
John Adams: I have come to the conclusion that one useless man is called a disgrace; that two are called a law firm, and that three or more become a Congress! And by God, I have had this Congress!
John Adams (complaining to God): A second flood, a simple famine, plagues of locusts everywhere, or a cataclysmic earthquake, I'd accept with some despair. But no, You sent us Congress! Good God, Sir, was that fair?

37 posted on 09/02/2013 1:41:35 PM PDT by Oatka (This is America. Assimilate or evaporate.)
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To: Kaslin

The Colorado governor might do well to take a day trip to visit Ludlow. On a previous attempt of the “elite” in Denver to “take care of the little people” those same “little people” let the folks in Denver know, “We are now armed and any further BS will result in coffins being returned to Denver.” I doubt the descendants of those “little people” have changed much. God Bless them.


38 posted on 09/03/2013 2:53:28 AM PDT by wastoute (Government cannot redistribute wealth. Government can only redistribute poverty.)
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To: george76

Gov. chickenlooper was always far left. low info voters and a leghumping media saw to his election (and the ‘pubs blowing it by not getting behind Tancredo, even though the ‘pubs would have become a minority party)


39 posted on 09/03/2013 2:14:31 PM PDT by dynachrome (Vertrou in God en die Mauser)
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