Thursday was gorgeous in my hometown of Backbone, Colo., up on the rooftop of America near Cottonwood Creek. Golden aspen under a cobalt sky framed the town square as folks gathered at noon for the big debate on this year’s ballot issues.
After the clerk explained mail-in ballots, a state senator talked about citizens’ role in lawmaking. “Deciding on 18 proposals is a chore,” he said, “but be grateful you can. We in the legislature don’t know it all. Sometimes your common sense beats our expertise.” He then introduced the debaters. Rob Rightley, a rancher from Gunnison, would take the conservative side. Lou Leftwich, a Denver attorney, would take the liberal side.
Leftwich’s opening joke about Sarah Palin and the Eskimo obstetrician fell flat. Murmuring something about the heat, he peeled off his suitcoat and started again. “Friends, the Colorado Promise is at risk. The governor’s recent budget cuts put even more urgency on these ballot issues. This is our chance to be patriotic, as Joe Biden has said, and tax ourselves for the common good.”
Leftwich pushed hard for Amendment 59, to prevent future billions in TABOR refunds to taxpayers, and for Amendment 58, to hike taxes on oil and gas by $321 million. Schools and colleges would benefit from both, he noted. He also urged support for Amendment 51, $186 million in new taxes for the developmentally disabled, and for Amendment 50, higher gambling limits with another college payout. “Do it for the children,” Lou pleaded.
When the Denverite said these are tough times for working people, the crowd warmed. But he lost them again with his pitch for Amendments 53, 55, 56 and 57 as a package. His slogans about mandatory health care, safe workplace, job security, and CEO accountability were scarcely uttered when catcalls of “Labor union power play” and “Trial lawyers’ full employment” rang out.
Probably wishing he was on the golf course, Leftwich attempted to finish strong with Referendum O, the measure making constitutional amendments harder to pass by petition. “If you’re tired of these crowded ballots, Ref O is for you. Do yourself a favor,” he said, and sat down to polite applause.
Rancher Rightley ambled up in his jeans and boots, Stetson in hand, and squinted at the crowd. “Lou, you couldn’t be more wrong about all nine of those turkeys. The first four are a money grab, and we absolutely should not tax a faltering economy. The next four are job killers. Why would we attack employers with a recession coming on? This isn’t France, Mr. Leftwich.”
“As for Referendum O, requiring signatures from outside the Front Range does sound good. But with all the liberal, big-government stuff clogging up Colorado’s constitution, this no time to put the thing farther out of reach from we the people for needed reforms. I say heck no on O.” Raucous cheers as Rightley beamed.
“So is it no on all 18 of them, Rob?” the mayor prodded. Well, the rancher said, he hoped Backbone voters would support Amendment 46 for colorblind laws, Amendment 47 to curb union power, and Amendment 48 to protect the unborn. Plus Amendment 49 to keep government neutral in partisan politics, Amendment 52 for better roads, and Amendment 54 to reduce corruption. “Six good’uns, and not a nickel of new taxes,” drawled Rightley.
Everyone scurried for cover when a cloudburst ended the debate. Checking his BlackBerry, the senator yelled, “The unions pulled 53, 55, 56 and 57.” Lou shook his head. Rob pumped a fist and said lunch was on him.
John Andrews (andrewsjk@aol.com) is a fellow with the Independence Institute and a past president of the Colorado Senate. He hosts “Backbone Radio” on Sundays at 5 p.m. on 710-KNUS.
