Editor’s note: The following is an imaginary interview with a fictitious Colorado candidate taking part in November’s general election for “talk radio station KNUTZ”:
Q: You are a candidate for public office in Colorado at a crucial time. What would you say is the most critical issue facing the state?
A: That’s good question. An excellent question. And one which, quite frankly, has motivated me to try to do something for our state. The most critical issue is doing the will of the people, honoring their wishes, doing what they want and doing it well. The citizens of this great state deserve the best — the very best. And that is what I’ll give them.
Q: Yes, but what, among the many issues that folks around Colorado seemed to be concerned with, is the most critical in your view?
A: The most critical issue, I believe, is ensuring that we have a plan for our future, and that we go about it in a fiscally responsible manner. That means squeezing every penny we can get out of every taxpayer dollar. It means being efficient, it means eliminating ineffective programs, and it means doing it in a way which maintains the confidence, the goodwill of the voters of this state. All too often that has not been the case, and that has led to disappointment, overreaching, a loss of trust. That must stop. We can do better, and I will.
Q: OK. Well, then, what about transportation? Many in the state seem concerned about it. What is your view?
A: Yes, transportation, by all means. Transportation is tied to jobs, it’s tied to recreation. Without transportation, it’s difficult to get much of anything done. We need roads and we need good ones. Air traffic, we all know, is vital these days for recreation, among other things. We have a pretty good system of taxi services so businessmen and visitors alike can get around the metro area, and that is as it should be. So, yes, for sure, transportation is important and is at the top of my list.
Q: If we need improvements in transportation, and many feel that we do, how should we pay for it?
A: Well, that is a tough question, but an important one. I would say, first and foremost, that we should do nothing which lacks public support. You can’t ask the taxpayer to pay for something which he or she doesn’t really want. So again, having public trust is critical. We’ve had a gas tax in the past, and that is clearly necessary. Also, we pay some to register our cars and while that can be a real irritant, sometimes it may be necessary. Some states have used toll roads in the past, and we even have some of that here, as with E-470. I guess if voters want to vote for toll roads, I could go along with that — but only if the voters vote for it. So I guess to summarize, I’d say that I support improvements in transportation. As for paying for them, I’ll always be on the side of the voter. Whatever plan the voters feel good about, I will support.
Q: What about colleges and universities? Are they OK as they are? Are there unmet needs?
A: Again, an excellent question and one which speaks to important matters in Colorado. I have always supported colleges and universities. I went to several of them, some here in Colorado and some before I moved here. So did my wife, so did my kids. They all support colleges and universities — my whole family does. I believe that many citizens support them, too; after all, many went to them, just as I did and as my family did. So my position is that they are here to stay — and you can take that to the bank.
Q: But if, as many say, our colleges and universities lack adequate state funding, what would you do? Close some of them?
A: That is a very good and very important question, but so important that it should not be answered without great thought, without great care. Many of our community colleges are major economic enterprises in communities beyond the Denver metropolitan area. Closing them would be very difficult; it could have damaging impacts on many people — not just the students, but many others in the community, too, the teachers and the local shopkeepers, for example.
Q: I’m not sure we’re getting at the heart of the matter with respect to this election and what it means for Colorado. So let me ask this: Do you believe that we have a serious fiscal problem in the state, one which threatens higher education, transportation and other programs and, if so, what would you do about it?
A: Again, a great question — you’ve really gotten to the bottom line. Look, first of all, we all know that education and transportation are vital to the economic health of our state. We all know that without a good economy, we’ll be without jobs or income and thus we won’t be paying taxes. And if we don’t pay taxes, the state will lack money for colleges and roads, and that is not good for the economy.
And yes, we do have fiscal problems; we do, indeed. Just ask the citizens around the state — they’ve all been having to cut back, to spend less, many don’t have jobs at all, and that’s not good for them and not good for Colorado. So yes, fiscal problems. And it does have an impact on higher education. Without jobs and money, it’s tough to send kids to school. It’s even tough to come up the what it takes to use the toll roads.
After the election, I have every intention to take a hard look at this fiscal stuff, but I will do it in a comprehensive and thoughtful manner — none of this off the cuff — and one issue at a time. All these things we’ve been talking about — and your questions have been right on target — are somehow tied together.
So yes, again, I agree with the premise of your question, I surely do.
Q: If you suddenly decided that you really did not care about getting elected, or what others in your party thought, or even what your potential constituents said they wanted, what would be your platform?
A: Well, that’s a purely hypothetical question, right? I guess my platform might go like this:
1. Set program targets in higher education, transportation, health care and other areas for the years 2015 and 2020.
2. Assess the real costs.
3. Then I would see what it would take by way of tax policy changes to get there.
4. I’d probably scrub a bunch of our current tax credits and exemptions, and propose a graduated and progressive income tax, perhaps phased in beginning around 2012, maybe with a range of 3 to 7 percent.
5. My bumper sticker would be: Roads, schools, doctors and hospitals? You want them, you pay for them.
6. Get rid of term limits.
7. Get rid of direct democracy.
John A. Straayer (jstraayer@msn.com) is a professor of political science at Colorado State University.
