WWTBAM Bored

Earl the Squirrel wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 18, 2020 7:07 pm

Your DENVER NUGGETS!!!!11 are in the Western Conference Finals

and I just registered to vote.

Can 2020 get any crazier than that????

I didn't think so...ha!

a1mamacat wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 18, 2020 11:24 pm

Earl the Squirrel wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 18, 2020 7:07 pm

Your DENVER NUGGETS!!!!11 are in the Western Conference Finals

and I just registered to vote.

Can 2020 get any crazier than that????

I didn't think so...ha!

You spoke too soon.

Rip RBG

SportsFan68 wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 19, 2020 9:57 am

Can 2020 get any crazier than that????

Yes.

I'm glad you're registered.

Now, if you need any help on the ballot issues . . .

Kidding! Actually, if I need any help, I'll call on you.

Earl the Squirrel wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 19, 2020 6:06 pm

SportsFan68 wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 19, 2020 9:57 am

Can 2020 get any crazier than that????

Yes.

I'm glad you're registered.

Now, if you need any help on the ballot issues . . .

Kidding! Actually, if I need any help, I'll call on you.

Actually, I could probably use your help in educating me. I'm such a noob that I didn't even know what to put down for a party affiliation, so I put unaffiliated since that seemed closest. Then it asked what party primary I wanted to vote in and I had no idea so I put democrat since I definitely lean that way.

Are the senator elections in November, too? One reason that I started to consider lifting my boycott and voting was that I sent emails to both senators and rep about stopping animal abuse in lab experiments. I got a pretty boilerplate reply from one senator and the rep, and then a bit later I got a personalized letter from Bennet talking about my specific issue. From the other senator, NOTHING, not even a bot reply.

RBG pushed me over the edge because she was a badass (and quite a looker in her younger days) and On the Basis of Sex made me cry.

Bob78164 wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 20, 2020 2:31 am

Earl the Squirrel wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 19, 2020 6:06 pm

SportsFan68 wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 19, 2020 9:57 am

Yes.

I'm glad you're registered.

Now, if you need any help on the ballot issues . . .

Kidding! Actually, if I need any help, I'll call on you.

Actually, I could probably use your help in educating me. I'm such a noob that I didn't even know what to put down for a party affiliation, so I put unaffiliated since that seemed closest. Then it asked what party primary I wanted to vote in and I had no idea so I put democrat since I definitely lean that way.

Are the senator elections in November, too? One reason that I started to consider lifting my boycott and voting was that I sent emails to both senators and rep about stopping animal abuse in lab experiments. I got a pretty boilerplate reply from one senator and the rep, and then a bit later I got a personalized letter from Bennet talking about my specific issue. From the other senator, NOTHING, not even a bot reply.

RBG pushed me over the edge because she was a badass (and quite a looker in her younger days) and On the Basis of Sex made me cry.

Senator Gardner is running against former Governor Hickenlooper for a Senate seat. That election also is on the November ballot. —Bob

Bob Juch wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 20, 2020 7:21 am

After watching their attack ads for a week while I was in Denver, I'd not vote for either one if we didn't need to turn the Senate Blue. I'm on my way back to Tucson where at least I can ignore the vicious attacks on Mark Kelly.

Earl the Squirrel wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 19, 2020 6:06 pm

SportsFan68 wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 19, 2020 9:57 am

Can 2020 get any crazier than that????

Yes.

I'm glad you're registered.

Now, if you need any help on the ballot issues . . .

Kidding! Actually, if I need any help, I'll call on you.

Actually, I could probably use your help in educating me. I'm such a noob that I didn't even know what to put down for a party affiliation, so I put unaffiliated since that seemed closest. Then it asked what party primary I wanted to vote in and I had no idea so I put democrat since I definitely lean that way.

Are the senator elections in November, too? One reason that I started to consider lifting my boycott and voting was that I sent emails to both senators and rep about stopping animal abuse in lab experiments. I got a pretty boilerplate reply from one senator and the rep, and then a bit later I got a personalized letter from Bennet talking about my specific issue. From the other senator, NOTHING, not even a bot reply.

RBG pushed me over the edge because she was a badass (and quite a looker in her younger days) and On the Basis of Sex made me cry.

SportsFan68 wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 21, 2020 9:09 pm

Gardner is no good for Colorado -- please vote for Hick.

littlebeast13 wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 22, 2020 7:11 am

SportsFan68 wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 21, 2020 9:09 pm

Gardner is no good for Colorado -- please vote for Hick.

Where does Hick stand on squirrels?

lb13

littlebeast13 wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 22, 2020 7:11 am

SportsFan68 wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 21, 2020 9:09 pm

Gardner is no good for Colorado -- please vote for Hick.

Where does Hick stand on squirrels?

lb13

Bob78164 wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 20, 2020 2:39 am

Also, if you’re a first-time voter in Colorado and you vote by mail, you’ll need to include a photocopy of a valid ID that shows your Colorado address. You have a number of options, including a driver’s license.

Check this site for more details about the rules. —Bob

SportsFan68 wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 21, 2020 9:09 pm

Unaffiliated is fine. That way you avoid calls from party activists, and you still get to vote in the primary in two years. Saying you want to vote in the Democratic primary just means that your County Clerk will send you that ballot. If you hadn't expressed a preference, you would get both ballots with instructions to throw one of them away. If you did vote both of them, both would be thrown out. You don't have to vote the Democratic ballot when you get it; you can turn it in for a Republican ballot. Note that your County Clerk is required to disclose which ballot you voted, and party activists watch this closely. In other words, you can still get partisan calls until you tell them to stop.

In this year's general election, you'll vote for President, U.S. Senator (Hickenlooper vs. Gardner), U.S. Representative in your district), State Representative, District Attorney, and County Commissioners, plus ballot issues. Ballots will be mailed out starting Oct. 9. Here in La Plata County, it's recommended that we mail them back no later than Oct. 26 because they have to go to Albuquerque (nearest sorting center) and back. SteelersFan and I never mail ours; we put them in the drop box by the Clerk's office.

Gardner is no good for Colorado -- please vote for Hick.

As for the ballot issues, I strongly urge a Yes on Amendment B (repeal Gallagher). Also strongly, I urge a No vote on Proposition 115 (curtail reproductive freedom), Proposition 116 (cut income tax rate slightly, resulting in drastic revenue shortfall), Proposition 117 (apply Tabor to fee-based enterprises), and Amendment 76 (unnecessary restatement of what a "citizen" is for voting purposes). I don't feel so strongly about the others. For example, Amendment 77 would give local control of gaming limits to the voters of Central City, Black Hawk, and Cripple Creek. I'm voting No because if it does have the desired effect and bring in more people, the voters of the affected counties who will see impacts of traffic increase and other utilities did not get to vote. I'd probably feel more strongly about it if I lived there.

Earl the Squirrel wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 23, 2020 12:33 am

Bob78164 wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 20, 2020 2:39 am

Also, if you’re a first-time voter in Colorado and you vote by mail, you’ll need to include a photocopy of a valid ID that shows your Colorado address. You have a number of options, including a driver’s license.

Check this site for more details about the rules. —Bob

Is it way too dorky that I kind of want to go in person and use one of the machines?

My grandma used to have to take us with her when she voted and I remember being fascinated by the curtain closing when the lever was pulled and she disappeared. Kind of like the Wizard of Oz. Although I suppose they are way different now...

Bob78164 wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 23, 2020 12:42 am

Earl the Squirrel wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 23, 2020 12:33 am

Bob78164 wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 20, 2020 2:39 am

Also, if you’re a first-time voter in Colorado and you vote by mail, you’ll need to include a photocopy of a valid ID that shows your Colorado address. You have a number of options, including a driver’s license.

Check this site for more details about the rules. —Bob

Is it way too dorky that I kind of want to go in person and use one of the machines?

My grandma used to have to take us with her when she voted and I remember being fascinated by the curtain closing when the lever was pulled and she disappeared. Kind of like the Wizard of Oz. Although I suppose they are way different now...

Not at all. I love the ceremony of voting. I always vote in person and on Election Day. And I used to bring my son along to instill in him a reverence for the franchise.

Not this year, though. Not fair of me to add to the poll workers' pandemic risk when California is sending everyone a vote-by-mail ballot and there will be a perfectly good drop box located literally next door to my building.

I believe you'll need voter ID to vote in person in Colorado. --Bob

Earl the Squirrel wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 23, 2020 12:42 am

SportsFan68 wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 21, 2020 9:09 pm

Unaffiliated is fine. That way you avoid calls from party activists, and you still get to vote in the primary in two years. Saying you want to vote in the Democratic primary just means that your County Clerk will send you that ballot. If you hadn't expressed a preference, you would get both ballots with instructions to throw one of them away. If you did vote both of them, both would be thrown out. You don't have to vote the Democratic ballot when you get it; you can turn it in for a Republican ballot. Note that your County Clerk is required to disclose which ballot you voted, and party activists watch this closely. In other words, you can still get partisan calls until you tell them to stop.

In this year's general election, you'll vote for President, U.S. Senator (Hickenlooper vs. Gardner), U.S. Representative in your district), State Representative, District Attorney, and County Commissioners, plus ballot issues. Ballots will be mailed out starting Oct. 9. Here in La Plata County, it's recommended that we mail them back no later than Oct. 26 because they have to go to Albuquerque (nearest sorting center) and back. SteelersFan and I never mail ours; we put them in the drop box by the Clerk's office.

Gardner is no good for Colorado -- please vote for Hick.

As for the ballot issues, I strongly urge a Yes on Amendment B (repeal Gallagher). Also strongly, I urge a No vote on Proposition 115 (curtail reproductive freedom), Proposition 116 (cut income tax rate slightly, resulting in drastic revenue shortfall), Proposition 117 (apply Tabor to fee-based enterprises), and Amendment 76 (unnecessary restatement of what a "citizen" is for voting purposes). I don't feel so strongly about the others. For example, Amendment 77 would give local control of gaming limits to the voters of Central City, Black Hawk, and Cripple Creek. I'm voting No because if it does have the desired effect and bring in more people, the voters of the affected counties who will see impacts of traffic increase and other utilities did not get to vote. I'd probably feel more strongly about it if I lived there.

Thanks, Sprots! This is just the kind of thing I was looking for, much more helpful than discussions about some cat from Arizona (yes, I had to look it up). I can't promise that I'll follow all of your recommendations, but you've given me a good start to do some reading.

I was bummed when i saw that Hickenlooper was the opponent of note for Gardner. Ick, I suppose this is the "hold your nose and close your eyes" thing that Aaron Burr warned me about! I have seen tons of ads talking trash about Hickenlooper, but I had no idea who he was running against because they never mention the other guy. I guess it's telling that all they can do is make accusations about the other side, inside of mentioning any positive actions or outcomes that Gardner has actually accomplished.

I know you like Hickenlooper and I do respect your opinions, so can you give me the real deal on what's up with all of the accusations? I doubt that anybody is going to give a crap arguing about a Colorado senate race, but you can pm me if you'd rather.

Also, thank you for the party designation thing. I think I'll go back and change the primary one to wanting both parties' ballots. I took three different quizzes (from varying reputable sources) to try and see which one I aligned with and I got Peace and Freedom, Independent and Disheartened (or something like that) Democrat. Reading descriptions, I think I align most closely with Libertarian.

SportsFan68 wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 23, 2020 9:41 pm

Earl the Squirrel wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 23, 2020 12:42 am

SportsFan68 wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 21, 2020 9:09 pm

Unaffiliated is fine. That way you avoid calls from party activists, and you still get to vote in the primary in two years. Saying you want to vote in the Democratic primary just means that your County Clerk will send you that ballot. If you hadn't expressed a preference, you would get both ballots with instructions to throw one of them away. If you did vote both of them, both would be thrown out. You don't have to vote the Democratic ballot when you get it; you can turn it in for a Republican ballot. Note that your County Clerk is required to disclose which ballot you voted, and party activists watch this closely. In other words, you can still get partisan calls until you tell them to stop.

In this year's general election, you'll vote for President, U.S. Senator (Hickenlooper vs. Gardner), U.S. Representative in your district), State Representative, District Attorney, and County Commissioners, plus ballot issues. Ballots will be mailed out starting Oct. 9. Here in La Plata County, it's recommended that we mail them back no later than Oct. 26 because they have to go to Albuquerque (nearest sorting center) and back. SteelersFan and I never mail ours; we put them in the drop box by the Clerk's office.

Gardner is no good for Colorado -- please vote for Hick.

As for the ballot issues, I strongly urge a Yes on Amendment B (repeal Gallagher). Also strongly, I urge a No vote on Proposition 115 (curtail reproductive freedom), Proposition 116 (cut income tax rate slightly, resulting in drastic revenue shortfall), Proposition 117 (apply Tabor to fee-based enterprises), and Amendment 76 (unnecessary restatement of what a "citizen" is for voting purposes). I don't feel so strongly about the others. For example, Amendment 77 would give local control of gaming limits to the voters of Central City, Black Hawk, and Cripple Creek. I'm voting No because if it does have the desired effect and bring in more people, the voters of the affected counties who will see impacts of traffic increase and other utilities did not get to vote. I'd probably feel more strongly about it if I lived there.

Thanks, Sprots! This is just the kind of thing I was looking for, much more helpful than discussions about some cat from Arizona (yes, I had to look it up). I can't promise that I'll follow all of your recommendations, but you've given me a good start to do some reading.

I was bummed when i saw that Hickenlooper was the opponent of note for Gardner. Ick, I suppose this is the "hold your nose and close your eyes" thing that Aaron Burr warned me about! I have seen tons of ads talking trash about Hickenlooper, but I had no idea who he was running against because they never mention the other guy. I guess it's telling that all they can do is make accusations about the other side, inside of mentioning any positive actions or outcomes that Gardner has actually accomplished.

I know you like Hickenlooper and I do respect your opinions, so can you give me the real deal on what's up with all of the accusations? I doubt that anybody is going to give a crap arguing about a Colorado senate race, but you can pm me if you'd rather.

Also, thank you for the party designation thing. I think I'll go back and change the primary one to wanting both parties' ballots. I took three different quizzes (from varying reputable sources) to try and see which one I aligned with and I got Peace and Freedom, Independent and Disheartened (or something like that) Democrat. Reading descriptions, I think I align most closely with Libertarian.

It's not at all dorky to want to vote in person. I just love the safety, security, and speed of a mail-in ballot.

I don't like Hick that much. Within a day of his dropping out of the Presidential race, Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer went knocking on his door promising funding and support and blah blah blah in return for the fact that Hick's very popular in Colorado and has 100% name recognition among voters. I've been a huge fan of Andrew Romanoff, Hickenlooper's opponent in the primary, ever since he spearheaded the coalition that brought us out of the economic disaster that was the downturn of the early 2000s combined with the strictures of Tabor. But thanks to Schumer, we're stuck with a candidate who said he didn't want the Senator job and didn't think he'd be very good at it.

Still, he'll be better than Gardner. From the Denver Post in 2019: "We endorsed Sen. Cory Gardner in 2014 because we believed he’d be a statesman. We knew he’d be a conservative voice in Congress, to be certain, but we thought his voice would bring 'fresh leadership, energy and ideas.' We see now that was a mistake – consider this our resolution of disapproval. Gardner has been too busy walking a political tight rope to be a leader. He has become precisely what we said in our endorsement he would not be: 'a political time-server interested only in professional security.' ” He's been a Trump toady, to the detriment of the country.

As for the accusations, Hick was guilty of ethics violations. I believe him when he says he was informed that the gifts he took were acceptable (plane flights and fancy dinners), but it doesn't excuse him. He should have checked it out himself. He paid the fine and took responsibility.

As for where he stands on squirrels -- I am confident that he will fully support a wall on our eastern border to keep mangy rodents from Granite City OUT OUT OUT.

Bob Juch wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 24, 2020 8:51 am

Can you please explain what Tabor is?

Earl the Squirrel wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 24, 2020 3:36 pm

Bob Juch wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 24, 2020 8:51 am

Can you please explain what Tabor is?

A political question even I can answer...ha!

It's the Taxpayer Bill of Rights which has been in effect since back in the early 90s. Doug Bruce, who wrote the bill, is a huge asshole slumlord (I used to hate dealing with him at the courthouse) but I agreed with him on this.

Basically, the government can't spend any money for anything except what it was specifically meant for without the voters' okaying it. Even if they have "extra" from some special bond issue or something, they can't take that and make a slush fund or decide to use it for something other than which it was intended.

In other words, they (the government) can't move money around to where they see fit, they have to get permission.

Politicians have been trying to get it overturned off and on ever since it began, but thus far haven't been able to convince people to let them spend willy-nilly on pet projects. (My view, others may differ)

Since you supposedly know so much about Colorado, I'm amazed that you didn't already know this or couldn't google it. If it was a disingenuous move so you could argue with whoever answered you, don't bother.

Earl the Squirrel wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 24, 2020 3:36 pm

Bob Juch wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 24, 2020 8:51 am

Can you please explain what Tabor is?

A political question even I can answer...ha!

It's the Taxpayer Bill of Rights which has been in effect since back in the early 90s. Doug Bruce, who wrote the bill, is a huge asshole slumlord (I used to hate dealing with him at the courthouse) but I agreed with him on this.

Basically, the government can't spend any money for anything except what it was specifically meant for without the voters' okaying it. Even if they have "extra" from some special bond issue or something, they can't take that and make a slush fund or decide to use it for something other than which it was intended.

In other words, they (the government) can't move money around to where they see fit, they have to get permission.

Politicians have been trying to get it overturned off and on ever since it began, but thus far haven't been able to convince people to let them spend willy-nilly on pet projects. (My view, others may differ)

Since you supposedly know so much about Colorado, I'm amazed that you didn't already know this or couldn't google it. If it was a disingenuous move so you could argue with whoever answered you, don't bother.

SportsFan68 wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 24, 2020 7:29 pm

Earl the Squirrel wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 24, 2020 3:36 pm

Bob Juch wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 24, 2020 8:51 am

Can you please explain what Tabor is?

A political question even I can answer...ha!

It's the Taxpayer Bill of Rights which has been in effect since back in the early 90s. Doug Bruce, who wrote the bill, is a huge asshole slumlord (I used to hate dealing with him at the courthouse) but I agreed with him on this.

Basically, the government can't spend any money for anything except what it was specifically meant for without the voters' okaying it. Even if they have "extra" from some special bond issue or something, they can't take that and make a slush fund or decide to use it for something other than which it was intended.

In other words, they (the government) can't move money around to where they see fit, they have to get permission.

Politicians have been trying to get it overturned off and on ever since it began, but thus far haven't been able to convince people to let them spend willy-nilly on pet projects. (My view, others may differ)

Since you supposedly know so much about Colorado, I'm amazed that you didn't already know this or couldn't google it. If it was a disingenuous move so you could argue with whoever answered you, don't bother.

To add to that -- it isn't just for new taxes that people voted in for a specific bond issue, such as a new library or rec center, to name two from our neck of the woods. Voters had to approve the bonds, and if they collect extra, they retire the bond early. This is the one part of Tabor I agree with -- voters have to approve any new taxes or any increase in taxes.

The part I disagree with so strongly is what's called the ratchet down effect. The base rate for the amount of taxes that can be collected every year resets based on the Denver-Boulder CPI. To vastly oversimplify, say Colorado's general fund revenues in 2019 are $100,000. That means that any revenue over about $102,000 in 2020 would have to be refunded to the voters. What they've been doing is giving it back as an income tax reduction. I do think they should keep it, not for a slush fund as Earl describes, but for a rainy day fund as we're having now.