Denver, CO

Party Caucuses are coming up, so make sure you know where you’ll need to be for whichever party you choose to support.

For the Democrat Caucus info, click here

For the Republican Caucus info, click here

For those who aren’t quite sure what a Caucus is, consider the Caucus as a preliminary voting tool that will narrow down the candidates competing for their parties nomination as Presidential Candidate. After the Caucuses are done and over, the amount of people running for each party goes from several to one. Whether you feel that is right, wrong, or you’re indifferent, it’s important to go to your precinct’s caucus and have a say in the political process.

I believe that everyday and everywhere we look we have the opportunity to see modern day heroes and modern day chivalry in action. Some days more than others, some less; it largely depends on what you focus on.

This week’s modern heroes come from Arapahoe High School where we find a few highly motivated teachers working with eager-to-learn students, taking their own initiative to create unique experiences. Let’s ‘tune in:’

This unique learning experience is centered on interacting with new technology and communications mediums to exchange ideas and stimulate discussion. The topic: Daniel H. Pink’s book A Whole New Mind. Here’s why you should read it: “If it’s likely that someone in China or India can do your work more cheaply than you can, or if a computer can do your work faster than you can, read this book. (praise for the book, found on the back cover)”

Here’s why you should pay attention to what these Arapahoe High students have to say: They are assessing the validity of this book and how it relates to the all-important field of education, among other things such as the impacts on their future that the book suggests, and how to cope with and adapt to literally, a whole new mind. Their online blogging discussions feature real-world sages and experts in various fields, and there will be one with the author himself, Daniel H. Pink.

The classes participate in discussion as normally done during class time, but their discussions are translated in real-time to an online blog site dedicated to allowing outsiders to participate and view the discussion. The next blog sessions will be:

Friday, January 25th

Friday, February 1st

Thursday, February 7th

Friday, February 15th

Friday, February 22nd

and there will be a video conference with the class and author Daniel H. Pink on:

Thursday, February 28th

Check back with about-denverco.com the day before the above dates to learn how you can view the blogging and how you can participate. About-Denverco.com will be actively following and participating in this unique learning experience and will keep you up to date and in the know!

for more modern heroes, click here

image found at http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ZRXAS97NL.jpg

A day after Peter Groff made history by being the first black man to be President of the Colorado Senate, Peter Groff was making history by being the first black man to hold a joint session between the Colorado Senate and the Colorado House of Representatives to hear Gov. Bill Ritter’s State of the State Address. About-DenverCO blogsite was there, and here are the highlights and key points of Ritter’s moving, and hope-filled speech. Let’s recap:

Colorado’s “new energy economy has built up our economy [across the state].”

when looking back on 2007, Ritter said, “we can celebrate those successes but we cannot be satisfied.”

“We need to make real progress in education reform.”

key mentions were:
“Strengthen our economy by investing in higher ed”
“Meaningful immigration reform”
“Fiscally responsible with every tax payer dollar”
“We must invest in our research universities”
“Rigorous K-12 is vitally important”
“Wind farms, solar farms, bio-diesel plants”

“Legitimate ways for government to intersect with where people struggle.”

“The people. . .did not elect us to wage partisan warfare.”

“Hope wins out over cynicism.”

“We have a responsibility [lawmakers] to help them [citizens] achieve their full potential.”

Ritter also stressed making sure businesses can stay competitive and creating job opportunities. Ease the tax burden for thousands of businesses. Help small businesses.

in the areas of transportation, Ritter spoke about demand and cost both soaring and that the focus must be on safety and efficiency.

The governor also addressed the importance of reducing repeat crimes and repeat offenders.

Healthcare
Ritter had this to say: “every uninsured person means higher costs for every family.”
“Restraining costs must be at the heart (of healthcare reform)”
“Address cost and quality.”

The overriding question for education in Colorado, the one question Ritter asks lawmakers to consider when concerning education legislation, “is it good for Colorado children; their future?”

And the overriding focus that Ritter called on lawmakers to consider was, “in Colorado, we cannot wait for reforms to come from Washington.”

Whether you are Republican or Democrat or Independent, you can probably agree with a good portion of the Colorado Governor’s words and his message for lawmakers and citizens in 2008. And whether your political beliefs are aligned to the left or to the right, you can probably agree with some of the changes (healthcare, education, etc.) that need to take place in Colorado this year.

As the morning radio said this past Wednesday, January 9th, “Colorado Lawmakers are at it again,” referring to the Colorado House of Representatives and Colorado Senate being back in session for the next 120 days to develop and (hopefully) pass some new laws.
About-DenverCo was at the first day of the 2008 session, as well as day #2. The first day, this blog site was privileged to hear some encouraging words from House Speaker Democrat Andrew Romanoff and from the House Minority leader Republican Mike May.

The message of Speaker Romanoff was refreshing for this author and can be summarized with a few great quotes:

“Dozens of factors should affect [kids] education but [their] zip code shouldn’t be one of them.”

“In our country, where you come from shouldn’t determine where you end up.”

“Simplify tax code so businesses don’t need an army of accountants.”

Create incentives for people to stay healthy. (paraphrased)

Protect our environment. Replenish forests. (paraphrased)

“We don’t have to savage the economy to salvage the environment. We can sustain both.”

The House Minority Leader Republican Mike May also had some good things to say that were fairly well aligned with the Speaker’s message:

“[we] cannot solve every problem with taxes.”

Use auto-related taxes to pay for a healthy transportation system. (paraphrased)

Dedicate money to higher ed, but first tie money to performance. (paraphrased)

“Real solutions for the environment. Preserve state parks and forest.”

“Every bill should empower, not hinder, people, business, and the economy.”

From what About-DenverCo heard this week at the Capitol, Colorado Lawmakers are definitely at it again but with the intention of working together and reducing partisan warfare. Let’s hope this message proves true.

Tomorrow’s blog: Notes and quotes from Bill Ritter’s State of the State Address.

Things are changing in Denver, Colorado. It’s a New Year and one thing can be certain this year: there’s going to be some big changes.

Changes that are in the process of taking place:

+ Upcoming presidential election. A new president is (usually) a big change. In fact, the biggest issue in the NH democratic debate was between Obama, Clinton, and Edwards and who would be the biggest agent of change. They didn’t get around to discussing how they would make change happen, mind you.

+ Foreclosure rates are rising. Variable interest rates are causing problems for people.

+ Gas prices are rising and will continue to do so. A blue-ribbon panel of Ritter’s is proposing an additional 12 cents more a gallon at the pump, as well as $100 more each year to register vehicles.

+ Spending seems to be slowing. Few retailers sold as much as they were expecting this holiday season.

How will Denver handle change? Leave your thoughts and feedback.

To see what Ron Paul is all about, please visit his website

Join the Ron Paul Revolution!