Ritter Quits

I've had a couple of days now to digest Governor Ritter's decision against seeking another term. I won't focus on the rumor mill--I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

Initially, many conservatives were quite happy to hear Ritter is quitting but I'm somewhat more pessimistic.

First, I have to ask how we elected a guy who's policies are so unpopular he won't even try for a second term! The radical left tax and spend ideology isn't being well received and we seem to have elected leadership that would rather practice that ideology than preserve their own careers. Ritter knew spending the general fund (slush fund) on programs Colorado didn't vote, then raising taxes/fees to cover those expenses, would end up hurting him. The oil and gas contracts we lost have cost the state untold revenue and jobs. The people have taken note but it may be too late to undo the damage.

This is happening on a national level as well with Dems (and some Republicans) seeing the writing on the wall. The neglect of the free market economy (which leftists neither respect or support), unchecked spending, expensive health reform the people don't want, and broken promises in Iraq/Afghanistan are all taking their toll. Unemployment is going up and many are running out of unemployment benefits. America's #1 concerns is and has been the economy--Democrats haven't been listening. The solution will be for Dems to put the leftists into hiding and bring out the moderates among them that can successfully run an economy and hope for real recovery.

John Hickenlooper is one such Democrat. Not without controversy, he has successfully managed a moderate left agenda in Denver without breaking the bank. Hick was a businessman prior to entering public life who understands the revenue side of the economy instead and spend his time making payroll rather than finding ways to spend taxpayer dollars. I dont' like the guy, but I have a lot more respect for him than many other Dems.

Which brings me to my second concern; A moderate trend in the Democratic party won't stop our descent into Socialism and decline--it will merely take us longer to get the bottom. We need to reverse course, not just slow down.