But here's how I will vote for some of the various positions. The most interesting choice is for Larimer County Commissioner, a local job where the incumbent makes decisions facing local people daily. It requires someone who has lived a regular life paying rent, driving over potholes, and dealing with angry neighbors. The Democratic communications company owner and the Republican rancher sound normal, but both believe that the county should exempt itself from the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR), also called de-Brucing for those who want to blame someone other than voters and the politicians who drove us over the edge with too many taxes.
My vote goes to Nancy York, the Green Party candidate, a Fort Collins native, CSU grad, and Army veteran. She hasn't said anything about wanting more money for the government. What she talks about is having the county government lead by example in waste reduction, expanded recycling, and energy conservation. She tries to personally make do with less and will bring that sensibility to our local government.
The local Republicrats would have you believe you're wasting your vote, saying "she's just a spoiler." These are the same people who said TABOR would never pass (because it infringes on what they regard as "their" power). Don't listen to them. Voting for someone you don't believe in is the only way to waste a vote.
Which brings me to the House of Representatives. In that choice, it almost seems as if there is a difference between the Republicans and Democrats. Bob Schaffer, the incumbent Republican, is an unabashed conservative who doesn't want to increase taxes but doesn't mind subsidizing big business. Susan Kirkpatrick, a classic liberal Democrat, doesn't mind increasing taxes to help the needy. This choice, apparently between a professional politician and political professor, is actually just a vote for bigger government with a choice as to which interest group gets the most tax dollars. I think the job of government is to keep the playing field level by avoiding overt subsidies such as handouts and tax breaks and covert ones such as free environmental destruction. I don't think I'll waste my vote on either of them.
For Senator, the choice appears to be between Ben Campbell and Dottie Lamm That may be what it'll boil down to with the Republicratic purchase of the airwaves and billboards, but I'm not voting for those already in power and willing to sell out to anyone who helps them maintain their grip. I'm voting for David Segal, the Libertarian candidate. Check out his platform at http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/Senate/6490/platform.html since I doubt you'll see him interviewed in the classic media.
We also have some true alternatives to the same old, same old for the state government. The Libertarian party has provided choice candidates. Sandra Johnson for Governor, Dan Cochran for Lt. Governor, David Bryant for Treasurer, Geoffrey Lloyd for Secretary of State, and Wayne White, Jr, for Attorney General. Check them out on the web at http://www.pageplus.com/~lpcolorado/ This time, you don't have to waste a vote on someone who wants to increase government's power. You can vote for Libertarians. Governor Johnson will bring new ideas for a new century.