The Honey Badger Report #8

Sponsored by Parker Conservatives

Honey Badger Report #8,

November 2023

In this issue:

The Emperor, His Ego, and the Grand Charade of Modern Politics
Tip of the Hat
Douglas County's Crisis: Schools, Libraries, and Restaurants
Commissioner George Teal's Response to "George Teal's Swamp in the Making "from Honey Badger Report #7, October 2023
You will not believe the Text I Received!
2023 FINAL Liberty Scorecard
Missing in Action
The FBI's Dangerous Game
Burning Colorado to the Ground

The Emperor, His Ego, and the

Grand Charade of Modern Politics

Hans Christian Andersen’s classic, "The Emperor's New Clothes," offers a stark lesson about human nature, one that resonates hauntingly in today's political landscape. For those unfamiliar and I genuinely question how you managed that, the tale centers on an emperor swindled by two fraudsters into believing he has a suit visible only to the competent and intelligent. To avoid appearing inadequate, everyone, from the royal court to the common man, pretends admiration for these non-existent garments. However, it takes the candid honesty of a child to voice what everyone else is too fearful to admit, the emperor is embarrassingly exposed.

This fable’s reflection in today's political spectacle is uncanny. We’re surrounded by politicians parading their so-called "achievements," which often turn out to be nothing more than smoke and mirrors. They’re bolstered by a media too invested in the narrative or too fearful of backlash to call out the glaring inadequacies. Just as in the fable, it often takes the unfiltered perspective of ordinary citizens to highlight the shortcomings and false promises that many have come to accept as the norm.

True conservatism is built upon pillars of limited government, fiscal responsibility, individual freedoms, and a steadfast commitment to promises made. We vote for representatives who vow to uphold these values. Yet, often lured by the glitz of political spectacle, we find ourselves hoodwinked by eloquent words that mask hollow actions, overlooking their blatant detours from the path of true conservative principles.

Elected officials, irrespective of where they stand on the political spectrum, are entrusted with the responsibility of serving their constituents honestly. When they make pledges, especially ones rooted in conservative values, they must be prepared for intense scrutiny. They cannot expect the public to be forever blinded by grandiose speeches and polished personas. After all, as the story reminds us, the truth, even if suppressed by the many, has a way of emerging, often from the most unexpected quarters.

Our democracy is delicately balanced on the twin pillars of trust and accountability. Any erosion in these can lead to a chasm between the governed and the governing. For every promise broken, for every deviation from professed values that goes unchecked, we risk deepening this divide, endangering the very essence of our republic.

My opinion pieces, critiques, and public discourse, like the one you're reading, serve as more than mere commentary. They are an essential tool in the arsenal of democracy, ensuring leaders are held to their words and promises. Through these writings, we reinforce the idea that public office is a privilege, not a right, and that those who occupy these positions are forever in service to the people, not the other way around.

The fable's lesson is clear and more relevant than ever, we must always be vigilant and unafraid to voice truths, even when they’re uncomfortable or unpopular. Together we navigate the complex maze of modern politics, let us channel the spirit of that child from Andersen's tale. If we do not stand firmly for transparency, accountability, and unwavering honesty today, the future of our town, county, state, and or great nation stands at a precipice. The onus is on us, the citizens, to ensure that our leaders, like the deluded emperor, are not allowed to parade unchallenged in their transparent deceptions. So next time you read one my opinion pieces and I spoon-feed you a politician’s contact information, take a bite. It may be bitter, it may be sweet in sending that email or making a personal call. But what you may find, it feeds you in a way nothing else does.

"Always stand on principle...even if you stand alone."

John Adams

"Tip of the Hat" 🎩 this month to Ray and Antoinette Engelke the owners of Deep Space. Thank you for always supporting conservatives!

Thank you:

Ray and Antoinette Engelke

Be sure to give a word of thanks the next time you see them

Do you know someone that works hard for the greater good? Send me a note with the person's name and why we should highlight them. I'll see about having them in an upcoming issue.

Douglas County's Crisis:

Schools, Libraries, and Restaurants

Ah, the “Golden State” transplants have found their way to Douglas County, and some from Denver looking to get out of the squalor. As one could predict with the precision of a Swiss watch, the murmurs have started. The primary grievance? "Where are the schools for our children?" What we will have to bus them! they lament, sipping their almond milk lattes. Oh, the humanity!

Douglas County, a once-tranquil slice of Colorado with more cattle than people, now resonates with the indignant cries of Californians and Denverits, dismayed by the lack of educational institutions in their freshly developed, gentrified neighborhoods. Here they are, having fled those hell-holes and educational quagmires, only to be “shocked” by the absence of conveniently located schools in their new abode. Oh, the irony.

But wait, there's more, the libraries. Or rather, the perceived lack thereof. "we had this, and we had that!" It's a constant chorus, one that forgets the fundamental truth. This isn't California or Denver. The nerve of Douglas County not to offer a facsimile of the exact lifestyles, minus the crime and decay they fled!

It's like buying a cat and complaining it doesn’t bark (I'm sorry I didn't use the word adopt, buying is sacrilege). You chose to leave California and Denver, presumably for a better life. Yet, upon arrival, the complaints flow freely. What were they expecting? An instant recreation of their old-world bubbles, just minus the high taxes, stringent regulations, and filth?

The saga continues. As are also whining about the lack of boutique restaurants and organic smoothie bars. Many seem to overlook the community-driven eateries, dismissing them as mere "chains." Little do they realize, these aren’t corporate behemoths but family-run franchises embodying the American Dream. They feed their families from the paycheck of the business they own. The irony is thicker than their gluten-free, non-GMO, vegan pancakes.

Now, here's a dose of reality, Relocating doesn’t mean importing your old problems and expecting instant solutions tailored to your every whim. It means adapting, understanding, and integrating into the community you've chosen. It's not Douglas County's job to become a Californian and Denver enclaves. If it were, why would anyone leave those in the first place?

To these new residents, dripping in entitlement, here's a blunt truth, If your primary concern in selecting a new home was the proximity of schools and liberties akin to those you've left behind, perhaps a little research was in order. It’s a tad late to cry over spilled almond milk.

Moreover, if it's the Californian and Denver way or the highway, then we can see you later, but we won't be crying over your departures. But if you genuinely want a new start in a county that's done just fine without the liberal guiding hand, then it’s time to adjust those expectations. Park the electric car, toss out the soy, and understand that true liberty doesn't come from demanding familiar comforts but from embracing a new Douglas County’s community's unique ethos, pillars of limited government, fiscal responsibility, and individual freedoms,

To the Californian and Denver newcomers, Welcome to Douglas County. But remember, if you wish to critique your new home based on your old one, perhaps you never truly left it behind. And if that's the case, the door's wide open for your return. Safe travels!

This was written by a Southern California transplant to Colorado in 1982 and 1986 to Douglas County. So, get over yourselves, we don’t want to hear it.

"Want to raise children who will be happy adults?

Teach them not to whine."

Dennis Prager

Commissioner George Teal's Response to

"George Teal's Swamp in the Making "from Honey Badger Report #7, October 2023

Re-print from my Facebook post of October 4, 2023

The following is un-edited

Hi Mark,

Thanks for sending this and thanks for patience. I do appreciate the opportunity to speak out on the issue as it is but one of the many issues we are dealing with here in the County.

I actually welcome your comparison of the Water Commission to the Washington “DC Swamp”. I would just argue your comparison misses the target. The problem with the DC Swamp is the money we keep sending to the Capitol year after year where nothing really gets done at all. Friends working with friends is less the issue than the fact that DC just isn’t working for us and our neighbors anymore.

In contrast, my intent with our County Water Commission is to form a Commission of people who DO know the water supply industry and can bring that knowledge and their ideas to the County to advise the Board of County Commissioners (a Board, that in its current membership, has two Commissioners whose only actual water experience is paying their monthly water bill.)

To be clear, all three of us have served on Water Quality boards. Commissioner Thomas and I have even served as Chairman of one of those Boards. But none of those boards actually involve the issue of water supply and/or capacity. My hope and intent is to make the topic of water supply and capacity a central topic for the County Water Commission.

Your focus on RWR is inherently limiting. The RWR proposal (which I believe is essentially dead right now) is just one of the possible topics that may come before the Water Commission. Or maybe it won’t. I do understand that it is a hot button issue because it is a private enterprise, as opposed to the several other projects to bring in renewable water to the County, which are being led by our public water districts. But this isn’t Cuba, Mark. The business of bringing drinkable water to a home is inherently a process of (1) buying water from a source, (2) transporting it to where it needs to go, and then (3) selling it to the user. If someone can do it with a profit margin in mind I am still willing to consider the enterprise as a valid water provider. Particularly if they can do it faster and cheaper. Which - as Conservatives - we do tend to support private enterprises providing essential services because they can provide them faster and cheaper than public enterprises.

Unless of course, our thinking - as Conservatives - has suddenly reversed course, and we now believe Government agencies are more efficient than private agencies (which I doubt).

Regardless, the Water Commission will not have majority representation by RWR or any other single interest. My intent is to create a Water Commission with a broad representation of the Douglas County communities. It will be a Commission of many voices, where those voices can speak out and share ideas and opinions. The only actual shared interest will be their experience in water supply and capacity.

As to your concerns that we should be asking about conflicts of interest: yes, we are. Each Candidate is being asked to clarify any work they may be involved in within the County and confirm their commitment to declare any conflicts of interests they may have if a project is under consideration by the Water Commission.

As to political contributions: no. I don’t believe there is any interest in asking those questions, Mark. Being a political donor is not a disqualifier for participation in Government. Nor is it a qualifier for membership on the County Water Commission, either. I am far more interested in the ideas and proven analytical ability the individuals will bring, more than anything else

George

George Teal

Commissioner

Douglas County, District II

303-819-5936

gteal@douglas.co.us

You will not believe the Text I Received!

I bet the elected official who sent me that text heart just stopped.

No, I did not publish your text, but I can.

"Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains to bring it to light."

George Washington

The 2024 - 74th General Assembly starts on January 8, 2024

The Colorado House is out of session until January 2024. Here are the final Liberty Scorecards for Republicans.

“2023 FINAL Liberty Scorecard, Colorado" The letter grades are brutal.

Click Here to see the Full Report

Recap of our Douglas County Elected Officials:

(S) Kevin Van Winkle (R) CO030, Score 83.5 (up 1.5 from last month)

303-866-4881, kevin.vanwinkle.senate@coleg.gov

S) Mark Baisley (R) CO004, Score 73 (up 3 from last month)

303-866-4877, mark.baisley@senate.co.com

(HR) Brandi Bradley (R) CO039, Score 68.8 (down .2 from last month)

303-866-2935, brandi.bradley.house@coleg.gov

(S) Jim Smallwood (R) CO002, Score 68.4 (up 2.4 from last month)

303-866-4869, SenatorSmallwood@gmail.com

(HR) Anthony Hartsook (R) CO044, Score 61.5 (up 1.5 from last month) The ONLY Doug Co Representative that openly voted for a Democrat House Chairperson when a Republican candidate was available to vote for. Day 297 with no apology to his constituents for this betrayal of the Republican Party. 303-866-2933, anthony.hartsook.house@coleg.gov

(HR) Lisa Frizell (R) CO045, Score 59.6 (up 1.6 from last month)

303-866-2948, lisa.frizell.house@coleg.gov

(HR) Bob Marshall (D) CO043, Score 26.8

303-866-2936, bob.marshall.house@coleg.gov

There is no spin here, these are the numbers from Liberty Scorecard. You may not like it, but it is an impartial scoring system to our constitution. I encourage all constituents if you don't like what you see in your representatives scores, call and email them. Provide your elected official's feedback and that loud voice!

"I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.

Will Rogers

Missing in Action

Ah, the fascinating tale of District 44's very own, Anthony Hartsook. Crowned with the 2023 "Legislator of the Year" award by the University of Colorado (a beacon of Conservatism, lol). Bravo! Perhaps he charmed them with his, let's say, "diverse" voting habits? Like casting a ballet in favor of the Democrat House Chairperson, because, of course, who votes for their own party anyway? That's just so mainstream!

But, what truly piqued my curiosity was his recent disappearing act. September 30, 2023, a significant day for the Colorado GOP, deciding on the pivotal 'Opt Out of the Primary' vote. And our star legislator? Nowhere in sight. Now, cutting some slack here as he and his wife were off visiting his son at the Citadel. Family first. However, is sending a proxy really that cumbersome? Many of his peers seemed to manage just fine.

One might wonder, was Mr. Hartsook simply feeling too "prestigious" after his recent accolade to bother? Or perhaps, he preferred not to go on record, fearing backlash from his district or his democratic friends in the State House? Playing it safe, are we?

Regardless of the reasons, it's clear as day, this move hasn’t flown under the radar. And rest assured, the good folks of District 44 won't be forgetting this oversight anytime soon. As for me? Well, I'll just be here, ringing the reminder bell. Ding, ding!

"Whenever you do something,

act as if all the world were watching."

Thomas Jefferson

The FBI's Dangerous Game:

A Slide Towards Totalitarianism? Who’s knocking at my door?

Let's be honest, the Federal Bureau of Investigation was once a beacon of assuring freedom in our nation, a symbol of justice and protection against genuine threats. Yet, if Newsweek's revelations are to be believed, they're now engaging in political games that even George Orwell would find too implausible for his novels.

In what world does it make sense to classify legions of former President Donald Trump’s supporters, your neighbor, your local churchgoer, your grandmother, and me, as potential domestic terrorists? This isn't a plot from a dystopian novel, it's our reality, and it’s terrifying.

The FBI's covert labeling system, AGAAVE (anti-government, anti-authority violent extremism), isn't just a collection of random words. It's a shrewd tool, a catch-all term to sweep anyone who doesn't dance to the tunes of Joe Biden and the Progressives into a convenient category of 'potential threat.' And while the Bureau "assures" us they would never target folks for their political views, their actions scream otherwise. It's the bureaucratic equivalent of "Trust us, we've got this" while they're holding a lit match over a gas leak.

Biden’s harsh rhetoric against the MAGA movement is also noteworthy. Describing it as "semi-fascism"? Oh, the irony! It's eerily similar to the pot calling the kettle black. When state machinery starts suppressing opposition, that's when the true face of fascism rears its head. We're not talking about some fringe group; we're talking about a vast segment of Americans who might have a differing political opinion. Silencing them is a grim foreshadowing of a nation that’s losing its democratic soul.

Equating political rivals to terrorists is pure madness. It's like calling every person who eats meat a potential serial killer. The danger of broad categorization is real and damaging. What's the real objective here? Is it genuinely about countering extremism? Because if it is, demonizing millions of Americans is a strange strategy. It's like trying to put out a fire with gasoline. The outcome? An even more divided nation, trust in our institutions eroding faster than Nancy Pelosi's eyebrows.

It's a tragedy, really. We've come to a point where the lines between protection and political vendetta are so blurred that the citizens see the risk of this spiraling rhetoric. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. By ramping up this aggressive narrative, we might just be poking the bear, leading to even more division.

This isn’t just about MAGA supporters or Trump. It's a much larger issue about the core values of America. We were built on principles of freedom of speech, thought, and political choice. If we don’t watch out, we might just be on a one-way trip down a slippery slope away from the ideals that truly make America the land of the free. Wake up, America, before the dream turns into a nightmare.

I had a few more thoughts, but someone is pounding on our front doo……….

Burning Colorado to the Ground

Governor Jared Polis seems to believe he's the savior of Colorado, but a deeper dive into his policies for the 2024 legislative session paints a different picture. Let’s break this down.

Reviving Senate Bill 213, in all its “enlightened” glory, is nothing more than a brazen power land grab. The bonehead governor wants to toss aside local governance in favor of Big Government mandates. But what's that sound I hear? Oh, it’s the impending chaos of swollen towns, overworked infrastructure, and never-ending traffic, like the traffic we have isn’t bad enough.

Then there's this almost comedic proposal to shield builders from lawsuits. If Polis had his way, Colorado would be a haven for haphazard construction. Are we now expected to buy homes, cross our fingers, and hope the roof doesn't cave in?

But wait, there’s more. The overdose prevention centers proposition is, frankly, baffling. Under the guise of compassion, Polis is suggesting we create legal drug dens. Because that’s what every parent wants, right? A state-sanctioned drug hub down the street. I’m all for rehabilitating drug addicts, but let's not make drug abuse a neighborhood event. Name me one place this has worked and drug use has dropped, go ahead name one…I’m waiting.

And then, in a move that feels straight out of an Orwellian novel, there's the hinted threat to the Second Amendment. The mere thought of restricting firearms without addressing the real issues causing gun violence is pure folly. It's a move that’ll appease the Twitter mob, but what about law-abiding Coloradans?

Proposition HH is a masterclass in misdirection. Polis wants to toy with the TABOR, risking future refunds for hardworking Coloradans. It's political tyranny at its best, and we’re all unwilling spectators. Let’s hope we reach enough voters to turn this back this November.

The governor’s stance on short-term rentals showcases a profound disconnect from reality. Colorado’s allure as a tourist haven could be jeopardized thanks to his plan to spike taxes on these properties. Perhaps he believes tourists will be content to camp out under the stars for free. Just another way for redistribution of wealth.

Agriculture's water crisis? Polis offers us platitudes over plans. We need innovation, not inertia. If farming is not draining our water, it’s all the people moving to Colorado, and the uncheck growth as our local politics are in the pockets of the developers.

The rail proposal is, for lack of a better word, a financial disaster. Rail projects are notorious money pits. Are we prepared to mortgage our futures on a dream train up the mountain?

Finally, Polis' vision of a "Better Colorado" is as clear as mud. It's a fancy tagline with zero substance. While he pontificates about combating homelessness and championing sustainability, we're left with vague promises, zero actionable plans, and more taxation lying in wait. Typical progressive.

Governor Polis' reign (as he sees himself as King Polis), with its dazzling array of progressive policies, might just be the financial ruin for Colorado. We need clear-eyed scrutiny, not starry-eyed optimism. It's time to demand better, and I mean truly better, for Colorado. We need to take back our state!

"Progressivism is the cancer in America"

Glenn Beck

A note on Deep Space

Are you planning a conservative event and in search of the perfect venue? Deep Space in Parker could be an excellent fit for you if you expect at least 80 attendees and plan on ordering food and beverages. While there is a minimum spend requirement, this should easily be met with a guest list of 80-100 people. If you're interested, please contact me, and I'll connect you with the owners of Deep Space to discuss further details.

So, a question you might have is, “why Honey Badger”?

Honey Badgers have been described in the Guinness Book of Records as the "most fearless animal in the world" and can even fight off much larger predators like lions and hyenas if challenged. We know the political landscape is filled with hyenas, thus, we need the Honey Badger.

If you have a Parker or Douglas County topic that needs attention brought to it, please submit it to: Honey Badger Report, mark.hampton@comcast.net. I will review it and see about adding it to the monthly publication.

"True things prevail"

Tucker Carlson

Looking for a Conservative Business in Parker or Douglas County? Here is the latest Parker Conservative Business Directory. Click Here

If you have a business you would like us to add, just let us know.