Western Slope and Eastern Plains Unite
This last week my friend and I took a trip to the Western Slope where I was raised. We took I-70 to Grand Junction in search of Palisade peaches. I have taken this trip many times and always enjoy the changes in topography and geological formations. From the majesty of the Rocky Mountains through the canyons of the Colorado River to the arid mesas, it is an awesome state with great diversity.
As I travel in Colorado, I am amazed with the people who have worked hard to make this state their home. From the farmers of the eastern plains, to the ranchers of the west; from the wheat growers to the corn growers, from watermelons in the southeast to the peaches of Palisade, people of this land are diligent, hardworking and independent with conservative values.
The Eastern plains and the Western Slope share many of the same issues. Both have dry, arid climates and have a great concern over the need for water. The Western slope depends on the rivers that flow through it such as the Colorado River, the Gunnison River and the Uncompahgre River. Wherever the rivers run, farms, orchards, vineyards and ranches grow. The Eastern plains depend on two major rivers, the South Platte and the Arkansas. But in between those two, wells and God given rain is required. |
When it comes to voting these two areas have voted consistently for those who will represent their western values. As you can see from the picture, East and West have generally voted for the Republican candidates. This, however, has changed over the last 15 years as the metro area population grew and supported the Democratic Party.
The sad part is that Colorado is the one blue state in the west and Midwest that is led by Democrats. Colorado is now aligned with the West Coast and East Coast states. I remember the time when people in these two areas thought of Denver as a cow town and Colorado as unimportant. But now the Democratic Party is spending money wildly in Colorado to keep it Democratic. They are in fact financing weak or questionable Republicans in order to insure reelection of Democratic candidates.
Democrats make up about 28% of active voters, according to the Secretary of State’s office. Republicans count 25% of the state on the active rolls. That leaves the balance of the state unaffiliated, and they can vote in either primary. And while they lean Democratic in general elections, they aren’t above playing in the GOP backyard.
In the race for governor, Democrats have dumped trucks of cash into state-based dark money groups to promote former Parker Mayor Greg Lopez—and his easy-to-attack history—over University of Colorado regent Heidi Ganahl, the only statewide Republican official on the ballot. Ganahl prevailed by eight percentage points.
On the Western Slope, some Democrats were trying—and failing—to help the Republican challenger to Boebert, not because they have hope that one of their own could win that district in November but rather to derail what they see as an authoritarian threat from her and some of her other Trumpian comrades.
Democrats did their best to put the Senate race out of Republican reach. The party and its allies spent millions in the primary promoting GOP state Sen. Ron Hanks, a supporter of former President Trump, in hopes of landing him as Bennet’s opponent. The strategy, which worked elsewhere, fell flat in Colorado.
If Sen. Bennet were summed up in a word, it would be inoffensive; even political opponents say Bennet’s a nice guy. Another word would be unexceptional. Bennet has been free of controversy and avoided scandal. But he also hasn’t racked up any huge legislative victories. He ran a forgettable 2020 campaign for president and unlike some previous Colorado senators, hasn’t carved much of a national reputation.
On the Western Slope, some Democrats were trying—and failing—to help the Republican challenger to Boebert, not because they have hope that one of their own could win that district in November but rather to derail what they see as an authoritarian threat from her and some of her other Trumpian comrades.
Democrats did their best to put the Senate race out of Republican reach. The party and its allies spent millions in the primary promoting GOP state Sen. Ron Hanks, a supporter of former President Trump, in hopes of landing him as Bennet’s opponent. The strategy, which worked elsewhere, fell flat in Colorado.
If Sen. Bennet were summed up in a word, it would be inoffensive; even political opponents say Bennet’s a nice guy. Another word would be unexceptional. Bennet has been free of controversy and avoided scandal. But he also hasn’t racked up any huge legislative victories. He ran a forgettable 2020 campaign for president and unlike some previous Colorado senators, hasn’t carved much of a national reputation.
This next election should set a precedent. Will Colorado move towards returning to a red state or will we be stuck with the same issues of abortion at any age, gun laws to further control our arms, Green laws that will put further financial burdens on farmers and ranchers, river waters being diverted to housing projects for the influx of immigrants and increased drug trafficking because of them.
There are many unaffiliated voters that must be convinced that the Leftist Socialist Democratic Party can no longer use government pressure to force us to adopt radical curriculum for our schools, force mandates of face masks at the threat of our jobs and medical help, mandate electric cars for us, put windmills in our backyards and manipulate the media to twist our minds to their “reality”.
Let East join with the West and get rid of this socialistic and Green agenda. Let’s join our neighboring, farming states and stand together for country culture. Now is the time to stand up, speak up, and vote for your culture and values. —KLN