County to country, GOP seeking center
Published in the Boulder Daily Camera, 9/23/12
It's always a tough sell on these pages to convince readers that Republicans do much right. With only 20 percent of Boulder County voters registered as Republicans, it's hard to get you guys to feel the love.
Still, most people believe that government better serves the people when diverse viewpoints are represented. One-party rule invariably leads to tunnel vision and cronyism, and Boulder has had a pretty good dose of both of those over the past few years. Everyone would benefit if other perspectives were represented in our local government.
The problem has been that the "other guys," Republicans, have spent several decades digging themselves a hole in Boulder County. After being the majority party in Boulder for much of the early 20th century, Boulder County Republicans lost touch with our changing community and started presenting political philosophies and candidates that, to be kind, did not resonate with most Boulder voters. And, for that, they have been rightfully and regularly shellacked at the polls.
But, living in the basement gets old after a while, so the Republicans who had been shouting unpopular ideas into empty rooms have either found other interests or started asking themselves what Boulderites want that they can deliver. Plus, new blood started flowing in from free-thinkers who didn't like what they saw coming out of our "Democrats-only need apply" government with, let's face it, a pretty limited view of what matters. All of these forces coalesced over the past few years with a new determination from Boulder County Republicans to show voters that the times were a changin'.
As my mom said, though, the proof is in the pudding. Where do the Republican candidates we will see on the ballot next month come from and what do they stand for? Has anything really changed?
Look at Ellyn Hilliard, the Republican candidate for Colorado State House District 11 in Boulder County. Hilliard is a former school teacher who has worked as a nutritionist in the holistic health care field for 10 years. She now runs a small organic farm in Boulder County. Hilliard was a Democrat for years, but became increasingly troubled by their reliance on government as the agent of societal change. A few years back, Hilliard started listening to Ron Paul and realized that Republicans put their faith in the creativity and hard work of individuals to build a happier and more prosperous America. So, she joined the Republicans and became a candidate for office. She is pro-choice, pro civil unions, and wants to use her experience and beliefs to make Colorado government a more effective, albeit sometimes less intrusive, advocate of education, the environment, health care, and a vibrant economy for small business formation and growth. While Hilliard stands out, many other local Republican candidates share her positions.
Does the move to the middle of the political spectrum stop at local Republicans? Look at the resume of Mitt Romney. He had a family history in government but spent most of his adult life in the private economy -- good and balanced experience when we need a president who understands how government can work with the private sector to grow and create jobs. Romney was elected governor of arguably the most liberal state in America -- Massachusetts. While governor, he supported health care legislation that now provides universal coverage. He also supported regulation of greenhouse gas emissions, stem cell research, and agreed to protect a women's right to choose an abortion. While he tap-danced around some of these positions during the nomination process, his history of moderate political views and a track record of governance to go with it is well documented.
There's no denying that Republicans are still exorcising demons and have more lessons to learn. Take the Republican running against Jared Polis, Kevin Lundberg, who has been an outspoken social conservative. No doubt Lundberg will lose on Election Day. But, all in all, the Republican Party in Boulder County has tried hard to listen to Boulder voters and better understand the issues and positions that we Boulderites think important. As a result, Boulder Republican candidates seem to share and support the views of Boulder County voters more than they have in decades.
Sure, Republicans aren't perfect, but we're talking politics here, so everybody's idea of perfect is different anyway. However, if you give local Republicans a serious look, you might find it easier than you thought, and certainly easier than it used to be, to broaden the horizons of our local government.
It's always a tough sell on these pages to convince readers that Republicans do much right. With only 20 percent of Boulder County voters registered as Republicans, it's hard to get you guys to feel the love.
Still, most people believe that government better serves the people when diverse viewpoints are represented. One-party rule invariably leads to tunnel vision and cronyism, and Boulder has had a pretty good dose of both of those over the past few years. Everyone would benefit if other perspectives were represented in our local government.
The problem has been that the "other guys," Republicans, have spent several decades digging themselves a hole in Boulder County. After being the majority party in Boulder for much of the early 20th century, Boulder County Republicans lost touch with our changing community and started presenting political philosophies and candidates that, to be kind, did not resonate with most Boulder voters. And, for that, they have been rightfully and regularly shellacked at the polls.
But, living in the basement gets old after a while, so the Republicans who had been shouting unpopular ideas into empty rooms have either found other interests or started asking themselves what Boulderites want that they can deliver. Plus, new blood started flowing in from free-thinkers who didn't like what they saw coming out of our "Democrats-only need apply" government with, let's face it, a pretty limited view of what matters. All of these forces coalesced over the past few years with a new determination from Boulder County Republicans to show voters that the times were a changin'.
As my mom said, though, the proof is in the pudding. Where do the Republican candidates we will see on the ballot next month come from and what do they stand for? Has anything really changed?
Look at Ellyn Hilliard, the Republican candidate for Colorado State House District 11 in Boulder County. Hilliard is a former school teacher who has worked as a nutritionist in the holistic health care field for 10 years. She now runs a small organic farm in Boulder County. Hilliard was a Democrat for years, but became increasingly troubled by their reliance on government as the agent of societal change. A few years back, Hilliard started listening to Ron Paul and realized that Republicans put their faith in the creativity and hard work of individuals to build a happier and more prosperous America. So, she joined the Republicans and became a candidate for office. She is pro-choice, pro civil unions, and wants to use her experience and beliefs to make Colorado government a more effective, albeit sometimes less intrusive, advocate of education, the environment, health care, and a vibrant economy for small business formation and growth. While Hilliard stands out, many other local Republican candidates share her positions.
Does the move to the middle of the political spectrum stop at local Republicans? Look at the resume of Mitt Romney. He had a family history in government but spent most of his adult life in the private economy -- good and balanced experience when we need a president who understands how government can work with the private sector to grow and create jobs. Romney was elected governor of arguably the most liberal state in America -- Massachusetts. While governor, he supported health care legislation that now provides universal coverage. He also supported regulation of greenhouse gas emissions, stem cell research, and agreed to protect a women's right to choose an abortion. While he tap-danced around some of these positions during the nomination process, his history of moderate political views and a track record of governance to go with it is well documented.
There's no denying that Republicans are still exorcising demons and have more lessons to learn. Take the Republican running against Jared Polis, Kevin Lundberg, who has been an outspoken social conservative. No doubt Lundberg will lose on Election Day. But, all in all, the Republican Party in Boulder County has tried hard to listen to Boulder voters and better understand the issues and positions that we Boulderites think important. As a result, Boulder Republican candidates seem to share and support the views of Boulder County voters more than they have in decades.
Sure, Republicans aren't perfect, but we're talking politics here, so everybody's idea of perfect is different anyway. However, if you give local Republicans a serious look, you might find it easier than you thought, and certainly easier than it used to be, to broaden the horizons of our local government.
