My Letter to Pueblo City Council

To Pueblo City Council:

My company is That’s Natural! Marketing & Consulting and I have operated here in Pueblo since October 2005 – I do marketing, my main piece is a publication called That’s Natural!

1.) Pueblo Regional Building requires us to pull a permit for the event every week – $30.  They also require for us to pull a permit for each vendor who uses electricity every week ($15/vendor X 3-7 vendors).  They then require us to hire a certified electrical inspector for each market to walk with Pueblo Regional building to make sure that our vendors can plug in a cord to a City/County Building that is already inspected and approved by Pueblo Regional Building – this costs us $65/hour per week.  The grand total for an eight week market this year is $1,240 – last year $1,860. (I have asked the Midtown market if they have to pull any of these permits and have them (recorded) explaining that they just pull one permit for the event and the vendors have told me that they are not required to pull permits every week).

2.) The Pueblo City-County Health Department has done the following to scare away vendors from our market:
A. Not called or emailed them back.
B. Not called or emailed me back (as the Event Coordinator) when trying to answer questions that would allow them to come to the market.
C. Made them pay an additional $100 fee even if they were already certified and inspected by another County Health Department.
D. Be completely disorganized and unwilling to share information with either me or the vendors.
**Note, I have one vendor who was told by the HARP market that they did not need to do anything extra, whereas the Pueblo City-County health department (for MY market at the Arts Center) said they did.

3.) The Pueblo City Sales Tax now requires us to have a Temporary Use Sales Tax License for every 30 days that we are operating.  This was an additional $100 plus a background check (I have a real-estate license and a concealed carry permit – I think that should be sufficient?) and required us to get 3 different signatures throughout the City.  This department has also been difficult in getting to answer questions, although they have gotten better in the past week or so.

I understand that the City of Pueblo just wants things to be safe and to make your money off of the sales.  I get it.  What I do not understand is how you can suck the life-blood out of the small businesses who make that money for you.  SEVEN VENDORS – if not more – coming from all over the state have been halted in the past two years because of the asinine behavior of the Health Department.  ALL of the time that I could be rounding up more vendors and getting people to spend more money (e.g. MORE SALES TAX REVENUES FOR THE CITY).  That is the whole point – why can’t the City let me do what I am good at?  Instead, I have to fight to stay operating.

Beyond stagnating the growth for the City of Pueblo – the behavior and treatment towards me compared to the other two markets is unfair and discriminatory.

Tisha Casida

Colorado’s Gubernatorial Race – Principle Over Party and the Best of Both Worlds

This was originally posted at Tea Party Brewing – By Nancy McKiernan

By Nancy McKiernan, owner, Tea Party Brewing

August 4, 2010

Last week former US Congressman Tom Tancredo left the Republican Party and joined the American Constitution Party.  On Thursday, 7/29, he formally announced his run for Governor of Colorado on the ACP ticket.
This move has caused controversy and angst, especially among many Tea Party and 9-12 groups.  Some feel betrayed and are now questioning a man they respected and trusted fully before this announcement.  Many had wanted Tancredo to run initially and pressured him to do so.  Accepting that he was not going to run, they followed his advice to work through the two-party system and unite behind a candidate.  Now, with Tom having left the Republican Party and running on a third party ticket, it is understandable why some might be upset.  Some feel Tom went back on his word and believe if he was going to run, he should have done so in the first place, or at least announced his candidacy before the State Assembly on May 22.
I can see both sides of this argument.  I empathize with those who don’t agree with what Tancredo has done, but I am not upset with him.  I’m glad he’s running.  Maybe I have a different perspective, because I have been volunteering for Tom’s ballot Initiative 42 for several months and have gotten to know him personally and therefore trust his motives.  In addition, I’m not particularly attached to either Dan Maes or Scott McInnis.  I have concerns with each candidate, but would choose either over Denver’s Progressive, “Sanctuary City” Mayor, John Hickenlooper, the uncontested Democrat candidate.
Many of those who wanted Tancredo to run are now upset with him because of “how” he got on the ballot.  Many of these people became politically active because of their general disgust with both the Republican and Democrat parties, yet ironically are now coming to the defense of the Republican Party.  Outsiders have been questioning the Tea Party movement, asking if they plan to form a third party.  My response and that of many other “Tea Partiers” has been we will first try to work through the two-party system.  If that doesn’t work, we will resort to a third party option.  In my opinion, Tancredo took a bold step and did exactly what many in the Tea Party movement have been asking for.  Should we be upset with him?  Or should we be applauding him?

Things changed after the State Assembly on May 22.  Within the last month or so Maes was hit with accusations involving campaign finance violations and allegations of flip flopping on his position on Amnesty.  And just when the McInnis camp was thinking things were looking up for them because of this, McInnis was hit with a debilitating plagiarism scandal.  As a result of these issues, Tancredo expressed his belief and concern that the Republican Party did not have a viable candidate to beat democrat John Hickenlooper.  He issued an ultimatum asking the winner of the August 10th Republican primary to agree to withdraw from the race if polls at that time showed they could not beat Hickenlooper.  This would have allowed the Republican Party to pick another candidate through a vacancy committee.  (They most likely would not have chosen Tancredo, who has never been a ‘favorite’ of either local or national Republican Parties).  Neither Maes nor McInnis agreed to this, which resulted in Tancredo leaving the Republican Party and now running for Governor of Colorado on the American Constitution Party ticket.
I disagree with those in Hickenlooper’s camp who think Tancredo handed the election over to Hickenlooper.    We can let the liberal media and even some in our own ranks get the best of us and define the argument this way; or WE can define it.  Let’s choose to look at this as a positive for us and a negative for Hickenlooper.  We have in essence a second primary, only this time all voters, not just delegates, will get to participate.  We will get to choose the best of three “conservative” candidates, Maes, McInnis or Tancredo.  WE THE PEOPLE have the power to affect the outcome of this election.  If it is necessary and when the time is right, we can demand the “weaker” candidate withdraw from the race and pressure him to do so before the November ballots go out.  Remember, this is an election year where anything is possible.
Let’s not lose sight of the end goal and that is for a “conservative” to beat Hickenlooper.  Although we may be supporting different candidates at this time, we must try our best to look at the bigger picture.  Let’s turn this around, unite and put the other side in a tailspin!
E Pluribus Unum!

Remembering History

By Tamrah Jo Ortiz

I attended the Colorado Sky Sox ball game last night.   First time my husband has accompanied me to a baseball game since we first started dating.   Mainly because I accidentally cheered for the wrong team. (Hey, with so much going on, I forgot who was up to bat.  I did cover myself by saying, “Booo!  He was safe!” but my husband-to-be was not fooled…)

Before last night’s game,  Hubby asks if I know who Goose Gossage is. (seems his smartphone told him it was Goose Gossage night…)

(Note – Part of my Soul’s Heroic Mission this go-around is to appear a complete dumb arse in regards to sports, so by turns, I teach the males in my circle tolerance and give them a laugh when needed.   I’ve learned to play my role realllyyyy well!)

“Of course,” I reply.  “He was the co-pilot for Tom Cruise in Top Gun.”

It got the desired reaction – laughter and eye-rolling.

Then I informed him that Goose was a great ball player and a few years back – he had done something pretty spectacular… broken a record or something, because I remembered hearing about some fantastic accomplishment….

Hubby disagrees.

At the game, I’m proven right.   Goose Gossage was the 199th player to be inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

This whole story is told to my mother, who joined us for a night of All-American entertainment.  She reminds me of  my past sports faux pas.  (aka Fox Passes, in our family….)

And also points out how many times I’ve lost Trivial Pursuit games simply by not having the orange pie…(you guessed it, Sports and Leisure – on the bright side, I used to bartend, so if my questions fall more in the “Leisure” category, I win…)

**********

During a general “Let’s make fun of Tamrah’s ignorance regarding sports” melee I finally had to speak up in defense.

“Hey!  Do you all know what absolutely critical-to-our-freedom-event occurred on the night of August 29, 1776?”

I’m met with silence.   Smug in my genius, I relay why they should really know about this.

**********

In the evening hours General George Washington set about evacuating his Continental Army across the river to Manhattan.   Following the Battle of Long Island losses and the current reality that places him nearly surrounded by enemy forces, he calmly calls for all available water vessels, orders wagon wheels muffled and soldiers to march silently.   He charges Quartermaster General Thomas Mifflin with rear-guard duties.   In other words, Mifflin and his boys are to keep all the campfires going.

Across the way, British General Howe understands he has Georgie boy surrounded.  He does not press his advantage.   Why further demean a hapless and hopeless opponent?   Instead, he gives his foe the night to accept defeat and pen his eloquent surrender speech.    His scouts report all is quiet, campfires are going and the enemy is not up to any funny business.

The retreat, hindered by mis-carried orders instructing Mifflin to abandon his post too early and aided by a late morning fog, is successful.  By mid-morning on August 30th, General Howe stands surveying empty American fortifications, puzzled as to just how his surrounded quarry managed to escape.

The bulk of the Continental Army (around 9,000) had been safely snatched from the jaws of total ruin and/or capture.

In large part to the distraction of peaceful campfires.

**********

I’m not discounting the accomplishments of sports figures.    But in my mind, knowing the above story is more important than knowing who-broke-what-record.

Simply because, it gives me time to reflect on and ponder the extraordinary effort put forth by our forefathers in the quest for Freedom.   By delving deep into the history of our Revolution, I see how many times our cause was on the brink of being lost.

I am deeply touched by stories of those who marched in snow without shoes, fought battles with nothing more in their stomach than boiled shoe leather and how, even in those days, office politics abounded.

Knowing George managed to keep his post AND win the war, in spite of gossiping, negative, incompetent back stabbers trying to get him fired nearly the entire time, reassures me great things can be accomplished, even if the cause you’re joining is peppered with the lazy, power-hungry and traitorous.

I’m also intrigued by the campfire ruse.

I see a lot of campfires around these days – lit and tended to distract us from the real issues.

I really don’t want to be on the side that got distracted….

So, I’ll continue in my evil ways of teaching true sports fans tolerance.   I’ll continue to forget what a balk is, why pinch hitters are necessary and why yelling, “Quit diving for the ball” at an opposing fielder who has done the extraordinary time after time tonight is met with silence and glares.   Sports fans like seeing great plays, even if they are by the opposing team.

On the flip side, did you know Lynne Cox trained both her body and mind to swim the Bering Strait?  Amazing what the human body and spirit can do…

The Death of the Tea Party & The Republican Establishment?

A Warning to the Ego-Agenda Hypocrites

August 3, 2010 – Colorado Springs, CO - Tonight I had the chance to visit a Coalition for a Conservative Majority (CCM) meeting in Colorado Springs.  I went with a non-partisan organization that represents liberty – traveling across the country to educate people with materials that include the Constitution of the United States and I, Pencil by Leonard E. Read.  Prior to the meeting we sat down for a conversation with the leader of this group, Bradford Collins.  While he continually plugged a local newspaper called “The Constitutionalist Today”, I figured it was my duty, as a citizen, to ask if this paper had any political affiliation (in theory, the media should be non-partisan, in my opinion).  When I asked Mr. Collins this, he promptly replied that “No” they are not non-partisan – they are “partisan” – I guess meaning that they are conservative.  Since all of the public figures (candidates) on the front page were Republican, I was guessing that conservative in this instance probably meant “Republican”.

My fellow organizer and myself had arranged with Mr. Collins to speak briefly about our endeavors – her travels across the country, and my publication and media-model called The Good American Post.  He said we could both have a couple of minutes at the beginning to speak to this group of around 60 people.  Introductions were made, and when it came time for me to have a moment to stand up and speak to these people about our company, dedication to liberty, and love of free markets – I was ignored.  I had raised my hand at the beginning of the meeting – indicating that I was from “press” other than The Constitutionalist Today – so I am sure he knew that I was still in the room and still wanted a chance to address the crowd, since I was the one who coordinated for this organization to be there.  But I was forgotten.  I stood there – silenced.

Prior to this, while sitting at this table with Mr. Collins, I went to the restroom and was told that while I was gone that he took my purse and notebook away from my seat, sat it on a distant stand for food-trays, and gave my seat away to someone else.  Being a fairly humble and forgiving human being, I wrote it off for a simple mistake from an oblivious individual.  A mistake that I, too, although a young female, am also a human and a citizen that deserves a seat at a meeting (and that my personal property (e.g. purse) should not be infringed upon.

I had my Good American Posts in hand, ready to quickly address the crowd, excited to tell them about what I had started July 4^th of 2009 as an effort to create a medium to educate our readership about capitalism and community – an effort that has been successful because we reach audiences of every demographic and every political affiliation.  We appeal to “the people” because we are non-partisan and focus on solutions instead of the problems. People across the country love us – and we are a vehicle to help educate our communities about how to make a positive difference.  I guess that I must have been a threat to these people who stood before me – the “leaders” of this organization and this movement – that included Mr. Collins, Michelle Morin (Mom4Freedom), and the publisher of The Constitutionalist Today, Lana Fore-Warkocz.  They were before me, they saw me, they knew I was there – I was ignored.

I am 28 years old.  I represent the next generation of leaders.  These people should be thrilled to see a young entrepreneur who is embracing and fighting for liberty.  Instead, I was shunned.  Because I have this publication, because I am unaffiliated with any political party, I guess I am some type of threat to their (apparently) Republican establishment.  A threat to this group.  A threat to this partisan paper that was the only press promoted at this event.

Tears weld up in my eyes.  These are our leaders?  Are these people standing at the front of the room the people that will save our country?  Why won’t they let me speak about media that has proven its success – The Good American Post – that brings people together from all political spectrums because we appeal to Americans – not Republicans, or Democrats, or Libertarians – but to We The People?  Why won’t they let a young female have a moment to speak?

I’ve heard that the publisher of The Constitutionalist Today calls her paper the “paper of the Tea Party”.  The authors and board members of this publication, who stood before me at the CCM meeting this evening do a very good job of telling people how much they love liberty.  However, their purposeful ignorance of my presence and desire to speak, in addition to taking away my “place at the table” (literally), proves to me one thing.  If these are the “leaders” of the Tea Party movement – we are doomed.  All they care about is their own pocketbooks, their own media, and their own agenda.  Another part of the machine.  They scream liberty, but it is an act – they are lying to us and they have lied to me.

These people who call themselves leaders and patriots that use the tree of liberty to try and squash the voice of a young patriot because she is supposedly a threat to their revenue streams are appalling and a detrimental component to the liberty movement.  It started a long time ago – the people who smile politely, clap quietly, and scoot away the independent voices that hold in their hand what could save a country.  Now I know what Sarah Palin meant when she said “Many of us are not going to sit down and shut up, we’re going to say ‘No we do not like it…”.

What we fight for is liberty.  What we fight against is an establishment – the establishment is our tyranny – the establishment is the false-God, saying that they know best while silencing the voice of independence and freedom.

As we left the meeting, a police officer who had just finished pulling over a car and writing them some type of ticket (“feeding” as we like to call it), sped past a man on the side of the road with a vehicle that was obviously broken down.  It concluded the day.  Where are the people extending their hand to good Americans?  Where are the people that hold out their hand in the name of love and liberty?  Where are the people that are for We The People?

- Tisha T. Casida

Casida is the founder of The Good American Post and currently resides in Southern Colorado.  Her company is dedicated to free markets, new media, and liberty. You can find out more at http://www.goodamericanpost.com

Libertarian Gubernatorial Candidate Comments on Tancredo’s Entry in the Race

(Centennial) – As a Libertarian candidate for governor in Colorado, I have watched with amusement and wonder at the hand wringing that Republicans have gone through over the past two weeks with the entry of Tom Tancredo in the governor’s race.

Republicans have come out of the woodwork to condemn Tancredo for “splitting the vote”, being a “spoiler” or “wasting your vote”. As a Libertarian, we are typically painted with those descriptions, whether it is the perceived taking of votes from Republicans or Democrats.

The old saying “if you keep doing what you’ve always done, you’ll keep getting what you’ve always got” applies here. People ought to vote for the best candidate, regardless of party affiliation.

To address this issue, Libertarians have been promoting awareness of “approval voting”. Approval voting allows you to vote for multiple candidates. The candidate with the most votes wins. Pretty simple. This method allows you to vote for your favorite candidate, but also vote for the other “lesser of the evils” if you think that you could prevent the worst candidates from winning.

The whole issue of Tancredo in this race would be a moot point for the Republicans, with approval voting. Plurality voting splits the vote of similar ideologies. Approval voting would encourage the nearly 50% of eligible voters who don’t bother voting because the two parties do not represent them.

For more information on approval voting, you can visit:

http://approvalvoting.com

Tancredo can only raise the level of the Governor debate, which I welcome with open arms.

For folks wanting to concentrate on the issues, my campaign remains focused on the following:

End the fighting amongst ourselves and learn to grow. Colorado can become a top producer with hemp combined with ending the violation of civil liberty, state sovereignty and individual rights known as the Drug War. Colorado needs fewer laws, not more prisons. Coloradan’s have a Constitutional right to marijuana as medicine and therefore a US 10th Amendment right to create value through agriculture. We have tri-partisan support. Legalizing industrial hemp is a no-brainer. Creating jobs and innovation begins with production. Land, Labor, Capital…Environment, Energy, Enterprise. Our own policies are standing in our way.

I favor a balanced budget funded only through sales tax.

Victimless Crimes; lowest priority

Force and Fraud; highest priority

Solve Immigration

End Income Taxation

and the Drug War Invasion

Accountability, Credibility, Transparency
For more information on Jaimes Brown, visit his web site at: www.JaimesBrown.com or call Jaimes at:303.349.9188

INJURED MILITARY VETERANS TO RIDE 325 MILES FROM WYOMING TO FORT CARSON

Colorado Springs, CO  (July 27, 2010) – More than 100 injured veterans will complete the Ride 2 Recovery Rocky Mountain Challenge, a six-day, 325-mile ride which begins at the Wyoming state capitol, Cheyenne and ending at Fort Carson on August 5^th.  The ride will cross some of the best cycling roads in the United States, including the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, the Garden of the Gods near Colorado Springs culminating at Fort Carson’s Manhart Field.

The Ride 2 Recovery Rocky Mountain Challenge, sponsored by UnitedHealthcare, raises funds for R2R indoor Spinning® Recovery Labs and outdoor cycling programs at military and Veterans Affairs locations around the United States, aiding injured veterans’ rehabilitation and recovery efforts.

“We are proud to be the presenting sponsor of the Ride 2 Recovery Rocky Mountain Challenge, which helps to make a difference in the lives of the men and women in our military,” said Beth Soberg, CEO, UnitedHealthcare of Colorado.  “Supporting the Ride 2 Recovery helps ensure our injured and disabled veterans have access to the care and services they need.”

The United Service Organizations (USO) will support the daily rest stops with the USO West Mobile Canteen and will host a BBQ on August 5^th at Manhart Field at Fort Carson to welcome the 100 injured veterans as they complete their 325 mile journey.  “We are honored to partner with Ride 2 Recovery and continue our support to wounded warriors as we continue to meet the many needs of our men and women in our military,” said Joe Aldaz, Director, Rocky Mountain USO.

Notable participants and speakers include: Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter; Molson Coors Brewing Co. Chairman Peter Coors who will ride from Boulder to Denver ; Lt. Col. Patricia Collins; retired Sgt. 1^st Class Georg-Andreas Pogany of Denver; Ride 2 Recovery spokesman Nathan Hunt and actor Mike Vogel (“Miami Medical,” “Cloverfield”).

Schools, community groups and the public are encouraged to gather along the daily routes to recognize the sacrifices of all our veterans and to support those who are riding.  The event ride guide is posted at http://www.ride2recovery.com/images/stories/RMC%20Ride%20Guide%202010.pdf

To find out more or to sign up for an upcoming ride, please visit www.ride2recovery.com or learn more about the USO, visit www.uso.org

About the USO

The USO (United Service Organizations) lifts the spirits of America’s troops and their families. We provide a touch of home through centers at airports and military bases around the world, top quality entertainment and innovative programs and services tailored to meet troop needs. We also provide critical support to those who need us most, including forward deployed troops and their families, wounded warriors and their families, and the families of the fallen.

The USO is a private, nonprofit organization, not a government agency; we rely on the generosity of our donors. In addition to individual donors and other corporate sponsors, the USO is supported by Worldwide Strategic Partners AT&T Inc., BAE Systems, The Boeing Company, Clear Channel Communications, The Coca Cola Company, Gallery Furniture, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation and TriWest Healthcare Alliance, as well as other corporate donors, including the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC11381). We strive to deliver maximum benefit for troops and their families from every donor dollar.

Why It Would Be Easy to Give Up

I believe myself to be a fairly intelligent, responsible, and caring individual.  What is disheartening is the amount of rejection one can face when standing up for what is right and what entails liberty and freedom.

In working with various political parties, I have been appalled at the lethargic nature of the political machine.  I am also disgusted with how I am treated incompetent because I am a young female.  Albeit not all of the time, unfortunately these attitudes persist in our society and are detrimental to progress as a nation.  I AM the Next Generation of Leaders.

I believe that most political parties are doomed to ever making something truly happen for the people.  The reason is because they in themselves are political machines with predetermined motives and agendas.  Even the Libertarian Party, of which I am a huge fan, is so wrapped up in its own incredulous image of itself that they miss opportunities, and do not embrace people who would make excellent mouth-pieces for them.

It would be easy to quit.  But saving a country and an economy is not for the faint of heart.  I promise to you, whoever reads this, that there are enough of us fighting to get our country back – without the power of any political party or machine.  It is up to the people – period.

- Tisha Casida

The Good American Post Joins the Liberty Bus

HELP CHIP IN TO FUEL THE LIBERTY BUS!!!  SIGN UP HERE!

After meeting at FreedomFest in Las Vegas, The Good American Post will join up with the Liberty Bus in the great state of Colorado.  We are looking for sponsors and venues that are interested in having this great organization share information about their mission – which is parallel to what The Good American Post stands for.

The goal of the Liberty Bus is to enhance the understanding of:

• WHY government spending must be significantly reduced
• WHY private enterprise is a more effective alternative for services
• WHY individual choice, risk and reward are imperative for liberty to survive in America
• HOW YOU can change the direction away from government dependency and toward liberty

Want to join in?  Contact us if you are interested in sponsoring the Liberty Bus & Liberty in America at your venue, or find out more about their organization HERE.

We can be reached at: goodamericanpost (at) gmail.com

Time for New Media!

From J&K/Pueblo

In case you did not see this article in today’s Chieftain, here is the link (we realize many of you already have canceled your subscriptions so would not have seen this):
http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/article_b4910692-9488-11df-a32c-001cc4c002e0.html

If you have time, go to the website of the National Resources Defense Council and see who is on their Board of Trustees…it is enlightening to say the least.

Now here is a copy of what we told the “reporter” Chris Woodka (copy of which went to Mr. Laut requesting he pass it on to Mr. Rawlings):
Mr. Woodka,
This is reporting?  No.  This is a  “reporter” passing along propaganda via a press release from the Natural Resources Defense Council.

There was a time The Chieftain would have investigated this report, would have looked into who and what the NRDC is (did you even bother to look at their Board of Trustees much less tell Chieftain readers about them?)  and reported the facts (along with the fact that IPCC has been exposed for multiple counts of fraudulent emails/data regarding “climate change.”)  No, for some reason any information showing the other side of this NRDC press release was not given to the readers, so they are left with the impression of “Oh my God, Colorado’s agricultural water is being destroyed by climate change and we better get the government to tax carbon to fix it.”

This is reporting? No, this time Chris Woodka, Chieftain reporter, simply parrots a press release from a completely leftist (liberal) biased organization (NRDC) no questions asked.  An organization that is 100% invested in seeing Cap and Trade (really cap and tax, crippling our economy, skyrocketing utility bills, lower quality of life for all Americans) legislation forced upon this nation. Not reporting this was shameful.  There was a time that The Chieftain actually reported on the issues, exhibiting journalistic integrity and the search for truth. Sadly that time has passed. This will be the day we say goodbye to our Chieftain subscription of over 20+ years.

Know Your Local Economy, It Can Save You!

We cannot preach enough, and you will hear us do it again and again, how important it is to KNOW your small business-owners, know your farmers, know your soldiers, know your teachers, and know and support your students.  This is our economy, and supporting these groups around you is so important.

We came across a very cool organization that we are investigating, and thought we would pass it onto you!

It is the 3/15 Project  http://www.the350project.net/home.html