SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Times "Scott Walker — Wisconsin's true progressive"

Melanie Sturm:
"....Though these reforms were modest, the unions and their allies reacted ferociously, like a mama bear defending her cub. They captured national attention with protests, runaway state senators, legal challenges and state senator recall elections. Despite their efforts, they couldn't overcome the will of the people — to keep the reforms.

That's because Walker's reforms are succeeding: The budget has a $150 million surplus, property taxes are lower, the unemployment rate is 6.8 percent (the lowest since 2008 and well below the national average), the private sector created 26,000 jobs in 2011, and savings realized by school districts have preserved jobs and educational programming. Most encouraging, according to a Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce survey in May, 73 percent of employers predicted moderate to good business growth and more than half plan to expand operations within two years — the highest rate in a decade.

No wonder one-third of union members voted for Walker, according to exit polls. Seeing union policies drain government finances, endanger vital government services and undermine their own jobs and benefits, why would union members want to pay their dues? Now that they have the option not to, tens of thousands have opted out. Perhaps this is the best outcome of all, for civil society is healthier when government employees believe they're on the same side as taxpayers.

As C.S. Lewis said, “We all want progress, but if you're on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive.”

Though it's too late for Edwards, other self-proclaimed “progressives” must Think Again — good policy makes great politics..."  (Read more?  Click title)

SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Times/Melanie Sturm "Sex, lies and videotaped government scandals"

There are some great 'blogosphere' catch phrases that have risen to the top over this election cycle:

'fauxtrage'  (fake rage or fake outrage)

'manufactured outrage'  (good old fashioned yellow journalism ratcheted up to viral speeds)

FUD (Fear, Uncertainty and Disinformation)

FUDD (Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt and Disinformation)

YAACA (Yet Another Attempted Character Assassination)

Psycho Op (preferred methods of a power abuser)

EPAE (Executive Power Abuse Extravaganza)

I think the latter about sums up the HookerGate scandal down in Columbia.

Terrific take on the story.  From Melanie Sturm. Up on the Aspen Times.

Melanie Sturm:
"In other words, the onus is on us. Politicians will concern themselves with our interests only if they think we care. If we don't care that they've violated the law by refusing to adopt a budget, and that they've spent us $16 trillion into debt, what do we care about?

Demand accountability and restraint, and don't allow the word “trillion” to be normalized; after all, a trillion hours ago, dinosaurs roamed the earth! Don't wait for the right people to get elected; remember, Bluto became a U.S. senator despite his 0.0 GPA. It's a basic rule of life — If we tolerate out-of-control “Animal House” behavior and indifferent “Animal Farm” attitudes, we'll just get more of it.

Think Again. It's not only a fiscal imperative — it's a moral one...." (Read more?  Click title)

"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Times/Melanie Sturm "Icebergs in way of health care reform"

Classic Melanie Sturm.  Up on the Aspen Times.  A very good read.

"Politically diverse commentators agree that the government failed to substantiate the law's constitutionality in oral arguments before the Supreme Court, though some believe that the court must defer to Congress by upholding its law. However, doesn't our system of checks and balances mean the judiciary must declare unconstitutionality when another branch acts unconstitutionally? The Supreme Court struck down President Bush's military tribunals, so why not the health care law?...."
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"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."

SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Times "Melanie Sturm - What if Iran means it?"

Melanie Sturm:
"With options dwindling to curtail Iran and time running out, there are no good remedies. Nevertheless, we have overwhelming bipartisan agreement in both the House and the Senate that it is a vital U.S. interest to prevent Iran from becoming nuclear-capable — a threshold far closer than possession of such weapons and one Iran has nearly crossed.

Unfortunately, differing timetables are a source of tension between America and Israel. Because the U.S. Air Force is comparatively better equipped — with an advanced fleet of aircraft and bunker busting bombs — its capability and moment of decision is beyond Israel's. However, given election-year politics and the likelihood a military strike would cause further escalation in already high oil prices, it's hard for Israel to trust that America will act in time.

While the prospect of $10-per-gallon gasoline might be a price too high for American politicians to stomach, it's a tradeoff Israel will accept to prevent a second Holocaust. “As Prime Minister of Israel,” Benjamin Netanyahu said last week, “I will never let my people live in the shadow of annihilation.”

So when Israel strikes Iran's nuclear facilities, as it struck Iraq's in 1981 and Syria's in 2007, Think Again before complaining of temporarily high gas prices. Not only will Israel have saved America and the world from the specter of a nuclear-capable Iran, it will give the Iranian people their best chance since 2009 of overthrowing their tyrannical oppressors...."  (Read more? Click title)

"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBox Comments: Aspen Times/Melanie Sturm "Freedom to choose applies to Komen"

A local favorite, Melanie Sturm.  Up on the Aspen Times.

"...Stumbling and stammering through a 72-hour public-relations debacle, Komen finally waved the white flag by apologizing “for recent decisions that cast doubt upon our commitment to our mission of saving women's lives.” Later, Nancy Pelosi triumphantly declared, “Women's health has a big victory this morning.”

Pelosi should heed Shakespeare's admonition: “Heat not a furnace for your foe so hot that it do singe yourself.” In truth, this unfortunate dust-up between two significant women's health organizations was less one giant leap for womankind and more one small step for abortion. Now in the line of fire from both sides of the abortion debate, Komen is beaten and bloodied, as is its potential “to end breast cancer forever.” Furthermore, women's health advocates undermined their credibility by accusing Komen of hurting women, even though they knew the redirected funds were meager and would be redeployed well.

Not as obvious is the longer-term damage to Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion provider and arguably the most politically polarizing social service organization despite delivering vital (non-abortion) health services to millions of lower-income women. Though Planned Parenthood banked $3 million from the crisis, in making them the Roach Motel of charities — you may enter, but never leave — zealous pro-choice supporters of Planned Parenthood frighten would-be funders and affiliates.

Herein lie the rub, hypocrisy and stunning irony: When those who purport to be “pro-choice” tell a private charity like Komen they must pass a litmus test outside its mission's boundaries “or else,” they're not only depriving Komen of choice, they're denying Komen the freedom to act in accordance with its primary interest — to prevent death due to breast cancer. Why can't pro-choice advocates call Komen a blessing and say, Amen?

To those who frame the abortion argument around a woman's right to choose, Think Again. Otherwise, the Komen Foundation and breast cancer victims won't be the last hostages holed up at Hotel California, where “You can checkout any time you like, but you can never leave...!” (Read the article?  Click title)

Melanie Sturm lives in Aspen. Her column runs every other Thursday. She reminds readers to Think Again. You might change your mind.

"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBox Comments: Aspen Times/Melanie Sturm "Rotary: A spin on American virtue"

Be sure to read all the way through, things are not always as they appear to be...

Melanie Sturm:

"If you've ever wanted to be as good a person as your dog thinks you are but feared you'd never reach your dog's standards, Think Again. Recently, when speaking before the Rotary Club of Aspen, one of more than 33,000 Rotary clubs worldwide, I discovered a treasure trove of virtue — they're called Rotarians.

As if powdered slopes beckon, dozens of Aspen's most respected and engaged residents rise early on Thursdays to enjoy breakfast, social networking and a guest speaker. Most important, they uphold an important American ethic — they ask not what their country can do for them but what they can do for their country. United by a commitment to “be beneficial and fair to all concerned,” Aspen Rotarians are as recognizable for their business, civic and other nonprofit leadership as they are for the Ducky Derby, which raises hundreds of thousands of dollars..."  (Read more?  Click title)

"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBox Comments: Glenwood Springs Post Independent/Your Letters "A free America can resist tyranny"

Local resident Betty Scranton is one of those that is known as a beautiful conservative woman.

It's a widely known fact that conservatives have exceptional ladies in their midst.

Betty's blessed with something else conservative gals are widely known for.  Courage.  She bravely tackles the hard-leaning left  that usually dominate the Post Independent and does so nearly every week. 

We're glad you're 'bouyed by Melanie Sturm' this week, Betty.  Keep up the good work.

"Buoyed by Melanie Sturm's Jan. 19 column in The Aspen Times, “Free-enterprise critics are intellectually challenged,” this local tea party organizer decided to join in her courageous charge by challenging the left's frenzied, irrational focus on the ills of America's free market system...."
(Betty Scranton)

(Learn more?  Click title. Comment to discuss)

SandBox Comments: Aspen Times/Melanie Sturm "Free-enterprise critics intellectually bankrupt"

Melanie Sturm:

"...Preoccupied as we are with economic hardship, it's hard to appreciate the upending phase of “creative destruction.” But without disruptive transformations and the financial capital they attract, the entrepreneurial innovation that fueled America's economic preeminence — and job-creators like Boeing, Apple, Amazon, FedEx and Intel — couldn't have occurred. To paraphrase labor leader Samuel Gompers, the biggest enemy of the worker is an unprofitable, poorly managed company.

We'd also be saddled with outmoded horseshoes, floppy disks, typewriters and eight-track tapes. By reallocating scarce resources to better businesses such as automobiles, digital memory devices, laptop computers, CDs and online retailers, consumers realize previously unimaginable conveniences and value as obsolete products end up in the dustbin of history.

Capitalism is like cancer surgery — though risky and unpleasant to watch, it's a life-enhancing, regenerative process allowing productive cells to flourish where unhealthy ones once permeated. Since not all practitioners are well-trained surgeons, the process can be messy and imperfect. Sometimes the patient weakens before recovering vitality; sometimes he dies, making room for the healthy...."

(Read more?  Click title. Comment to discuss)

SandBox Comments: Aspen Times/Melanie Sturm "America's New Years resolution: fiscal fitness"

"...Like a long-running soap opera whose actors change though the story line doesn't, we spend $4 billion more than we have every day — and growing. Since 2008, spending skyrocketed past our historical average of 20 percent of gross domestic product to 25 percent.

The problem isn't merely the amount of debt — though as Sen. Obama asserted before voting against the 2006 debt-ceiling increase, “Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and grandchildren” — it's the size of the debt relative to our economy that reflects poor economic health. With our debt-to-GDP ratio at 100.3 percent versus 69.8 percent in 2008, we're living on “borrowed” time unless politicians stop deluding themselves that a stagnant private sector can finance a growing public sector.

The eurozone crisis offers America a timely warning that the battle of the spending and debt bulge is an existential one. Europe's saga is our “Chronicle of a Death Foretold,” except America can avert doom by slashing spending levels and lifting private-sector burdens. If Sweden, Ireland and a new reform-minded Spanish government can do both — the reverse of what we've done during the Great Recession — America should, too...."
(Melanie Sturm)

(Read more?  Click title. Comment to discuss)

SandBox Comments: Aspen Times/Melanie Sturm "America's ‘Tebows' await their start"

One of The Valley's most respected conservative opinion columnists, Melanie Sturm with a good column on changes America could make immediately to help boost the economy.

Wonder who Sturm is supporting in the presidential races?

"...As improbable as the moniker “Tim Tebow, starting NFL quarterback” once seemed, the U.S. economy, like Tebow, is showing signs of resurgence.

News that the U.S. unemployment rate fell from 9.0 to 8.6 percent in November (though due largely to job seekers exiting the market) is as surprising as Tebow's 6-1 record since becoming the starter. His late-fourth-quarter magic and four come-from-behind victories earned Tebow his teammates' trust, his coaches' confidence and the adoration of Broncos fans.

If only America's private-sector “quarterbacks” were liberated to call their own plays and scramble like an unleashed Tebow, America could win the economic equivalent of the Super Bowl — GDP growth of 4.5 percent and unemployment of 6 percent. If you expect politicians to renounce micromanagement of the U.S. economy as NFL cognoscenti have stopped proclaiming Tebow an NFL bust, Think Again.

If politicians were as wise as Tebow's coach, they'd formulate strategies to get business owners off the sidelines...."
(Melanie Sturm"

(Read more?  Click title.  Comment to discuss)

SandBox Comments: Aspen Times/Melanie Sturm "Governing-class warriors misinform and demoralize"

SandBox Nanny just realized another major downside to The Aspen Times limiting sign-on to apps ability to only Facebook.

Melanie Sturm is a beloved opinion columnist in the area.

Usually racking up between 200 and 300 'recommends' each time she publishes.

Most locals will not use the evasive to privacy "Facebook only" option to logon.  Swift Communications, CMNM and The Aspen Times really need to expand logon ability to all other mainstream social apps.

Wonderful article (as usual) out of Melanie Sturm today.

Up on The Aspen Times.

(Learn more?  Click title and comment to start discussion)

"Truth goes through three stages.  First, it is ridiculed.  Then it is violently opposed.  Finally, it is seen as self-evident."

SandBox Comments: Aspen Times/Melanie Sturm "When going green goes south instead"

This is the best of Melanie Sturm.  Fantastic column this week.

Up on The Aspen Times.

"...Yet the reality is that these lofty job creation projections are wrong, as detailed in last month's New York Times story “Number of Green Jobs Fails to Live Up to Promises.” The Times concluded, ”such numbers are a pipe dream” because, as they've previously reported, wind power costs 50 percent more than conventional power, and solar-generated electricity costs up to three times more than wind power. Shifting resources toward less-efficient purposes inevitably results in less prosperity — fewer jobs at lower pay.

Furthermore, in order to compete, renewable energy sources require costly government subsidies, price floors or purchase mandates. Consequently, green policies actually increase energy prices, undermine the economy, destroy jobs and hurt consumers, especially the poorest whose family budgets are consumed by escalating costs for everything. Exacerbating things further, energy prices increase when potential suppliers and energy entrepreneurs redirect scarce capital away from government-manipulated markets.

For these reasons, renewable energies produce only 3 percent of U.S. electricity and remain a fledgling global industry, despite having enjoyed enormous government support in the U.S., Europe and China. Given the industry's small size and inherent unviability, allowing China to subsidize production to remain the lower-cost manufacturer is logical and prudent.."
(Melanie Sturm)

(Learn more?  Click title or comment to start discussion)
"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."