Comments for Mark Hillman

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01/15/11--00:57: Comment on What we should expect from Republican majorities by Kris (chan 3138890)

I like the post. Another idea for the U.S. House, pass a balanced budget. Force Obama's hand, if he signs it we can declare we balanced it, if he vetoes it we can contrast fiscally responsible Republicans with Obama. In the State House we need to block tax increases. The Colorado GOP did a horrid job of campaigning. We still do not have any viable challenge to CODA. We also gave voters an incoherent list of complaints rather than repeatedly emphasising the reason that motor vehicles cost twice as much is because Democrats voted for FASTER. What is important to the GOP is that one seat control blocks gerrymandering by Democrats (just as a 1 seat majority in the state senate blocked gerrymandering by Republicans in 2010). Maybe it would be best if both parties would agree to put forward a referendum to create a bi-partsian redistricting commission with objective rules to draw House seats and to replace the commission that draws state legislative seats. Perhaps both parties would be better off without these east cost tactics being brought to Colorado.


02/20/11--05:57: Comment on House Dems ready to abandon Markey by Betsy Markey on the chopping block? | WhoSaidYouSaid.com (chan 3138890)

[...] Hillman, a Republican and a former majority leader of the Colorado state senate, notes on his blog that just as Markey, “was swept into office in a (2008) Democrat landslide when House [...]


02/20/11--14:16: Comment on Balancing budget won’t be easy, but must be done by Thomas Simms (chan 3138890)

Hi Mr. Hillman, I wanted to congratulate you a few months ago when you appeared to be the only politician alive willing to consider defense cuts. While you are clearly not arguing for that in today's article about Ending Deficits, which I read in the Pueblo Chieftain, you are urging a consideration of the actual problem, which includes the sacred entitlements. In short, I agree with you and the necessity of austerity measures in every part of the gov't. and take my hat off to you for trying to lead the charge. I think every area should be cut, and, to have any impact, we have to start with entitlements.


03/07/11--13:57: Comment on Are we serious about debt? We will soon find out by Brian (chan 3138890)

I don't believe Democrats OR Republicans have the gumption to make the tough budget and spending choices. The Bush Administration spent like a drunken sailor, and Obama is spending like a surfer on acid. Ds and Rs in Congress are debating a $61 billion vs. an $11 billion spending cut, to supposedly solve a $1.7 TRILLION projected deficit. That's tinkering around the edges and saying the right things about "fiscal conservatism," but it's another example of Republicans talking a good game about limiting government... but never doing anything about it. The myth of Republicans being for smaller government is the equivalent of the legends of Bigfoot, the Abominable Snowman, and the Loch Ness Monster - nice fables, but really difficult (if not impossible) to prove.


03/09/11--09:00: Comment on Workers can’t ignore cost of PERA ‘fix’ by cdmiller (chan 3138890)

@Mark and WageSlave Myself and a colleague recently dissected the PEW study. The key phrase is "actuarially required". What happened is the State did not pass legislation to increase contribution levels into PERA for several years after benefits were increased during the dot-com bubble. Thus PERA became more underfunded with each passing year. The State legislature and perhaps employee lobbyists squarely take the blame for the current PERA debacle.


03/09/11--09:18: Comment on Are we serious about debt? We will soon find out by cdmiller (chan 3138890)

Leaving Defense spending out of the equation is asinine. We have $1trillion spent on invading Iraq, and Osama Bin Ladin still on the loose. Bring the troops home and reduce foreign entanglements, it's the only way to truly dig out of the hole.


03/09/11--14:18: Comment on Workers can’t ignore cost of PERA ‘fix’ by Nancy (chan 3138890)

I have been a state employee for years, we see no raises year after year and now, they can just reach into our pockets to help shore up PERA. I don't understand how we have no say in our own destiny - it's like being robbed and having to like it. I work hard everyday and I'm sick and tired of everyone saying how lazy state workers are. What we truely are is the pawns of the state of Colorado, they do what they want with us and we have no voice. I agree with the gentleman earlier, the state is going to really be in trouble when the economy comes back - we are all planning on jumping ship in droves the way they have treated us. Who would want this job anyway? Not me, as soon as this economy is uprighted, I'm outta here, they can keep their stinkin PERA!


03/09/11--19:07: Comment on Are we serious about debt? We will soon find out by Michael Williams (chan 3138890)

Trillion NOT Billions Are we serious is indeed the question. I tend to agree with Brian that the Republicans are all talk - the Dems are mostly innumerate and collectivist - and thats what makes the Rs so dangerous: they keep snuffing out the serious defenders of fiscal responsibility and liberty with the right noises but horrible action. I just got off conf call with Rep Ryan and Dick Army and it was the same old vague "fiscal resp" stuff HOWEVER it was encouraging to hear Ryan promise that they are talking trillions NOT billion in spending cuts...should be a new mantra...it will be interesting to see next month. I agree with the Honorable Mark except that we don't have to wait til '12 - we'll know how serious and courageous the new freshman are within 2 months...


04/29/11--19:20: Comment on Trial lawyer logic: Right to sue more important than jobs by Jim Cameron (chan 3138890)

Mr. Hillman, do have any idea how hard it is to prove an age or gender discriminiation charge in court? You would have a better chance winning the lottery. Do you know how companies regularly engage in age and gender discrimination and know how not to get caught at it? You are clueless.


04/30/11--12:43: Comment on Trial lawyer logic: Right to sue more important than jobs by Mark Hillman (chan 3138890)

That's because neither you nor I nor any employer should be required to prove a negative -- that is, to prove that I/we/they did NOT discriminate. Innocent until proven guilty is what sets our legal system apart. And, despite the growing list of exceptions, Colorado still remains, technically, an employment-at-will state which means an employer can fire you for any reason or for no reason. After all, it's the employer's job to give; the employee is simply a willing participant in a transaction of wages for labor.