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free4all (Anonymous) says…

“Ken Brenner, a Steamboat Democrat running for state Senate, said he was disappointed to see 'big business' pushing forward with Amendments 47, 49 and 54.”

While some 'big business' types may be supportive of Amendment 49, they certainly aren't the ones pushing forward with it. Unlike the well-heeled opponents, 49's supporters have a very limited budget. Even so, the commonsense reform of Amendment 49 has managed to collect the endorsements of 8 major newspapers - from the Colorado Springs Gazette to the Boulder Daily Camera and the two major Denver dailies - and a wide range of groups from the Denver Metro Chamber (which also opposes 47) to the Colorado Farm Bureau. Former U.S. Senator Hank Brown and former Gov. Bill Owens are also on board.
http://www.ethicalstandardsnow.org/am…

The attempt to lump 47, 49, and 54 together is the convenient ploy of labor leaders who oppose all three. But major newspapers and respected civic and professional groups have recognized the difference. After the deal that extorted $3 million from business leaders using the people's election ballot, the people have the choice to go with Amendment 49 and keep lobbyists in line. Government shouldn't be the collection agent, banker, and accountant for special interest groups, including labor unions or anyone else.

free4all (Anonymous) says…

Be not deceived: Amendment 49 does nothing to silence the voices of teachers, firefighters, and other government employees. Our hard-working public servants will keep all their rights to support the organizations and political causes of their choice. The modern conveniences of electronic banking make it easy to arrange payments for dues and contributions.

Don't take my word for it - how about the Rocky Mtn News (http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news…

“We never realized that several measures on Colorado's busy ballot would make it, in the words of a TV advertisement, tougher for 'firefighters, police officers, teachers and nurses' to do their jobs. Or that these ballot items would somehow 'silence' public servants.

“In fact, such claims are nonsense at least in regard to Amendment 49, one of three targeted by the union-backed group Protect Colorado's Future. Passing Amendment 49, Ethical Standards for Public Payroll Systems, would have no impact on the ability of safety, law enforcement, health care or education workers to serve the public.”

Amendment 49 just gets government out of the role of collecting funds for private political groups that turn around and lobby them, a vicious unethical circle that the Denver Post calls a “blatant conflict of interest” (http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_…). Both the Post and Rocky Mountain News have endorsed Amendment 49, calling it a “good government” measure . Amendment 49 is also endorsed by the Grand Junction Sentinel, Pueblo Chieftain, Colorado Springs Gazette, Longmont Times-Call, and Loveland Reporter-Herald.

Former U.S. Senator Hank Brown endorses Amendment 49, saying “It's just plain wrong for our government to be a bagman for special interests.” Former Gov. Bill Owens says “Amendment 49 brings basic fairness to all levels of government in Colorado.” He's right. It isn't fair that some groups get government collection services (including some unions, professional organizations, and political groups), and others don't. Amendment 49 fixes the issue fairly by creating one simple, ethical standard for Colorado. The list of organizations supporting Amendment 49 - from the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce to the Colorado Farm Bureau and many in between - is long and formidable. (http://www.ethicalstandardsnow.org/am…)

On the other side, the committee collecting millions of dollars from out-of-state to oppose Amendment 49 and the others has been called out for its deception several times, including the latest absurd scare tactics that the campaign is funded by “multi-national corporations” (http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news…)

Good government, fairness, and sound judgment should win out over fear and deception.