The Honey Badger Report #11

Sponsored by Parker Conservatives

Honey Badger Report #11,

Febuary 2024

In this issue:

Current Overview of the 2024 Election Cycle
Tip of the Hat!
The Reflection in the Mirror
The Scam of Planned Parenthood
Grassroots Conservatism in Douglas County
Liberty Score Card 2024
Love of Country
The Façade of Rocky Mountain Voice
Bidenomics and the Pain it Causes our Citizens

Disclaimer: The articles and content in this newsletter represent the opinions (you know, commentary) and viewpoints of the authors and are presented for informational and discussion purposes only. They are not presented as objective news and should not be interpreted as factual reporting. I encourage our readers to critical thinking when forming their opinions. The views expressed in this newsletter are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect your opinion. That's the whole point!

Current Overview of the 2024 Election Cycle

As the calendar pages turn towards another election cycle, we start to focus on Douglas County's politics and the broader national elections. Key election dates are rapidly approaching, and I urge our members to engage at any level possible this year. The Douglas County Republican Party (DCGOP) is actively seeking volunteers to assist with Caucus and Assembly responsibilities. It's an enjoyable and fulfilling way to meet and collaborate with like-minded conservatives. If you're looking to getting more involved with the local and state politics, attend the caucus and throw your hat in the ring for a PCP position or run to be a delegate at the assembly. If you're interested in contributing, please visit the DCGOP website at https://dcgop.org. Alternatively, you can email me directly, and I will facilitate the connection. You'll likely see my wife Pam and me at these events, and we look forward to meeting many of you there.

Colorado Presidential Primary Election – March 5, 2024

Douglas County Caucus – March 7, 2024

Douglas County Assembly – March 23, 2024

Colorado State Assembly – April 6, 2024

Colorado State Primary Election – June 25, 2024

General Election – November 5, 2024

Parker Town Council

John Diak (Term Limited)

Laura Hefta (R) (incumbent)

Todd Hendreks (U) (incumbent)

Town of Parker Mayor

Jeff Toborg (R) (incumbent)

Douglas County Commissioner District 3 Race

District 3 – Incumbent, Lora Thomas (R), term-limited

John Carson (R)

Priscilla Rahn (R)

Kevin Van Winkle (R)

Douglas County Commissioner District 2:

District 2 – Incumbent – George Teal (R)

George Teal (R)

Angela Thomas (D)

Julien Bouquet (D)

Douglas County District Attorney Race for the New 23rd District:

Dagna Van Der Jagt (R)

House District 39

Brandi Bradley – Incumbent (R)

Ephram Glass – (R)

House District 43

Bob Marshall - Incumbent (D)

Lora Thomas (R)

House District 44

Anthony Hartsook - Incumbent (R)

Alyssa Nilemo (D)

House District 45 and State Senate District 2 – Seats in Transition:

House District 45 – Incumbent, Lisa Frizell – Now running for State Senate District 2

Max Brooks (R)

Bill Jack (R)

Senator District 2 – Incumbent, Jim Smallwood (R), term-limited

Lisa Frizell (R)

Stephen Hamilton (AM)

Jennifer Brady (D)

Colorado House District 4

Lauren Boebert (R)

Deborah Flora (R)

Ted Harvey (R)

Richard Holtorf (R)

Trent Leisy (R)

Mike Lynch (R)

Christopher David Phelen (R)

Justin Schreiber (R)

Jerry Sonnenberg (R)

Peter Yu (R)

Isaac McCorkle (D)

John Padora (D)

Karen Breslin (D)

Trisha Calvarese (D)

Anil Saxena (D)

"I want Christians to consider who they vote for. We look a lot at the presidential elections. And that's where so much of our focus is, especially from the media, but some of the most important elections are the local elections - the mayors, city council members, county commissioners, school boards. How important school boards are - and we need to get Christian men and women running for office. We need Christian men and women not only running for office,

but voting and getting behind other

Christians that are running for office".

Franklin Graham

"Tip of the Hat" 🎩 this month to RINO Watch Colorado

Thank you for being vigilant and providing outstanding reporting!

Thank you to whomever runs this web-page and news-letter!

Do you know someone that works hard for the greater good? Send me a note with the person's name and why we should highlight them. I'll see about having them in an upcoming issue.

The Reflection in the Mirror

How did we get here? Seriously, let's take a hard look in the mirror and ask ourselves, because, believe it or not, we're the architects of our own political circus. We've been so busy enjoying the fruits of our great nation that we forgot to keep an eye on the hen house. And, oh boy, the foxes have been having a field day.

The so-called Uni Party (that's our dear friends, the Democrats, and the Republican Establishment, with a cherry on top in the form of RINOs) has been running amok. While we were busy with our lives, politicians started doing things that would make a true conservative's hair stand on end. Sure, there were murmurs of discontent, a few raised voices from the media, and some grumbling from their constituents, but it all fizzled out faster than a soda left open overnight.

Politicians got comfortable with our silence. They thought, "Hey, these folks don't have the spine to hold us accountable," and when we finally do, they act like we've committed some sort of cardinal sin. They scramble to label us and OUR KIND as troublemakers for daring to demand accountability. And don't get me started on the media, they're now nothing more than glorified cheerleaders for the left and the Uni-Party.

So, what's a self-respecting conservative to do? You're going to have to start speaking up. And I'm not talking about a polite, "Excuse me, sir." No, you need to be like a junkyard dog that's found a particularly tasty bone. You latch onto that bone, and you don't let go until they fix what they've broken. If we don't, we're going to watch our country slip through our fingers. We'll lose our rights one by one as the RINOs trade them away for a bigger slice of the pie, whether that's money, power, or both.

Find your passion! What drives you nuts about our elected officials and their shadowy supporters? Grab onto it like that junkyard dog. Unleash a relentless assault of emails, texts, social media posts whatever it takes. Get others on board with your cause. Shine a light on their actions. That, my friends, is how we win this battle. Remember, it's not just about making noise, it's about being heard and effecting change. Let's show them we're not just all bark, but we've got the bite to back it up.

“How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy!”

Thomas Jefferson

The Scam of Planned Parenthood

Planned Parenthood's staggering $1.78 billion receipt of federal funds over a three-year span is not just a cause for concern, it's a blatant affront to the conservative principles of limited government and fiscal responsibility. This isn't merely about the ethics of abortion, it's about the government recklessly funneling taxpayer dollars into a private entity that should stand or fall on its own merits.

Let's cut to the chase. The heart of conservative values is about shrinking the size and reach of government, not expanding it to prop up private organizations. Planned Parenthood, as a private business, should operate in the free market without taxpayer support. This isn't a mom-and-pop shop struggling to keep the lights on, it's a multimillion-dollar enterprise. Why, then, is it feasting on nearly $2 billion of our hard-earned tax money? (Hint, campaign donations) It's a mockery of the free market principles this country was built on.

And then there's the ethical quagmire. A substantial slice of America is morally opposed to abortion. By funding Planned Parenthood, the government is essentially commandeering the wallets of these citizens to fund a practice they find abhorrent. It's not just unfair, it's a gross violation of individual conscience. Where's the respect for the diversity of moral beliefs in our nation?

The issue deepens when you consider Planned Parenthood's abysmal record with money. Reports of financial mismanagement and questionable activities, like the alleged Paycheck Protection Program funds misuse, scream for a need for tighter control and transparency. Taxpayer money isn't monopoly cash to be played with, it's a trust we place in our government, which is blatantly betrayed in this scenario.

Furthermore, let's talk about the blatant political activism of Planned Parenthood. This organization isn't just providing health services, it's a political juggernaut, pumping millions into lobbying and campaigns, primarily for pro-abortion agendas. Why are we, the taxpayers, being made to bankroll an organization that actively plays politics? It's a gross misuse of public funds and an insult to those of us who demand political neutrality from our government-funded entities.

And if Planned Parenthood is as vital as its supporters claim, let them prove it in the marketplace of voluntary contributions. If there's genuine public support, let it show up as private donations, not as coerced tax dollars. This would be a true test of its merit and public support.

In sum, the government's funding of Planned Parenthood is a case study of fiscal irresponsibility, ethical negligence, and political partisanship. It's high time we call it out for what it is, a blatant disregard for conservative principles, taxpayer rights, and basic ethical standards. Let's demand better. Let's insist that our tax dollars are used with the respect and responsibility they deserve. Defund Planned Parenthood!

"We are fast approaching the stage of the ultimate inversion: the stage where the government is free to do anything it pleases, while the citizens may act only by permission; which is the stage of the darkest periods of human history, the stage of rule by brute force."

Ayn Rand

Grassroots Conservatism in Douglas County

Let's dive into the ever-tumultuous waters of grassroots conservatism in Douglas County and its torrent dance with the Republican Establishment and those pesky RINOs. Oh, the drama! It’s badly written scrip from a daytime drama but with more tears and the charisma of a dead rat.

First off, let's address the elephant in the room, and no, I'm not talking about the GOP mascot. I’m talking about the good ol' Establishment feeling as jittery as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs whenever we grassroots conservatives enter the scene, you know, newbies. Why, you ask? Well, it’s simple. Grassroots conservatives are like that one relative who tells it like it is at family reunions, exposing shady schemes. Uncomfortable? Yes. Necessary? Absolutely.

Take, for instance, the audacious case of voting for a Democrat House Chair in the Colorado State House when a Republican was ripe for the picking. What's going on there, Anthony Hartsook HD44? It's like choosing a tofu salad at Shanahan’s, it just doesn't make sense unless you've lost your mind or, in this case, your political compass. Either way, you most likely should not be in office.

And oh, I can’t let off the hook those Douglas County Commissioners with their sneaky appointments of large donors to a Water Commission and sidelining Lora Thomas from representing her constituents. It's as transparent as a brick wall and about as subtle as a Drag Queen show Abe and Lora greenlighted. The grassroots conservatives point this out, and what happens? Suddenly, we're the bad guys, tearing the party apart, disenfranchising voters, and apparently, we’re also 'not Christian'. Because, you know, holding elected officials accountable is such an un-Christian thing to do. Please, is that all you have got?

The Establishment and their RINO buddies love to play the victim when called out. (This could not be more evident than the recent diatribe from Andy Jones sharing his sour grapes or Joy Overbeck's vile article working to defend her Establishment and RINO buddies). They start flinging accusations like a monkey flings... well, you know. But here’s the kicker, we grassroots conservatives have skin thicker than an American Alligator and a bite to match. We've endured years of faux conservatism, empty promises, and enough backstabbing to qualify as a plotline in Goodfellas. Their insults and threats? It's laughable; just BRING IT!

To wrap this up, dear grassroots conservative reader, keep your chin up. The Establishment and RINOs may have the money and the power, but we have something far more potent, the truth, resilience, and a sarcastic wit that can slice through their hypocrisy like a hot knife through butter. Onward, grassroots warriors!

"Real patriotism is a willingness to challenge

the government when it's wrong."

Ron Paul

The 2024 - 74th General Assembly is back in Session!

Liberty Scorecards did not have enough information to update for the 2024 session yet. We will all need to wait until the March issue. Sorry.

Click Here to see the Full Report (UPDATE)

Recap of our Douglas County Elected Officials:

(S) Kevin Van Winkle (R) CO030, Score 83.5 (up 1.5 from last month)

303-866-4881, kevin.vanwinkle.senate@coleg.gov

S) Mark Baisley (R) CO004, Score 73 (up 3 from last month)

303-866-4877, mark.baisley@senate.co.com

(HR) Brandi Bradley (R) CO039, Score 68.8 (down .2 from last month)

303-866-2935, brandi.bradley.house@coleg.gov

(S) Jim Smallwood (R) CO002, Score 68.4 (up 2.4 from last month)

303-866-4869, SenatorSmallwood@gmail.com

(HR) Anthony Hartsook (R) CO044, Score 61.5 (up 1.5 from last month) The ONLY Doug Co Representative that openly voted for a Democrat House Chairperson when a Republican candidate was available to vote for. Day 388 with no apology to his constituents for this betrayal of the Republican Party. 303-866-2933, anthony.hartsook.house@coleg.gov

(HR) Lisa Frizell (R) CO045, Score 59.6 (up 1.6 from last month)

303-866-2948, lisa.frizell.house@coleg.gov

(HR) Bob Marshall (D) CO043, Score 26.8

303-866-2936, bob.marshall.house@coleg.gov

There is no spin here, these are the numbers from Liberty Scorecard, a TPA. You may not like it, but it is an impartial scoring system to our constitution. I encourage all constituents if you don't like what you see in your representative's scores, call and email them. Provide your elected official's feedback and that loud voice!

"I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.

Will Rogers

"Whenever you do something,

act as if all the world were watching."

Thomas Jefferson

Love of Country

Have you ever asked yourself, "Why do we even bother with this whole political charade?" Seriously, it’s like deciding to repeatedly bash your head against a wall, exhausting and painful, yet strangely addictive. We, the tireless champions of conservative values, spend our days propping up the pillars of freedom and tradition, only to watch the Establishment and their RINO cronies take a sledgehammer to the Constitution’s values and principles. It's like being in a bad sitcom, except the laugh track is just the echoes of our frustration.

And social media? Don’t get me started. Every day I consider deleting my accounts. But just like a moth to a flame, just when I think I should get out, they pull me back in! Why? Because despite the dumpster fire that it often is, it's our modern-day soapbox, our town square. It’s where we voice our opinions amidst a sea of cat videos and selfies.

But let’s cut through the BS, we keep coming back to this angering political circus for one simple, yet powerful reason, “Love of Country”. It's that love that fuels our fight against the tidal wave of mediocrity, compromise, and people that we hardly know telling us we are wrong and we need to change. You know, The Go Along to Get Along, crowd. We’re not just keyboard warriors or armchair politicians. We’re the keepers of the flame, the guardians of what makes America truly great.

So, next time you feel like giving up and moving to a cabin in the woods, remember this, our country needs us. And hey, if nothing else, it gives us something to talk about online, right?

"Everybody has an opportunity in America. I don’t care if guys whine and complain about this or that. You know, no country affords its inhabitants the opportunities that the U.S.A. gives to its people.”

Bobby Knight

The Façade of Rocky Mountain Voice

re-print from Facebook 1/21/2024

Patriots of Colorado, the time has come to address the faux-elephant in the room, or should I say, the tycoon in the Rockies and his minions? It's no secret anymore, thank you Editorial Board of Glendale, Cherry Creek Chronicle. Phil Anschutz, with his sprawling empire, has a bone to pick with the Colorado GOP and its Chair, Dave Williams, and the true Grassroots Conservatives. His influence stretches far and wide, casting a shadow over outlets like The Gazette (Colorado Springs), Denver Gazette, Independence Institute, Complete Colorado, Advance Colorado, The Lobby, Leadership Program of the Rockies, Camp Fire Colorado, Rocky Mountain Voice (RMV), Caucus Room, and Colorado Peak Politics, just to name a few (list taken from the article noted below). This isn't gossip, it's a fact that's as glaring as the Colorado sun.

The moment I dared to raise my voice against this, I was branded a madman, accused of having lost my grip on sanity. "Oh really?" I say, take a read at the recent editorial piece declaring, “Phil Anschutz Does Not Like The Colorado GOP And Its Chair Dave Williams.” Click Here

It's no coincidence that RMV is among the laundry list of platforms, alongside Advance Colorado. A snippet from Advance Colorado's homepage lays bare their intent, “It’s time that the fringe be sidelined….” They label us fringe, not for being outliers, but for our steadfastness to core conservative values and principles. Do you think for a second this is not also the way of RMV? To prove my point, just check out the lead article hidden in ” Commentary” on RMV. To give herself cover, Heidi Ganahl shrewdly placed it in commentary, that article is a direct assault on the true grassroots conservative movement in Colorado.

But let's focus on the new conservative grassroots terminator in our midst, Rocky Mountain Voice (RMV), which she lost. Led by none other than Heidi Ganahl, the loser of the 2022 Colorado Governor race, losing by more than 300,000 votes. To refresh your memory of this blowout, Polsmoker received 1,085,082 votes to Heidi’s 759, 989. Rough voter registration number in 2022, Rep 955,000; Dem 1,0700,000, UAF 1,650,000, with all other parties about 3,700,000 voters. That 759,989 votes Heidi received represent 20.54% of available voters. You would have thought Heidi was our conservative savior during the 2022 election campaign season, look at the numbers. This is not a communication problem Heidi would have you believe it is a viability issue, Heidi Ganahl is equal to New Coke. No amount of marketing could sell that can of crap. Heidi’s RMV masquerades as a beacon of conservative unity. The voters of Colorado rather have Polsmoker than you at the helm of Colorado, that is a statement in itself concerning unity. With that type of overall rejection, I don't think she could win a Municipal Dog Catcher race (if you don't get this, look her up, then you will get this).

Heidi and her RMV are part of Anschutz's intricate network, a web designed to entangle and ensnare true grassroots conservative voices under the pretense of “bringing us together.’ But the only thing they’re bringing us to is a watering hole of compromise and political submission.

Here’s the deal, Heidi benefactors do not like the new Colorado GOP's backbone. They do not like our Chair, Dave Williams, because he represents what they cannot control, unapologetic conservatism. We are the thorns in the side of the Republican Establishment and the Uni-Party agenda, which, if left unchecked, will prune our principles down to stump.

When RMV cries out for sidelining the 'fringe', they're not just targeting outliers, they're aiming at the heart of us, the true grassroots conservatives. They label us as such because we stand steadfast by our pocket Constitution and refuse to be swayed by calls to join them, the call of centrism.

The charade of secret meetings and hushed whispers has been unmasked. RMV and its allies want our lists, our contacts, our very lifelines to you, the grassroots conservative patriots. It's not about unity, it's about inventory for their agenda. Well, here's a message, let me be very loud and clear, our lists, our members, our movement, they're not up for sale or absorption in your soon-to-be failing startup.

Anschutz and Heidi have one thing in common, they both underestimate the resolve of Colorado's grassroots conservatives. We've fought harder battles and stood against fiercer winds. We won't be silenced by the Rocky Mountain Voice, nor will we be lulled into complacency by Heidi's hollow promises.

We, the conservative grassroots, will set the tone for what true unity looks like, a unity based on shared principles, not shared enemies. We reject RMV's divisive tactics, and we reject the notion that we must fall in line behind a banner that doesn't respect nor represent us.

To the RMV, consider this your notice, your attempts to dilute the grassroots conservative voice in Colorado via the Establishment, RINO’s, and the Uni-Party will not go unanswered. We are more than a voice, we are a force, united not by your terms, but by our dedication to liberty, our commitment to constitutional rights, and our unwavering support for leaders like Dave Williams and Donald Trump, who embody these truths.

Colorado grassroots conservatives, stay steadfast, we will not be silenced!

Well, this is just my” opinion”, you know, commentary….

So, Heidi, I still have your text stating that I could submit an opinion piece for consideration to RVM for publication, well here it is. Doesn’t feel good to be attacked, does it? Get used to it, just ask my friend Anthony Hartsook. I don’t go away, and I am relentless.

"Progressivism is the cancer in America"

Glenn Beck

Bidenomics and the Pain it Causes our Citizens

Let's cut through the BS and speak plainly about the state of our country, economically. Under the Trump administration, America saw a resurgence of what it means to thrive. The Trump administration didn't just talk a big game, it put numbers on the board, real, tangible growth. Consumer confidence? Sky-high. Economic indicators? Through the roof. That's not political spin, that's fact.

Now, we've been made to swallow what's been dubbed "Bidenomics," and taste like Surstromming (look it up). Inflation's gone from a trickle to a deluge, decimating the buying power of hard-working Americans. We're talking about a family's ability to put food on the table, to fill up their tanks without wincing at the total. Under Trump, these things were within reach. Under Biden? It's a pipe dream, a lie.

Let's talk about the Consumer Price Index. It's not just some abstract figure economists love to throw around, it's the yardstick for how much more you're spending for the basics compared to last year. And let me tell you, it's not a pretty picture. We've seen the CPI hit highs that make my head spin, and total inflation from January 2020 to now compounded, an increase of 19%. This compared to a paltry 2.9% under Trump. These aren't just numbers, they're a direct report card on the Biden’s administration's performance. And right now, that report card is flunking.

The inflation we're seeing is a tax. It's that simple. And it's the most regressive tax imaginable because it hits hardest those who can least afford it. The Biden administration's war on fossil fuels, its penchant for printing money like it's going out of style, and a crushing fiscal debit all added up to an economy that's in the toilet and will not flush.

What's the response from the Biden Administration? More of the same failed policies and a refusal to acknowledge the toilet is broken. The Biden economic plan isn't worth the paper it's printed on. Former Biden supporters are starting to smell the stench and are now looking for the door.

We, the grassroots conservative, know that the answer isn't more government, more spending, more interference. The answer is a return to what works, economic policies that empower individuals, not entrench bureaucrats. It's about getting back to an America First where the dream isn't just alive, but achievable. That's not just conservative thinking, that's common sense. And it's time we got back to it.

🇺🇸TRUMP 2024🇺🇸

A note on Deep Space

Are you planning a conservative event and in search of the perfect venue? Deep Space in Parker could be an excellent fit for you if you expect at least 80 attendees and plan on ordering food and beverages. While there is a minimum spend requirement, this should easily be met with a guest list of 80-100 people. If you're interested, please contact me, and I'll connect you with the owners of Deep Space to discuss further details.

So, a question you might have is, “why Honey Badger”?

Honey Badgers have been described in the Guinness Book of Records as the "most fearless animal in the world" and can even fight off much larger predators like lions and hyenas if challenged. We know the political landscape is filled with hyenas, thus, we need the Honey Badger.

If you have a Parker or Douglas County topic that needs attention brought to it, please submit it to: Honey Badger Report, mark.hampton@comcast.net. I will review it and see about adding it to the monthly publication.

"True things prevail"

Tucker Carlson

Looking for a Conservative Business in Parker or Douglas County? Here is the latest Parker Conservative Business Directory. Click Here

If you have a business you would like us to add, just let us know.