The Belly Flapping Principal

A favorite axiom of my late Father, Bob White. He held people change their attitudes, opinions, and willingness to do certain jobs fastest when their, “Bellies started flapping”.  The Wuhan Flu response will result in many bellies flapping.

State and Local Government

Where is the tax revenue? This huge shopping center is usually packed, even mid week. While the state government is collecting taxes on online sales, cities and counties are not.

Non Essential Workers

Unemployment won’t pay the bills, especially in two income families. The $1,200 from the Feds? Probably isn’t even a house payment. They will be hurting for months to come. Many are college educated “professionals” that tend towards liberalism. We will see how that works out.

Having lived a boom or bust life working on commission, I take no joy in their plight.  They are looking at vehicles repossessed, home foreclosure, and having to tell their children “no” over and over.

(P)regressives

Colorado went deep blue last election. All statewide elective offices, a super-majority in the House, and a majority in the Senate. Two things kept them from running amok. First, Colorado’s TABOR (taxpayer’s bill of rights) is part of the State Constitution. They are using “fees” to get around that, but court challenges will decide the issue. Second, the Senate cannot come to order without enough Senators present. There are enough Republican that, if they stay away, the Senate cannot function. That tactic has been used for years, by both parties in numerous states. Texas comes to mind.

Along with tax collection shortfall, the energy segment is collapsing.

The greenies may get their wish. When it dawns on them the amount of revenue the state once received from the industry, that will be a belly flapping time.

All these (P)regressives were elected when Colorado was enjoying great prosperity. Now they will face a bleak reality. It will be much worse for counties and cities. Boulder, I’m looking at you.

So where will the cuts come? The cynical me thinks it will be the programs that help the poorest and sickest (physical and mental).

As my Father would be saying, “Bellies will be flapping”. What will be the end result I can’t even guess, but I’m damn sure the political landscape will be greatly different two years from now.

                                                                 Update

It begins. Copied from Facebook.

We received an email today from Colorado Counties Inc. about Governor Polis keeping about $1.7 billion dollars from the Cares Act to help balance the states budget. This money was earmarked to be sent down to counties to help with the effects of Covid 19. However Polis only wants funding to counties with a population of 500,000 or more. If you ever felt like calling and complaining to the Governor here is another case to make that call.

Shared by a county COMMISSIONER from CROWLEY county

Note: Of Colorado's 64 counties, only 5 are over 500,000. Only one, El Paso (Colorado Springs) can be called Conservative.