New Democrat Update - February 1996
Appreciation Dinner
Governor Roy Romer is hosting the first annual appreciation dinner for the major financial supporters of the Colorado DLC. The event is scheduled for Thursday, February 29, 5:30 PM at the Governor's Executive Residence. Invitations are in the mail.
We will be discussing the Colorado DLC's accomplishments of the past year and plans for 1996. The Governor will also give his views on recent events here and in Washington, DC.
Environment Conference Planned
The CO DLC is hosting a conference on a new, second generation of innovative and pragmatic environmental policies. The goal of this important event, to be conducted in Denver on May 31, is to produce an action-oriented plan and supporting constituency to implement the agenda.
Emphasizing the need to build on the significant progress achieved from the first generation of policies, the conference will be promoting initiatives that use market-based and incentive-driven approaches. While held accountable for goals, regulated entities would be free to implement new, innovative and more cost-effective strategies.
The Colorado DLC appreciates Ralph Peterson of CH2M Hill and Mike Driver of Patton Boggs for their leadership on this key project. Sincere thanks also go to members of the steering committee - Steve Alfers, Howard Boigon, Jared Boigon, Vanessa Cameron, Joy Carey, Marilyn Chappell, Kip Cheroutes, Steve Coffin, Melissa Coors, Jack Dorwart, Hubert Farbes, Dick Freese, Bonnie Gilbert, Carmine Iadarola, Fred Julander, Susan Kirk, Bob Lackner, Steve Leatherman, Monte Pascoe, Deana Perlmutter, Tom Redder, Ed Robinson, Alan Salazar, Harris Sherman, Morgan Smith, Nichole Sparks and Skip Spensley.
As a "third way," this new approach will be contrasted with current heavily procedural, prescriptive command-and-control policies, as well as current efforts in the Congress to dismantle environmental goals and policies. If you would like more details on the conference, please send us an e-mail.
On the Air
A commentary, focused on why Democrats must change despite the public's current disfavor with the Republican Party, was aired January 30 on KUVO Radio. A copy is included for your review.
STAND FOR SOMETHING
Democrats make a big mistake when they hope their political success solely depends on Republican shortcomings and extremism. Democrats have tried that before and paid the price of continual decline.
Republicans are moving too fast, too far, and in a too harsh and too intolerant way. However, at every opportunity - including 1994, the electorate also rejects a Jesse Jackson-like liberal agenda.
While spurning the conservative ethic of every man for himself, Democrats must realize that government cannot protect everyone from adversity. Rather, our agenda must move beyond entitlements to empowerment strategies that equip the middle class and those less fortunate to compete in the global economy.
We must promote economic opportunity driven by growth generated in the private sector. We must advocate values like work, family, responsibility, individual liberty, faith, and something not heard much about from Republicans these days, tolerance.
We should be about strengthening community and emphasizing our obligations to each other. The underlying ethic must be mutual obligation.
Government, as society's agent, has a responsibility to organize public resources to create opportunities for ordinary citizens. But it works both ways. In turn, citizens have responsibilities to take advantage of those opportunities, take care of their families, and give something back to their community and country.
Finally, Democrats should embrace the credo of equal opportunity for all and special privilege for none - no more something-for-nothing. We must implement initiatives like moving welfare recipients from dependence to self-sufficiency and eliminating corporate subsidies that do not contribute to economic growth.
America does not need two Republican parties. But it is foolhardy to think that Democrats can merely rewind their tapes from the past and play back the New Deal and Great Society.
This is Jim Gibson with the Colorado Democratic Leadership Council for Leading Voices.