Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns

Armstrong: Colorado Republicans should let the death penalty go

Last fall, a man broke into a family’s home in Wisconsin, murdered both parents and kidnapped their 13-year-old girl. After suffering three months in captivity, the girl escaped, thank goodness, and authorities arrested the suspect. When I read about this story, my immediate reaction was that “they” should kill the perpetrator, after due process, of […]

Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns

Armstrong: For better politics, let’s separate party and state

Imagine there’s no political party on the ballot. It’s easy if you try. And, unlike John Lennon’s utopia, my proposed reforms are both possible and prudent. Early in our state’s history people tried letting political parties largely run elections. That was a disaster. Now we try letting government run political parties in important ways. Our […]

Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns

Armstrong: Liberty voters can find silver linings to Jared Polis’ victory

As I’ve warned, single-party dominance of Colorado government by Democrats probably will be, on net, a bummer for Colorado’s liberty voters. Yet those who advocate economic and personal freedom also can find major reasons to celebrate the recent elections, particularly in the victory of Jared Polis for governor. Sure, Polis is a Progressive Democrat — […]

Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns

Armstrong: Amendments Y and Z discriminate against members of Colorado’s minor parties

Gerrymandering undermines democratic institutions. Unfortunately, the Colorado ballot measures intended to fix the problem, Amendments Y and Z, however well-intentioned, are the wrong solution. The measures blatantly discriminate against members of minor parties — 58,219 active voters as of last count — by excluding them from participating in proposed redistricting commissions. Such discrimination is wrong, […]