Good article on how CO played divide and concur

[RTFM]

http://thepatriotperspective.wordpress.com/

Also from the source - the Sheriff of El Paso county CO Terry Maketa

http://shr.elpasoco.com/

By Sheriff Terry Maketa of El Paso County, Colorado:

    An Injustice Against our Citizens

    Sheriff Terry Maketa

    Monday, March 4, 2013, was unlike any day I’ve experienced in my 12 years testifying at the Colorado State Capitol. During my tenure, I’ve had numerous opportunities to participate in legislative processes from draft proposal to signature of a bill making it law.

    I’ve witnessed many hearings and observed citizens, law enforcement, and special interest groups share opinions on a variety of proposed laws. I’ve witnessed very controversial bills set in a process to allow full access from supporters, opponents, and citizens to be heard by their legislators. On numerous occasions, bills similar in nature were set for hearing on different days to ensure opportunity for anyone to participate in the deliberative process. On Monday, this didn’t occur. Instead, gun bills were simultaneously scheduled and of 25 plus sheriffs, only one could testify per bill. Hearings were split so bills heard simultaneously were on different floors, even though all were heard by senate committees. Rules for testimony changed three times from Thursday afternoon through Monday at 10:30 am, when hearings began.

I am not sharing this because of the outcome of the hearings that day; rather I am sharing this because of the process implemented and the faces of all those citizens that were never permitted to participate in the process. Government is supposed to be by the people, for the people and on this day, they were crushed and kicked to the side. Special interest coalitions and hand picked experts with no relevant expertise trumped our citizens.

To add insult to injury, the following Wednesday, I received an email containing the following language from a member of County Sheriffs Of Colorado: “…I have been advised by a reliable source at the Capitol that the Dems are seriously not pleased with the CSOC positions on the gun bills, and given the potential for a real salary bill to be introduced as you shall see from a follow-up email from” (an unnamed sheriff), “support of SB197 would put us in a more favorable light for salary bill support from the Dems. I do not believe we would be sacrificing our principles or positions on the other gun bills by supporting SB197.” “…Please let us know what you think on this proposal ASAP as I need to get a letter from us to the Senate Dems before the close of business today.” As I see it, senate Dems have made it known, “sheriffs, obey or no pay for you.”

A lot more information @ both links.

[MikeBjerum]

This is the new DFL weapon.  They have a three fold attack they use:

1.  Pit sides against other by trying to make one side look reasonable and the other out of touch and extreme;
2.  Make public or opposition participation as difficult as possible thus hiding the facts;
3.  Make going against them as painful as possible.

This is why I believe we need to stick to facts, and let our President play the "good old buddy" game (all formality is out the window to make him appear to be our good golfing or drinking buddy - We no longer have a Vice President, we have "Joe.").  Don't let him win by using half truths, lies, gossip, and feel good chat.