February 14th, the centennial of Arizona's statehood! What a fantastic opportunity for Arizona to have created a weeklong celebration, spearheaded by our "supposedly" business-friendly Republican governor and Republican-dominated legislature. These leaders could have been the catalyst for Arizona's hotels, restaurants, and other tourist friendly establishments to jump on board and capitalize on a once-in-a-century opportunity. It could have brought tens of thousands of winter-weary tourists to sunny warm Arizona, dumping tens of millions of dollars into our ailing state economy. If coordinated properly, the centennial celebration could have included events in every town and city throughout the state, could have touted our many great attractions, and could have culminated with a daylong celebration at the Capitol in America's fifth largest city, ending with an unforgettable fireworks display.
Did our Republican "leaders" spend the last year or two making sure that this event was the economic boon that our state desperately needed? Nope. Instead they worked hard passing legislation that allows guns in bars and universities, cuts school funding, cuts health care for poor children and the disabled, and cuts federally reimbursed unemployment insurance.
Arizona, the state that never misses an opportunity to miss an opportunity!
Fred Barlam
Ahwatukee
Dale Whiting posted at 12:15 pm on Sat, Feb 11, 2012.
Fred,
You totaly misunderstand the conservative concept of leadership. It's not getting out in front of the masses to lead on issues that make sense for all. It's acting to prevent from being left behind on issues that benefit the most those with the most power to broker.
Karl Rove discovered this and made an excellent livelihood of it. Newt Gingrich caught on to Karl early and worked it down south. Karl work in the Bush camp and Newt in the Reagan camp. And they both got their employers out ahead of that charging Grand Old Elephant party, all the while keeping their bosses from being left behind by others.
The last good leader Arizona had was Barry Goldwater. And even Barry got flushed down the drain when he came out favorably for Gay/Lesbian rights. Now only if Barry had been able to get his party out in front on that issue, the youth of our nation who now understand this issue from a constitutional equal protection perspective, might have registered with the Elephants. But they won't, not now! So it's over the cliff with the charging Elephants.
downtownresident posted at 2:15 pm on Sat, Feb 11, 2012.
Dale,
Well put.
Leon Ceniceros posted at 4:59 pm on Sat, Feb 11, 2012.
Don't the Liberals, the Progressives, the Democrats, the Socialists and the Commie Wanna-Be's (90% are from Californias) ever let it rest ???
WHO VOTED THESE REPUBLICANS INTO OFFICE ???
WHO VOTED GOVERNOR JAN BREWER INTO OFFICE ???
WHO VOTED MARICOPA COUNTY SHERIFF JOE ARPAIO INTO OFFICE THESE PAST DECADES = ................the Citizens of Arizona............THAT'S WHO.
IF YOU DON'T LIKE ARIZONA POLITICS..........MOVE BACK TO CALIFORNIA OR GO ALL THE WAY AND RENOUNCE YOUR AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP AND BECOME A ........................MEXICAN CITIZEN..............OK, ALREADY ???
Masterrogue666 posted at 8:24 pm on Sat, Feb 11, 2012.
Leon: Brewer was appointed first, than was elected on November 3, 2010, winning with 55% of the vote over Democrat Terry Goddard's 42%.
I thought it was better I clarify, than someone else....
Masterrogue666 posted at 8:25 pm on Sat, Feb 11, 2012.
*Appointed as determined by the Arizona constitution.
k33j88 posted at 4:34 am on Sun, Feb 12, 2012.
Dear Mr. Barlam: I'd like to ask one question, maybe 2. 1. If all those cuts you mentioned were re-instated, who would pay for them, you? 2. or the USA taxpayer base?
In_God_We_Trust posted at 10:27 am on Sun, Feb 12, 2012.
Aren't there ANY democrats in our state government? How many of them pushed for celebrations? Were they all ignored or aren't they business friendly? Why is this just about the republicans in our legislature and not the entire legislature? Your argument is biased and therefor meaningless political grandstanding. Just the thing to suck in demorodents like downtownrodent and Dale the real conservative. lol
onerebel posted at 9:53 am on Mon, Feb 13, 2012.
The state is just starting to get it's head above water and the Liberals are mad because they didn't spend more money on advertising our centennial ? How much do you want to bet if they had, the Liberals would have been mad that it was not spent on education or social programs ? Maybe the state would be better off if we followed the lead of the top Liberal Obama ? OH wait, he's got our country farther in debt. So much for the Liberals knowing how to be FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE !