Government Despite the People

Three out of the four Colorado Republicans who decided to leave office within the last year, replaced with newcomers selected instead of elected, were on their way out anyway - due to term limits.

Senator Ron May, Representative Bill Cadman and Representative Mark Cloer (who should have used the slogans "Until Something Better Comes Along" in their campaigns) left their posts early, citing dubious reasons for such departures, and have been or will be replaced with suitable second-stringers.

Ready-made politicians the GOP has groomed and who no doubt will use this experience to sell themselves as experienced come the next election cycle.

And knee-jerk Republican voters in this town won't look up from American Idol long enough to realize the suspicious nature of a political bait and switch.

We all know how hard it is to unseat incumbents. They have access to more money and press than challengers. However, with term limits in place, the theory goes that professional politicians have no choice.

They must get the f*ck out.

The result was supposed to be that we, the voters, get a real choice and competitive race. For a change.

And that will never do.

The GOP powers-that-be are playing musical chairs, mixing carefully selected conservative soldiers into the mix, so the upcoming elections *will* feature Republican incumbents. One way or the other, goddamn it.

El Paso County GOP Chairman Greg Garcia is probably hoping no one notices.

Guess what I'm hoping?