Ravage for Colorado Senate

A word from Mr. Ravage:

In Colorado’s Senate District 4, we live in the wildland/urban interface. But we also live in the wildland/human interface where our needs as individuals either align or collide with the flow of nature. And the one issue that stands above all others in our mountainous communities is the Economy. It just costs too dang much to live here, and there’s no relief in sight. Finally, more and more people are waking up to the fact that Republican economics have been a dismal failure. Ever since Reagan, each Republican national administration has ballooned the debt and each Democratic administration has lowered, or even nearly eliminated it (Bill Clinton). The same goes for Colorado, where Tabor has strangled our State budget, leaving our schools and roads to suffer, as well as every other Colorado State dept or organization.

A new economy could be coming–a potential boon for Colorado. We are well positioned with a cadre of scientists and entrepreneurs who will develop new energy technologies and improve those we already rely.  Once the Democrats have control of both houses of the legislature, we can finally send Tabor packing. And this will bring will bring back well-paying jobs that don’t begin with the destruction of our landscape, but benefit from and make it even stronger.

Education is under attack because it was science that was right about COVID-19, and as it is correct about the coming Climate crisis. Senate district 4 relies on the environment for it’s livelihood- agriculture, forestry, tourism all depend upon us making wise choices today- so our children will have the same freedoms and incomes we have enjoyed (until recently)

Our roads are an embarrassment for the great State we live in. 285 was set to be widened and improved way back in the seventies. Then “conservatives” broke the budget so bad that the funds had to be robbed just to keep the lights on. Our schools suffered, everything suffered, except for the 1% who still got tax breaks and concessions. Not a dime of it trickled down to anyone. Except perhaps some politicians and their campaigns.

Our beautiful green forests drink in gigatons of carbon every year, this could soon become an income producing resource through the action of carbon markets. If we can keep our forests. Make no mistake, we may be the last generation to see vast forests covering our purple mountains as the triad of wildfire, disease and insects hovers relentlessly. The Colorado river basin, the source of life for seven western States. All eyes may not be on us, but all those lives depend on us making the right choices now. The choice to heal and not continue to squander our riches.

The greatest shock I had in 2022 when I first ran for this office was seeing the Google search for my name list me as a: Politician. That’s not who I am, it is just something I am doing because it has to be done. America’s political system was based on some assumptions of normality and decency. It was beyond comprehension that the seeking of political office would become a career. It was supposed to be a public service that each of us, any of us, could and would take for a short time and then pass it on. If elected I will do just that when the time comes, I’ll step back down. I don’t have higher aspirations or schemes. I want to contribute my knowledge and abilities at at time when they are needed and then get back to living a life just like you.
Maybe go fishing, if we can save the rivers.