Republicans in Cortez put East Coast liberals to shame when it comes to big government, and big government spending. I moved here from “liberal” Vermont several years ago and am shocked at how small and conservative government there is in comparison to the big spending, free-wheeling Cortez area. Burlington, VT has a high school, it was built in 1967, is perfectly maintained, has a very low dropout rate, and there are no plans to replace it. Cortez has just built the Trump Taj Mahal of high schools (with casino signage), and plans to leave another corpse of a building sitting to rot.
Burlington has a city hall, built in 1927 – no annex, original floor plan, it isn’t perfect, but works – there are no plans to replace it. Cortez is building a new city hall, rather than use the old Walmart, or old high school(s), or make due. Burlington has police, and Chittenden County sheriffs, they drive cars: old, beat up Crown Vics that work three shifts a day, in a ton more snow than we ever will get here. Our last Republican sheriff, whom I respect in most matters, thought a $60,000 luxury SUV was necessary police equipment (Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Lincoln and Cadillac all have models under $55,000), and our new Republican Sheriff wants to redecorate the jail, and keep horses.
The hypocrisy from the party of small government is stunning. If the Republicans are to ever be trusted we the people need evidence of small government. Smaller buildings, smaller cars, smaller jails, and no pork; like luxurious police SUV’s, and fancy schools, and new bigger city halls. In the meantime perhaps Montezuma County Republicans could rename themselves “the big-spending, big-country-club-style government party.” Somehow it seems a more truthful branding.
Nels Werner Lopez
Cortez