Colorado Primary Recount Effort, Finding the Funny, and Small Business Challenges

On July 25, 2022, Kim Monson explores the power of humor in difficult times with Brad Beck, examines the Colorado primary recount effort with state representative Ron Hanks, discusses vaccine safety concerns with Matt Dark of Roots Medical, and analyzes the crushing regulatory burden on small businesses with Roger Hays of Passio HR.

Finding the Funny in Troubled Times

Start listening at 34:59 – Hour 1

Brad Beck, co-founder of Liberty Toastmasters, makes the case for humor as an essential survival tool in politically turbulent times. Fresh from being roasted at Liberty Toastmasters’ 10-year anniversary celebration, Beck argues that finding the funny in everyday situations provides a mental vacation from the constant barrage of troubling news. He traces the tradition of observational comedy from Red Skelton and Johnny Carson to modern provocateurs like Dave Chappelle, noting that great comedians have always pushed boundaries and challenged taboos.

Beck emphasizes that humor serves as a powerful weapon against authoritarian impulses, observing that collectivists cannot handle being laughed at. He recalls meeting Johnny Carson during his time as a production intern at KNBC and learning firsthand how comedy requires constant observation and surprise to engage audiences. The conversation turns to how Liberty Toastmasters provides a space for people of all political persuasions to improve their communication skills while respecting different viewpoints.

“And if you can’t laugh at yourself, you can’t laugh at anything. And some of them were biting, some of them were done, you know, heartfelt. And it was just a lot of fun to be roasted.”

Brad Beck, Co-founder of Liberty Toastmasters

Colorado Primary Recount Effort

Start listening at 15:30 – Hour 1

Ron Hanks, Colorado State Representative and former U.S. Senate candidate, explains the grassroots effort to fund a hand recount of the June 2022 primary election. The Secretary of State’s office quoted nearly $237,000 for recounts in his race and Tina Peters’ race. Hanks describes statistical anomalies observed in the results, including a front-loading of ballots that established a 55-45 split, followed by an improbable 50-50 split for the remainder of the count.

Hanks advocates for a hand recount rather than using the same electronic systems that candidates deem suspect. He outlines concerns about Colorado’s voter rolls, mail-in ballot chain of custody, and the lack of anti-counterfeit measures on ballots. The effort represents a wedge to expose potential manipulation patterns that could then be investigated in other counties.

“What we saw, and we ended up seeing it in other states that had primaries ahead of ours, is a front load of ballots, and they got the count to, in my case, 55-45. And then for the rest of the night until the so-called end of the contest, we split the vote 50 percent, 50 percent.”

Ron Hanks, Colorado State Representative

Vaccine Safety and Monkeypox Concerns

Start listening at 64:21 – Hour 2

Matt Dark of Roots Medical delivers a forceful warning against COVID-19 vaccines, stating unequivocally that they are not suitable for human consumption. He expresses particular alarm about the FDA’s authorization of vaccines for children as young as six months old, announcing that Roots Medical is actively investigating healthcare providers who administer these vaccines with the intent to report them to DORA, Colorado’s regulatory agency.

Dark also addresses concerns about monkeypox, recommending the purple pitcher plant (Saracenia purpurea) as a preventive measure based on a 2012 study. He warns that the monkeypox scare may be used to justify expanded mail-in voting measures. Dark emphasizes the importance of early treatment protocols available through Roots Medical, Colorado Healthcare Providers for Freedom, and the FLCCC network.

“Now, as a representative of a medical health care provider’s office, never, ever, any person living, take that vaccine. Period. End of story.”

Matt Dark, Roots Medical

Small Business Regulatory Burden

Start listening at 72:00 – Hour 2

Roger Hays, CEO of Passio HR, paints a stark picture of the regulatory environment facing Colorado small businesses. Employee handbooks that once maxed out at 10 pages now exceed 60 pages to cover all federal and state compliance requirements. He highlights a new Colorado law preventing employers from including non-compete agreements for employees earning less than $105,000 annually, regardless of their access to proprietary information.

Hays discusses the compound effects of COVID-19 shutdowns, including an estimated 600,000 Colorado businesses that may never reopen, downtown crime driving away customers, and the ongoing labor shortage. He explains how pending family leave and retirement savings mandates taking effect January 1st will add additional compliance costs that ultimately get passed on to consumers.

“Most people don’t start a business to get into the compliance industry. But the minute you open your doors and hire an employee, that’s exactly what you’re doing. I mean, you spend a good 80% of your life as a business owner trying to stay in compliance.”

Roger Hays, CEO of Passio HR