Free Enterprise, Constitution Week, and Local Ballot Tax Issues

On September 19, 2022, Kim Monson celebrates Grand Lake’s U.S. Constitution Week with reflections on founding principles, explores local ballot tax issues with political watchdog Natalie Menten, and examines how railroad entrepreneur James J. Hill built success without government subsidies with transit expert Randall O’Toole.

American Battle Monuments Essay Contest for Students

Start listening at 15:31 – Hour 1

Sue Kenfield of the American Battle Monuments Foundation describes an essay contest offering cash prizes to students aged 11-18. The contest asks participants to write about battles associated with overseas cemeteries and monuments maintained by the American Battle Monuments Commission. Students can choose from topics including the Lafayette Escadrille, Operation Dragoon, and the Battle of Guadalcanal.

Kenfield explains the contest requires students to reflect on two key questions: what lessons from these battles remain instructive today, and what relevance do those who fought and died have for current freedoms. First prize awards $5,000, second place $2,500, and third place $1,500 for each age cohort. The deadline is November 1, 2022.

“And one of the really great things that we have going on in this essay contest is we’re asking students to reflect on two questions: not just give us the facts about the essay, but really reflect on what’s the lessons from this specific battle that are instructive for us today.”

Sue Kenfield, American Battle Monuments Foundation

Local Ballot Tax Issues and TABOR Rights

Start listening at 31:22 – Hour 1

Natalie Menten, former RTD board director and political watchdog, unveils her comprehensive project cataloging local tax ballot issues across Colorado’s 64 counties. Menten contacted every county election department to compile a spreadsheet of political subdivisions planning tax increases, creating an invaluable resource for citizens at ballot2022.com.

Menten explains that the Taxpayers Bill of Rights guarantees citizens the right to submit pro and con statements for local Tabor notices mailed to voters. The deadline for submitting these statements is September 23 by noon. She warns that many ballot measures unconstitutionally seek to permanently remove government revenue from TABOR limits, violating the intended four-year review period that aligns with elected officials’ terms.

Colorado’s over 3,000 local governments present a complex challenge for informed voting. Menten emphasizes that local taxes affect citizens significantly, and her resource enables grassroots organizations to compete against well-funded government public information offices.

“I’m facing that out here in Jeffco where the commissioners have three ballot issues. All three will de-tabor unconstitutionally. And they don’t talk about the millions, a couple hundred million dollars of COVID money. They haven’t even spent yet all of it.”

Natalie Menten, Former RTD Board Director

Building Railroads Without Government Subsidies

Start listening at 68:25 – Hour 2

Randall O’Toole of the Anti-Planner explores the remarkable story of James J. Hill, who built the Great Northern Railroad from St. Paul to Seattle entirely without government subsidies. While competitors like Union Pacific, Northern Pacific, and Santa Fe received massive land grants and cash subsidies, Hill financed expansion incrementally by making each segment profitable before building further.

O’Toole explains Hill’s business philosophy: build a little, make money, use that money to build more. When Hill reached Butte, Montana, he broke the railroad monopoly by lowering shipping rates from $17 per ton to eventually around $4 per ton, benefiting mines and the entire region. When the Panic of 1893 bankrupted every subsidized Western railroad, Great Northern remained solvent and continued paying dividends.

The contrast with modern transit systems proves instructive. O’Toole notes that RTD and other transit agencies serve politicians rather than riders because 75-80 percent of transit costs come from taxpayers, not fares. This incentive structure leads agencies to maximize spending on expensive rail construction rather than efficient bus service.

“Well, James J. Hill was a great entrepreneur and I think we need to look towards entrepreneurs as people who can solve our problems and answer those people who say, oh, we need the government to do everything because we don’t trust capitalists.”

Randall O’Toole, The Anti-Planner