On February 12, 2024, Jay Morrison, John Case, Rick Rome, Greg Morrissey, Terri Goon, Dave Walden, Marshall Dawson, Carol VanLandingham, Kurt Gerwitz, Roger Mangan, Karen Morgan, Mary Janssen, and Natalie Menten joined the show. Served as in-studio co-host moderating the Table Topics segment on taxation, introducing speakers and summarizing key points from Liberty Toastmasters members Challenged an open letter from Republican election officials that presumed Tina Peters guilty, explaining federal requirements for preserving election records and the supremacy clause immunity defense Acknowledged taxation’s necessity.
John Case, an attorney specializing in election law, challenged an open letter from Republican election officials that presumed Tina Peters guilty before trial. Case explained that federal law requires county clerks to preserve election records for 22 months after a federal election. When the Secretary of State notified Peters that new software would erase 2020 election records, she faced a legal dilemma: allow the erasure and violate federal law, or make a backup copy to comply with her statutory duty.
Case cited the doctrine of supremacy clause immunity, referencing cases like Nagel (1890) and Wyoming v. Livingston (2006), where individuals performing federal duties could not be prosecuted under state law. He called for public debate about computerized voting system deficiencies, noting that analysis of Peters’ backup image revealed erased election records required by federal law and security vulnerabilities that make auditing impossible.
“Federal law requires every county clerk to preserve records for 22 months after an election. Tina Peters performed her duty under that statute when she made a legal copy of the Mesa County election management server.”
John Case, Attorney
Rick Rome opened the Table Topics segment acknowledging that while taxes are necessary for services like police, fire departments, and infrastructure, politicians have turned taxation into “three-card Monty,” pitting welfare programs against veterans’ services while funding foreign wars and corporate bailouts. He urged citizens to use initiatives and petitions to hold government accountable.
Greg Morrissey emphasized getting involved at the local city council level to understand where tax dollars flow. Terri Goon highlighted how incremental taxes add up, noting that Colorado’s $750 TABOR refund checks opened voters’ eyes to overtaxation, leading Longmont to reject three new tax measures.
“When you’re paying your income taxes on the money that you earn, that money represents the time of your life. And when you earn it, it will purchase the time of other people’s lives.”
Dave Walden, Liberty Toastmasters North
Kurt Gerwitz, a professor and regular contributor, analyzed Bidenomics and its three pillars: public investments, empowering the middle class, and promoting competition. While acknowledging positive indicators like record stock markets and GDP growth, Gerwitz noted that Americans feel worse economically because Thanksgiving costs 25% more than the year before and general inflation has raised prices 15%.
The conversation explored how charitable giving through nonprofits holds America together more effectively than government programs, where inefficiency claims 20 cents of every dollar. Gerwitz lamented how political partisanship now shapes economic perceptions, with people seeking confirmation of their narratives rather than objective truth.
“Whenever you see a system of injustice, ask yourself, who’s benefiting from the way it is? There is a homelessness industrial complex. There are people who would suffer if we actually ended homelessness.”
Kurt Gerwitz, Professor
Karen Morgan, a 20-year Lakewood resident, previewed a contentious city council meeting addressing three issues: welcoming migrants, a $9.3 million navigation center that would make Lakewood the homeless service hub for Jefferson County, and a strategic housing plan potentially using abandoned schools. Morgan noted that neighboring cities like Westminster, Golden, and Arvada support the regional effort but won’t host the facilities themselves.
Former Lakewood City Council member Mary Janssen called in to explain the bait-and-switch: the Recovery Works navigation center was originally sold as homeless assistance, with $9 million already appropriated. Now the focus has shifted to migrants, raising questions about the original mission and the people driving both initiatives.
“Is this a nation of laws, and are we following the laws? That’s what people really want to support. You can’t force a philanthropic effort.”
Karen Morgan, Lakewood Resident
Natalie Menten, a government watchdog, exposed a $340,000 Jefferson County contract awarded to Bighorn Company to develop ballot proposals that would allow voters to forfeit their TABOR refunds. Bighorn Company is owned by Ian Silverii, husband of Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen. Silverii has contributed to the county commissioners who awarded the contract, revealing cozy relationships between elected officials and political operatives.
Menten highlighted a loophole allowing governments to use taxpayer money for campaign activities until a measure officially becomes a ballot issue. She urged citizens to visit COBallot.com to track similar efforts in Arapahoe County and local school districts. The irony struck her: as property tax bills hit mailboxes, county officials use TABOR refunds to fund campaigns against TABOR itself.
“Government should not be spending our public money on a tax increase campaign. It is wrong.”
Natalie Menten, Government Watchdog
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