COLOfornia
The California Effect: Shaping the Progressive Agenda in Colorado and Across America
California was quite literally ablaze only four months ago. As homes and businesses were reduced to ash, state leaders focused their energy elsewhere—pushing to decriminalize psychedelic drugs, securing same-sex marriage rights, and advancing gender-affirming care for transgender youth—all while basic infrastructure, like fire hydrants, ran dry.
As a child, visiting relatives in the Golden State meant a long train ride filled with excitement. I spent two nights sleeping upright just to feel the warm, welcoming air of what was once a thriving state. Years later, I returned for a workshop, only to find the sidewalk outside the hotel caked in pigeon droppings.
Growing up in Nebraska was manageable, as long as it came with the reward of a summer trip to Colorado. As a kid, I’d always play the classic game of who could spot the mountains first. The drive through Big Thompson Canyon is still etched in my memory.
When I married my husband in Nebraska in 1980, we dreamed of moving to Colorado—but it took us 26 years to get here. Along the way, we spent nine sun-scorched years in Arizona, baking on the asphalt and wondering why our once-small town was bursting at the seams with people and traffic. Finally, in 2006, we made the leap to a quiet town nestled between Colorado Springs and Denver.
"Colorful Colorado" turned out to be quite white—snow white, that is. Our realtor promised us that the sun would make snow removal a breeze—just a broom would do! But that first winter, our little home was buried under more than 200 inches of snow. My husband promptly bought a snowblower, and on blizzard days, we stayed home, cozy by the fire, completely content in our new mountain life. Even as I write today, May 6, we are experiencing large flakes of snow gathering under our blooming lilac bushes.
In 2016, the Denver Broncos brought home an NFL championship—what a thrill! Then, in 2023, the Denver Nuggets made history with their first-ever NBA title. Once again, we were number one!
But as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. The influx of Californians changed the landscape, the cost of living soared, and our championship season faded. But Colorado is #1 in:
substance abuse (people refusing help)
We are #2 in:
We are #3 in:
We are #4 in:
We are #5 in:
We are #7 in:
Colorado is also considered to have one of the:
As a retired teacher, my viewpoint always comes back to education. Unfortunately, Colorado is ranked near the bottom of all the states.
Is it fair to place the blame on California? Well, according to our newest source, AI, it is:
The influx of Californians into Colorado has primarily led to concerns about increased housing costs and a shift in the state's political and cultural landscape. While some might perceive this as a positive change, many Coloradans view it negatively, citing rising prices and a perceived loss of Colorado's unique character.
Here's a more detailed look:
Negative Impacts:
Rising Housing Costs: Data indicates that transplants, including many from California, have higher housing budgets than long-time residents, driving up prices.
Shifting Political Landscape: Some argue that the influx of Californians has contributed to a more progressive political environment in Colorado, which some Coloradans find undesirable.
Perceived Loss of Colorado Identity: Some Coloradans express concern that the influx of new residents is changing the state's cultural fabric and sense of community.
Overall, Californians' impact on Colorado is complex and multifaceted. While some Coloradans may find the changes positive, many others view them as detrimental, particularly in terms of rising costs and the perceived loss of Colorado's unique character. Speaking of character, our Colorado governor just signed into law forcing all Colorado taxpayers to fund abortions. In case you are unaware, abortion is legal in Colorado at any point during pregnancy, including late-term, for any reason.
SOLUTIONS:
I wish getting out the vote was the answer. But with 69% of Colorado voters turning in ballots this past election, it is the California influence dictating the outcome.
How do we stop the California Effect?
Limit California's Federal Influence:
Focus on advocating for policies that prioritize the needs of other states and limit the influence of California-centric policies at the federal level.Promote Regional Cooperation:
Encourage regional collaboration and cooperation among states outside of California to address shared challenges and build stronger regional economies.Counter California's Influence on Policy:
Challenge the adoption of California's policies on a national level, and advocate for alternative approaches that better suit the needs of other states.Promoting free market principles can help counter California's influence by encouraging a more competitive and dynamic economy, potentially leading to innovation and growth in other areas
There is a better solution. Abhor evil!
ABHOR EVIL, AMERICA!
Some argue what one person sees as good, another sees as evil. Consider the warning from the prophet Isaiah: “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil.” So what does God call evil? Anything that stands against His nature, His will, and the order He established in creation. But hold on—does America even believe in this God anymore? Surprisingly, yes. According to a recent Pew Research study, 62% of Americans still believe in a higher power—not the Supreme Court, not the president—but in the Judeo-Christian God. So there is a belief system in place, but do we, as a society, adhere to His commandments?
Without belief in God, one can rationalize evil as good. In what ways do we act against God's nature and will? Here is an example of the 21st-century rebuttal to God’s Ten Commandments:
Admiring and emulating athletes and celebrities comes naturally to many.
Pursuing the gods of success, power, and wealth (the graven image of money) often takes precedence over principles—it's seen as part of the human condition. Prioritizing personal gain over integrity is frequently rewarded.
Using God's name irreverently is protected under the banner of free speech.
Church is often viewed as a refuge for the emotionally dependent, while skipping Sunday services is embraced as self-care.
Elderly parents are seen as burdensome—best placed in care facilities, or, in darker views, no longer considered worth keeping alive.
Taking the life of a health insurance executive is framed by some as a form of justice. One in every three women of childbearing age in the United States will have or has had an abortion.
Infidelity is considered commonplace. Consuming pornography is widely accepted and dismissed as harmless.
Stealing is rationalized when done by those who feel marginalized or disadvantaged.
Media dishonesty is treated as an unavoidable reality. AI-doctored pictures on social media are a creative way to intrude on others’ lives.
Jealousy of others’ success can fuel demands for equity—the idea that everyone deserves a fair chance to succeed, even if others have achieved success without clear merit.
What about God’s design for creation?
Today, the creation of man and woman as distinct and intentional is treated more like a flexible idea than a foundational truth.
Altering a child’s body to align with their perceived gender identity is now considered not just permissible, but a protected right.
As a nation, we are locked in a battle between good and evil. Over the past decade, it seems clear that evil is gaining ground. And I’ll start with myself: as a Christian, a writer, and a teacher, I have felt the pressure to conform—to soften the truth, to exchange clarity for compromise.
I was publicly "canceled" in 2016 for standing by my beliefs. In April of 2017, I was fired from my teaching position without due process, after five years of constant bullying. Just this past year, I was attacked online by people who despise not just my views, but my right to express them.
So yes, I’ve found myself diluting my message, making it more palatable to those who stand opposed to God and what He ordains as good. This is the America we live in now: we’ve been trained to appease voices that promote confusion, irrationality, and what can only be called evil.
“Can’t we all just get along?” has been twisted into a demand: “Christians, stay silent. Stay out of politics. Keep your faith out of the public square. Be compliant!”
Comply? Colorado already has. America is next.
