DELIVERED NOVEMBER 20, 2006, 10AM IN THE STATE OF COLORADO HOUSE CHAMBERS
Good morning guests and fellow members of the 2006 Youth in Government Assembly. It is my honor to stand before you as your Governor and deliver to you a report, that report being the State of the State.
Speaking at an anti-drug rally, Nancy Reagan once said, I don’t intend for this to take on a political tone, I’m just here for the drugs.” Let me begin by commending you for taking part in one of the best political programs for youth today. Today, unlike Nancy Reagan, I intend for my speech to take a political tone, and I intend for all of you to take on a political tone throughout this week.
For this week, we are learning of the political system. We are developing opinions and political ideals that will shape how our generation runs this state and this country when they are placed in our hands. Take a political tone this week. Don’t just be here for three days off school.
There is a fable told of an ant and a grasshopper. One summer day, the grasshopper was hopping and singing along. An ant passed by bearing along with great toil an ear of corn he was taking to his nest. “Why not come and chat with me,” said the grasshopper, “instead of toiling in that way.” The ant replied “I’m helping to lay up food for the winter, and I recommend you do the same.” “Why bother about winter?” said the grasshopper. We have plenty of food at present.” The ant went on his way, and the grasshopper his. However, when the winter came, the grasshopper found himself dying of hunger, while the ant prospered from his earlier toil. Thus, this fable teaches us, that it is best to prepare for the days of necessity.
Today the State of Colorado is strong, but there is much we have to accomplish. You see, current leaders today seem either content, or frustrated with the status quo. However, either side seems to refuse to come together to truly advance the status quo, to make it better. To be
like the ant and prepare for tomorrow. Ladies and gentlemen, tomorrow is a day of necessity, and it is best we prepare for it today.
Bill Clinton once said “Today we declare that government is not the problem, and government is not the solution. We the American people, we are the solution.” Ladies and Gentlemen, today I stand before you to declare that current government is not the solution to many problems we face in the status quo. I declare today that we, we members of this generation, we are the solution, and we must prepare for that responsibility and that obligation today. Today begins a three day journey in which we are given stewardship of this state.
No, the legislation we enact this week will not be real laws in this state, and no we are not fixing current problems. However, we are like the ant, even in the face of peer pressure, and youth apathy telling us that we should not come here today, we are laying up principles and ideas for the future, a future that demands leaders ready to resolve future issues.
Therefore, let us run this legislative session this week as we will when we truly are given stewardship over this state. Let us first show that we are willing to easily practice a very unappealing word to some in current government: bipartisanship. These three days are not to advance partisan political ideologies. It is about developing opinions, hearing others, and then finding a common ground to enact true change. It is only in working together that true solutions are found.
Let us work hard to craft legislation, as Governor Lamm spoke of, that reduces government spending. Our generation, as he spoke of today, faces years of deficit and government waste handed down by a government that spends more, in one night, than even Paris Hilton. Let us learn today how to get serious about assessing need, and diligently and firmly only spend that which we have. Let us work to reduce bureaucracy and red tape of this government. After all, Thomas Jefferson explained, that government is best which governs the least. Current government has grown at a faster pace than Barry Bonds biceps. Its steroids being more agencies, higher taxes, and overall policies that frustrate and complicate every day life. Our founding founders fears for today are becoming a reality. Let us work together to reduce the size of the government to ensure efficiency and a government that provides for the common defence, not one that destroys it.
Let us work to insure that some 780,000 Coloradans uninsured, a number that may very well grow by the time that we take control of this state. Proactive approaches to addressing this problem have been put in place in current government such as in Massachusetts. It is our generation’s responsibility to watch how those programs work, and to strengthen them. Health care is a very demanding issue that affects many individual lives. We must prepare today to solve those problems tomorrow.
Let us not fall victim to the blatant attacks upon our religious heritage and culture. Under God, and in God we trust, are words that must remain intact, to remind us of the religious heritage on which this country was
founded.
Let us work to break free of the obsession with oil that binds our current government. Colorado offers great opportunity to become a leading state in alternative energy production and research. Let us enact legislation this week that advances and benefits that opportunity.
Finally, let us work to protect this beautiful and God given environment of Colorado. It is a beauty that not only our generation should be entitled to enjoy, but also generations after us. Let us not exploit this beauty, but rather insure its continued vitality.
Ladies and gentlemen, we have our work cut out for us this week. After all, Otto Von Bismarck said “Laws are like sausages, it is better to not see them being made”. This week will be full of debate, contention, and multiple pieces of legislation. Learn this process, understand it, relish in it. For after all, the only process by which we can accomplish all of the issues I have spoken of today, is the legislative process.
Members of this General Assembly, our state of Colorado is strong today, but there are issuing pressing upon it that threaten this strength. It is our generation’s obligation to solve those problems, so as to make Colorado a stronger tomorrow. Tomorrow is a day of necessity, and like the ant, we must prepare today, to more effectively lead and guide this state and country to greater heights. May this week be a successful experience that prepares all of us to be better leaders of tomorrow. God bless this
country, this state, and this General Assembly. Thank you.