2009 Catalog of Shows
January 9th and 13th – Preview of 2009 Legislative Session
Hold on to your wallets! Hide your civil liberties in the closet! The 2009 Colorado legislative session has begun. What can Coloradans expect from the General Assembly? What are the priorities? What are the pet projects? This week on Independent Thinking host Jon Caldara previews the session with guests Sandra Solin from Capitol Solutions and Eric Sonderman of SE2. Watch this episode here.
January 16th and 20th – The State of Colorado’s Economy
Unemployment is up and revenues are down. What does 2009 hold in store for Colorado’s economy? How does Colorado’s economy compare with other states? For perspectives and predictions, tune in to Independent Thinking as host Jon Caldara discusses the state of Colorado’s economy with guests Rob Rueteman, Rocky Mountain News business editor, and Neil Westergaard, editor of the Denver Business Journal. Watch this episode here.
January 23rd and 27th – Transparency for School Districts
Crowded classrooms. Longer walks to school. Dirtier school buildings. All because school districts need more money. Or do they? Some in Colorado are suggesting that before school districts ask for any more money, they should be more transparent with their revenues and expenditures. Show taxpayers how their tax dollars are being spent. To discuss spending transparency in Colorado school districts and pending legislation, citizen activist Natalie Menten and Independence Institute policy analyst Ben DeGrow join host Jon Caldara on Independent Thinking. This weekly current affairs series features lively – and sometimes heated – debates among elected officials, journalists, activists, concerned citizens and the hard-pressing conservative host, Jon Caldara. Watch this episode here.
January 30th and Feb. 3rd – Property Rights 2009
Property rights in Colorado are under attack. In 2008, the Colorado Supreme Court gave its blessing for municipalities to take private property simply because the property is pretty. RTD continues to condemn private property for private development all in the name of FasTracks. Will the 2009 Colorado General Assembly come to rescue of property owners? To discuss those issues and more, State Representative Cory Gardner and Property Rights Project Director Jessica Corry of the Independence Institute join host Jon Caldara on Independent Thinking. Watch this episode here.
February 6th and 10th – The Future of Newspapers
The Rocky Mountain News is supposed to celebrate its 150th Anniversary this spring, but according to some reports the paper may not even survive the month. This week on Independent Thinking, Jon Caldara goes one-on-one with Rocky Mountain News editor John Temple to discuss the future of Denver’s daily newspapers. Tune in this Friday night at 8:30 p.m. to KBDI Channel 12; repeated the following Tuesday evening at 5 p.m. Watch this episode here.
February 13th and 17th – Colorado State Budget and PERA
There is more fiscal danger lurking for Colorado taxpayers. The 2008-2009 budget shortfall is projected to be more than $600 million and is not expected to get much better next year. What could be worse? The answer is PERA (Publc Employees Retirement Association), which faces more than $20 billion in unfunded liabilities, and taxpayers are on the hook. What can the legislature do about the budget and PERA? To answer those questions and more, State Representative Kent Lambert and Independence Institute Senior Fellow Barry Poulson join host Jon Caldara on Independent Thinking.Watch this episode here.
February 20th and 24th – Bill Owen’s State of the State
Just a few short years ago Colorado enjoyed a thriving economy and Republicans enjoyed being in power. What happened? Former Governor Bill Owens goes one-on-one with host Jon Caldara to discuss everything from the state of the state of Colorado to the state of the Republican party.Watch this episode here.
February 27th and March 3rd – The Dirty Dozen
Which Supreme Court cases have had the most significant negative impact on Americans’ personal and economic freedom? Institute for Justice president William Mellor had to narrow the number to 12 for his latest book, The Dirty Dozen: How Twelve Supreme Court Cases Radically Expanded Government and Eroded Freedom. Mellor goes one-on-one with Independent Thinking host Jon Caldara to discuss how the Supreme Court has affected freedom. Watch this episode here.
March 6th and 10th – Paul Jacobs
"The most hated man in Washington," that’s how columnist Robert Novak described Paul Jacobs because of Jacob’s work on national term limits for Congress. Currently, Jacobs serves as the president of Citizens in Charge and hosts Common Sense an on-line, radio and print opinion program. He goes one-on-one with Independent Thinking host Jon Caldara this Friday night at 8:30 p.m. on KBDI Channel 12; repeated Tuesday evening at 5 p.m. Watch this episode here.
March 13th and 17th – Arveschoug-Bird
Taxpayers are about to get violated again. For roughly 17 years, Coloradans have agreed that the 6 percent spending cap on the general fund was enshrined in the state constitution and only could be changed by a vote of the people. Now some lawmakers claim they don’t need to ask voters to spend more taxpayer money. Is SB 228 constitutional and how will it affect the state budget, especially transportation? Economist and Independence Institute Senior Fellow Barry Poulson and Senate Minority Leader Josh Penry discuss the consequences of SB 228 with me on Independent Thinking. Will on Denver’s KBDI Channel 12, Fridays at 8:30 pm repeated the following Tuesday at 5 pm. Watch this episode here.
March 20th and 24th – Overpaid at CU?
As students struggle to make tuition payments, public university officials in Colorado are raking in six figure salaries and perks. Given the nation’s current economic woes, and in the aftermath of new salary caps on Wall Street firms taking government money, has the time come to cap salaries of public employees? To discuss the possibility Jessica Corry from the Independence Institute’s Campus Accountability Project and University of Colorado student Kate Melvin join me on Independent Thinking. Airs tonight at 8:30 on Denver’s KBDI Channel 12, repeated the following Tuesday at 5 pm. Watch this episode here.
March 27th and 31st – Fastracks
You have seen them, maybe ridden them, and certainly have helped to pay for them. A proposal for additional taxes to help the ailing FasTracks projects is speeding across the Denver metro area, while a few voices advocate putting on the brakes. Broomfield Mayor Patrick Quinn and Denver Post staff reporter Jeff Leib join me to discuss the impact of FasTracks on your property, your taxes, and our community at large. Airs tomorrow night at 8:30 on Denver’s KBDI Channel 12, repeated the following Tuesday at 5 pm. Watch this episode here.
April 3rd and 7th – Sentencing Reform
Once again the Colorado budget and prison spending are on a collision course. The Colorado Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice (CCCJJ) tries to balance public safety, justice, the rights of victims and the most cost-effective use of public resources. CCCJJ recently released recommendations. Commission member State Representative Ellen Roberts and Christie Donner of the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition join Independent Thinking host Jon Caldara to discuss the recommendations and how they balance public safety and the state budget. Watch this episode here.
April 10th and 14th – The Electoral College
A large percentage of Colorado legislators think that the Electoral College has outlived its usefulness. What is the Electoral College? Why has it been successful for more than 200 years? Why do some want to get rid of it? Former State Senator Ken Gordon and Independence Institute Research Director David Kopel debate whether Colorado ought to choose the president, or if that right should be exported to the whims of the nation. Tune in to Independent Thinking for a lively discussion on the future of the Electoral College in Colorado. Watch this episode here.
April 17th and 21st – Secret Sick Tax
The recently passed "Health Care Affordability Act" is any but. How will this tax on hospital patients, which forbids transparency and dramatically expands Medicaid, affect Coloradans? Colorado State Senator Greg Brophy and Director of the Health Care Policy Center at Independence Institute Linda Gorman join host Jon Caldara to discuss the secret sick tax. We invited supporters of the bill – sponsors from both the senate and the house, Colorado Citizens for Coverage and Denver Health to join in the debate; but they declined. Tune in to Independent Thinking this Friday night at 8:30 p.m. on KBDI channel 12; repeated the following Tuesday evening at 5 p.m. Watch this episode here.
April 24th and 28th – Free market Environmentalism with Terry Anderson
Environmentalism is a product of capitalism and freedom and not some Marxist philosophy of the environment being owned by "the people" and cared for by the state. Terry Anderson, Executive Director of Property and Environment Research Center, is one of those radical environmentalists who proposes such things as market based solutions to environmental problems, private property ownership, and even the possibility that recycling may cause more harm than good. He will sit down with Independent Thinking host Jon Caldara to discuss how the prosperity of free markets has given us the ability to care for the environment, and how continual economic growth is better, not worse, for our ecosystem. Tune in this Friday night at 8:30 p.m. to KBDI Channel 12; repeated the following Tuesday evening at 5 p.m. Watch this episode here.
May 1st and 5th – Climate of Extremes
Despite Al Gore’s claim that the earth has a fever, which must be remedied with legislation and carbon taxes, global climate change is normal! "Denier" Patrick Michaels, Senior Fellow in Environmental Studies at the CATO Institute, offers insight on the other side of the debate: climate change has existed throughout the history of the earth, man made global warming does not have a significant impact on the environment, and the economic calamity proposed by proponents of a carbon tax will be far more disastrous. Tune in to Independent Thinking when Patrick Michaels goes one-on-one with host Jon Caldara. Watch this episode here.
May 8th and 12th – Winners and Losers of the ’09 Legislative Session
The legislative session is over. How did your civil liberties fare? How about your wallet? Unions? Transparency? Education? Transportation? Lynn Bartels of the Denver Post and Patty Calhoun of Westword join host Jon Caldara on Independent Thinking to discuss who and what were the winners and losers of the 2009 legislative session. That’s this Friday night at 8:30 p.m. on KBDI Channel 12; repeated the following Tuesday evening at 5 p.m. Watch this episode here.
May 15th and 19th – Colorado’s Banking Industry
TARP. Stress Tests. Bankruptcies and bailouts. We’ve heard plenty about the national financial services meltdown, but how are Colorado banks involved and what impact is it having on our economy? On Independent Thinking I discuss the state of banking in Colorado with Don Childers, CEO of the Colorado Bankers Association, and Al Lewis, business columnist with the Denver Post. Tune in this Friday night at 8:30 p.m. on KBDI Channel 12; repeated the following Tuesday evening at 5 p.m. Watch this episode here.
May 22nd and 26th – Health Care Public or Private?
Public or Private? Right or privilege? Those are the vogue questions these days as more and more government creeps into the health care of Americans. Independent Thinking host Jon Caldara sits down with two State Representatives, Spencer Swalm (R-Centennial) and Jim Riesberg (D-Greeley), to discuss the pros and cons of a public health system and the state of Colorado health care at the end of the 2009 legislative session. Tune in this Friday night at 8:30 p.m. on KBDI Channel 12; repeated the following Tuesday evening at 5 p.m. Watch this episode here.
May 29th and June 2nd – Myths of the Great Depression
The rhetoric surrounding today’s economic climate is frighting. Americans are bombarded with news of "the worst economy since the Great Depression." Problem is much of what Americans know about the Great Depression is simply wrong such as President Franklin Roosevelt’s policies stimulated the economy. In truth, Roosevelt’s policies needlessly prolonged the financial pain. Larry Reed, president of the Foundation for Economic Education and author of Great Myths of the Great Depression, joins guest host Jessica Corry to enlighten us on what we don’t know about the most difficult economic decade in modern history. Tune in Friday night at 8:30 p.m. to KBDI Channel 12; repeated the following Tuesday evening at 5 p.m. Watch this episode here.
June 5th and 9th – Saving the Elctoral College with Tara Ross
What is the Electoral College and why do some people want to do away with it? In a one-on-one interview with host Jon Caldara, author and attorney Tara Ross explains this little understood but very important principle of our constitutional republic. Watch this episode here.
June 12th and 16th – RTD, Property Rights, and Eminent Domain Abuse
Is there any recourse for property owners caught in the path of FasTracks? Property rights attorney Robert Hoban, Jessica Corry of the Independence Institute, and the owners of Pro-Tint Windows Kim Snyder and Galen Foster join Jon Caldara to detail RTDs handling of property owners and abuse of eminent domain. Tune in this Friday night at 8:30 p.m. to KBDI Channel 12, Fridays; repeated the following Tuesday at 5 pm. Watch this episode here.
June 19th and 23rd – Anti-Nannyists Roundtable
What does nannyism cost in terms of money and lack of individual freedom? On INDEPENDENT THINKING, a round table of anti-nannyists convene to discuss this very question. Joining host Jon Caldara is Radley Balko of Reason Magazine, David Martosko from the Center for Consumer Freedom, Denver Post columnist David Harsanyi and local anti-nannyist activist Andrew Boucher. Watch this episode here.
June 26th and 30th – Daniel Hannan – Conservative MEP
You’ve heard seen the incredible speech given by Daniel Hannan, Member of European Parliament, where he called Prime Minister Gordon Brown a "devalued Prime Minister of a devalued government." Now Mr. Hannan joins host Jon Caldara on Independent Thinking to talk about that fateful day and his thoughts on our founding and what we can do to help preserve it the Founder’s vision. Watch this episode here.
July 3rd and 7th – Colorado’s Auto Industry Post Bailout
Tim Jackson from the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association and Jim Fynes VP of Long Ford Denver will appear on the next INDPENDENT THINKING to discuss the issues surrounding the auto bailout. They also will talk about how things have changed since last December in the auto industry and discuss how Colorado has been effected through the dealership closings. Watch this episode here.
July 10th and 14th – One on One with Dave Kopel
On the next Independent Thinking, Second Amendment expert David Kopel is in with Jon Caldara for a one-on-one interview to discuss a whole host of second amendment issues. We will talk about HR 45 — a bill to require gun registration with the federal government, guns in national parks, a new Montana law to challenge the limits of the commerce clause, and the fallacy of U.S. guns in Mexico. Tune in this Friday night at 8:30 p.m. on KBDI Channel 12; repeated the following Tuesday evening at 5 p.m. Watch this episode here.
July 17th and 21st – Colorado’s Fiscal Road Map
Colorado is staring down a $1 billion budget shortfall over the next two years. As bad as that sounds, the structural deficit going forward will be much worse if Colorado doesn’t address mandatory spending requirements in our state budget. Independence Institute Senior Fellow Barry Poulson and State Representative Kent Lambert join Independent Thinking host Jon Caldara to discuss their proposal for a fiscal road map to Colorado’s long term economic stability. That’s this Friday night at 8:30 p.m. on KBDI Channel 12; repeated the following Tuesday evening at 5 p.m. Watch this episode here.
July 24th and 28th – The Real Estate Market
Where is Colorado’s real estate market headed? Former Colorado State Senator and CEO of New West Capital Tom Weins and author of insiderealestatenews.com John Rebchook join host Jon Caldara for a discussion about the future of the real estate market. They discus how different regulations are hampering individuals’ personal and business decisions in terms of the local market and what the implications are of national decisions on a local scale. Find out how the policy decisions and economic circumstances affect your property. Watch this episode here.
July 31st and Aug 4th – Voter Approval of Supreme Court Justices
Colorado’s State Supreme Court justices must get voter approval to retain their seats on the state’s highest court. This gives the voters of Colorado the option of holding justices accountable when they contort the rule of law. Matt Arnold, the Executive Director for Clear The Bench Colorado and John Andrews, former President of the Colorado State Senate, join host Jon Caldara to discus which justices have violated the trust of the citizenry of Colorado and should not be retained. Watch this episode here.
August 7th and 11th – Cash for Clunkers
What a shock! Giving people a check for $4500 to buy a car is hugely popular! Is “Cash for Clunkers” a great way to stimulate the economy and reduce our collective dependence on foreign oil or just another example of the government handing out money to a preferred industry? To discuss “Cash for Clunkers,” Tim Jackson of the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association and Denver Post Columnist David Harsanyi join guest host Jessica Corry on Independent Thinking. Tune in this Friday night at 8:30 pm to KBDI Channel 12; repeated the following Tuesday evening at 5 p.m. Watch this episode here.
August 14th and 18th – Cuba: Murderous Regime or Potential Trading Partner?
Cuba: Murderous dictatorial regime or trading partner? Or possibly both? Should Colorado expand agricultural trade with our neighbor 90 miles off the Florida coast? To discuss the issue, Tim Larsen, international trade specialist from the Colorado Department of Agriculture, and wheat farmer and State Representative Jerry Sonnenberg join guest host Jessica Corry on Independent Thinking. Watch this episode here.
August 21st and 25th – Downzoning Denver
Why do the Denver city central planners hate senior fellow Mike Krause’s property rights so much they want to downzone his entire Berkeley neighborhood — so that no one can ever add value to their property through redevelopment? For answers to that question and more tune in to Independent Thinking as Denver City Councilman Charlie Brown and Mike Krause of the Independence Institute join guest host Jessica Corry to discuss the future of property rights in Colorado’s largest city. Watch this episode here.
August 28th and Sept. 1st – Property Rights in Boulder
Guests: Gary Zimmermand, No Trail Alliance and Bob Hoban, land use attorney, join guest host Jessica Corry. Watch this episode here.
Sept. 4th and Sept. 8th – Colorado’s Long Term Fiscal Stability
What is the outlook for the Colorado state budget? What are the proper functions of state government? The Independence Institute’s Amy Oliver-Cooke and Renny Fagan of the Colorado Nonprofit Association join host Jon Caldara on Independent Thinking for an update on the ongoing work of Colorado’s Long Term Fiscal Stability Commission. Tune in this Friday night at 8:30 pm to KBDI Channel 12; repeated the following Tuesday evening at 5 p.m.. Watch this episode here.
Sept. 11th and Sept. 14th – The Changing News Landscape
As traditional print media continues to shrink in Colorado, who will step in to fill the void? Alan Gottlieb from Education News Colorado and Todd Shepherd from the Independence Institute’s "Independence Investigates" project join host Jon Caldara to discuss the challenges and future of non-profit based news gathering and investigative reporting outlets in Colorado. Watch this episode here.
Sept. 18th and 21st – End of Summer Political Wrap-Up
Want to know who’s up and who’s down in Colorado’s political races? Or how about the status of Colorado’s efforts to close budget gap? Denver Post reporters Lynn Bartels and Tim Hoover join host Jon Caldara for an end of summer wrap up of Colorado’s political races and ongoing state budget debate. Watch this episode here.
Sept. 25th and 28th – One on One with Bill Owens
What is former Colorado Governor Bill Owens up to these days? Find out tonight on Independent Thinking as Bill Owens joins Jon Caldara for a one on one conversation. Tune in tonight at 8:30 pm to KBDI Channel 12; repeated the following Monday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. Watch this episode here.
October 2nd and 5th – The President’s Agenda
What do health care, the economy, bailouts and deficits have in common? They are all somehow involve the Obama Administration, and have all been covered by Denver Post Columnists David Harsanyi and Mike Littwin. This week, Harsanyi and Littwin join host Jon Caldara to talk about the president’s agenda and what it means for Coloradans. Watch this episode here.
October 9th and 12th – Why Can’t the State be More Like Jeffco?
Why cant the state be more transparent like Jefferson County? While Colorados largest county actively pursues detailed financial transparency with its new website Transparent Jeffco, Governor Ritter and the state controller violate the spirit of the Colorado Taxpayer Transparency Act by providing taxpayers with confusing, aggregated numbers with no context. To discuss the two dramatically different transparency websites, State Representative BJ Nikkel and Jefferson County Commissioner Kevin McCasky join host Amy Oliver Cooke on Independent Thinking. Watch this episode here.
October 16th and 19th – Health Care Reform Debate
Health insurance mandates in Massachusetts, health care rationing in Oregon, and dont forget that whole national public option alternative. The Independence Institutes Health Care Policy Center Director Linda Gorman and former Colorado State Senator Ken Gordon join host Caldara to talk about the state of the health care debate. Watch this episode here.
October 23rd and 26th – A New Strategy to Increase Student Achievement
A new strategy to increase student achievement in our public schools, portfolio management, has gained traction in several urban school districts. With this approach, local school boards oversee a variety of autonomous school operators to meet the diverse needs and interest of students in the community. On this weeks Independent Thinking, guest host Pam Benigno leads a discussion on the topic of school district portfolio management with special guests Dr. Paul Hill, director of the University of Washingtons Center on Reinventing Public Education, and Jim Weigel, a former school board member and consultant for the Colorado Association of School Boards. Watch this episode here.
October 30th and Nov. 2nd – How Many More Prison Beds can Colorado Afford?
How many more prison beds can Colorado afford? This week, Independent Thinking takes a look at sentencing reform and the work of the Colorado Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice (CCJJ). State Senator John Morse and Attorney General John Suthers, both commission members, join host Jon Caldara to talk about crime, punishment and the prospects for sentencing reform in the next legislative session. Watch this episode here.
November 13th and 16th – RTD’s Broken Promises
On this week’s Independent Thinking, Chuck Plunkett from the Denver Post and Kathleen Osher from the Transit Alliance join host Jon Caldara to discuss the Regional Transportation District’s (RTD) history of broken promises around FasTracks, and how much more, if any, tax dollars should go to continue the already over-budget and behind schedule FasTracks build out. Watch this episode here.
November 20th and 23rd – One on One with PJ O’Rourke
This week, nationally-recognized writer and political humorist P.J. ORourke joins host Jon Caldara for a one on one conversation. P.J. is the author of numerous books on politics including Parliament of Whores, Give War a Chance, and his latest, Driving Like Crazy. Watch this episode here.
November 27th and 30th – Dave Kopel: Aiming for Liberty
On this weeks Independent Thinking, host Jon Caldara is joined by Independence Institute Research Director and Second Amendment expert Dave Kopel to discuss Daves new book Aiming For Liberty: The Past, Present, and Future of Freedom and Self-Defense. Dave and Jon also discuss the recent amicus brief the Independence Institute filed for the upcoming U.S. Supreme Court case McDonald v. Chicago. If you are a fan of civil liberties in general, and the Second Amendment in particular, you wont want to miss this show. Watch this episode here.
December 4th and 7th – Canada’s Obama Care
On this weeks Independent Thinking, Linda Gorman from the Independence Institutes Health Care Policy Center and Wayne Laugesen from the Colorado Springs Gazette join host Jon Caldara to talk about the Independence Institutes recent health care fact finding trip to Vancouver to find real people with real stories about Canadas single heath care system, and what government run health care might mean for us in the United States. Watch this episode here.
December 11th and 14th – Freedom Nationally, Virtue Locally
This host Jon Caldara is joined by Colorado State Senator Ted Harvey and Kevin Miller of the National Freedom Initiative to discuss the role of social conservatism in American politics and whether people can or should be coerced into virtue through force of government, or if the state should leave us all alone to pursue our own definition of virtue. Tune into KDBI Channel 12 this Friday at 8:30 pm. Re-broadcast the following Monday at 1:30 pm. Watch this episode here.
December 18th and 21st – Colorado Super-Lawyers Discuss Initiatives
Check out this week’s Independent Thinking as local lawyers David Lane and Ryan Call join Jon Caldara to discuss the future of Colorado’s citizen initiative and referendum process, and House Bill 1326, which throws up numerous new roadblocks to the process. Watch this episode here.
December 25th and 28th – Independence Institute Holiday Round Table
Big Government Santa is coming, and the Grinches at the Independence Institute are going to stop him. On this weeks Independent Thinking Jon Caldara is joined by a round table of Independence Institute policy center directors including Penn Pfiffner from the Fiscal Policy Center, Pam Benigno form the Education Policy Center, and Jessica Peck Corry from the Campus Accountability Project. Tune in for a holiday-themed discussion about what the free-market freedom fighters at the Independence Institute have been up to in 2009, and what is ahead for 2010. Watch this episode here.
