Code Neon Blue!

As we were planning for our assembly here in Prowers County, we kicked around ideas for possible speakers. One of the names that came up was Mark Udall. In the end, we couldn’t get him for our March event, but his staff worked it out for him to come down to southeast Colorado for a combo IdeaRaiser/Town Hall. As a bonus, people in Baca County got to meet with him too, in a session on renewable energy. (But I didn’t go to that one so I can’t report any details.)

Mark started out by quoting his grandfather as saying anyone can love the mountains, but it takes SOUL to love the High Plains. That got him off to a good start with us prairie populists. He also mentioned that his great-grandfather was one of the state’s first water engineers back at the turn of the 19th century, something I hadn’t known.

The idea of these meetings, besides exposing Udall to people he hopes will vote for him for Senator, is for him to collect comments from regular folks about their concerns and hopes. One of the things that impressed me was that, rather like a talented comedy improv type, he could take up any topic thrown out to him and riff on it credibly with what sounded to me like substantiative thoughts.

Before opening the floor to questions, he made brief statements on a couple of topics. First, the war. He pointed out he voted against starting it, and said he would work to end it by “leaving responsibly", drawing out troops and expecting the Iraqi military to step up in their place. He also sees the current condition of the military as a serious problem and wants to emphasize rebuilding it.

Health care is another priority. He likened it to mountain climbing, saying we are all on the rope together, and we can’t leave anyone behind.

He emphasized his record of working with others, even those divergent from his own beliefs when necessary (my words, by the way, not his) such as Tancredo, then referenced an old quote about academic politics being extremely vicious because so little is at stake. “I think people have forgotten how MUCH is at stake,” he said. He feels if other elected representatives can be reminded of that, there will be much more co-operation between the parties.

I tried to note down all the issues brought up by those in attendance at least by topic. Here they are.

Veteran’s Health: We need to either re-expand the veteran health facilities, or issue some kind of special card allowing them to get care from any medical provider they choose. It’s very hard for those in rural areas to try to get to the Springs, Denver or even Pueblo for treatment.

Mental Health/Criminal Justice: Too many people with mental health problems can’t get help, end up committing crimes and/or going on drugs, then go to prison where they STILL don’t get help.

Water issues: As with most water issues, this is a rather complex problem made even more so by attempts to fix it with new regulations. Fortunately, John Stulp, who is not only the State Sec. of Agriculture but an area rancher, was there to explain how the most recent troublesome problem is being addressed. Which I didn’t totally get, but seemed to satisfy the people who asked about it. For now.

Trains and light rail: I’ve already covered this in another post. Basically they are Good Things.

Renewable energy: Also A Very Good Thing.

US data security: Someone pointed out that among the many things being outsourced to other countries is a huge amount of data from government agencies, including Homeland Security. She didn’t think this was a very good secure plan. Udall said he would look into it.

The Constitution: Someone stated that Roosevelt had set the Constitution aside in 1933 and it had never been reinstated. He wanted to see that happen. That was a new one on me, and I think on Udall as well, but he segued off on restoring habeas corpus, which he is for. I think he rather soft-pedaled why it NEEDS to be restored, but he’s working that ‘pulling together’ angle, so I suppose that’s why. I’m willing to wait to see what he actually does about it when he gets the chance, so no snarkiness from me on that topic for now.

In Mark’s concluding remarks, he talked about how America got started by over-throwing the rule of a king and instituting the rule of law instead. Given his stated intention of wanting to be able to work together with Those Other Guys, his firm declaration that we have to restore the balance of power between the three branches of government was pretty darn close to a declaration of challenge. Or so it seemed to me.

And there you have it, my take on our Udall meeting. Overall impression: he’s pretty good. We could certainly do a whole lot worse.