Author: Eric Sondermann
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The coming election and mischief in the making | Eric Sondermann
America’s tribalism is such these days that we struggle to even agree on the basic rules. Elections have always been hotly contested. As the saying goes, “Politics ain’t beanbag.” The process has long involved elements of nastiness and underhanded conduct. Still, we used to be able to take some things for granted. We had a…
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Colorado elections offer an all-you-can-eat political buffet | Eric Sondermann
We find ourselves in the doldrums of August with a complete dearth of political news. Yeah, right. These days, that train never stops moving. It is a 24/7/365 express amplified by 24/7/365 media. Let me respond with one of my occasional catch-all columns touching on a handful of topics worthy of comment but without the…
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Democrats and their big roll of the dice | Eric Sondermann
For Republicans on the ballot this fall, the hand they are forced to play is rather set. Even if so many of them had not so meekly submitted to the Trump agenda, they would still be largely tethered to the President’s unpopularity and depth-charge-level approval ratings. On the other hand, Democrats, as the party in…
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Watergate scandal’s legacy still echoes | Eric Sondermann
It is the scandal for which all other scandals are now named. In June 1972, a small group of Cuban burglars with high-level connections broke into the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee. Those headquarters were located in the Watergate complex of offices, residences, and a hotel. Hence, the name of the scandal that dominated…
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Ending polarization begins with election reform | Eric Sondermann
In its current state, the American political system has no end of ailments. Far too many factors accelerate polarization and work against moderation and narrowing the differences. Media and the way so many citizens limit themselves to agreeable, reinforcing sources only dial up division. Congress has become performative and is essentially crippled in carrying out…
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The through line from Donald Trump to Victor Marx | Eric Sondermann
Ten years ago, before Donald Trump could ever defeat Hillary Clinton, he had to first engineer a hostile takeover of the Republican Party. Prior to his descent of that golden escalator, the previous seven Republican presidential nominees had been named Bush, Bush, Dole, Bush, Bush, McCain and Romney. Those names constituted something of a country…
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25 lessons and wishes to celebrate America’s 250th | Eric Sondermann
The 250th celebration of America’s birth is upon us. There is undoubtedly much to salute. Despite plenty of strife and discontent at home, America remains a beacon to much of the world. The wisdom of our founders has largely withstood the test of time. That said, we are living through a tumultuous period, certainly not…
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A mistaken commutation and an over-the-top reaction | Eric Sondermann
It seemed an itch that Gov. Jared Polis just had to scratch. After months of hints and speculation, Polis put his signature on a commutation of the prison sentence of Colorado’s election-denying queen, former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters. True, Peters’s break was one of 44 commutations and pardons announced en masse by Polis late on a Friday afternoon.…
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Colorado needs a sane, viable opposition party | Eric Sondermann
If you are upset with the increasing regulatory burden in Colorado, the exodus of too many large employers, accelerating property taxes, the condition of the roads and all of the funding for transit schemes with low demand, of course you can lay the blame on Democrats who control all levers of state government. The same holds if your misgiving centers on annual…
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The applicability of Hungary’s election to our politics | Eric Sondermann
American conservatives, largely synonymous these days with MAGA — save for a few lonely voices of courage and dissent, have plenty to lament. Their domination of the political landscape is waning. Various special elections hither and yon have presented bright, flashing caution signs. A very difficult, perhaps devastating, off-year election beckons. Major fractures have surfaced within the movement. A Middle Eastern war…