Who the Heck is Dan Maes?

By Dave

Earlier this week, upstart Republican gubernatorial candidate Dan Maes beat out establishment figure and former congressman Scott McInnis at the Colorado state GOP assembly.

All I could think was, "Who the heck is Dan Maes?"

So here's what I've got: Maes is an Evergreen businessman turned tea party activist who, with little name recognition, has been able to plug in to the anti-incumbent and anti-establishment fervor permeating the Republican party.

His platform:

1. Increase efficiencies in the area of FTE counts thus reducing the size of state government freeing up funds for other priorities.
2. Identify areas for program consolidation or elimination including positions that duplicate the purpose of an executives responsibility.
3. Reverse the executive orders that created the state employees union, and funding for Planned Parenthood
4. Restructure the content of the COGCC and work toward a more energy friendly regulatory environment in order to drive energy severance tax revenue to its highest in the state’s history while encouraging new energy models
5. Give tax incentives to all small businesses that hire at least 1 new employee in 2011
6. Support choice in education including home, charter, public and private options. Work for a tax credit for those who choose home or private schools
7. I will defend the Tax Payers Bill of Rights (TABOR) and work aggressively to reverse any legislation implemented by Ritter Administration that violates TABOR. (i.e. Faster Legislation, property tax mill levy freeze, dirty dozen tax exemptions)
8. Reduce the personal income tax to a level of 4.5% by 2012
9. 5% unemployment rate by the end of 2013
10. Initiate a new era of stricter enforcement of existing legislation and state laws including those covering vehicle registration, drivers licenses, DUI, and illegal immigration.
11. Limit new legislation to 3 bills per member of the assembly
12. Facilitate mutually beneficial resolution between our states strong military economy and private property owners in Pinon Canyon Area.

Also he proudly supported the Personhood amendment in 2008, thinks marriage should be legally defined as strictly between a man and a woman, opposes stricter oil and gas regulations, and will try to block the implementation of the recent health care reform.

In short, he is exactly the opposite of what Colorado wants or needs. His goals would leave Colorado backward and bankrupt.