About
Jon Caldara is the President of the Independence Institute, Colorado’s free-market think tank in Golden, Colorado. Caldara also hosts a 3 hour a day a radio talk show on the 50,000-watt blowtorch News Radio 850 KOA. His current affairs television program Independent Thinking, on Denver’s KBDI Channel 12, airs on Thursdays at 7:30 pm repeated the following Tuesday at 5 pm.
He was asked to take the position of President of the Independence Institute in November 1998 after then-President Tom Tancredo was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Caldara’s free market philosophies gelled when he was studying economics and business at the liberal University of Colorado in Boulder during the mid 1980s. As an outlet for his frustration with modern collectivist politics, Caldara authored and drew a daily comic strip entitled, B Street, which he syndicated to more than 50 newspapers across the U.S. This conservative version of Doonesbury; was the constant target of the politically correct.
Caldara started his political career in 1994 when he was elected to the Regional Transportation District Board of Directors. RTD is the fourth largest governmental entity in the state of Colorado. Caldara almost immediately became the most controversial and outspoken board member in RTD’s history, as he fought against wasteful projects and for free market reforms such as competitive contracting of services and privatization. In 1998, Caldara became Chairman of the Board of RTD. In 1997, Caldara led the effort to defeat “Guide the Ride”, a 66% RTD sales tax increase referendum. The proposal originally had popular support of 73%. The proponents of the tax hike outspent Caldara’s campaign by 15-to-1. By election day the measure failed with a 58% “no” vote.
Caldara is the veteran of many issue campaigns, including in 1998, Caldara led the statewide effort to defeat Referendum B, a proposal for the state to keep a billion dollars of the taxpayers’ surplus for unspecified projects. It had original public support of 75% and the proponents outspent Caldara’s campaign by 4-to-1. By election day the measure failed with a 63% “no” vote. In 2000 ran the campaign against the educational spending mandate, Amendment 23. In 2001 he lead defeat a tax increase for a monorail system over the Rocky Mountains. In 2005 he ran the campaign against Colorado’s attack on the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, Referendums C and D, defeating the debt increase, Ref. D.
Among his many recognitions, 5280 Magazine named him as one of the top 10 most influential men in Denver, Westword awarded Caldara Denver’s Best Media Manipulator, the Denver Post put Caldara on their list of people to watch, and the Colorado Jaycees awarded him as the Outstanding Young Coloradoan. The State Policy Network honored him in 2005 with the Thomas Roe Award.
John,
I listen to you from time to time mostly whe your subbing for Rosen.
I got this email yesteday with scary stuff about Obama. Seems too radical even for him, so may not be true. Maybe you have the rsources to check it out. If true, it’s a real jaw dropper. See below. Morgan Edwards
Perhaps there are SOME out there who are beginning to get ‘the picture’. The following is a narrative taken from Sunday Morning’s televised ‘Meet The Press’. and the author is employed by none other than the Washington Post!! Yeah…..the Washington Post of New York and Los Angeles Times fame!! Must say that I’m dually impressed………………
From Sunday’s Televised ‘Meet the Press’ Senator Obama was asked
about his stance on the American Flag. Obama Explains National Anthem Stance
Sun, 07 Sept. 2008 11:48:04 EST, General Bill Ginn’ USAF (ret.) asked Obama
to explain why he doesn’t follow protocol when the National Anthem is played.
The General also stated to the Senator that according to the United States Code,
Title 36, Chapter 10, Sec. 171… During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform are expected to stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. At the very least, ‘Stand and Face It’
Senator Obama Live on Sunday states, ‘As I’ve said about the flag pin, I don’t want to be perceived as taking sides, Obama said. ‘There are a lot of people in the world to whom the American flag is a symbol of oppression. And the anthem itself conveys a war-like message. You know, the bombs bursting in air and all. It should be swapped for something less parochial and less bellicose. I like the song ‘I’d Like To Teach the World To Sing.’ If that were our anthem, then I might salute it. ‘We should consider to reinvent our National Anthem as well as to redesign our Flag to better offer our enemies hope and love. It’s my intention, if elected, to disarm America to the level of acceptance to our Middle East Brethren. If we as a Nation of warring people, should conduct ourselves as the nations of Islam, wher eas peace prevails. Perhaps a state or period of mutual concord between our governments. When I become President, I will seek a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity, and a freedom from disquieting oppressive thoughts. We as a Nation have placed upon the nations of Islam an unfair injustice. My wife disrespects the Flag for many personal reasons. Together she and I have attended several flag burning ceremonies in the past, many years ago. She has her views and I have mine’. Of course now, I have found myself about to become the President of the United States and I have put aside my hatred. I will use my power to bring CHANGE to this Nation, and offer the people a new path of hope. My wife and I look forward to becoming our Country’s First Family. Indeed, CHANGE is about to overwhelm the United States of America.
orginal email from Dale lindstrom”
30 Oct 2008 at 8:37 am
I would appreciate any links for Colorado energy consumption and projected energy requirements. With “pinwheel” Ritter, and, now, “brownout” Udall and eventual “blackout” Obama, things will get grim shortly.
Thanks
06 Nov 2008 at 12:01 am
Hello, Jon. I’m a regular listener and especially enjoy your appearances sitting in during Mike Rosen’s hours in the morning.
I’m intensely interested in the today’s political scene, foreign affairs and history. After being laid off (reduction in workforce) by Clear Channel here in Colorado Springs/Pueblo after 10 years (GSM), I’ve been looking to the future. I’m also a former News Director at KOA.
I know you’re not a career counselor, but I would very much appreciate your advice on how to use my background to advance conservative values. Will be grateful for your thoughts, Jon.
Cordially,
Mark Warren
15 Dec 2009 at 11:14 am
I listened to you on CPR this morning attempting to debate with CU Law Professor, Melissa Hart, about the woes of our recent health care bill. Ms. Hart held her own against typical republican scare tactics and belligerent, repetitive key word speech that aims at talking over the other person. Ms. Hart never gave into that game and responded to your accusations with calm, steady, and logical reasoning. You should try that sometime.
06 Apr 2010 at 4:39 pm
But didn’t you see the Simpsons? They loved their monorail? And Disneyland/World? WE NEED A MONORAIL AT ALL COST. Come on!
22 Apr 2010 at 5:48 pm
Loved seeing you at the Boulder County Republican Convention. Keep up the awesome work.
28 Apr 2010 at 11:40 pm