I wish I loved liberty as much as native-born Coloradans

The latest column by George Brauchler in the Denver Post reinforced the lack of intellectual honesty  that surrounds most political "talk" today.

Here's a couple lines that capture the essence of the argument of this former district attorney and one-time Republican candidate for his party's nomination for governor: "Coloradans should not be reduced to panhandling for liberties. They are ours by birthright and we want them back."

A couple thoughts: Are Coloradans that unusual among American citizens in desiring liberty? After all, only about half of all Coloradans (as of last July) were actually born in the state. Logic would suggest that about 2.8 million Coloradans must have brought their backgrounds with them from elsewhere.

I am among the latter group of "non-natives." 

A second thought: Brauchler was demanding that all pandemic restrictions imposed by the governor be lifted immediately, just as Texas will do in two days. His assumption is that the pandemic is winding down (it probably is, by the way) and that people should be trusted to "do the right thing" without governmental orders (does anyone think that is a serious view?).

In a perfect world, I suppose his logic should apply. We should all be glad to do the right thing without any external push.

But the news around here is full of video and other reporting from the student riot in Boulder this past Saturday evening, with 800 or so of our "best and brightest" overturning and damaging vehicles, throwing rocks at cops, trashing a neighborhood... all without masks and with everyone jammed together in a sort of COVID mash pit. 

It's easy to shout "Freedom!" in this country. After all, "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" is in our DNA. 

What's hard is taking rational precautions to protect our neighbors -- even non-natives -- from a nasty virus that science still does not completely understand.

I would guess that there must be some rational middle ground that Brauchler supports, but he has appointed himself as a spokesman for the Republican party and compromise is not in vogue.