As lawmakers from across our great state convene for the 2003
legislative session, both parties face great temptations that arise
from the makeup of the House, Senate and executive branches of the
government.

The temptation facing Republicans arises from their power.
Because they control both houses at the capitol, and also the
executive branch, there will exist, among some, a desire to push
through legislation that for years has been thwarted.

We’re talking about social engineering disguised as legislation
– abortion, school prayers, the 10 Commandments in schools,
etc.

We urge our GOP leaders to exercise restraint and to remember
the pressing issues the state faces. Time spent arguing about the
constitutionality of school prayer is time not spent figuring out
all Coloradans – socially conservative or socially liberal – are
going to acquire water in the future to drink, bathe in, wash their
clothes in, etc.

Likewise, time spent on such legislation is time not spent
figuring out how the state will pay its bills, or what role the
state can play in reviving the economy so that those bills become
less worrisome.

Stick to the issues that matter to all state residents, not
simply the ones that appeal to narrow constituencies.

Just as the GOP must refrain from going on a power trip, the
Democrats must resist the temptation that arises from a lack of
power – the temptation to use procedural moves and any other means
at their disposal to thwart good ideas simply because those ideas
come from the party in power.

This is a common tactic used by the opposition when it lacks the
ability to control the agenda. By using parliamentary tricks and
other methods, they seek to hold the statehouse captive so that
nothing is accomplished.

This, of course, gives them a leg up in the next round of
elections because they can campaign against a do-nothing
party.

We remind the Democrats that we expect them to devise solutions
to problems that affect all of us, not just
constituencies.

If an idea for slaking the state’s thirst, or for easing the
fiscal pain faced by various public entities, is a good idea that
has the backing of the majority of the GOP, it should not be killed
for the sake of politics. It should be supported and sent to the
governor’s desk.

It might seem crazy, but we urge politicians from both sides of
the aisle to set aside politics and get down to the business that
matters. In the end, all of us, not just the parties we belong to,
have a lot to lose – and gain.