It’s beginning to feel like this headline has become the tagline for the City of Grand Junction and its “we’re better than you and we know it” (apologies to GloboGym) leaders.

And if we dive into what they’re doing in going beyond telling and into providing, they sure are “giving” it to us citizens. Especially the ones who keep voting no — who for a long time were the majority, but have since faded into minority status — at the ballot box of goodies we vote on seemingly every year.

As one of those no citizens, I can assure you I’m really getting more than I vote for every time. Worse, the folks voting yes are getting more than they voted for as well. And the worst vote isn’t just some silly program — although those are boondoggles of epic proportions —it’s also who we vote into office who then love to tell us what we need and give us more. And the wheels on the bus go round and round.

So let’s scoot into the first example I didn’t know citizens were (not) demanding: scooters. Who else knew it would become a mobile version of Art on the Corner, given the odd, off the beaten or paved path, random abandonment of these tired, two-wheeled, NS-3 (sorry, U.S. Robotics) looking units you literally run into anytime and anywhere? Heck, I walked past two on the sidewalk in my neighborhood just the other day. Can’t wait for another summer of mini Hell’s Angels on wheels on our city streets once the outsiders hit town.

Speaking of things parked in our neighborhoods getting in the way. How about those mini-homes and “RV” permits the city is looking to provide for our homeless population? Oh, they’re gonna have a “listening session” or two to let us no voters think we have some say in what they’ve already decided to do. But like their idols in the state and federal governments, it’s just a dog and pony show for us know-nothings brought to us by the know-it-alls. It seems to me we could address the homeless situation more directly, discreetly and diligently to reduce our numbers instead of creating an atmosphere to attract more by adopting programs that have failed in larger cities.

Speaking of the homeless problem, after our fair city leaders dispersed it to make it harder, more expensive and only something for government to handle (maybe because they knew they were gonna implement the project above?) how about our city providing not one, but two city park plans on the south side? Who knew one of the cures for what ails Grand Junction was putting tax dollars into upgrading parks no one goes to between the two busiest one-way streets on the business loop bypass with no parking available to either? The only better solution? Let’s add a skate park to one of them. Obviously, the wait times at our other skate parks are comparable to the Avatar ride at Disney. Speaking of wait times, how long will it take us to exit onto 24 Road from the interstate once the taxpayer subsidized private entrance to Costco begins construction?

If that’s not enough, perhaps you’d like to spin your way into an electric bike of your dreams by filling out the questionnaire and meeting the government qualifications. Just gotta promise to ride it to work come rain, or snow or sleet. Oh wait, that last part is from another government agency bailing on us —something I’d prefer government provide locally. Where’s the fight from council? Too busy with a monumental task on the Delores I suppose. After all, seven to 10 days to get your letter across town has kind of become the norm since the government shutdown — of us, not it — from the pandemic.

What about ballot initiatives where we get more, or cost more, than we voted for? Two words: Avalon Theater. What an HVACuum that became. But let’s stay current.

How about that new rehabilitation clinic in our finally passed boondoggle known as the community recreation center? Anyone vote for that? Once again, the city is giving us more than we voted for by offering to host and provide equipment and space and clientele to the highest bidder for naming rights to the new pool and, oh yes, while providing a money maker for the winner.

It’s the same for pot shops, which voters still think will be taxed for roads and schools. Just another pay to play.
Give Caesar tribute before your lucky ping-pong ball pops out and you too could get into the green selling some greens. How long before one of those sprouts up in the new rec center? That’ll be some joint to work out what ails you.

Simply put, government is in the business of picking winners and losers. The problem is, it’s also the greatest discriminator on the planet by nature.
It’s always benefiting one group while hurting many others. And no, I don’t blame the takers in any way. They have to play by the rules put in place by government after the vote to access the Department of Largess. After all, it runs the Bread and Circuses Division.

Oliver has had enough of your after- the-vote twists. And we don’t want more.

Craig Hall is owner and publisher of the Business Times. Reach him at (970) 424-5133 or publisher@thebusinesstimes.com.