CO GOP gubernatorial candidate: If elected, I'll fire 4000 state employees...2000 "just like that"

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Maes calls for layoffs of thousands of workers

http://www.9news.com/rss/article.aspx?storyid=147014



DENVER (AP) - Republican gubernatorial candidate Dan Maes said Thursday he would lay off as many as 4,000 state employees if elected and force a showdown with the federal government over drilling for gas and oil.

Dan Maes told the Denver Petroleum Club he would cut at least 2,000 workers "just like that" from the state budget, with projected savings of $200 million.

He didn't specify which agencies would see layoffs.

Maes also called for a confrontation with the federal government over energy drilling. He challenged Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, a former U.S. senator from Colorado, saying the Department of the Interior had blocked businesses with drilling permits from going forward.

"If you have a drilling permit for the Roan Plateau, then drill. And if Ken Salazar doesn't like it, he can come and see me in Denver," Maes said.

The club invited Maes to speak after snubbing him at a June forum between two other candidates for governor, Democrat John Hickenlooper and Republican Scott McInnis.

Maes also denounced suggestions that he's not a serious candidate because of campaign finance errors and his odd statement recently that a Denver bike-sharing programs could threaten personal freedom.

Maes told the crowd of about two dozen people, "It's OK. You can laugh. I'm a big man." No one laughed.

The businessman from Evergreen said he's been dismissed during his entire campaign by Republicans.

"They're scared to death of this race, honestly, they really are. I mean, did any of you really think I'd be here?" Maes asked. Again there was no response.

[apnu]

1. What a loser. Stony silence means they don't like you.

[walnutpie]

2. It will come down to who has the bigger voting block

Public employees or a public who feels there are too many public employees

[tinymontgomery]

3. He should be asked

what 2000 positions he would cut right off the bat.

[Bitwit1234]

4. And even a governor can be put in jail....after all if the federal

government says it is illegal you better damn sight not do it. But then I wish he would. I would love to see the federal government call some of those A- holes bluff.

[LynneSin]

5. He does realize that those 2000 people probably vote and...

those 2000 people probably have family & relatives that vote.

And since we don't know which 2000 people he's going to fire, all the other state employees and their family are probably thinking "We better not vote for this asshole or it could be ME out of a job"

Think about it!