Welcome to The Intolerant Lefty Blog! I started this blog of commentary and analysis on some of the most pressing issues of our time that just happen to effect me. From politics to mental health, addiction to psychedelics, I provide my perspective, backed up by facts.
Friday, September 30, 2022
The stark differences between Biden and Desantis
Wednesday, September 28, 2022
Next week the Chacruna team will be gathering in Denver, CO for an #InPersonCommunityForum
The Risks of Electing Fascistic Leaders by Mark Rose
Tuesday, September 27, 2022
The Power of Psychedelics in Mental Health Treatment
Are Putin's Days Numbered?
Friday, September 23, 2022
The Powers That Be: Why the Federal Reserve Exists and What It Does
Thursday, September 22, 2022
The Pioneers of Psychedelics: How They Changed the World
The Evidence of a Trump-Russia Connection Is Only Getting Stronger Everyday!
Tuesday, September 20, 2022
The Polarizing 2020 Midterm Elections: 49 Days Left Until the Nation's Future is Decided by Mark Rose
Monday, September 19, 2022
Heidi Ganahl is a Terrible Idea for Colorado! by Mark Rose
Heidi Ganahl is a Terrible Idea for Colorado!
Heidi Ganahl, the Republican candidate for Governor, is a terrible choice for voters in the state. She has openly voiced her support for President Trump and his policies, which are dangerous and harmful to Coloradans. Ganahl is also opposed to psychedelic research, which could provide valuable treatments for mental health conditions. Her record shows that she does not have the best interests of Colorado residents at heart, and she should not be elected to congress.
Heidi Ganahl is a Terrible Idea because she supports Trump's delusion that the election was fraudulent somehow. She is against the initiative to legalize psilocybin too. And really has no policies it seems, other then trying to help Trump & republicans cover up what really happened that led to jan. 6 2021 anyway she can. Polis has done a lot for the state since taking office his accomplishments are numerous. Before COVID we had one of the best economies' in the country and Polis led us masterfully through the pandemic. Ganahl would start whittling away at the progress governor Polis has made. Coloradoan's do not want to go backwards, we believe in women's & everyone's rights, we believe in progress and Polis is leading us down that road, we must re-elect Polis! Ganahl only has support from trumpsters and people who want to see our state go backwards not forwards. Support Democrats and their platform, not another Republican with no ideas! Now let's look at Polis.
1. First openly gay male governor in the United States
Jared Polis made history in 2018 when he became the first openly gay man to be elected as a governor in the United States. This accomplishment is significant as it breaks down barriers for LGBTQ+ people across the country and sends a strong message that everyone is welcome in Colorado.
2. Signed executive order creating Office of Outdoor Recreation
In 2019, Governor Polis signed an executive order creating the Office of Outdoor Recreation in Colorado. This office will work to support the state’s $28 billion outdoor recreation industry and promote access to outdoor spaces for all Coloradans.
3. Passed paid family and medical leave program
In 2019, Governor Polis signed into law a paid family and medical leave program that will provide up to 12 weeks of paid leave for Colorado workers. This is the first such program in the Rocky Mountain West and will benefit approximately 2 million Colorado workers.
4. Investing in renewable energy
Governor Polis has been a strong supporter of investing in renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power. In 2019, he signed a bill that requires utilities to generate 100% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2040. This is one of the most ambitious renewable energy goals in the country and will help Colorado lead the way in the fight against climate change
5. Signed a bill into law that made Colorado the first state to legalize recreational marijuana
6. Signed an executive order establishing Colorado as a sanctuary state for immigrants
7. Vetoed a bill that would have required schools to teach abstinence-only sex education
8. Appointed the first Latina to the Colorado Supreme Court
9. He increased funding for public schools by $1 billion, Successfully worked with the legislature to pass a $1.6 billion dollar investment in public schools, the largest investment in Colorado schools in over a decade
10. He signed a bill into law that made Colorado the first state in the nation to adopt paid family and medical leave
11. He expanded access to early childhood education
12. He worked to make college more affordable for Colorado students
13. He enacted gun reform measures in the wake of the mass shooting at a school in Highlands Ranch
14. He signed an executive order that created a task force to address the state's housing crisis
15. Led the effort to pass legislation that provides free full-day kindergarten for all Colorado children
16. Created a new program that will provide free community college tuition for all Colorado residents
And that is just a sample of what Governor Polis has done, are we really going to trust a republican to do anything close? I don't think so! Now let's look at Heidi Ganahl's record.
1. She started a business
Heidi Ganahl is the founder and CEO of Camp Bow Wow, a national pet care company with over 150 locations. Prior to starting Camp Bow Wow, Ms. Ganahl was an executive at several startups in the pet industry, including Petsmart and Petco.
2. She ran for office
In 2010, Ms. Ganahl ran for the office of Colorado State Treasurer. She lost the election to Democrat Walker Stapleton.
3. She was appointed to a commission
In 2012, Ms. Ganahl was appointed by Governor John Hickenlooper to the Colorado Commission on Higher Education.
4. She gave money to a political campaign
In 2016, Ms. Ganahl donated $2,700 to the presidential campaign of Hillary Clinton.
5.In 2010, she was appointed to the Colorado State University Board of Governors by then-Governor Bill Ritter.
6. Ganahl is a member of the CU Boulder Foundation Board of Trustees and the Leeds School of Business Advisory Board.
7. She has also served on the boards of directors for several other organizations, including the Better Business Bureau of Denver/Boulder and the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce.
8. In 2017, Ganahl ran for a seat on the University of Colorado Board of Regents, but was defeated in the primary election.
9. She's been on reality TV, Heidi Ganahl has appeared on the reality TV show The Apprentice, as well as the spin-off show Celebrity Apprentice.
10. She's active in politics, she switched parties
Heidi Ganahl is now a member of the Republican Party and has served on the Colorado State Board of Education since 2015. Heidi Ganahl is a terrible idea for Colorado’s governor. She has switched parties and it’s obvious she did it to gain power, because she thought Trump was unstoppable, she switched parties solely to gain power or maybe she was starstruck. Her policy seems to be parroting Donald Trump without any intelligence or understanding of the issues. She’s an election denier and we can’t let her take us backwards. On the other hand, Jared Polis has done so much for Colorado and we must continue that progressive vision. I provided a list of their accomplishments and why would anyone want to change course at this point? I believe this will turn out as one of the two most important elections of our lifetimes in 2022 & 2024. We cannot let the republicans continue to take this country backwards, stripping women of their rights and who's next? They will not stop at abortion - if they win, welcome to a “White Bread Government” that may never get voted out, because many people won't be able to vote. THINK! Please don’t forget to vote in November- it may be one of the most important elections of our lifetimes. And please help out at your local Democratic office if you can- they need all the help they can get! I know of 11 million that was donated to fight against us by just one Oilman on Sunday, Imagine all the money coming in to defeat the Democrats in Colorado, stay vigilant! Share this post with your friends and family, so they can make an informed decision on who to vote for too. Let’s keep Colorado moving forward!
Saturday, September 17, 2022
Governor Polis is the Best Thing for Colorado by Mark Rose
Governor Polis is the Best Thing for Colorado
I had the chance to see governor Polis today, and I was told that a weld county oil man donated 11 million dollars to defeat polis. I think this just shows the desperation of Big Oil and other industries whose fortunes will be changing. These industries still deny climate change, but we cannot afford to take Colorado backwards. The republicans have nothing to offer Colorado or the Nation other then division, a step backwards to a time before all the progress that has been made in my lifetime of over 60 years. We cannot let the republican party's recent taste for authoritarianism and disregard for democracy destroy this country. I have seen a lot but I have never seen this country so divided as it is today.
The President and his Republican Party are trying to take us back to a time where facts didn't matter, where science was ignored, and where investigating your political opponents was more important than governing. They are lashing out because they know their time is limited. The clock is ticking on their illegitimate grip on power, and they are willing to do anything to hang onto it. They are trying to gaslight the American people into thinking that up is down, black is white, and 2+2=5. But we're not going to let them get away with it.
That's why it's so important that we fight back against their attempts to undermine our democracy. We need to vote them out of office, expose their lies, and hold them accountable for their actions. And we need to do it now. We cannot afford to wait until it's too late. Our country—and our world—depend on it.
The next election is critical. We cannot afford four more years of Republican rule. We need to vote them out and return power to the people. Only then can we begin to repair the damage that has been done and start moving forward again. Thank you for your time and please remember to vote!
The Desantis & Abbott Political Pawn Scandal by Mark Rose
However, many suspect that the
real reason behind this was to score political points with their base. After
all, what could be more owning of the Libs than flying a group of refugees to
one of the most exclusive vacation spots in the country? Not to mention that
they used taxpayer money to do so.
When asked about the cost of
the flight, DeSantis responded by saying "I don't know, we'll figure it
out." Well, it turns out that the cost was $185,000 and was paid for by
Florida taxpayers. Some have even accused DeSantis of kidnapping, as he did not
consult with any local officials before flying the refugees into town.
But it seems that DeSantis and
Abbott didn't anticipate just how compassionate Americans could be. Instead of
being disgusted by the sight of refugees, people welcomed them with open arms.
Volunteers helped them get settled into their temporary housing and started
raising money to help them get back on their feet. Local businesses donated
food and supplies. It was a beautiful display of humanity at its best.
This whole debacle is sure to
backfire come November, when there will be a blue wave of voters who are fed up
with this type of politics. And it'll only get worse in 2024, when even more
young people see through the game and vote for change. Republicans need to wake
up and smell the coffee before it's too late. Their Mega ideology is not sustainable
in today's political climate. former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman
is already organizing a third party for those who are leaving the Republicans.
If they don't make some major changes soon, they'll wind up in the dustpan of
history along with other failed parties.
Friday, September 16, 2022
The Decline of American Journalism and What it Means for Our Democracy by Mark Rose
The Decline of American
Journalism and What it Means for Our Democracy
In recent years, there has been
a lot of handwringing about the state of the American press. Critics argue that
corporate consolidation has led to a homogenization of the news, that
"fake news" is on the rise, and that journalists are under assault
like never before. While it's certainly true that the media landscape has
changed dramatically in recent years, it's important to remember that a free
and independent press is essential to any functioning democracy. It's no secret
that a handful of corporations own most of our press. In the 1970s, there were
hundreds of independent radio stations. Today, not so many. We used to have the
fairness doctrine, requiring that every opinion aired be balanced with an
opposite opinion. The news used to be news, not entertainment. But what
happened? In this blog post, we'll look at some of the challenges facing
American journalism and what can be done to protect this vital institution.
The Answer is Two-Fold
The answer is two-fold. First,
deregulation. In the 1980s, the Reagan administration began deregulating the
media industry, paving the way for corporate consolidation. This allowed a few
giant companies to buy up hundreds of smaller ones, resulting in the current
situation where just a handful of corporations control the majority of our
media outlets. Second, and more insidiously, is something called the
"financialization" of the media.
In short, this is the
transformation of media organizations from being primarily concerned with
producing quality journalism to being primarily concerned with making money for
their shareholders. This has led to major cutbacks in newsrooms across the
country, as well as a race to the bottom in terms of both quality and accuracy.
As a result, we are left with a situation where a small number of companies
control most of our information sources, and where profit is prioritized over
serving the public interest.
The Spread of
Misinformation
Another problem facing the
American press is the spread of misinformation. Thanks to social media, it's
now easier than ever for false or misleading information to go viral. Once
something gets shared enough times, it starts to take on a life of its own,
even if it's not actually true. This can be incredibly damaging, especially
when coupled with people's confirmation bias (the tendency to seek out
information that confirms one's preexisting beliefs). One of the most common
complaints leveled against the press is that "fake news" is on the
rise. While it's true that there has been an increase in intentionally
misleading or fabricated news stories in recent years, much of this can be
attributed to the fact that anyone with a computer and an internet connection
can now publish whatever they want, without having to go through any kind of
editorial process. This phenomenon is sometimes referred to as "the
democratization of information." While this increased access to
information is generally seen as a good thing, which I myself am taking advantage
of, but it does have its downside.
The Decline of Local
Journalism
In addition to all of this,
there has been a decline in local journalism in recent years. As advertising
revenues have declined, many local newspapers have been forced to cut back on
their coverage or close their doors entirely. This is problematic because local
journalists are often the only ones holding elected officials accountable and
shining a light on what's really going on in our communities. When local
newspapers disappear, we all suffer.
It's clear that American
journalism is facing some significant challenges in the 21st century. However,
it's also clear that a free and independent press is more important than ever
before. In order to protect this vital institution, we need to support
journalists and demand accountability from our elected officials. Only then can
we hope to ensure that our democracy remains strong.
This is not a healthy situation
for democracy. When just a few companies control what we see and hear, it leads
to a situation where those companies can easily manipulate public opinion for
their own benefit. This is why it's so important that we have a free and
independent press. Unfortunately, thanks to deregulation and corporate greed,
that is no longer the case.
It’s time to take our
democracy back. We need to get active, write our elected officials, and demand
change. The press is failing us miserably and it’s up to citizens like you and
me to make sure we have a fair and unbiased fourth estate. Our country depends
on it. Have you written your elected officials about the state of the press?
The state of the press in our country is concerning. We need to take action and
demand that our elected officials do something about it. Please make sure your
voice is heard. Democracy depends on a free and fair press- without it, we are
headed down a dark path. It’s time to break up the big cable companies, make
information free, and get citizens more involved in the press. We need to bring
back the fairness doctrine and elect officials who will fight for our right to
have access to truthful information. The health of our democracy depends on
it!
America is in trouble and we need to act now by Mark Rose
America is in trouble and we need to act now
It's no secret that America is in a bit of trouble right now. We're facing down a recession, our infrastructure is crumbling, and inequality is at an all-time high. But there's hope! With the right leadership, we can turn things around. That's why I'm calling on President Biden to appoint Larry Summers as the next Chairman of the Federal Reserve.
Who is Powell and Why is He in Charge of the Fed?
Jerome Powell is the current Chairman of the Federal Reserve. He was appointed to this position by President Donald Trump in 2018. Why Biden reinstated him is beyond me! Prior to his appointment, Powell was a member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. He has also served as an advisor to several private equity firms. In other words, he's a career banker. And like most bankers, Powell is more concerned with making money for himself and his friends on Wall Street than he is with helping ordinary Americans.
Powell's policies as Chairman of the Fed have been disastrous for American workers. He has raised interest rates several times, despite strong evidence that doing so would hurt our economy. These rate hikes have made it more difficult for businesses to expand and hire new workers. They've also made it harder for families to afford things like mortgages and car loans. All of this has contributed to the current recession we find ourselves in.
Who's Next?
Larry Summers is one of the most qualified people in the world to lead the Fed. He's a Nobel Prize-winning economist, he served as Secretary of the Treasury under President Clinton, and he was a key advisor to President Obama during the financial crisis. He knows how to navigate a downturn, and he's not afraid to make tough decisions. That's exactly what we need right now.
Under Chairman Summers, the Fed would pursue an aggressive policy of quantitative easing in order to jumpstart the economy. In addition, he would support raising taxes on corporations and the wealthy in order to fund much-needed programs like infrastructure investment and universal healthcare. And finally, he would push for CEO compensation reforms to help reduce inequality.
My Dream Solution to America's Economic Woes
My solution if I could snap my fingers and change things todays would be this: raise wages for all employees, corporations taxed back to a 55% again. For too long, CEOs and other corporate execs have been raking in obscene amounts of money while their workers have seen their wages stagnate or even decline. It's time for a change.
By raising wages across the board, we would increase spending power for American consumers. This would give our economy a much-needed boost and help us avoid future recessions. And by taxing corporations at a higher rate, we would bring in much-needed revenue that could be used to fund things like infrastructure projects and social programs. American families deserve nothing less. This may not happen in my lifetime but I hope it does for my family's sake.
President Biden has a crucial decision to make, and I hope he makes the right one. I think we need someone like Larry Summers at the helm of the Fed if we're going to get America back on track. So let's show our support - write your congressman, tweet your support using #LarryForFedChairman, and most importantly, vote! Only together can we create the America we know is possible.
by Mark Rose
Wednesday, September 14, 2022
How Ketamine Therapy is Changing My Life for the better! by Mark Rose
The Ketamine therapy that I am
in is a series of six sessions, unless you want a booster which is recommended
once a month. Cannabis has a dulling effect on ketamine, so I stop using it 48 hours before I get injected. And I'm glad that I do, because that ketamine
experience was one of the most profound experiences of my life. As Phil Lesh
said on 60 minutes in 1967 "The more people that turn on the better world
it will be,” I cannot agree more!
During the sessions, I feel
like I am floating on a cloud. All my worries and fears melt away, I feel at
peace. When the sessions are over, I always feel like a new person. My angry
outbursts are almost all gone, my anxiety has been considerably lessened, and
chronic pain isn't ruling my life like it was anymore.
I am so impressed with ketamine
therapy that I started recommending it to all of my friends who were dealing
with similar issues. And many of them have had the same life-changing
experiences' that I did. If you're struggling with PTSD, anxiety, or chronic
pain, I urge you to give ketamine therapy a try. It just might change your life
too. Statistics show that ketamine is an effective treatment for
depression. Ketamine helps to create new pathways in the brain, and it has been
shown to be effective in treating chronic pain, anxiety, and depression. Ketamine
is covered by insurance and Colorado Medicaid, and it is an FDA-approved
medication. Ketamine has been shown to be safe and effective in clinical
trials, and it is a well-tolerated medication. Ketamine is a promising
treatment for those with mental health disorders, and it is an important tool
in the fight against depression.
Ketamine has been used in
hospitals as an anesthetic for many years, however, its use as treatment for
depression is relatively new. ketamine was first trialed as a treatment for
depression in 2006 and the results have been extremely promising. In a study of
ketamine's effects on patients with major depressive disorders, it was found
that 70% of patients who received ketamine injections had significant
improvements in their symptoms within 24 hours. In comparison, only 30% of
patients who received placebo injections showed any improvements. These
statistics are stunning and suggest that ketamine could be a game-changer in
the treatment of depression. ketamine seems to work by increasing levels of a
neurotransmitter called glutamate, which is involved in learning and memory.
This increases brain activity and creativity, two things that are often lacking
in people with depression. For me personally, ketamine has been a godsend. Not
only has it helped to improve my mood, but it has also helped to improve my
memory and focus, it even improved my understanding of music. I feel more
creative and productive than I ever have before, and I am so grateful to have
ketamine as part of my life.
Ketamine therapy changed my
life in ways that I never thought possible. If you're struggling with PTSD, Bipolar,
Anxiety, or Chronic Pain, Ketamine Therapy just might be able to help you too.
by Mark Rose