Rob Natelson, Freelance Journalist Profile

Articles

“Oligarchy”—Calling the Kettle Black - Independence Institute

1 week ago | i2i.org | Rob Natelson

After leading leftist political officials started trumpeting their commitment to “our democracy,” I called them out on it in a January, 2022 column for the Epoch Times, I showed that they showed more dedication to oligarchy—rule by the few—than to democracy. Among the evidence was the Left’s disregard of civil liberties, corruption of electoral procedures, and flouting of popular opinion as expressed in state ballot issues.
End Federal Funding for Public Broadcasting.

1 week ago | i2i.org | Rob Natelson

by Rob NatelsonA version of this article first appeared on May 5, 2025 in Complete Colorado. I’m a classical music enthusiast. Colorado Public Radio (CPR) offers classical music programming. So I was listening recently when an ominous announcement came over the air: It said that unless we sign a petition to Congress to continue federal funding for CPR, the classical music will stop! We won’t have it any more!But this self-promoting ad was deeply dishonest.
The case against federal tax dollars funding Colorado public media

1 week ago | completecolorado.com | Rob Natelson

By Jon CaldaraTABOR simply means voter consent. TABOR is democracy. Weakening TABOR is weakening democracy. Every couple of years the spending lobby orchestrates an assault on our Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights. They are testing another onslaught likely for next year. I was around for the fights to pass TABOR in the early 1990s. Then- Gov.Roy Romer famously declared if it passed, it will put a “going out of business” sign on the entrance to Colorado.
Vergil: Poet Laureate of the American Founding

1 week ago | i2i.org | Rob Natelson

Above: The Emperor Augustus’s daughter faints from emotion at Vergil’s reading of the Aeneid. From a painting by Angelica Kauffman. This essay first appeared in the University of Texas website Civitas Outlook on May 2, 2025. The reverse side of the dollar bill reproduces the Great Seal of the United States. On the left is the back of the seal. It features two Latin phrases.
SB 276: Colorado’s Venezuelan Gang Protection Act

1 week ago | i2i.org | Rob Natelson

This article was first published in the May 1, 2025 Complete Colorado. You have to wonder about a large portion of the Colorado legislature. I’ve already written about their bills to squelch freedom of the press, freedom of speech, the right to keep and bear arms, and the constitutional right of parents to raise their own children. Not to mention the loony idea of wasting taxpayer money on a frivolous lawsuit to take away our Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights refunds.
Colorado's Senate Bill 276 jampacked with constitutional absurdities

2 weeks ago | completecolorado.com | Rob Natelson

By Jon CaldaraTABOR simply means voter consent. TABOR is democracy. Weakening TABOR is weakening democracy. Every couple of years the spending lobby orchestrates an assault on our Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights. They are testing another onslaught likely for next year. I was around for the fights to pass TABOR in the early 1990s. Then- Gov.Roy Romer famously declared if it passed, it will put a “going out of business” sign on the entrance to Colorado.
Voter consent on taxes, spending compatible with 'republican' government

2 weeks ago | completecolorado.com | Rob Natelson

By Jon CaldaraTABOR simply means voter consent. TABOR is democracy. Weakening TABOR is weakening democracy. Every couple of years the spending lobby orchestrates an assault on our Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights. They are testing another onslaught likely for next year. I was around for the fights to pass TABOR in the early 1990s. Then- Gov.Roy Romer famously declared if it passed, it will put a “going out of business” sign on the entrance to Colorado.
Colorado Lawmakers’ Absurd Proposal to Void TABOR

3 weeks ago | i2i.org | Rob Natelson

A version of this article was first published in the April 20, 2025 Colorado Gazette. Forty-four lawmakers are sponsoring HJR 25-1023 to authorize the legislature to sue in state court to void the Colorado Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR) as a breach of the U.S. Constitution. But the sponsors must have been asleep at the switch. Their basis for the suit has no legal or historical validity whatsoever.
Explaining Constitutional Parental Rights vs. Colorado’s Transgender Naming Bill

3 weeks ago | i2i.org | Rob Natelson

This article first appeared in the April 18, 2025 edition of Complete Colorado. In a recent Complete Colorado column, I addressed House Bill 1312, which seeks to impose leftist gender ideology on parents. I pointed out that the bill violates both the free speech and free press guarantees of the First Amendment. I also noted that it violates another constitutional right: the right of parents to raise their children as they deem best.
House Bill 1312: 'Misgendering' legislation intrudes on parental rights

3 weeks ago | completecolorado.com | Rob Natelson

By Jon CaldaraHollywood is coming to my hometown. By now you’ve heard the Sundance Film Festival is moving to Boulder. What a relief! Finally, some common folk are coming to town. As you know, Boulder is home to the state’s most smug elite, those who know how the rest of us should live, what we should value. And they are thrilled to use government to mandate it upon us.