Leftist Activists Weaponize Academic Research to Block University President Candidate

On October 27, 2025, Kim Monson tackles Colorado’s ballot propositions, Denver’s nearly billion-dollar debt package, and a troubling case of academic cancel culture with Brandon Wark of Free State Colorado, Jason Bailey of Citizens for No New Debt, and author Helen Raleigh.

Colorado Ballot Propositions LL and MM

Start listening at 16:35 – Hour 1

Brandon Wark, founder of Free State Colorado, exposes the deceptive framing behind Propositions LL and MM. The measures, marketed under the feel-good banner of “Healthy School Meals for All Children,” actually represent significant tax increases that voters might not recognize. Proposition LL seeks to retain excess tax revenue that TABOR requires be returned to taxpayers, while Proposition MM imposes a new tax on individuals earning over $300,000 annually.

Wark reveals the money trail behind these ballot measures. Hunger Free Colorado, a nonprofit that received $2.5 million in taxpayer funds this fiscal year alone, has contributed over $250,000 to support both propositions. Additionally, Community Change Action, a Washington D.C.-based organization tied to George Soros’ Open Society Foundations and the Pritzker Foundation, has funneled money into Colorado to influence these elections. The organization helped organize “No King” protests and supports illegal immigration programs across the country.

“There’s 200,000 Coloradans who are going to be paying more taxes if Proposition LL passes. This is millions of dollars taken out of our economy, meaning that Coloradans will have less money to invest in our communities and our businesses.”

Brandon Wark, Founder, Free State Colorado

Denver’s $950 Million Debt Package

Start listening at 34:25 – Hour 1

Jason Bailey, founder of Citizens for No New Debt, breaks down the five ballot questions (2A through 2E) that together seek nearly $1 billion in new debt for Denver. The total payback on these bonds reaches $1.9 billion, money that would otherwise flow through the productive economy. Bailey exposes the deceptive ballot language claiming “without imposing any new tax” when extending existing debt payments prevents taxes from going down.

The campaign supporting these measures, branded “Vibrant Denver,” receives funding from organizations already benefiting from taxpayer dollars. The Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver Museum of Art, and other institutions receiving tax money through the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District have each contributed $50,000 to the campaign. Bailey argues this circular funding arrangement may violate Colorado law prohibiting use of public tax money to advocate for ballot measures.

“I do consider this debt to be an unholy alliance between our political system and our financial system.”

Jason Bailey, Founder, Citizens for No New Debt

Academic Research Weaponized Against University President Candidate

Start listening at 71:05 – Hour 2

Helen Raleigh, senior contributor at The Federalist and author of Confucius Never Said, exposes how leftist activists torpedoed a qualified candidate for Northern Michigan University’s presidency. Dr. Scott Beaulier, currently dean of the College of Business at the University of Wyoming, was attacked for a 20-year-old academic paper on behavioral economics that examined how welfare programs can unintentionally worsen decision-making among recipients.

The attackers selectively quoted passages from Beaulier’s research to accuse him of discriminating against women, minorities, and first-generation college students. The irony is striking: Beaulier himself grew up in rural Michigan as a first-generation college student. His career has been dedicated to helping the exact populations his critics claim he discriminates against. Raleigh contrasts this with Florida’s approach, where universities dismantled DEI bureaucracies and redirected resources toward academic excellence, resulting in four schools now ranking in the top 50 public universities nationally.

“We cannot hold a country together if people who have gained power in this country have no love for this country. You can criticize America out of love, but if you have no love for this country, we cannot keep this republic.”

Helen Raleigh, Author and Senior Contributor, The Federalist