Aftermath

The numbers came in after the election and in spite of my year-long full-time campaign, the voters went with their incumbent legislator.
Disappointed? Yes. But I can look back on the campaign and be satisfied that I did all that I could have to campaign for a different outcome.

I spent Wednesday, November 3rd, collecting signs. Some were no longer in the yards. A few were defaced. If you have a sign that I didn't retrieve, please contact me and I will pick it up.

The communities in this Legislative District have greater meaning to me after walking so many of the streets and visiting with so many of the people who live here. I have found interesting friends in every neighborhood. I am so glad I had the opportunity to discover these friends.

I am particularly grateful to the many volunteers who offered their helping hands and generous contributions. They gave countless hours of calling and walking, juggling signs, fliers, and voter lists. My face and my words were on the fliers but their work helped put them in the hands of thousands of voters. I offer my thanks to these faithful helpers.

One of the many messages of condolence I have received recently, contained this phrase: No good thing is ever wasted". It sums up how I feel about this campaign. It has been a good thing; the time and effort and expense has therefore not been wasted.

Flying the Banner

There have been many recent accusations that the democratic candidates in Utah County have eschewed the Democratic Party label. Commentators have complained that candidates are more often touting their religious affiliation over their Democratic affiliation and maintained that the political party should be more relevant than personal religiosity.

I agree that religion should not play a role in political races but I recognize that it often does. The main advantage of activity in the predominant religion, in my opinion, is the network of social connections it gives, rather than dependence on voters' religious preference. For this reason, I have not made much mention of my own religion.

I can, however, be considered one of the candidates guilty of down-playing my political party. My door to door fliers do not mention the Democratic Party. The County Party logo appears inconspicuously on the home page of my website and although one of the questions on my FAQ page is "Why are you running as a democrat?", there is no other mention of party affiliation.

The office I am running for is Representative of District 61 to the State House of Representatives. Voters will choose a person to represent them. With this in mind, I have been knocking on the doors of District 61 voters. I have introduced myself and asked them what they are looking for from the State Legislature. It has helped them to know me as a candidate, a choice on their November ballot, and it has helped me to know them and their concerns.

The Utah County candidates running as republicans are anxious to make the most of their affiliation with the majority party. For many, that is the total of their campaign message: "I am your Republican Party choice."

I do not plan to serve as a representative of my political party. I plan to serve as a representative of people. Real people. People who are struggling with uncertain futures, unemployment or under-employment, higher costs and lower incomes. But people who are resourceful, generous, and in most cases hopeful. I feel extremely confident in my ability to do this. So, to me, the political party is not the most important factor in choosing a representative. It does, however, have a role in the legislature.

There are great benefits of having a legislature that is more balanced in terms of political party. Legislators will turn down the divisive rhetoric to be able to work across the aisle. More opinions are heard and perspectives are examined and people are served. That is one of the reasons I choose to run as a democrat.

In addition, I have confidence in my adopted Democratic Party. I see it as the "big tent" that allows me to formulate solutions to problems from whatever source they come. I see the Utah County Democratic Party as a moderate alternative to an increasingly unbending conservatism in the Republican Party. I am comfortable working with the people in the County Party and I am grateful for the support of the State Democratic Party. Some of them may be skeptical of a moderate in their ranks but are encouraging me just the same.

Job Stimulus by Any Other Name

Today in the newspaper I saw an article about a proposal to raise the tax rebate incentive the film industry receives from the State of Utah from 20% to as much as 30%. I find this interesting.

What are the reasons for luring film makers to Utah? The jobs they provide are of course temporary and the tax revenue that they generate is a little fuzzy. If we are offering the incentives because we like to see ourselves in the movies, I question the move.

This isn't the only instance of corporate tax relief. The deal that Adobe got for locating in Lehi amounts to $40 million in tax relief over the next 20 years, with $17.5 million for area improvements and infrastructure over the same period. There was general celebration at the State Capitol at the announcement that Adobe was coming.

I hope that the investment of these funds does provide jobs for local workers and that it helps stimulate the economy. I would like to point out, however, that this is equivalent to a "jobs stimulus bill". The difference is the agreement to rebate future tax dollars, instead of appropriating the funds from current taxes and sending it out to existing businesses which are struggling.

I hear that over 80% of the jobs in Utah are in the small business sector. The state budget will be challenged to make ends meet again this year so the individual tax payers and the small businesses will carry the tax burden for the big businesses as they enjoy their rebates.

The Republican Party message often includes bashing the bills coming out of Congress meant to stimulate job growth. They refer to this as "tax and spend" and question the effectiveness of these efforts. However, this is little different from the corporate tax breaks they are applauding.

Will we see campaign contributions from the film industry and new-comer businesses such as Adobe, in gratitude for their financial boost courtesy of the Utah taxpayers? You can bet on it.

A break in the count

A friend asked me yesterday if I knew how many doors I had knocked on or how many voters I had talked to about my campaign. At first I said I had no idea but then I realized that I had been tracking my canvassing on computer.

I went over the numbers last night and came up with this: I have currently knocked on 895 doors but since this doesn't include those whom I contacted for the ethics petition, the number is probably well over 1000 now. The number of individuals I have spoken to in person about my campaign is about 586. This includes telephone contacts but excludes those whom I contacted for the petition. If I include those for whom I left a telephone message, the number goes up to 605.

The downside to this person to person contacting is that I have picked up a cold virus along the way. Last night I went to bed with a scratchy throat and during the night I developed sinus congestion.

I'll stick to telephone contacting today and hope this cold is short-lived. There is much to do in the next 13 days!

Sabotaging Stimulus

"It is amazing how much you can accomplish when it doesn't matter who gets the credit." -- Harry S. Truman

The Federal Stimulus funds were offered to states to spur jobs in education and the amount Utah accepted was $101 million. The money came with instructions that the states send it directly to the school districts so that they can keep employees working this school year.

The procedure in Utah, however, was more complicated because the State Constitution requires the legislature to allocate federal funds. This would require a session of the legislature, so there were two options:
1) wait for the legislative session to convene in January or
2) call a special session beforehand.

Waiting until January would mean a delay of as much as six months making it impossible to put this money to work during the 2010-2011 academic year.

The next interim meeting of the legislature is this Wednesday, the 20th of October and it seems that if all the legislators will be at the Capitol anyway, it would be a simple matter to convene a special session for the purpose of allocating the $101 million dollars to the school districts.

Of course, politics can turn anything that seems simple into a complex mess. The Governor now has said he will not convene a special session.

There was mixed response about accepting the money in the first place. Many legislators railed against the federal government's attempts to spur job growth by deficit spending on stimulus bills. Republicans are anxious to prove that it doesn't work.

Legislators also have a habit of micromanaging the operations of the state's school districts by mandating the use of funding. For example, the funds that come from the School Trust Lands have all kinds of restrictions. The legislature regularly weighs in on curriculum changes, specific education technology, teaching credentials, etc. I am concerned that they will bicker and fuss over how every penny should be spent. This could delay this allocation to the districts even more. I am a believer in local control and accountability. I would like to see this stimulus money sent to the districts as soon as possible with the instruction to use the funds as intended -- to foster employment.

There is talk of throwing this into the state education deficit or into the troubled pension fund. While I would love to see relief in both of these areas, this money has not come to us to be used in this manner. It is to protect jobs and even as one-time money, it should be used as intended. Otherwise it will become another case of "too little too late".

My fear is that politics will shortchange us in this case. In order to prove that stimulus bills do not work, legislators can make certain that this one doesn't. The ones who will suffer, however, are the teachers in this state and, ultimately, the school children.

Un-derdog

At a "Meet the Candidates" event this week, there was a gathering of state and legislative candidates that almost outnumbered the folks who came to hear them. Each candidate was given two and a half minutes to introduce themselves and was asked to carry a name placard with them to the front. Printed after each name on the card was an initial to indicate their party affiliation.

I told the audience that mine was "D" for Deon.

One of the other candidates who spoke was running without party affiliation and his name on the card was followed by "Un". He began his talk saying that he was an "Un", and quipped that perhaps some assumed it meant "unpopular" or "unelectable" and then acknowledged that it certainly meant "unfunded".

The interesting thing, however, was that if "Un" really were a party, and the unaffiliated really got behind their candidates, they would win by quite a margin. The majority of voters in this district are unaffiliated.

Based on my own personal experiences, I have accounted the growing ranks of unaffiliated voters to growing discontent with the Republican Party. I made the move from the Republican Party to the Democratic Party about three years ago and have met many others who have as well.

Based on my conversations with voters, as I walk this district, I have discovered another reason, probably a greater reason, for the expanding unaffiliated populace. Very often the unaffiliated are democrats, who have gone underground. I used to think the tales of persecution were exaggerated, that claims of discrimination were handy excuses, and threats of retribution were more perceived than real. I have now decided that, while some may be unwarranted, many claims are exactly as they say.

I have never heard anyone argue against Lord Acton's assertion that "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely." At the same time, it is clear that the Republican Party in Utah, particularly in Utah County, is "in power". Yet the threat of corruption escapes so many people.

I had doubts as to the legitimacy of the recent charges of "pay to play" and corruption in the bidding process for government contracts until I spoke to a small business owner in this district who regularly bids for government contracts. There was no doubt in her mind that politics had come into play and that it does more often than not.

I have been told by business owners that they could not risk offending customers by putting up campaign signs for me. Interestingly, signs for republicans pop up a little while later.

In the last election, I pointed out in my fund raising letters that I was required to disclose the names of donors of $50 or more. I was astounded by the number of $49 donations I received.

When I heard the story of a woman whose husband's professional prospects were impacted by her campaign for public office as a democrat, I asked my husband if he thought his pay or promotions were hindered by my political activities. He responded immediately, "No." And then, with a moment to think about it, he added, "and if they were, it would be so wrong that I would still support you in this."

Other people are not so bold.

I keep hearing from unaffiliated voters, "You are so brave! Yes, I am a democrat and you have my vote." Some will take a sign but with the warning that their neighbors may remove it. Others don't want to cause a confrontation with their neighbors. More than once I found people who claimed to be "the only democrat on the block" living right next door to each other. Staying underground. Staying unaffiliated.

To me, this is the greatest indicator for the need for balanced opposition in government. The image that comes to my mind is that of the teeter-totter -- at one end, one scrawny kid with feet dangling, and at the other end, a gang of burly bullies who find perverse pleasure in their power as they hold their side down.

Perhaps that is why teeter-totters have disappeared from playgrounds. The concept was cooperative but children quickly learned to leverage power and maintain it through fear.

Swing voters have the ability to restore the game to balanced play. I am hoping they will in November.

Ding dong

This post is dedicated to wonderful people I meet as I walk door to door!
I am out to deliver the messages of my campaign but sometimes I get something in return.
One might expect that finding a supporter would result in the offer to host a sign, and it does. It also, at times, brings in a financial contribution and this is gratefully received!
Then there are the more unexpected gifts.
During the hot, dry summer, when I forgot to pack a water bottle and my mouth got dry and sticky, I was often offered water.
Once I stopped by at the home of a caterer who was busy cooking up a storm. I left with a take-out box for lunch.
Recently, I was given a DVD documentary on health care.
And just yesterday, I was introduced to a cottage business called "Thur-goodies" and left with a delicious cinnamon roll. It served to hold me over for dinner until it got too dark to knock doors.

What a great community this is!

Robotic Nuisance

My inbox is bulging with offers for robo call service.
Now hear this!
I do not like to receive robo calls -- they are annoying. Therefore, I here proclaim that I will not send out robo calls.
That is a campaign promise.
If you appreciate this promise, please read the direct mail postcards that will be coming your way. I am working on some nice ones now. Watch the mailbox come October.

Another campaign strategy decision: I may be handing out rulers with the Halloween treats this October 30th.
I had 2500 rulers printed with the date of the election and advice to vote for me. They went with the tag line that is found at the bottom of each page of my campaign website: "Measure twice; cut once!" I am hoping that people will look carefully at their options before they vote. Besides, if the rulers are useful around the house, the reminder printed on them will survive longer than the fliers that I leave at each door.
The rulers are not disappearing as fast as I thought they would though. So there may be quite a few left come Halloween.

A To-Do List

Submitted to the local print media on September 23, 2010:

Deon Turley, Democratic candidate for House District 61, has already begun a to-do list for the legislative session. She has identified loopholes in the election laws regarding campaign finance and has promised, when elected, to sponsor or support legislation to close two of them.

Political action committees dedicated to a single candidate serves the same purpose as the candidate’s own campaign committee but is treated differently under the law. When funds are transferred from the PAC to the candidate’s account, there is no record in that account of where the money originated. Utah campaign finance laws are intended to make campaign finance transparent to the public but, says Deon, "using single candidate political action committees adds a layer of obscurity" and she hopes to change the laws regarding this practice.

Election law also requires each legislative candidate and office holder to report his or her campaign contributions within thirty days of receiving them, and to file a sworn statement at intervals during an election year, that the filed report is correct.

“As voters we should be able to assume that frequent reports of contributions would give us current information about possible conflicts of interest,” said Deon. “However, this is not necessarily so, since lawmakers applied a very specific definition for the word ‘received’ to their own campaign contributions.”
A contribution is not "received" until the check is negotiated, cashed or deposited in the campaign bank account. The legislature did not offer the Governor the same loophole they have or he might have avoided the charge of "pay to play" that has recently given him trouble.

“The IRS does not give you the same loophole either,” observed Deon. “If your employer reports that they gave you a paycheck in 2010, you must include it in your 2010 tax return, whether or not you cashed the check. If you decide to return the check, shred it, give it to someone else, or frame it on the wall, you still must account for the payment.

“We are used to this accountability. We should hold legislators accountable as well.”

Deon said that the contribution loophole became apparent to her when she compared the fundraising reports of her opponent, Keith Grover, for two of his consecutive campaigns. In 2008 contributions to his campaign were reported on a regular basis throughout the year. This year, after a few reports in January and March, no reports of contributions or expenditures were filed until after the August 31st filing deadline.

The day after Deon lodged a complaint about his lack of disclosure, Grover reported a dozen contributions totaling almost $5000. These included checks dated as early as March 30th. Grover said that he had not checked his mailbox in time to list them with the reports he had filed most recently. Since Grover had not deposited the checks until then, no law was broken and the complaint was dropped.

Deon Turley has been a supporter of legislative ethics reform and volunteered last year to carry the Utahns for Ethical Government (UEG) petition. Opponents of that initiative asserted that transparency was all that voters needed to judge for themselves the ethics of their elected officials. Deon has promised to support or sponsor legislation to make campaign finance more transparent.

Getting Stuck in a Race

There is a tempest brewing in the campaign for the Governor’s seat right now centered on a charge of “pay to play” (see Large donations raise questions of influence in governor's race). Whether or not the Governor consciously steered public funds to his political donor, he has a layer of tar on his shoes and it is sticky!

In this economy, businesses are scrambling for any advantage they can get and unfortunately, politicians, looking for campaign cash, hold the keys to a lot of opportunities to get ahead.

I am holding on to my pledge to finance my campaign without the help of corporate donors. I am as cash-strapped as the next candidate but I do not solicit or accept contributions from businesses. That is one less “tar pit” to get stuck in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Thanks to the help of a great webmaster, I have recently added a "FAQ" page to my campaign website.

I wondered whether to list the questions in the order of how often I was asked them, or in the order of how often I wished they were asked. In the end, we settled on a combination.

The number one place went to the question that is most often asked of me: "Are you related to Steve Turley?"
I usually answer this with a question: "Which one?" My husband's name is, indeed, Steve Turley and in some circles is well-known. However, there is a Provo City Councilman by the same name and we have discovered no relationship at all -- and my husband has done quite a bit of family history without finding a connection.

The second question came from my list of "things I think that voters should know". If they are going to tell their friends to vote for me, they need to know which of their friends can vote for me and the map of the district boundaries helps with that.

Some other questions that are asked frequently are addressed here in the blog. I think I may add them as questions with links here or rewrite responses on the website.

What do you think? Send in your votes for questions that should be answered on the campaign website!

Sweat Equity for Tax Payers

I forgot my work gloves this morning but that was alright. Most of my responsibility was behind the wheel of my pick up truck. This morning I joined about 25 people--men, women, and children--at Lions Park. It wasn't for a picnic or a ball game, but a work party.

For some years, neighbors surrounding Lions Park have been interested in seeing improvements at the park. Some improvements have been accomplished through Eagle Scout Projects, including rebuilding the foot bridges over the canal on the south and east sides of the park. Other projects, such as a paved sidewalk around the perimeter of the park, were beyond the ability of the scouts and volunteer labor. The City claimed that they were unable to afford these projects and suggested that they apply for a Block grant. And so they did.

They received a grant that would cover the cost of materials and the skilled labor needed to install the sidewalk but the neighbors were required to donate the unskilled labor necessary to get it done.

The first work party was earlier this summer and I heard about it but was unable to come help. The second was this morning.

When I arrived, a sod cutter had just come through and cut the pathway, and volunteers, large and small, were rolling the damp sod like strips of carpet, and setting the rolls on the side of the path. Some of the men were loosening the stubborn pieces with shovels and I asked if I should run back home for a shovel or two. I said I could toss them in the back of my truck.

"You have a truck here?"

I answered yes. Those pushing wheelbarrows stopped in their tracks.

"Bring it over and we'll load the rolls on and you can haul them to the other side of the park. You won't need a shovel; you'll be driving the truck."

As it turned out, I could have used gloves at least, because I helped with the loading and unloading too. My palms soon had a dried layer of mud -- and so did the truck.

But we both cleaned up just fine afterward. And I enjoyed the time to visit with neighbors, some of whom I hadn't seen in a long time.

It was impressive to see the adults setting an example of stepping up to improve their community instead of waiting for government to provide everything. One of the volunteers told how working at the park had made her children feel connected with the park.

I appreciate that there are programs such as this, that encourage neighbors to organize projects for their mutual benefit. Providing the materials and skilled labor made this a bargain for city government and volunteering as neighbors to work on it made for a satisfying (if muddy) social event.

Virtual Violence

There has been some controversy surrounding a request to have the Governor sign a letter in support of overturning a law that was passed 5 years ago in California. The law restricted the sale of violent video/computer games to children. A judge ruled it unconstitutional, based on rights of free speech, and now the case is headed to the U S Supreme Court.

Free speech rights end where safety is at stake. Attorney General Shurtleff says there is no evidence of danger with regard to violent video games but I disagree. I can’t point to a study, just my own experience as a mom.

I feel that violence is as damaging as pornography. American standards for sexual content on movies is much more strict than standards for violence. I believe that both have similar effects on our brains.

Speaking on behalf of the Eagle Forum, Andy Schlafly said, "Some children who are not mature enough to handle it may get addicted to the games and then go on a killing rampage." This assertion seems extreme. What is clear to me, however, is that as children (and adults too) become desensitized to the shock of the violence, it affects their respect for human life and attitudes regarding human suffering.

I have watched my children grow up and I realize that their play is usually combative—shoot ‘em up or cops and robbers— but the increasingly realistic graphics in video games is sensational and I am convinced they affect the way we think. Children are particularly susceptible.

Voters should be able to establish community standards of decency, and violence is a matter of decency. I am in favor of upholding the law that California passed.

Partying

Among the most common questions I am asked on the campaign trail is why I am running as a Democrat. In Utah County, we all acknowledge that it is an up-hill struggle. It requires meeting and reassuring a lot of people who never considered voting for a Democrat before.

One of the strengths of our country is the tradition of checks and balance made possible by a two-party system of politics. However, partisanship across the nation is increasingly bitter. Those who vilify their opposition and stereotype broad swaths of the population damage rather than strengthen our communities. They are seeing the world in two dimensions. All of us are people with varying circumstances and experience and no single political party could define us all. In fact, a single party in power does more to invite corruption and oppression.

When political party leadership calls for purging its membership, it loses its claim of representation. It may march on with militant energy and special interest funding, but it can only serve its narrowly-defined membership.

Admittedly, no two parties could define us either. The concept of “the big tent” is essential for politics to move forward with true representation. I have chosen to run as a candidate in the Utah County Democratic Party because their doors are open to those who want to serve the communities they live in. I may not agree with all members of the party on all subjects, as they may not agree with each other, but there is mutual respect for the people that make up our communities and for the will to better these communities.

I suppose that it is on account of their minority that this is true. I hear that in places where Democrats hold a super majority, there is the same struggle to keep their party members in line. If this is so, no wonder I am always cheering for the underdog! That is where you find the most civility.

Notes from the Field

This summer is flying past! I am visiting with people in my surrounding neighborhoods to let them know that I am running for the legislature and hoping for their support. It is an adventure knocking on strange doors -- like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get.

Last week I went looking for a particular voter and knocked on what turned out to be her landlady's door. After our conversation, the landlady became as enthusiastic about my campaign as any supporter I have. A serendipitous find!

Every once in a while I am met with a "brick wall". Many doors have a notice warning solicitors away but I have allowed myself to conclude that I am not "soliciting" but offering voters information about who will be on their ballot this year. Today I had a young woman assert forcefully that I was trespassing, based on their notice.

I recognize many of the doors I am knocking on from my previous campaign. I stepped back quickly a few days ago, after ringing the bell at the house where, in 2008, a wasp flew out of the wreath on the door and stung my cheek.

Many doors open to fascinating surprises. Like one a couple of weeks ago. The gentleman who answered invited me in and I learned that he was an artist, retired from the faculty of BYU, who had recently had to bring in his collections of pottery from a storage area and they covered almost every surface of his family room and dining room. I purchased a wedding gift from him at the end of our visit.

Yesterday I met a woman who gave me a campaign pep talk and a crash course on the Constitution.

Today, I met a traffic engineer with UDOT, a mortgage loan officer, a web designer who gave me advice on my campaign website, and an inventor/author/barber who taught me about the ethnic origins of my Welsh ancestors.

I love the fascinating people who make up House District 61! I hope to tap into their experience and expertise as their representative to the State Legislature.

What do YOU say?

I was interested to hear this morning that the single most respected and approved tool of social media is Wikipedia, an on-line collaborative encyclopedia. This finding made me think about the way we get information and what sorts of information we have come to trust.

It is increasingly difficult to judge the objectivity of our news. We are surrounded by advertisements and political messages that are backed by commercial or political interests that profit when we act upon their message or advice.

As I campaign and look forward to the experience of being an elected representative, I see that I as a legislator will have similar information options.

There are lobbyists on Capitol Hill, paid to "educate" the policy makers, hired by corporations or special interest groups to line up support for their clients. They have a role but I do not forget that they are equivalent to commercial advertising.

I am more interested in turning to the people of my legislative district to be my "lobbyists". Among the voters here are experts in many fields of public policy, people who are passionate about the environment, public transportation, law enforcement, public health, energy, education, or many other topics. It may be because of their professions, their leisure interests, or because their families are particularly impacted by the policies of the state.

It is for this reason that I am creating my own "policy team". You are welcome to join this team. On my campaign website is a page where people can enter their names, contact information, and the area of public policy that they wish to be consulted on. It is my version of the Wikipedia.

Technology gives us the ability to broaden democracy and bring more voices to the table. Policy that is crafted by collaboration is more likely to address the needs and concerns of the people. I hope that you will consider joining the policy team and that this use of the internet will enhance my ability to be an effective representative.

Felling the Tree

We decided to replace the fence around our yard and it required removing a very large juniper tree that was growing on the property line. My ambitious husband decided to put the chain saw to good use and enlisted the help of our strapping son.

They decided that to avoid damage to surrounding trees and structures, the tree should be felled in two or three sections. A rope above the cut helped to guide the top third of the tree and we cheered as it fell down.

The second section was so much wider, it damaged the attic vent on the side of the neighbor's house as it fell and landed square on the top of my little apricot tree, severing the trunk about a foot from the ground. After a moment of sadness, I acknowledged it as unavoidable collateral damage. After all, "good fences make good neighbors." Right?

We will help the neighbors repair what looks like a "black eye" on the side of their house but it will take longer to replace the apricot tree.

I found myself thinking of analogies between the experience with our tree and the recent hoopla about approaches to illegal immigration.

Those who are calling for a heavy-handed crackdown on immigration probably are not concerned about the damage to relations with our nation's neighbors. I believe we must do acknowledge the risks, and be prepared for the damage.

The greater loss will be similar to the loss of my apricot tree. It will be a long time before I enjoy the cheerful spring blossoms and sweet fruit it provided. We as a nation likely lose something cheerful and sweet when families are divided and uprooted. I wonder if there is a way to approach the problem without this collateral damage.

I have always felt that there were a million solutions for any one problem. I am not satisfied that our only options are following the lead of Arizona or settling for the status quo. I hope that those who are "revving the chainsaw" for state legislation regarding immigration, will study the path of its fall, including all its branches, before digging into that tree.

Happy Independence Day!

Provo goes all out to celebrate the 4th of July. Even when it ends up on the 3rd or the 5th of July, Independence Day is a lot of fun!

We joined the Utah County Democratic Party in a parade entry entitled "Families: America's Beacon of Hope".

My part was to carry a banner with my friend.

I gave "high five"s to a lot of little people in front of the crowd during the parade and I got a chance to speak to a lot of bigger people at the Freedom Days Fair on Center Street.

It was great to celebrate the beginning of this fabulous country!

More Money Matters

I was recently asked about what I felt would have the best chance of solving the economic crisis we face today. I thought about it a long time because I was thinking of it in terms of what government could do to solve the economic crisis. I am convinced that the steps that were taken at the beginning of this year by Ben Bernanke were needed to avoid a calamity similar to that of 1929. In spite of that, many Americans think that the federal government should do more, and just as many cry that the federal government should be doing less, in order to bring about economic stability.

I finally decided that the key lies in what the American people do on their own-- and not what the President or any particular level of government does. The causes of the economic problems are many and varied but we can't afford to waste time and resources placing blame. What needs to be done involves everyone looking, not toward Washington, DC, but at themselves.

The word “economy” comes from the Greek word for “household management”. This is appropriate because a healthy economy starts at home.

The first step is personal integrity. We must recognize our own responsibilities to live up to our contracts and commitments.

The second step is requiring integrity in elected officials and business leaders. Clear ethical guidelines give voters confidence in their leaders; transparency in business transactions creates trust in the business community. Distrust results in heavy-handed regulations.

The third step is Dedication to our communities. We know the sort of communities we want to live in and it takes work and vigilance to create and maintain them. Everyone has something to offer. I encourage each American to find ways to strengthen the community you live in, including the business that employs you, the schools your children attend, and the services that care for the needy among you.

I remember my father telling me as I was growing up, "Always be worth more than you are paid". By this, he meant go the extra mile. Keep learning on the job. Work longer than the minimum number of hours and make sure that your work is always top quality.

This is different from the attitude I often see now of "What is the minimum requirement?", "How can I beat the system?", and "What's in it for me?"

I believe in the ability of the American people to rise up, take on, and overcome challenges that face us. We have lost ground in the last few years and will need to make sacrifices to regain our position. We must take responsibility for our lives and help others to do the same. Future prosperity requires it.

Money Matters

Tuesday was the filing deadline for a campaign finance report to the Lt Governor’s office. I was curious about my opponent’s financial situation in comparison with my own so after the deadline I went to the public search page of the Lt Governor's website.

On my report I have page after page of small donations from friends, family, and supporters.
He has a few donations, one from the tobacco industry and one from an entertainment software group and another from a health care PAC. This is not to say he will be running behind me in terms of fundraising. Corporate donations come in the late summer and fall.

Withdrawals from my campaign account have been for sporadic charges for printing and mailing letters and otherwise publicizing my campaign.
His most recent expenditures are fitness center dues and a donation to the NRA.

I welcome public scrutiny of campaign finance. It may help voters decide who will win their votes. It may be as close to campaign finance reform as we can get.

Subversion of Democracy

"All the ills of democracy can be cured by more democracy."
–Al Smith

A country that strives for government of the people, for the people, and by the people must maintain the strongest safeguards of democratic process. Unfortunately we are seeing increased erosion of democracy.

The following is a recent example.

The legislature was not satisfied to allow voters to choose reasonable members of the State School Board or to vote to retain or reject seated board members. Instead they called for a Governor-appointed committee to provide three to five candidates from which the Governor chooses two nominees to appear on the ballot.

This year the committee chose not to include the seated member of the board, who would need to be reelected to the board, and named instead three other individuals to present to the Governor. One in particular is clearly unqualified for the position. So, it seems, the committee has either saved the Governor the trouble of choosing nominees, since only two of the three would be reasonable choices, or they have given the Governor the option of choosing the new board member himself. He need only place his choice and the unqualified nominee on the ballot.

There are calls for voiding the decision of the committee, based on the use of secret ballots in the process. I wish them well in their efforts.

When I was growing up, we scoffed at the Soviet habit of holding elections but allowing only candidates chosen by one party to appear on the ballot. They called it "democracy" --and it looks disturbingly similar to many aspects of Utah politics.

Primary Colors

We in Utah are approaching Primary elections in the next couple of weeks. Early voting runs from Tuesday, June 15th through Friday, the 18th. Voters can cast ballots at the various polling location on Election Day, June 22nd. This information was publicized in a news article yesterday and the readers' comments mostly voiced support for one or another candidate involved in the election.

One comment caused me to shake my head. The commenter announced that he would change his party affiliation in order to vote for the weaker of the two candidates in the other Party's race and encouraged others to do the same. He felt that this would give whatever candidate came out of his own (former) Party primary an edge in the general election.

When I was young I learned a song called "Our Primary Colors". The beginning went something like this: "Our Primary colors are one, two, three: red, yellow, and blue."
Applied to Primary elections, if Republicans are red and Democrats are blue, the third category of voter described above, not voting to support a candidate but to subvert democracy, must claim the yellow.

Our national colors are red, white, and blue; there is no place for yellow.

A Well-deserved Award

On Saturday evening I attended a dinner and award ceremony where the Utah County Democratic Party presented their Distinguished Service Award to the former Governor of Utah Olene Walker.

It was mentioned several times during the evening that it was interesting that, in these times of harsh partisan politics, the Democratic Party would give this award to a Republican public servant. As Governor Walker spoke, however, it became clear why she is such a worthy recipient.

Her remarks centered on two messages. The first was the need for bipartisanship in legislation and in leadership. She described her experience both campaigning and serving in the legislature and later in the executive offices. She claimed that all people agree on 80% of the issues, but that 20% is driving people apart. She decried those who were more concerned about partisan victory than beneficial public policy. She challenged the candidates and elected officials to work together and to be statesmen, and stateswomen, in the best sense of the word.

Her second message was equally compelling--the need for adequate support for public education, both K-12 and higher education. She cited not only the statistics that show Utah funding education lower than any state in the country (in 51st place!) but the falling commitment from taxpayers, shown as the percentage of their income dedicated to the education of the next generation. She said it was her goal to live to see education funded in 49th place and warned that she didn't intend to live forever!

Her comments and the entertaining talk given by former legislator Scott Howell pointed out just how dedicated, courageous, open, honest, and absolutely charming Governor Walker is. I was inspired that evening. Olene Walker is a new hero of mine.

Straight Party Voters

Utah has an unusual, if not unique ballot, in that it asks the voter if they want to vote a "straight party" ballot. After the last election, one voter I spoke to thought the ballot asked him to identify his party affiliation. He said he clicked on Republican and bam! the whole ballot was finished. He returned home disappointed that his study of the candidates had been for nothing.

The State Conventions have now been held and the Democratic nominees for Governor and Lt. Governor are a bipartisan pair. Peter Corroon chose as his running mate Cheryl Allen, a Republican. If this has happened in Utah politics since the Governor and Lt Governor became tied together as candidates, I don't remember it. Representative Allen has made it clear that although she is running as the partner to the Democratic candidate, she still considers herself a Republican.

It has, however, got me wondering how the straight party ballot will handle the situation. You cannot vote for more than one person for a specific office but if you decide to vote straight Republican, wouldn't that give Cheryl Allen a vote too? And would a straight Democrat vote go to Peter Corroon, when it would end up giving a vote to a Republican as well?

I have, in the past, voted for candidates all from the same party, but I have never used the straight party option on the ballot. And after running a campaign, I never would. It is such a great sacrifice and service to run for office! I believe that every voter should give candidates the respect of, at the very least, looking at each name on the ballot as they choose their officials. It gives the appearance, if only to oneself, of voting thoughtfully.

I hope that the bipartisan ticket in the Governor's race results in the demise of the straight party option on the Utah election ballot. It is a practice that needs to go.

Heat in Arizona

The news from Arizona has spread like wildfire across the nation. Their response to the problems they face from illegal immigration has sparked fiery reactions within their state and throughout the country.

The borders around the United States have been porous over this country's history. The attitudes of Americans, especially in the west, have generally been formed by the wide open spaces. The cowboys sang "Don't fence me in" and the school children sang "This land was made for you and me!" Another characteristic of Americans is the expectation that, unlike many other countries, we do not have to justify our presence with identity cards.

Once our nation virtually filled the continent, the east and west borders had oceans for boundaries. By and large, our northern neighbors were satisfied with their lives as Canadians so that borderline was uncontentious. It is the southern border that has become a greater problem of late.

Reports of the lawless conditions in border towns, such as Ciudad Juárez, are frightening. Drug cartels are responsible for kidnappings, extortion, and brutal murders against Mexican law enforcement, competing gangs, and ordinary citizens, in order to keep them in submission. This violence is beginning to spill over the border and has residents on the US side anxious.

One result is a law that allows Arizona law enforcement to require people whom they suspect, to show proof of legal status. It defines presence without appropriate documentation as a crime, in fact, a misdemeanor not to carry the documentation.

The controversy this bill has sparked is interesting. Opposition voices predict that members of the Spanish-speaking community will be unwilling to call the police for help, to speak up as victims or witnesses to crime. There is also fear that this will result in racial profiling by police, since only race and language can give an appearance of a non-citizen. It is seen as a racist bill. The Governor who signed it into law says that we must trust law enforcement more than that.

I have been asked my position on this bill and it is somewhat conflicted. On the one hand, I can understand the frustration of the people of Arizona who created it. The fear of the lawlessness they are seeing spill over the border is provocative.

The question of the same sort of law in other states, including Utah, is a separate matter. I am unconvinced by those who justify the requirement we all carry identification documents by saying that we are burdened by the cost of social services to the undocumented. The undocumented all pay sales taxes and often Social Security and income taxes, but are unwilling to claim benefits or tax refunds for fear of being detected. We do have crime among the people in our state and some can be traced to undocumented immigrants but it is not at the level that the border states must deal with.

This Arizona bill has sparked nation-wide responses, both in favor and in opposition to the law. The best result may be that it motivates the Federal Government to craft immigration reform that addresses the fears of violent or property crime, the needs of labor for agriculture and business, and the values we place on freedom from governmental scrutiny of its law-abiding citizens. If this is what comes of the Arizona law, it will be worth the uproar it has caused.

When I mentioned to a neighbor that I felt the Arizona law was draconian, he asked me how I would answer to the immigrants who had made the decision to come to the United States through legal means. I don't know that I will ever be asked to answer to them. I am convinced, however, that there will come a time when I will be asked to answer for my attitudes toward my neighbors by one who has said, "For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in."

Preparing for Refugees

Now that the candidates have declared their willingness to run and the caucus meetings have been held, the respective parties are preparing for the process of culling the herd. For the most part, in Utah County the Democratic Party has one candidate for each of the offices in the 2010 election. The Republican Party has numerous intra-party contests.

It is interesting to me to watch the power struggle taking place in the Republican Party that has claimed "freedom", "choice", "liberty", "moral conscience", and "local control" as their watchwords in the legislature.

Republican candidates in Utah County are being asked to submit to a questionnaire and pledge. The pledge requires them to support only Republican party candidates. The questionnaire asks whether or not they oppose any part of the County Party Platform and whether or not they support or oppose the ethics initiative. This information will be made available to the delegates who meet at their County Convention next month.

I have had experience carrying the ethics initiative to my neighbors, many of whom are registered Republicans, and rarely do they oppose the initiative when it is explained to them. There is a lot of misinformation coming from members of the legislature and those who have heard that often resist the petition. If they voice their specific concerns, I can usually show the actual language of the initiative that answers their concerns and they sign the petition. The confusion caused by the misinformation sometimes causes the voters to back away from signing anything, worried that they are being fooled by one person or another. So the misinformation campaign does have an effect. But I don't think it is a big enough effect to carry support for the efforts of the Utah County to identify "ethics-niks" among their candidates for retribution.

The opposition of the Utah County Republican Party to a non-partisan citizens' initiative to promote ethical conduct by legislators and requirements of their candidates to follow lock-step the directions of a platform that is more defined and extreme than other Republican platforms in the state and nation may prove to be more restrictive than the voters want to allow their party -- even in Utah County.

The Democratic Party in Utah County may be seen as too conservative by the National Democratic leadership, and even the more progressives in our own capitol city, but the moderate platform and candidates will welcome the political moderates who are disowned by the radical republicans.

I encourage voters to study all candidates, and candidates to study all issues, and both to vote their conscience.

The Caucus Race

The caucus race is demonstrated in chapter 3 of Alice in Wonderland. I have, unfortunately, not had the opportunity to see the new movie production of the Lewis Carrol classic so I cannot say whether "caucuses" will get much popular recognition by movie-goers.

I have been trying to decide if Mr. Carrol's portrayal of the caucus race had any relevance to the caucuses that will be held all over Utah later this month. I decided there was a loose connection. It is that everybody wins. And what they win probably comes out of their own pocket!

I think we all understand that we are doing our patriotic duty by electing wise leaders who will represent us well in government. However, if you think you are doing your patriotic duty simply by voting in November, you are only partly right. Your participation in the caucus meetings is where democracy begins and where you have the greatest influence on public policy.

I am not the only one who recognizes this. Rep. Chris Herrod, who has found his latest calling as Field Marshall in the battle for States' Rights, is quoted in the New York Times today (see the last couple of paragraphs). If he is successful at sending his supporters to the caucus meetings, we'll have a full agenda next year of States' Rights message bills!

Caucus meetings are held in March, this year on Tuesday the 23rd of March at 7PM, and at these meetings, delegates are chosen from those that attend. The delegates attend the County Convention and the State Convention and their votes determine which candidates will appear on the Primary election ballots or, if there is no primary election, whose name will appear on the ballot in November. In the past, approximately 2% of the registered voters have attended the caucus meetings. That is a lot of influence by just 2% of the voting population!

You don’t have to be a political expert or an activist to be involved in the caucus meetings or to serve as a delegate. You just need to be interested in good government.

The caucus meetings are organized by precincts. To find out which precinct they live in, Utahns can turn to the internet. It will bring up your precinct number and your party affiliation. If you wish to attend the Republican caucus meeting, you must be registered as a republican. The Democratic party, at least in Utah County, does not make that requirement.

Then find where your precinct’s caucus is meeting on March 23rd. Those who live in House District 61 in West Provo and West-by-Southwest Orem, will meet at Independence High School (elsewhere, contact your County Party for caucus locations).

The winners of the caucus race are those who attend. They exercise greater influence on public policy and ethical government than any 1000 voters can on election day. I hope to see you there!

Debate on the Ethics Initiative

On Tuesday, 16 March, at 11:30 a.m, Utah Valley University will host a panel discussion on ethics reform featuring proponents and opponents of the initiative sponsored by Utahns for Ethical Government.

Claralyn Hill and initiative co-author David Irvine will speak for the initiative, while Representative Lori Fowlke and Senator Curt Bramble will oppose it.

I look forward to hearing the discussion and also to seeing the venue. I haven't taken the opportunity to visit the the new UVU Library. The panel discussion will be held in room 120, in the basement of the new library building.

Come join me there!

The Foolish Farmer

At a recent legislative report, our local representative and senator laid out to their constituents the various budget cuts to state institutions and the ways they may be handled. Mr. Grover seemed to make light of the impact of these cuts, saying, "It kind of makes you wonder why we've been funding them at the higher level all this time in the past!"

This statement makes clear that he has spent too much time in the "echo chambers" of closed-door legislative caucus rooms.

It reminded me of a story that my father used to tell. It seems a farmer was concerned about the cost of oats to feed his plow horse. He decided that he could save a lot of money if he could just train the horse to work without feed. He decided to ween the horse gradually. A few months later his neighbor asked him how the experiment was going. "I almost had the horse completely weened," replied the farmer, "but he up and died on me!"

Mr. Grover sounds a lot like this foolish farmer.

He surely hasn't spoken to voters in his district who work at the State Hospital or for the Department of Corrections. A retired corrections official told me that trying to keep personnel cuts to a minimum has resulted in letting the most experienced workers go, so the increased workload is being carried by the least experienced. Will we have problems at the prisons?

Mental health agencies are being asked to do more with less. Will we have to give up hope for their patients? Will we be seeing more of them on the streets?

Another voter in the district told me that she lost her job when the state office that gave oversight to foster care was completely abolished due to budget cuts. Will we have problems with foster care families?

I do not pretend that budget problems can be handled painlessly. Everyone will be asked to make sacrifices. But we had better decide which of the state plow horses will be starving.

The horrible blessings game

A number of years ago I heard of a Blessings Game that was recommended to families. It starts off with each family member identifying blessings, writing them down on little slips of paper and arranging them on the table. Such things as good health, friendly neighbors, grandparents, and opportunities for school come out immediately. Imagination is helpful as time goes on and indoor plumbing, my new running shoes, a roof that doesn't leak, and chocolate pudding are added. Soon the table is covered with happy little scraps. It seems to be a lesson about gratitude.

Part 2 of the game brings about a change in the atmosphere. Everyone is asked to choose what they would be willing to do without. "Okay, I guess I don't really need the collection of DVD's." Dad is surprised when one of the kids is willing to do without a lawn mower and the kids are perplexed that Dad is willing to toss out the TV. Round after round of sacrifices are made and soon one of the family says, "I don't want to play anymore," but the game must go on and the "Blessings Game" turns into the "Horrible Game". Eventually we are choosing between health and shelter. Clearly the lesson has turned into one about priorities.

The legislature is playing this horrible game now. We know that these times call for sacrifices and no one will be spared some sacrifice. It is critical, however, that the long-range effects of the choices are part of the consideration. I may be willing to do without tools if it came down to tools or skills needed to use them. But if as a community we lose both the tools and the skills to work once again when times are better, we have turned a crisis into a chronic condition.

As a people we are resilient and can give until it hurts. We can deal with "downs", knowing that "ups" will soon come along. We do not, however, want to see ourselves in a nosedive and headed into the ground. We must be assured that when the crisis is past we will have the skills, if not the same tools, to rebuild neglected infrastructure and to put lives back together.

It's Official!

At 5 PM on March fourth, I stood before a group of smiling faces and announced that I had decided to March forth! I announced my campaign for the Utah State House of Representatives.

Over the next few days I will post excerpts from my announcement speech. Today I want to post the opening acknowledgments (including the people that I only thought to acknowledge after I sat down).

In attendance and at my side was my good husband who supports me in many of my wild adventures. He not only offers his technical expertise with all things digital, he also gives careful consideration to the issues of the day and shares his viewpoints with me. Often we agree, sometimes we do not, but his love and respect for me is constant.

My father drove 100 miles through blizzard conditions to attend this event and that was symbolic of his tremendous support for me. His example and explicit teaching throughout my life of personal integrity and responsibility are part of my living inheritance.

My mother, at home giving hospice care to my aunt, has of course been a great influence in my life. She has provided an example of community service throughout her life, including being elected to the district school board and organizing community activism. She spear-headed the first Tea Party march in Ogden so you know I have had conservative values instilled in me from the beginning.

I also feel the love and support of my parents-in-law, whom I love as my own parents and consider them as such.

My brothers and sisters, including all the in-laws, represent a wide political spectrum and some of us can be very out-spoken. My Staffanson and Turley parents raised us to be courageous independent thinkers. They are amazing role models.

The home where we have raised our seven children seems to be emptying out. My children are landing all across the country and some are starting families of their own. In spite of the distance, they are ever supportive of my political forays. I can count on them for campaign advice and their perspectives on public policy. This is valuable since they represent professions in economics, law, transportation, education, military service, and, in one case, navigating the middle school social scene. Each is a blessing to me.

Lastly, I am indebted to the many volunteers who have cheered my entrance into this campaign. Many have joined me as Republicans or independents because of their faith in me. This is humbling and gratifying. Many are what I call "the keepers of the Democratic Party flame." They have been marginalized for years and haven't succumbed to cynicism and despair. They continue to put heart, soul, shoe leather, and financial backing into hope that their voices will be heard. I am proud to be counted among those who are anxious to see balance return to state government. I am willing to work, and happy to represent my neighbors of District 61 in the Utah House of Representatives!

Balance of power in government

The three branches of government that should balance each other are well-known to students of government. The power of the Executive Branch is held in check by the Judiciary and the Legislative branch. Similarly, the courts are balanced by the governor's office and lawmakers; and the legislature is balanced by the courts and the governor.

There are also provisions to balance citizens' interest with the power of the legislature.

One is the ballot box. Voters unhappy with their representative certainly can wait for their term of office to expire and vote them out of office.

The other is the initiative process, which gives citizens the ability to create and pass legislation independent of their elected officials. It is created as an initiative and if enough voters sign a petition to place the initiative on the ballot, voters can vote the initiative up or down at the next election. This procedure may signal to their elected officials that they are generally pleased with their representation but that the legislature is reluctant to pass a particular piece of legislation.

The constitutionally guaranteed right to petition government is a pain in the neck for legislators who want to be the sole body able to initiate and pass legislation. The usual method of legislation is very good. It allowed careful consideration, debating, and often amending bills to approve them. This is sufficient -- most of the time.

Issues that relate to their conduct and the extent of their power are especially suited to voter oversight. The initiatives for legislative ethics and for fair boundaries in redistricting are precisely suited to citizen involvement.

All politics

I have heard many times the statement: "All politics is local." The meaning of that, I suppose, is that the local effect of politics overrides the movements on state or national level. The messages of national politicians are tailored to the moods and opinions of their audiences as they tour the country.

I have found a reverse effect in my own community and I have been trying to understand how a politician responds to this.

Utah County has been identified as one of the most, if not the most, Republican counties in the country. Candidates for office, even non-partisan office, must prove their Republican credentials. When the Women's Legislative Council of Utah County holds events, they are listed as non-partisan but the woman conducting the meetings extols "the great Republican values" of its members and only Republican candidates for office are recognized and introduced. In this city only elected officials are allowed to ride in parades, closing that opportunity to other candidates for office, effectively shutting out all but one political party.

During my experience in running a campaign, the most frequently asked question is: "what party are you?" They are convinced that the party affiliation will tell them all they need to know about the candidate standing before them. And what they "know" about the party platforms is what they hear on national television. They will vote with the majority party even when the politics of the majority party are not in their best interest as families and individuals.

In a homogeneous community such as this, the majority party will tend to the extreme -- in this case, extreme conservatism. The only way to have a viable two party system, is to have an opposition party that maintains a moderate platform.

At this point, the Republican party leadership has fairly successfully convinced their voters that a vote for a local Democrat is a vote for the national platform of the Democratic Party. I was told a number of times that I could say that I was independent of party ideology but once elected, I would be pressured my members of my party. A printed copy of the more moderate platform of the Utah County Democratic Party failed to dissuade many.

The interesting thing is that the most popular Republican candidates are those who call themselves "Mavericks" -- a person who acts independent of any partisan pressures.

Maybe in other places, all politics is local. Around here, all politics is national.

A Supreme Court Speed Bump for Ethics Reform

I have been a proponent of the legislative ethics initiative by Utahns for Ethical Government, which is in the petition stage this winter. It is a slow process going door to door because each signature usually involves a lengthy explanation. I do not begrudge the time; it shows that the voters want to be informed.

The voice of opposition to this petition has been coming primarily from the incumbent politicians. They fear the changes it would require. Its provisions for campaign finance reform, for example, prohibit individual donors from contributing more than $2500 and prohibits contributions in any amount from businesses.

Now, however, the ruling of the Supreme Court (January 21, 2010) has driven a hole into the initiative in just this area. Political contributions are seen as "free speech" and cannot be prohibited or limited and business entities are seen as having the same rights of free speech as individuals.

The UEG initiative has strong support among the voters in Utah and while the limits on campaign funding will be stripped by the severability clause, the rest of the bill, if passed in the November election, would still stand.

Although campaign contributions will be unlimited, whether from individuals or from special interest groups—including businesses, voters can learn much about the sort of representation they can expect from a political candidate by examining the sources of their campaign funds.

If he is aware of the Supreme Court ruling, my own representative is understandably relieved by this ruling. Every one of his contributions came from businesses, Political Action Committees, or other candidates’ campaign funds. These are the interests he can be expected to represent.

A Survey or a Push Poll

As the 2010 legislative session gets underway, state senators and representatives are wise to collect information from their constituents. After all, how can they represent people whose opinions they do not know? Town Hall meetings are a great way to do this. Opinion polls and surveys, either by phone or mail, are also good options. Our household recently received the “2010 Legislative Survey” from our elected representative and senator.

Most surveys are meant to collect information. Others are “push polls” meant to look like they are collecting information but, in reality, are meant to disseminate it. A push poll is often used to promote oneself or to “push” negative information about a person or viewpoint.

The first clue that the survey I received might not be a survey to collect real attitudes and opinions was that bad news is introduced with "Due to the economic downturn," and good news with "Due to wise fiscal management".

The second clue was the fact that opinions are interspersed with the questions, such as the following: (Do you support or oppose) steps to opt out of provisions that would raise taxes and harm businesses if a 'Cap and Trade' agreement passes congress?"

The final question put to rest any of my remaining doubts about the nature of this survey. It offers six statements, next to which respondents can place a checkmark to indicate agreement. There is no space for respondents to add explanations or exceptions.

The first statement reads "I prefer having laws made through the legislative process with public hearings rather than by initiative." Of course we all prefer the legislative process over walking petitions around. There is, however, a constitutional right to petition government when the elected representatives ignore the will of the people. Two such cases produced the current initiatives: legislative ethics reform by Utahns for Ethical Government and redistricting reform by Fair Boundaries. In Utah, legislation by initiative is rare but the right to it is essential.

The second statement is "I am aware that the initiative creates and [sic] Ethics Commission that has not [sic] accountability to the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branch [sic] and that its decision cannot be appealed." How do you agree or disagree that you are aware of a falsehood? The proposed commission would be composed of legislative staff chosen by the legislators themselves. The only sense in which this commission would not be “accountable” to elected officials is in the fact that such officials would not completely control commission decisions. These decisions would be whether to forward submitted complaints to the Ethics Committee—formed of legislators themselves—who would then hear and rule on these complaints. Rulings could be appealed. Why would a decision to merely hear a complaint need to be appealed?

The third statement is "I am aware that the Ethics Commission would consist of members who have life time appointments." Again, how can you state you are aware of a falsehood? Commission members would serve five year terms with staggered dates of replacement.

The fourth statement is "I have/would sign [sic] the 21 page Citizens Ethics Initiative without reading it." Is this an attempt to intimidate? It shouldn't be, since the writers of this survey obviously haven't read the initiative.

The fifth statement is "I would prefer laws that create an increased transparency in lobbyist activities." The State of Utah is recognized for promoting transparency and this initiative does nothing to limit that. But the state can dump a pile of data onto a website, calling it transparency, and it would be far more obscure to voters than having the legislators sign a code of conduct.

The last statement is "I think campaign contributions should be capped notwithstanding that such a cap could prevent citizens in lower income brackets from running for office." A cap would prevent a candidate of any economic background from running a campaign financed solely by a few special interest groups. This, unfortunately, is common practice. To finance a campaign through contributions from constituents provides a candidate an opportunity to talk to these constituents and really hear what they think. If the Ethics initiative accomplished just this much, it would be worthwhile.

I have decided not to send in the survey. It will not tell my representatives anything about what I think. But then again, it wasn't meant to.

Happy New Year!

Holidays are wonderful ways to end a year. It is like having dessert at the end of a meal. It leaves a good taste in your mouth. At least, that is the way it has been for me.

My almost-empty nest was filled (and then some) with children who brought their children. Coming from the East Coast, the Midwest, and the Pacific Northwest, they converged. The grandchildren played with each other, with only occasional klonks with their toys; the grown children laughed and teased each other; and even the in-laws chatted comfortably. Conversation topics ranged from potty training to college selection to hospice care -- and, of course, memories of Christmases past.

We are blessed with comfortable shelter, sufficient food, caring friends, loving family, and faith that God is watching over all.

What could be better than this?