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.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
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!
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!
Saturday, March 13, 2010
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!
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!
Monday, March 8, 2010
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.
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.
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.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
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!
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!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
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.
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.
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