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.