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!