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.