Utah’s Democrats Sabotaged!
I’m concerned that the normally anti-voucher Utah Democratic Party may have been infiltrated by rogue supporters of the school voucher program up for election this November. The most recent evidence of saboteurs is this ad published by the Utah Democratic Party this week.
The pro-voucher spies must have figured they could hamper anti-voucher advocates’ efforts if they could make Utah’s Democratic Party publish an ad accusing nearly half of Utahns (around 40-45% support vouchers) of supporting the racist policies of Virginia’s Democratic politicians in the 1950’s.
Some would argue that the pro-voucher forces aren’t clever or subtle enough to pull something like this off. I’d say the proof is in the propaganda. There’s no way Democrats would publish something so counterproductive on their own, especially since there are so many other great arguments on why vouchers are bad for Utah…it had to be a covert operation by PCE.
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I was left shaking my head at it, wondering if we can get back to talking about the merits of our respective positions instead of trying to make each other out to be the boogeyman.
Comment by Jesse Harris — June 28, 2007 @ 10:54 am
If you don’t like the history of vouchers that is good, but the history should be part of the discussion. The Democratic position is not necessarily that Utah’s voucher supporters are motivated by this concern. But historically it has been the motivation of many and could effect how the program plays out.
Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it.
Comment by Rob Miller — June 28, 2007 @ 11:38 am
I have to go with Rob on this.
Sure, it’s a pretty pointed example of history, but, what is wrong with being pointed? Are generalities more the way to go because it’s better to ignore the past? Especially if it’’s embarrassing?
Human behavior is painfully repetitive and a good dip in the history pool might be one of the ways to help break the cycle.
Comment by JM Bell — June 28, 2007 @ 11:51 am
So Rob is saying that the whole conspiracy theory that PCE has infiltrated the Utah Democratic Party is hogwash?
“There’s no way Democrats would publish something so counterproductive on their own, especially since there are so many other great arguments on why vouchers are bad for Utah…it had to be a covert operation by PCE.”
Rob, could the Utah Democrats be that “counter-productive”?
Comment by Tyler Farrer — June 28, 2007 @ 11:56 am
No, no, no! This is exactly the approach we need! Voucher supporters ARE bigots. They don’t like people of color, atheists and the poor.
We need to take it to the rack and dunk right over them.
Comment by Anonymous — June 28, 2007 @ 1:26 pm
Racists in the ’50s used vouchers to try to maintain segregation. Big deal. That doesn’t even come close to explaining why vouchers are bad for Utahns. It isn’t even good propaganda because instead of convincing people that Utah will be worse off with these subsidies we’re just telling them that if they disagree with us we think they’re the same type of racists who supported vouchers in Virginia.
Sorry Rob and JM. This ad could not have possibly been more tone deaf.
To date our ads have:
1. Promoted the fact that vouchers were originally thought up by America’s most well known and well regarded economist, Milton Friedman…a winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics.
2. Hinted that voucher supporters are seeking a plan to bring back segregation a la the racists in 1950’s Virginia and thus offended people who might have been interested in our message if we weren’t acting like a bunch of race baiters.
We’ll get vouchers passed for sure if we keep this up.
Comment by Jeremy Manning — June 28, 2007 @ 1:40 pm
We are naive to believe that the politics of privatization doesn’t have profound effects on our communities, or that they are not motivated by prejudice, racism, or classism.
I would encourage you to read the introduction of The Great Unraveling: Losing Our Way in the New Century by Paul Krugman.
Tyler,
I’ll answer your question this way. Who doesn’t make mistakes from time to time. Can the UDP be counter-productive? Yes. With that said it is my honest opinion based on my dealings with you that even if we were 100% productive, or correct on an issue you would have a difficult time admitting it. No worries though, I still think the world of you anyway.
Comment by Rob Miller — June 28, 2007 @ 1:52 pm
I appreciate your opinion Jeremy.
Comment by Rob Miller — June 28, 2007 @ 2:18 pm
Rob,
I don’t think voucher supporters have racist motives and I don’t think Paul Krugman is right in his many contentions that the free market is the chief cause of so many of our society’s problems. (I’ve read quite a bit of Krugman already…but not the book you cited. I’ll check it out!) I do however agree with you that the UDP is trying to do what is best for all of us. I just wish that didn’t have to involve frivolous charges of Racism or so much criticism of free market economics.
Please don’t take my criticism of these ads as a personal attack. You and the positive message you’ve always had as a party official and a candidate are what made me decide there was a place in our party for me even with my libertarian tendencies! I told you from the beginning that I think the party needs to change in order for it to attract more Utahns…thats all I’m fighting for.
Comment by Jeremy Manning — June 28, 2007 @ 2:56 pm
I have to admit, my first reaction to the poster was negative as well. But then I’m paranoid. I remember Lily Eskelson, leading almost the whole way until she went negative against Merrill Cook.
Comment by Voice of Utah — June 28, 2007 @ 9:45 pm
Rob,
Are the voucher programs today in inner cities racist? Primarily african-americans receive the vouchers. Are voucher supporters doing this in a nefarious effort to keep blacks down?
Also, as a lover of the outdoors, I love the picture of Lake Louise as part of the banner at the top of the Utah Democratic Party’s website. But as a Utahn, but with a state as beautiful as Utah, why not use a picture of somewhere in Utah, instead of Canada?
Comment by Daniel — June 28, 2007 @ 10:07 pm