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?

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.

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.

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.

We need to take it to the rack and dunk right over them.

“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”?

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.

Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it.