I had never been to a precinct caucus meeting before tonight. The meetings for Democrats and Republicans in district 16 were held at Northridge High School in Layton. The Democrats had about 20 people in our meeting while the Republicans probably had 8 to 10 times that number and had to use the school’s auditorium.
The Democratic caucus went well. I especially appreciated meeting Carole Peterson, candidate for the legislature. Her background as former chief clerk (30+ years) of the Utah House of Representatives makes her an excellent candidate in this race. She’s seen the political misdeeds of the Republicans who’ve run the capital for the past few decades. She knows for certain what needs to change and how to make those changes. I emptied my wallet and donated what I could to her as soon as the meeting was over. We need representatives who will be responsive to their constituent citizens and who aren’t part of a graft producing machine. Ms. Peterson spoke about her respect for the importance of the office she’s running for and her long career of careful non-partisan service as chief clerk of the House testifies of her sincerity. Anyone who can help her campaign out or donate really should. Beating Kevin Garn won’t be easy…but its not impossible either. If anyone can do it in our area of Davis County I’m betting it is Ms. Peterson.
There wasn’t a lot to vote on in the caucus. Democrats don’t have multiple candidates for any office up for election this year in our precinct so we had a good time meeting each other and called it a night. As our meeting adjourned the Republicans had just ended their large group meeting and had broken up into smaller groups. They were going up the stairs while we were going down. I saw several people from my ward, including my Bishop, following the herd upstairs.
There were times leading up to tonight when I had considered joining that herd only because it sometimes seems so hopeless for Democrats in Davis County. As I watched the dozens of Republican men and women who filed past the handful of Democrats we had I knew for certain that there was no way I’ll be switching to Republican. There is no logical reason for there to be such a political imbalance in our community. A significant portion of the Republicans I saw have exactly the same policy priorities our Democrats have but they’ve accepted the foolish cultural dogma that only Republicans represent their values. Utah’s political environment would be far more dynamic, ethical, and trustworthy if there was real partisan competition in our state. I’m glad I participated tonight if only to do my small part in helping that happen. Utah deserves better than we’ve currently chosen for ourselves. I’m hoping and acting on the belief that our situation is reversible.
My favorite economist blogger is sending some much deserved praise to my favorite overall blogger. I completely agree with her…Radley Balko’s blog really is probably the most valuable one out there right now. His efforts to catalogue injustices perpetrated by those responsible for maintaining our safety and security are invaluable.
It is cool to read about someone else I respect who is reading and enjoying the same blogs I pay attention too. I check every one of the blogs/websites listed over there on the right hand side of my site on a daily basis. Each one has earned my respect and I’m grateful for the effort they all put into providing me with their ideas and information free of charge! If your bored select one at random and give it a look.
UPDATE 3/18/2008 6:55: While I’m handing out blog love I figured I’d pass out a mention to what is becoming the most consistently entertaining read in the whole Utah bloghive. If you haven’t got Glen Warchol’s blog in your RSS reader you really should put it there. The Trib isn’t paying that guy nearly enough.
Because there apparently aren’t enough real criminals to pursue in Utah, Attorney General Shurtleff wants everyone to remember that he’s looking to fine people who bet on March Madness brackets this year.
Utah: The state where it will always be illegal to be an adult.
UPDATE 03/11/2008 11:07: I like VOU’s proposed solution to the silliness that is Utah’s extreme gambling prohibition.
Tom made an interesting comment on this post about SB2 (the education omnibus bill) that I’ve been thinking about for a couple of days. I think he’s probably right.
This omnibus bill may be unconstitutional under the Utah Constitution. (See Article VI, Section 22)
One argument in favor of calling it constitutional would be to consider it an “appropriations” bill, which is partially true. However, the constitution requires it to be a “general appropriations bill”, which I would argue it is not. (See SB1 for an example of a general appropriations bill.) Further, there are stand-alone sections of the bill (e.g. lines 469-491, which come directly from HB 419, a bill that had no appropriation), which give further evidence to the notion that this bill has a) more than one subject, and b) the title (”Minimum School Program Budget Amendments”) does not accurately reflect the body of the bill, both of which are constitutional requirements of bills.
It’s clear in my mind that at the very least, the intent of Art VI Section 22 was violated by the omnibus approach.
I’m no lawyer but it does seem that Tom has a point. I was pretty disappointed that the legislature was able to throw all this stuff into an Omnibus and get it passed as one bill. Commonsense dictates that the people aren’t well served when legislators can avoid voting on substantial changes to Utah law and new programs by sticking them together with essential appropriations in an omnibus bill. It seems that Utah’s constitution is on the side of commonsense in this case.
Thank you Tom!
Here is an interview Brian Schweitzer (Democratic governor of Montana) recently had with NPR. It is very short and sweet and forceful explanation of the foolishness that is “Real Id”. Give the interview a listen then try to imagine Gov. Huntsman being that cool. Pretty hard eh?
It would sure be nice to have a chance to support a candidate like Mr. Schweitzer in Utah. Do you think it is possible that a state like ours, so heavily influenced by cultural Mormonism, could ever elect someone known for his willingness to kick butt in the fight for our freedoms and rights instead of someone well-known because he’s really rich, really pretty, and really Mormon?
Bob is right again (no surprise). This wasn’t a tax shift…it was a tax increase used to give subsidies to Utah’s business interests.
I’ve been self employed and may do it again in the near future. I’d love to get help with health insurance costs but not on the backs of my fellow Utah taxpayers.
Again…where is the vaunted Utah Taxpayer Association? This is very clearly a new tax on everyone meant to benefit Delta Airlines and a few small business owners. Is Barbara right in her comment on this post? Is UTA really just another business lobby willing to throw citizen taxpayers under the bus if it benefits their donors?
UtahTeacher has done a great job breaking down the political hack job our legislature is doing to public education through use of an omnibus bill containing many pieces of legislation that likely couldn’t pass if voted on individually. Republicans stuck these ugly measures together with all the positive legislation the public education system needs so they could avoid having to debate the wrongheaded bills.
I understand that politics can be ugly but this is ridiculous. Several of the items stuck in this bill have already been voted down in committee or on the floors of the house and senate this year.
Have we really gotten to the point where the legislature can’t get business done in a way that allows the people to know what is actually being voted on? Cramming all education legislation into an omnibus bill at the last minute does a diservice to Utah’s taxpayers and voters. Legislators should have the courage to give each measure an up or down vote.
It is ironic that Sen. Stephenson, president of the Utah Taxpayers Association, is one of those evangelizing about how great an idea this is. You’d think someone interested in what taxpayers think would want each measure that will cost taxpayers to be considered individually on its merits.
