Spring, hopefully.

The sun has risen, shining through the light broken clouds surrounding the mountain tops that make up my beloved Wasatch Front. Birds are singing outside my window, and I have a cup of hot coffee and a pipe. Everything is well in my world. Spring, I believe, is finally trying to arrive in the Salt Lake Valley.

It seems to have been a long time arriving, this spring. The winter, while not rough in the valley, has been good to the mountains; we experienced a very good snowfall, with lots of moisture content. Given the past several years of below-average moisture, this is a good sign of things to come!


It has also been a long time since I have felt the desire to write here. The whirlwind that pretended to be the election cycle has severely shaken my faith in our electoral process with the constant tweets, interruptions and unfounded allegations rapidly, and repeatedly, overtaking substance and fact. The rude, crude, obnoxious, and insulting behavior of the field of candidates left me with the feeling of being in a bad dream. Unlike a dream, however, it continued past dawn, and even continues to this day.


Not since the days of “yellow journalism” (mid to late 1800’s) have the people of our country been exposed to such inane behavior and rude attacks by the candidates on each other. But this was not a matter of difference in policies, or a debate of the kind that causes serious reflection on the part of the electorate; rather this was nothing more than a cheap, shoddy effort to rally the base (whatever that may be) while demonizing the opponent.


Personally, I was ashamed of the behavior and demeanor of our candidates. “The whole dern lot of them”, as grandmother would have said.  No one seemed willing, even for a moment, to step above the fray.


Was this what the American public wanted, or more to the point, was it what we needed? Was it what the American voters deserved? Sadly, we have become a nation that is fixated on 30 second sound bites, 24 hour or less news cycles, and reality TV. (Which, frankly, is not reality.) You can pick any discussion point, pick a side, and find a talk radio or a TV commentator willing to bolster your opinion. Easy, isn’t it? No thinking required.


No thinking required. The same held true of the rallies each candidate held. There was little or no discussion about “this is what I want to do, and this is how I will achieve it.” Rather, we sat through month after tedious month of “the other side said this” “the other side wants to take your _________ away.” Scare tactics, creating fear of the boogieman, seemed to be the best the politicians could achieve. If fear was what the politicians wanted to achieve, they succeeded, all too well. Fear of the angry, disenchanted white males; of the liberal eastern elitists, the mainstream (or lamestream) media, the tree-huggers, big business, real or imaginary terrorists, people of other races or origins, other faiths. Plenty of fear to go around. And little or no uplifting messages, no spirit of “can do”, the type of spirit that propelled us to victory in WWII, and put an American on the moon in a decade.


But, who is to blame for this? Certainly, blame can be laid on the politicians and pollsters, the pundits, the media. But more to the fact, I am afraid, the blame is on us. You and me. The voting (I hope) public. We allowed the powers behind the politicians to tell us what they wanted us to hear. In the main, we refused to exercise our duty to say, “hold on, this is not what we signed up for.” We-you and I-refused to hold our politicians accountable to us, the American people.


Fortunately, we are allowed a do-over. Elections for the House are held every two years, and the Senate and President, every four. We can, and should, start now to hold our elected officials responsible for their behavior and actions. We have voices; we have email, petitions, and letters to our officials, as well as potential, untried politicians waiting to enter public service and help us overcome the morass we have created. We do not have to settle for the status quo, we do not have to re-elect the incumbents.


Read, follow, and study your elected officials. Let them know what you think, and don’t be shy about it. Support those who are working to make America a better place, a more civilized society, and work to replace those who spread hate and fear.


I am remembering the words attributed to Colin Powell: “You break it, you own it.” Well, in my opinion, we broke it, now let’s fix it. We, the United States of America, are better than this.


As always, your comments of agreement or opposition are appreciated.


Thanks for reading,

RMH   

Missed Opportunities

Republican senator Rafael Edward “Ted” Cruz, the junior senator from Texas, participated in a forum at the Iowa Faith and Freedom Summit; a summit called to allow presidential candidates and potential contenders to present their points of view regarding religious liberties in America.

In his comments, Senator Cruz said "there is no room for Christians in today's Democratic Party." He continued, stating “There is a liberal fascism that is dedicated to going after believing Christians who follow the biblical teaching on marriage."

Wow. This from an attorney who graduated cum laude from Princeton University, and continued on to receive his J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1995. While at Harvard, he was the principal editor of the Harvard Law Review. One would be inclined to believe, with his education, he would know that liberal and fascism have opposite meanings.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines liberal as “not narrow in opinion or judgment.” The same source defines fascism as “a political philosophy, movement, or regime that exalts nation, and often race and stands for a centralized autocratic, often militaristic government.” The two terms are polar opposites on both political and social scales. For Senator Cruz to use these two terms, together, to describe the Democratic Party is akin to his defying the existence of gravity while his feet are buried in quicksand.

Every individual I have met, who self-aligns with the Democratic Party, as well as the party itself, defines the Democratic Party as being a “big tent” party; that is to say no litmus test exists for membership or active participation as a candidate within the party.  There are those within the party who are strongly pro-life, even as the party defines itself as pro-choice; there are those who are against any form of gun control, even as the party works for stronger gun control legislation. From my own hands-on experiences, I have met and worked with Democrats who held no religious belief, as well as those who have very strongly-held religious convictions, be they Christian, Eastern, Middle Eastern, or Deist.

In my lifetime, I do not remember ever hearing, or reading about, any organized group “going after believing Christians who follow the biblical teachings on marriage.” I wonder, is Senator Cruz trying to form a wedge issue using the current events circulating around the hot-button issue of same sex marriage? Is he creating a boogie man to take the focus off the important issues facing our nation; issues such as stagnant wages, a Congress with the lowest approval rating in decades, a complete lack of compromise between the two major political parties, and much-needed immigration reform?

Presidential candidate Cruz missed a golden opportunity. He could have used his time at this summit to explain how a Cruz administration would work with Congress to ensure that all Americans would enjoy religious freedom while simultaneously guaranteeing the civil rights of all.  He could have explained how discrimination, in any form, goes against not only the constitution, but also the 2nd great commandment, “Thou shalt love they neighbor as thyself.”  Senator Cruz could have spoken to the value of diversity in both public and private arenas, and the need for acceptance of diverse religions and lifestyles.

But he didn’t.

You opinion and comments are always welcome. Thanks for reading!
R.M. Bob Hartman

Sources:

CNN http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/26/politics/ted-cruz-liberal-fascism-iowa-speech/index.html ,   retrieved April 26, 2015.

President George Washington

In his farewell address to the United States of America, President George Washington made comments that allow me to think he had vision that extended to the present day, even to the rancorous, bitter politics of the recent past and the current election:

“…Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party generally.
This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind. It exists under different shapes in all governments, more or less stifled, controlled, or repressed; but, in those of the popular form, it is seen in its greatest rankness, and is truly their worst enemy.
The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of public liberty.
Without looking forward to an extremity of this kind (which nevertheless ought not to be entirely out of sight), the common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it.
It serves always to distract the public councils and enfeeble the public administration. It agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection…” (http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/washing.asp)

Before I continue, let me remind everyone that the President of The United States of America can not write legislation. He can request, support, sign or veto laws, but the legislation itself comes from Congress. Therefore, it is in the President’s, and Congress’s, best interest to work together for the good of the American people.

The immature and disrespectful attitude displayed by Congress toward the American people shows that no member of either party is deserving of re-election. We, the people, hire our Representatives and Senators to “do the Nation’s business.” They are expected, at a minimum, to provide for the nation’s defense, promote the general good, properly regulate commerce and industry, engage in treaties and agreements in America’s favor; and keep the promise of America alive for our youth.

In my opinion, they have failed miserably over the past 12 years. The loud rabble on the extreme right and left have caused the Congress to sway precipitously left and then right, never to establish a comfortable center-stage, where the majority of Americans wish them to be. The art of compromise, upon which this country was founded, has been discarded for “victory at all costs” for one party or faction over the other. This is not what the American mainstream wants from Congress. Polls of the American people conducted by Gallup, Newsweek, Rasmussen, the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal consistently point to a low level of credibility and job performance of Congress. The first question is, why; the second, what can be done?

Here are some of my musings on this issue.
First and foremost, as pointed out by President Washington in his address, is party ideology. We have become so saturated by “The Republicans stand for this” and “The Democrats stand for this” to the point we no longer look at the person running for office, just which party he or she belongs to. No longer do we hear enough about what the candidate running for office believes or thinks, we just hear that he or she is a Democrat or a Republican. Rather than run on their individual accomplishments, goals or visions, they campaign on their own party line or against the other party. This party ideology denies us as citizens the privilege to choose the candidates who express thoughts and opinions that best reflect the majority of any specific voter’s ideas.

Second, our legislators are running for office again the day they take office. The cost of running a campaign has hit historical and ridiculously high figures. Politicians are constantly fundraising in one form or another. They are busy meeting with prospective high dollar donors, lobbyists, and “special interest groups.” With the advent of Pacs, SuperPacs, 527, 501c4’s and legislative Pacs, they are now beholden to money, not to the people. So busy fundraising are they, in fact, they don’t have time to construct, read or consider legislation; those functions are now delegated to staffers, or worse, to lobbyists who have staff to construct, read and provide the Congressman the condensed version of the bill.

Third, and perhaps most insidiously, is power. “I will be the Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee next term, think what that will do for Utah”, claimed one of our Senators. (The only effect I saw was the further de-regulation of the banking community, to the citizen’s peril.) Power in Washington is derived from longevity, and from trading favors (votes in session) one legislator to another.

So, what do I propose?

First, term limits, including limits on a politician’s ability to move from one house of Congress to the other.

Second, effective and enforced campaign finance reform is far overdue. Eliminate the use of PACS, SUPERPACS, 527’s, 501c4’s, bundling, and any other forms of special interest money, including corporation and union money. This includes re-writing the tax code to prohibit these types of “corporations” and overturning the Citizens United judgment of the Supreme Court.

Third, eliminate or control the lobbyists. Don’t allow them to write or suggest legislation; eliminate all the money and perks they bring to the Congressmen. Enact ethics legislation that prohibits Congressmen, and their families, from accepting jobs from lobbyists for a reasonable time after the Congressman leaves his/her office.

Fourth, ethics reform needs to be in place. Make sure Congressmen understand they may lose the position they have been elected to for violation of ethics. Put in place strong regulation, refine it as time and necessity require, and make it stick.

My conclusion: if the American citizens desire to bring Congress back to “doing the Nation’s business”, we need to act individually and collectively to bring reform to Congress. We need to remind them, by all means proper, they work for us. If reforms of the type I here suggest, and others of a like mind, were to be enacted, Congress would have time and willpower to work for the American people. Candidates for office would have to present to the voters reasons to elect them; they would not be able to flood our airwaves with negative advertisements and would perhaps be reduced to publishing position papers available and understandable to the majority of the voting public.

There is much more to be said and written about these pressing subjects. I hope I have provided some food for thought and discussion, as always your comments and opinions are welcome.
Robert M. “Bob” Hartman

About Last Night

It was great, really great! I can’t recall feeling so excited, renewed, and so positive after just a couple short hours. The attention was incredible! And just think: all without food or drink being used to get us together. You could legitimately state that it was even influenced by a Higher Power, as it was in part due to words spoken last Sunday.

No, “that” is not what I am referring to. I am referring to the larger-than-normal turnout at the Democratic Caucuses on Tuesday, March 13th, in Utah. The Salt Lake Tribune reported this morning that a room designed to hold 300 had over 500 in attendance. In the caucus I attended, the numbers were more than 4 times larger than any of the past decade’s turnouts. My precinct alone had 4 times its normal attendance. What factors could possibly have caused such a turnout? Being more than a little curious, I asked several of the new attendees why they had chosen to attend this year. There were two common responses; first, to be expected, is that the individual was tired of not having a voice in the selection of candidates; second, that there had been a letter, read in each of the last three Sundays, that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints wished its members to take a more active role in the caucus of the party of their choice.

Of the former reason, one could reasonably predict people would more concerned than in the past regarding the political process in Utah. The past several years have seen an increase in disconnect between what the people want, and what our elected officials have passed into law. (The much ballyhooed open records law (GRAMA) that passed, was signed, then withdrawn after a huge public outcry; the argument over tuition “vouchers” for private schools, paid for by public school money; and the “no sex sex-ed” bill all come to mind.) Our state was redistricted without any attempt to listen to the voluminous, boisterous public input, by a legislature catering to the needs of the majority political party rather than the desires of the populace for local representation. Senator Bob Bennett was forced out by a group whose only desire was for a hard right-leaning senator rather than looking at the good moderate Senator Bennett had done for all of Utah. These are all good reasons for people to attend the caucus of their choice, and take active part in the selection of delegates to the county and state conventions, followed by active voter participation come Election Day.

The second group had different reasons and concerns. I heard from several people that “the Church says we need to get more involved, so that is why I am here.” One person commented, “I have always been a Democrat, but now I am told it’s ok if we participate. We need to move away from a 1-party state.” One wonders why it is “now” ok to participate, why “now” we need to move away from one-party control. The selection, and election, of our state and local law-makers needs the input of all citizens if the policies and laws are to be truly what is in the best interest of the governed. In my opinion, this is not something new, something that “now” needs to be addressed; this process should have been at the fore-front of the religious leaders since the state was created. Rule in any place by a single party only having token participation by a loyal opposition, is not rule of the peoples; it is rule by fiat, by ideology rather than rule by democracy. If in fact it was the statements from the Church leaders that induced these newcomers to take part in the process, I say thank you (to the Church) for making a point that was obviously heard regarding a citizen’s right & duty to participate. I also say, what took the Church so long to arrive at this point? What kept this life-long Democrat from participating before? I have no known answers to these questions.

As grandmother used to say, “The proof is in the pudding.” If these newly-enfranchised individuals follow through on last nights actions, and continue to grow the ranks and activities of the political parties in Utah, then a major good has been achieved. I can only hope that holds true.

America the Great

When the people in our lives change, particularly without our permission, we can feel challenged, even threatened. The person you thought you knew has new ideas, new habits and/or hobbies, new concerns. Perhaps they have chosen to start exercising more and dining out less; they start bicycling and join a riding club; and you miss seeing them as often. Changing times can influence an individual to begin a new course of study, learn a different language, perhaps seek out a new philosophical direction. Certainly as we mature, we develop new perspectives, a broader world view. This is the normal course of growth in the human experience, and as individuals we should not take affront at the changes, instead we should encourage the growth of the individual. Certainly we do not expect anyone (even ourselves) to stay static, to remain in status quo. In the quiet space that exists between true friends, you ask why, what has excited them about this new idea, this new thought? Your concern regarding a friend’s new behavior is real; you want to understand the thought process underlying the paradigm shift he or she is expressing. Perhaps, in the discussion, you will find that the doctor has given them good medical reason for making changes; conditions beyond your foreknowledge may have dictated the study of a new language or a particular lifestyle. You listen, offering words of good counsel, encouragement, and positive emotion. Both of you are the better for the exchange; you now understand the reasoning for the new direction, and your friend still knows you are a true and trusted companion.

As it is with friends, so it is with countries, even ours. The United States of America has always been, is now, and will forever be, a work in progress. Over the past several decades, America has rightfully developed into arguably the worlds’ foremost, if not only, superpower. Our economic and military strengths have been on display for all the people to see. We may not “control” the world, but it cannot be said that we do not have a huge, and generally beneficial, effect on world events large and small. This time period, this military and economic “superiority” began with President Ronald Reagan and continued though President George W. Bush. 

But, the time for “war” or “spreading democracy” is now passed. The powerful engine of American growth is struggling, groaning under the weight of 10 years of war, a major world-wide recession, and now near-jobless economic growth. It is more than necessary for our elected officials to return to the work of America, creating jobs and building our economy. Our President wants to take our country in a new, America-centered direction, and a percentage of the population is not comfortable with this change. Some, most notably the Republican Presidential candidates, have gone so far as to adopt “remove this President from office” as the standard response to any question such as: If you are elected President, what will you do to secure America’s border with Mexico? If you are elected President, how will you create jobs? To say, “remove this President from office,” is to not answer the question!

No, it is time for America to come together again, to unite in her common ideals and strengths; celebrate her growing diversity, and work hard to re-gain our ability to be a world leader in all aspects of national appearance. It is time for our Congressmen to reach across the isle, to work together in a bi-partisan manner, develop and pass legislation that will be in America’s, and American’s, best interest. As America has demonstrated time and again in our past, we can come together in times of war and national disaster; now it is time to come together in this era of economic stress. There is much to be done, we need an energy program that focuses on reducing our dependence on fossil fuels; a national platform and program that encourages our youth to stay in school, to become the scientists, engineers, teachers, professionals and executives; a real and workable plan to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure; in fine, a national program to improve the lives and existence of all Americans.

It has been said that the American people are not interested in voting. Why should we be, when all candidates do is tear each other down, slinging lies, half-truths, and fictions? If you wish my vote for President, Senator, Representative, State or Local office, then explain to me, and to all the citizens, how you are going to accomplish goals. Don’t give me sound-bites or platitudes; rather explain to me your ideas, your vision for America the Great. Permit me to study your platform, and allow me to understand what you will do to change America for the better. Let us have a discussion of visions, ideas and plans, rather than a Super-PAC funded mudfest. Then the American people can rationally decide who can best lead us, the Greatest Country on Earth!

(As always, comments are welcome and appreciated.)

My Vote Doesn't Count-Right?

“My vote doesn’t count.” How many times have you heard, or worse yet, used, that phrase? Allow me to say, Bullsh**! Allow me to say it very loudly, very clearly. BULLSH**!

In Utah, we hear often how the state is run by “The Church”, or controlled by “The Republican Party”. The real numbers don’t bear that out.

The State of Utah was ranked 46th - out of 50- in the 2008 (1)presidential election in voter turnout of eligible voters. Only 56% of us cared enough to vote. Fifty six percent! (As you probably are curious, Hawaii was 48.8%, Texas 54.1%, and Oklahoma 55.8%.) How much worse that 56% can it get? Much worse. Pathetically worse, actually.

In the 2010 elections, we elected a Governor (Herbert), a Senator (Lee), and 3 representatives (Bishop, Matheson, and Chaffetz). I say “we”, because I voted. The hard fact -the one you don’t want to recognize or admit- is these elected officials were voted into office by a very small minority of the eligible voters. Utah has a potential voter count of 1.94 million, according to the 2010 census. Only 30.2% of those eligible to vote turned out and cast a ballot.

Our Governor was elected by only 594,007 voters. Our Senator was elected by 582,230 votes. Together, Thirty point two percent of the potential voters in Utah elected “our” Governor and Senator. 30.2% (2)This-30.2%- is not government by the majority. It is government by apathy.

But back to the original arguments for “my vote doesn’t count.” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints claims 1.8 million members (including children) in Utah. The Republican party has 40.6% (596,000) of the registered voters. Democrats are only 9.1% (133,770) of the registered voters. But- and it is a very big BUT- only 594,007 voters turned out to elect the Governor. So, if “The Church” or “The Republican Party”, ran the state, you would expect much higher turnouts. It didn’t happen.

The reality is this, dear reader. It’s your fault, my fault. We don’t collectively work for voter registration; we don’t ask if our neighbors, family or friends need a ride to the polls. If you are in the 30.2% who voted, thank you, and get off your backside and help others to register and vote. If you happen to be in the 69.8% who are not registered, or worse, don’t vote, SHAME ON YOU!

The 2012 elections are upon us, with all the rhetoric and nasty campaign tactics. But the truth is, your vote DOES count, your neighbors’ vote counts. Let’s get past ourselves, past our divides, and make this an election year when every person votes, when the will of the people is done. Hold your elected officials accountable, and let them know you vote! Let them know you vote for those who best represent YOU, the people of the United States of America.

To borrow a phrase, “Good Night, and Good Luck.”


(1)Source: Dr Michael McDonald,
George Mellon University, Fairfax, VA.
(http://elections.gmu.edu/Turnout_2008G.html)

(2)Source: Salt Lake Tribune, Jan 5, 2012

Pledge To America

The elections are over and past, the pundits and columnists are having a right jolly good time telling us what it meant; this victory for the right, the defeat of the President’s “agenda” and the progress it represented. They certainly have to earn their pay, so they will continue to blather on for some time to come. But I’ve not heard the hard questions asked or answered.

The incoming Speaker of the House, and the Minority Leader of the Senate have both stated on Sunday morning talk shows that the most important goal they can achieve in the next two years is to be sure that President Obama is a one-term President. Funny, in the Pledge to America the Republicans were so proud of making, and that they used to help convince the American People they were the party that can make it so, that was conspicuously absent from the plans they showed us. In the Pledge, they talked about plans to: (1) create jobs, (2) cut out of control spending, (3) repeal and replace government takeover of health care, (4) reform Congress and restore trust, and (5) keep our nation secure. Not a word was used to imply the goal of making sure President Obama has only one term. Not one word.

Talk is cheap. Actions speak louder than words; Mr. Speaker and Mr. Minority Leader need to show the American People they can govern better than their party did during times when they had control of the House, Senate, and White House. Here is an example: on page 32 of the Pledge, a paragraph is donated to the statement that “for the first time in modern history, the House failed to pass or even debate a budget…”. Mr. Speaker and Mr. Minority Leader should study the recent history, for under Clinton in 1998, and under Bush in 2002, 2004, and 2006, no budget was passed. This is not the only statement I question in this Pledge, but it is an example. I also find it interesting that in this document, government waste is discussed; but this document is a study in waste in and of itself. It is, as printed, 49 pages long. Only 22 pages have text on them. The balance is “pretty pictures.”

Over the next several weeks, I will be posting my views on the various plans laid out in this Pledge. I will also be keeping tabs on the actions the Republicans take in the House, and the Senate, to perform the promises Pledged to America.