Ethics Reform

The Utahns for Ethical Government sent me a questionairre by email.  Here is the email and my responses:

Utahns for Ethical Government

                                                                                                            September 7, 2010

Dear legislative candidates,

            We would appreciate your answers to the following five questions. Please respond within the next 2½ weeks--by Friday, September 24^th [now Tuesday, September 28th]--by hitting the reply button on this email and checking your answer in the blank spaces provided. We believe that interested voters have a right to know your position on our legislative ethics initiative, and we will post these responses on our website and release them to the media. Please include your name at the bottom of your response to facilitate an accurate tabulation.

1) Do you support the ethics reform initiative of Utahns for Ethical Government that would establish a strict code of conduct for the Utah Legislature and a genuinely independent ethics commission to advise the Utah Legislature? (The full initiative can be accessed on each subpage of our website under “Full Petition.” www.utahethics.org )

            Yes _____

            No __X___

2) If you answered yes to question number 1, skip to question 4.  If you answered no, do you support the initiative if you take into account that if the initiative is passed by the voters, the Legislature itself can amend the initiative to clarify any unintended ambiguity that might cause unintended consequences?

            Yes ___

            No __X__

3) If you do not personally support the ethics initiative, are you nonetheless willing to support the constitutional right of Utah voters to vote on our initiative without new roadblocks from the Legislature?

            Yes __X___

            No _____

4) If you are elected, will you oppose changes to Utah’s initiative laws that would make it more difficult for an initiative to get on the ballot (for example, raising the number of signatures required, making electronic signatures invalid)?

            Yes _____

            No __X__

5) If you are elected, would you support lowering the number of Senate Districts or the number of signatures required to place an initiative on the ballot?

            Yes ____

            No __X__

Comments/Clarifications? _The Ethics Reform initiative as it is currently constituted is well intended but over reaching and will have significant unintended consequences.  We need simpler reforms that are rooted in common sense without trying to create a complex construct of behavior management for elected officials.  Some behaviors should simply be criminalized rather than deemed “unethical”.  However, other perceived misbehavior can simply be dealt with by the voters at the ballot box.    

Also, due to the nature of our republic and the responsibility each citizen has to participate in our process, I believe that maintaining the minimum standard for signatures required to get initiatives on the ballot is good policy.   I do believe that physical signatures should be required rather than being electronically submitted due to the ease in which misinformation and popular spirits pervade such a medium.  Keeping ballots, votes, and signatures in the real realm will protect our republic from the mobocracy and vacillating dispositions of the virtual realm. 

MORE THOUGHTS NOT INCLUDED IN THE QUESTOINNAIRE:

I kept my response in the email brief but here are a couple of ideas that I support for ethics reform:

1.  Elected officials should have a 1 year cooling off period before becoming lobbyists

2.  Campaing contributions should never be transferable to a candidate for personal use but should be given to a charity or other worthy cause when that candidate has ended his or her political ventures.

3.  Officials should not accept gifts of any kind from lobbyists (with the exception of a group meal at a large gathering).

4.  Officials should not harass, intimidate, or manipulate state employees whose jobs may affect the interests of a candidate.

These are simple and straightforward reforms.  The initiative proposed has many complicated and confusing constructs that would hurt more than help our state.  

Night with the Unitarians

A special thanks to the Unitarian Church of Ogden for hosting the Coalition of Religious Communities' Meet the Candidates Night yesterday.

It was a pleasure discussing some of the important issues on the minds of constituents in the community.  Although we may not see exactly eye-to-eye on every issue, I believe we were in agreement on some of the most pressing issues of our day which include relieving low and fixed-income households through abolishing the food tax and also bringing meaningful common sense change to our immigration system.

Despite the fact I was the only Republican present at the event (and making a scene by being the only guy wearing a tie) it was great to find common ground and listen to the various perspectives of those in our community.

Thanks again for the opportunity!

Abagail Adams and Why I am Running for Office

The Abagail Adams Project is an organization which aims to be a clearinghouse of information on candidate positions on various issues.  I filled out their questionnaire and also gave an explanation for why I chose to run for House District 9.

Here is the questionnaire (click to enlarge):

Keep in mind that some of these questions were somewhat loaded so if you would like clarification on a specific issue please email me or call.

On why I am running:

I am running because I believe that life, liberty and the persuit of happiness are best achieved when the people are able to pursue their own best interests while unimpeded by the "good intentions" of government.  I believe that effectiveness matters and I present myself as the effective, responsive, and enthusiastic alternative in this year's District 9 Race.  If elected, I will work to abolish the state sales tax on food as it is an affront to common sense and the well being of our fixed-income and low-income citizens.  I will also work to address illegal immigration in a fair but rigorous way to promote secure border, enforcement of existing laws, and demand accountability from our immigration system.  In conclusion, I feel I deserve the support of the people because, as a business owner, I know the issues that affect our community and I am prepared to do the hard work necessary to give Ogden its voice back at Capitol Hill.

9/11 Meeting at the Park

I had the opportunity to attend a Republican get together on the 9/11 anniversary this last Saturday. Among those present was representative Rob Bishop.

He had the opportunity to speak to us and his message was quite uplifting.

He talked about America's history of being underestimated by the world:

1. Colonial era British thought that nothing of lasting value could be built in America due to its high temperatures and humidity.
2. The world thought that America would never recover from the Civil War and that we would be subdivided.
3. Hitler thought that a racially diverse America could never muster the strength to defend itself against a refined European military machine.
3. Intellectual thought of the 70's capitulated to the idea of Soviet economic dominance and a free-world compromise with communism.

He then went on to explain that America has a long history of disappointing its critics and that despite our current challenges, we shall prevail again as a nation.

I think the big question to be answered is: How?

Hard work, fortitude, innovation, and orderly living are likely the answers.  May we all do our part to keep our nation great!

A.B.A.T.E. Supports Jeremy Peterson

I had the privileged of meeting with Steve Thompson of A.B.A.T.E. today and they were kind enough to contribute to our campaign.  Here is a photo from our meeting today:

They also got video of me talking about my thoughts on helmet laws.  To watch follow this link:

JEREMY ON HELMET LAWS

Thanks again to A.B.A.T.E. for their support.  Let's make a difference this year!

Adam Smith: Quotes for Our Day

I recently finished reading Adam Smith's epic the Wealth of Nations.  For those of you looking for a great read, I highly recommend you pick up a copy.  As an economic genius, Smith lays out the mechanics of how the world works.  He touches on taxes, the military, progress from barbarism to civilization, banking, feudal history, public education, currency manipulation, housing and many many more intriguing topics.  I took copious notes and I thought I would share some great quotes based on topic:

SAVINGS AND ECONOMICS

"It is better to play for nothing than to work for nothing."

"Capitals are increased by parsimony and diminished by prodigality and misconduct."

"...every prodigal appears to be a public enemy, every frugal man a public benefactor."

"Every increase or diminution of capital therefore, naturally tends to increase or diminish the real quantity of industry, the number of productive hands,...the real wealth and revenue of all its inhabitants."

LEADERSHIP

"All for ourselves, and nothing for other people, seems, in every age of the world, to have been the vile maxim of the masters of mankind."

"The qualifications of the body, unless supported by those of the mind, can give little authority in any period of society."

"The qualifications of the mind can alone give very great authority.  They are however, invisible qualities; always disputable and generally disputed."

"Upstart greatness is everywhere less respected than ancient greatness."

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

"In the progress of despotism, the authority of the executive power gradually absorbs that of every other power in the state, and assumes to itself the management of every branch of revenue which is destined for any public purpose."

"The sovereign is completely discharged from a duty, in the attempting to perform which he must always be exposed to the innumerable delusions, and for the proper performance of which no human wisdom or knowledge could ever be sufficient; the duty of superintending the industry of a private people."

"The servants of the most careless private person are, perhaps, more under the eye of their master than those of the most careful prince."

ECONOMIC FREEDOM

"To prohibit a great people, however, from making all that they can of every part of their own produce, or from employing their stock and industry in the way that they judge most advantageous to them selves, is a manifest violation of the most sacred rights of mankind."

"Plenty of good land, and liberty to manage their own affairs their own way, seem to be the two great causes of the prosperity of all new colonies."

TAXES

"The taxes upon the necessities of life have nearly the same effect upon the circumstances of the people as a poor soil and a bad climate."

"The middling and superior ranks of people, if they understood their own interest, ought always to oppose all taxes upon the necessities of life, as well as all direct taxes upon the wages of labor."

"When the diminution of revenue is the effect of diminution of consumption, there can be but one remedy, and that is lowering of the tax."

"To relieve the present exigency is always the object which principally interests those immediately concerned in the administration of public affairs.  The future liberation of the public revenue, they leave to the care of posterity."

"The liberation of public revenue, if it has ever been brought about at all, has always been brought about by bankruptcy; sometimes by an avowed one; but always by a real one though frequently by a pretended payment"

There are many many more but I will leave them for you to discover.  These last two quotes come near the end of the book and are chilling given our current circumstances in regards to our national debt.

Note: the "liberation of public revenue" means to pay off the debt entirely.  A "pretended payment" is 18th century speak for a government printing money to pay its bills...i.e. inflation.

Illegal Immigration: Reasonable Solutions

I have had the opportunity to ponder somewhat on the illegal immigration issue over the past couple of weeks.  While visiting with folks in the district it appears that illegal immigration is going to be a big (if not the biggest) issue on voters minds this election season.  With that in mind, I thought that now would be an appropriate time to articulate my views on immigration and what we can do as a state to deal with it.

THE PROBLEMS

First, throughout the history of the United States, we have had immigration to our country.  Sometimes,and often, those immigrants came in such large numbers that assimilation was slow. Our founding fathers wondered if the immigrants would ever abandon their native tongues and traditions to assimilate and become full-blooded Americans.  Benjamin Franklin expressed this very concern about the large number of inhabitants in Pennsylvania clinging to their German heritage.  Ultimately, Pennsylvania assimilated, although over the course of several generations. 

The reasons for people coming to America are many. Economic, social, and political forces abroad have made the freedom and opportunity of America an attraction to the world.  Our way of life is coveted by many people of the world and they desire to come here to take advantage of what our nation has to offer.

Nevertheless, throughout the history of the Unites States, we have exercised control over the number of people that have come here.  We have also had in place standards that dictate the quality of individuals seeking to immigrate. In the past, Ellis Island served as a clearinghouse for new immigrants coming across the Atlantic.  Those with diseases, extremely unskilled laborers, or those deemed likely to be a burden on society were turned away at Ellis Island and sent home.

Today our immigration is processed by foreign embassies.  We make exceptions for refugees and other people seeking political asylum.

Unlike the past where our immigration was primarily from mainland Europe and the British Isles the bulk of immigration today is disproportionately from nations across our southern border.  The Senora Desert is an obstacle to those trying to come here but it is not as great a barrier as the Atlantic Ocean once was. Additionally, unlike the past, our process for allowing for legal immigration is now entirely unfit for the purpose. However, the desire to come here has not diminished but rather, to America’s credit, it has at the very least remained constant or even increased.  Hence, our Southern border today leaks like a sieve and people come and go almost at will and unaccounted for.

The majority, I believe, of these individuals come seeking a better life for themselves with the goal of working to earn for their families.

Another layer of complication in this issue is the Federal ambivalence to enforcing its own existing laws on immigration.  Although the complexity of state's rights vs. federal prerogative has not been fully explored, it is clear that the Federal government has delegated authority over immigration:

“The Congress shall have Power…To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization” Article 1, Section 8 of the US Constitution.

Just the same as the Utah Supreme Court does not have jurisdiction over or the power to enforce Arkansas State law, the State of Utah cannot have jurisdiction over or by some unknown right enforce Federal Law. Federal Law is enforced by the Federal Government. State Law by the state government. As a Constitutional conservative, I believe in upholding and sustaining our constitution and that we must work within our Federal structure to bring about a true and lasting solution to our broken immigration system.

With that said, Utah can be a leader in the very type of reform we need to see happen at the Federal level. Therefore, I believe Utah should find its own equitable solution in the absence of Federal enforcement.  Interestingly, we may see this debate unfold soon as Arizona now faces down the Department of Justice on this very issue of states rights.

THE SOLUTIONS

So what can Utah do to support our local economy, live by the spirit of Liberty pronounced in our founding documents, and also reduce the burden that undocumented workers place on our society?

Within the federal system we live, we must encourage Utah’s representatives in Congress to propose and pass the kind of reform that is right. Utah can also build a coalition of States as State Legislatures, Governors, and those respective state’s federal delegations work towards the type of truly American reform we are so badly in need of.

As broken as our immigration system is, the Arizona approach to immigration reform appears to be unconstitutional.  It is also extremely shortsighted in that it may portend the future doom of conservative values as a majority voice in politics a generation from now as our demographics change. We would have been wiser had we never allowed ourselves to come to this crossroads.

Being the party of Liberty and Republican ideals, we should be sponsoring immigration reform that:

1.    Encourages the free flow of labor for the benefit of Americans and American business.
2.    Allows all to come to America who are healthy, employable, productive, and not criminally minded.
3.    Welcomes immigrants into our way of life.

How do we do that?


First, this coalition of states would recommend the revision of the existing quota system as it is outdated and counterproductive to the free flow of labor.  The new quota system would be based on demand for foreign laborers and what our society could reasonably absorb.  Quotas would be balanced between those wanting to become citizens vs. those wanting to work here only temporarily.  Citizens tend to take ownership in our society while temporary workers do not.   

Second, the coalition would support the creation of a new version of an Ellis Island at the main ports of entry at the Southern border.  This would have significant symbolic meaning and also provide a "go to" place for individuals wanting to immigrate to the country.  Individuals immigrating here must be employable, be free from disease, prove that they will not be a burden to society, and have a sponsor.

Third,  this coalition would support a new Federal program for verifying that employees are documented workers.  Immigration is generally not an issue for the FBI, ATF or the CIA. A new division just for ensuring compliance with immigration law would need to be created but would be an important part of protecting our population from criminals and possible terrorists.  With this, I would support strict penalties for those hiring undocumented individuals as well as penalties for those undocumented workers.  This is an important element currently missing in our existing law.

Fourth, we would remove all special incentives provided to immigrants such as out-of-state tuition waivers.  As someone who paid out of state tuition here, I find this practice a misuse of public funds.

Fifth, those immigrants who choose not to adhere to these laws (which would accommodate the legal status of more of the immigrant community than current law) would be subject to deportation or confinement.  

The purpose of these ideas would be to allow labor to travel more legitimately that it currently does while also requiring immigrants to take financial responsibility for themselves.

By creating a process for people to come here legally and through main ports of entry, it would all but eliminate the flow of illegal immigrants through our open borders. It would also allow the border to be patrolled to find those who really are dangerous, criminally minded and/or terrorists.

It is also my hope that we can strike a balance between justice that must be served and the mercy that we extend to those who come here.  Perhaps by increasing justice and mercy simultaneously, we can meet the needs of our economy, unburden our schools and hospitals, and provide a way for those seeking life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as those generations who have gone before us..