Sen. Mayne a true statesman

Published: Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2007 12:26 a.m. MST
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
It takes a special sort of person to represent minority viewpoints, to find himself on the losing end of political issues much of the time, and to still be the kind of person who is admired and loved by people of all viewpoints. Ed Mayne, elected four times to the state Senate and a long-time president of the state AFL-CIO, qualified in every way.

Mayne, who died of cancer Sunday in the middle of his fourth Senate term, at age 62, had humor and grace. Reporters remember him as impish at times, playing movies on his computer during the final days of a legislative session and turning the screen so they could see. He loved helping the downtrodden and felt politics was a noble public service.

But he also served with passion and energy.

Mayne was a Democrat, which put him in a distinct minority in Utah's Legislature. Often, the Republican majority will ignore the concerns of Democrats, who don't have enough numbers to mount serious threats to many proposed laws. But they listened to Mayne precisely because of his gentlemanly qualities and his reputation.

In politics, opinions often differ sharply. But leaders on both sides of the aisle understood that Mayne held his opinions because of deep convictions and because he truly wanted to make Utah a better place.

Story continues below

His relentless battles included those for senior citizens' rights, for basic health care for the poor, for the safety of helpless animals, for the rights of mobile-home residents against sudden evictions and for increases in the minimum wage. Only two months ago, despite ill health, he spoke at a committee hearing against the practice of employers paying workers in cash, arguing they were hurting both the workers and state tax coffers.

Utah politics has been dominated by one party for many years now. One-party rule can be harmful if it leads to proposals that don't have to survive the legitimate arguments of a credible opposition.

Mayne provided that leveling influence. He served his West Valley City constituents well. More importantly, he was an example of statesmanship and dignity, two things of which the modern world needs more.

Recent comments

Sen Mayne was a good man and a statesman, but do we have to turn even...

Waaa! One Party Rule! | Nov. 27, 2007 at 12:53 p.m.

previousnext

Latest comments

Guess what?!! The rest of the world thinks MORMONS ARE NOT MORAL!!!

It's rotten in Baghdad

@If I were Obama | 7:25 a.m. So funny. LMAO with this comment. Just...

"Fight the Power" is trying to make a civil rights analogy here that...

Utah Jazz finances not quite so bleak

To imply that seniority is any substitute for effort under Jerry Sloan is...

Jazz brass debate Millsap match

Both for us fans and Jazz management. Millie was a great 2nd round pick,...

Like so many laws suits, Utah will loose. This use isn't any violation of...

Let's control borders

"The Sutherland institute study shows that 96% of the immigrants lead crime...

continued: But most important, her gaffes reveal one who is woefully lacking...

suffers from a terrible case of 'god complex' wherein he thinks he is god the...

Biden or Sarah Palin? Looking at a catalogue of Biden’s gaffes, one is...

Advertisements