From Deseret News archives:
Voters must attend caucuses to make impact
When people pick up the paper this morning, they will be reminded about going to a political caucus tomorrow. And did you know that most Utah incumbent elected officials who want to run for office again, will get the votes they need to be re-elected tomorrow night at the Republican and Democratic caucus meetings? Did you know that some legislators don't even bother to campaign anymore? Lobbyists and special interests primarily finance some? One even said that he didn't want to bother voters.
Some get enough money from lobbyists that they even use it for personal use, like buying new clothes, car repairs, wages to wives for campaign work and parking tickets, to name a few. "Analysis shows that about 98 percent of the $848,000 in campaign money donated to legislators during the nonelection 2007 year came from special-interest groups such as corporations, lobbyists and political action committees." Deseret Morning News, Jan. 22, 2008.
Citizens keep complaining about wanting to have a more open and ethical government. Well, forget that. Nothing is going to happen unless voters get involved at the beginning in Tuesday's caucuses. Voters keep telling politicians they want ethics reform, campaign reform and limiting gift giving, but are being naive to think that incumbents will change things. Voters want a government that is open, honest and one that reflects the values and their needs, yet most allow the special interests to hijack their government. But nothing is going to change tomorrow if voters stay home.
Recent comments
Our Caucuses were a joke. People voted in their favorite neighbor....
Utah County | March 25, 2008 at 11:10 p.m.
Spot on!
Cameron | March 24, 2008 at 1:28 p.m.
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