Utah needs a few mugwumps

After reading the May 7 article on our attorney general, I couldn't help recalling how George Plunkett, a New York Senate reformer during the "Boss Tweed" and Tammany Hall Machine days, described the use of money in politics. He said much of it was "honest graft." Looks like the money Shurtleff has taken from the payday lenders who charge an average of 500 percent interest is nothing more than honest graft.

I don't know whether, as Shurtleff claims, the use of payday loans today helps anyone avoid bankruptcy or repossession, but I do know that charging 500 percent interest is immoral usuary. Your article pointed out that Utah has some of the most liberal campaign finance laws. Thus, the attorney general is able to do some interesting spending beyond the traditional campaign expenses.

From reading his disclosure statement, his honest graft has resulted in his being able to live the good life, while at the same time make contributions to his political buddies.

What Utah needs is a reformer like George Plunkett or at least a few mugwumps.

Frank Millward
Pleasant Grove

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