Legislators don't represent 'Utah values'

I was taught that if you don't have something nice to say, don't say it. But sometimes I can't help myself — like when our state legislators refuse to allow $2 million to be spent on helping poor people get dental care but think nothing of spending $15 million for a parking garage. It's just plain wrong.

I learned about that from Sister Sophia who used to yank on my ears when I got out of line in catechism classes at the old Guadalupe mission. The Catholic sisters taught me to pray for the poor, to share and to be kind to each other. They were the same values my parents taught by doing. They taught how to give to those in need and without judging.

I learned the same lessons while sitting with my buddies at the LDS Mexican branch, where part of the requirement for playing Explorer Scout basketball was to attend Monday night Mutual. I'm not saying all the lessons stuck, but a few did, and I even live them — most of the time.

What our state legislators did at the special session smacks at the heart of who we are and goes against what we learn in our churches and homes, and what we teach our children about helping those in need — and not just at Christmas and Thanksgiving. Those legislators are our leaders and represent who we are.

We make a big deal about "Utah values," the ones we learn and preach in church and the same ones politicians talk about at election time. Do we really believe that it's OK to spend $15 million for a parking garage and not spend $2 million for the poor? Is that who we are as a people?

They demean the people's institution with arrogance and lack of compassion and respect for those in greatest need. Utah's citizens deserve statesmanship instead of political posturing and power plays. Furthermore, when they chastise those there to advocate for the poor, it shows a lack of respect for the basic democratic principles of our government.

Unlike past generations that have shown compassion for the poor, many now see the poor in a different light — "they brought it on themselves," "it's their choice," or " they could make it if they wanted." We hear it in our restaurants, clubs, political meetings and social gatherings. Somehow, we've gotten away from what the past generation talked about — and lived. The ones that went to war, made sacrifices, looked after each other and volunteered their time. They personified the Utah values.