Civility lacking in much of our political dialogue

Whether you voted for or like President Barack Obama, you have to admit the guy can give a speech.

Like Ronald Reagan before him, Obama has the ability to express himself well and move people.

And as Reagan would sometimes drive his political opponents nuts with that ability, Obama certainly is doing the same with his.

I must admit, I don't understand the anger from the far right, the harsh language some use against the president.

A South Carolina GOP U.S. House member even heckled Obama in his nationally televised address Wednesday night in the House chambers — yelling out "you lie" when the president said his health-care-reform plan wouldn't pay for health care for illegal aliens.

The man has since apologized. But what does it say when the president is shouted at in such a forum?

Utah legislators have been known to get a little rowdy. But I can't see a Democratic legislator shouting at GOP Gov. Gary Herbert as he speaks to the state Legislature.

Civility certainly seems to be lacking in much of our political dialogue today. And much of that, it seems, comes from a lack of trust.

Most politicians are not out to deceive or lie to their constituents. Utah legislators, for the most part, really do care about adopting the best laws they can craft and funding government in a responsible way.

The fact that Utah has been named one of the best-managed states in the nation for a decade shows that on the major points, state officials get it right. But that doesn't mean there isn't a place for responsible debate, even opposition.

And after 30 years in power, it does at times seem that Utah GOP leaders are less than interested in hearing criticism from the Democrats, the media or anyone else.

This is understandable. But it must be fought against by the majority party.

In watching the Utah Legislature for nearly 30 years, here is one observation I can make: When legislators are in their 45-day general session, they become herd animals.

They circle up. The bulls face outward, snorting, grunting and generally making threatening sounds.

Lawmakers are too often too kind to those who feed and water them, stroking them and saying soothing things (i.e., the lobbyists).