Reader comments
Pro-voucher group issues retraction

Jeremy | 7:47 a.m. Oct. 12, 2007

The Lieutenant Governor's office is likely correct in saying that it wasn't illegal. Interesting, though, that the anti-voucher group cited in the story takes the opportunity to cast aspersions at the honesty of those in favor of vouchers. Why can't the anti-voucher crowd disagree with supporters, like myself, without declaring us all dishonest or, my personal favorite, "from Satan?"

Instereo | 8:41 a.m. Oct. 12, 2007

Whenever a country has to buy mercenaries to fight their fight, that country doesn't have strong local support and is in danger of failing as a country. Just look at history. The email may have been a mistake but the fact that the idea was there, that there are people that are that anxious, and that there is preceived money to accomplish their task to me shows that the pro-voucher side right now is in trouble. Why, because they are trying to impose their will using political means (getting delegates elected who select canidates that support them and then funding them with lots of money) instead of listening to the will of the people. As a thinking voter, who was part of the referendum movement, I'm going to make sure my voice is heard in November. I'm voting NO on referendum one. My vote can't be bought.

RDM | 9:07 a.m. Oct. 12, 2007

"The earlier e-mail was sent by determined and sincere individuals who are working diligently"

I have volunteered for several organizations and I never would have thought to spend money that wasn't authorized.

This looks more like a another misstep by Parents for Choice in Education, and like their flawed voucher legislation they will not be held accountable.

Think about it.

It seems that the Lt. Gov's office, Utah GOP leadership, and The D-News would give PCE "A License to Kill".

Comments continue below

Anonymous | 9:36 a.m. Oct. 12, 2007

Buying the people's vote may be the best chance for Vouchers to pass. Of course if they think that the ten bucks for their vote is going to mean more than the tax cost, they'd be rather foolish.

Slacker 7 | 9:41 a.m. Oct. 12, 2007

The Lt. Governor is less than honorable on this issue. He was a heavy-handed arm-twister when this bill was being considered. Gov. H signed it without any hoopla. It's obvious that many legislators stand to line their pockets because of this bill. I'm wondering how the Lt. Gov. stands to benefit by seeing this legislation enacted? Paul Mero and the Southland Institute spew reams of platitudes referencing Mormon doctrine to justify vouchers. What does he have to gain? Is he just looking for publicity? Will the right-leaning DesNews consider investigating? Certainly not under the current leadership.

Truth | 10:32 a.m. Oct. 12, 2007

Um, Slacker - how do you know the Lt. Gov. was a "heavy-handed-arm-twister" on vouchers during the session? Do you even know what you're talking about? Or do you just read nonsense from Rebecca Walsh?

Check your facts and know your stuff before you start calling people names and accusing them of things.

Richard Daley | 10:35 a.m. Oct. 12, 2007

I am from Chicago and all my votes are up for sale.

Not surprised | 12:24 p.m. Oct. 12, 2007

It appears that they forgot that they were dealing with the public and not the legislature!

Anonymous | 6:35 p.m. Oct. 12, 2007

Hello people!! They were not paying the people. What this is is like any other normal canvassing activity. They were just providing an incentive to do so. It is not the voter they are paying but the people who are doing the work.

More $money than Brains | 10:26 p.m. Oct. 12, 2007

It looks like these fools have more money than brains. Why donï¿½t we all take their $10 and vote the other way. That may encourage them to pay us $20 for the next vote they want to buy?

A Challenge! | 11:46 p.m. Oct. 12, 2007

I challenge anyone to demonstrate how the offer made was "buying votes". Paying people to work for a campaign is not in any way illegal. These "advocates" were to be paid based on a list of people (with full contact info) who had committed to support Referendum 1, and who actually voted. Lists of people who voted in a given election are publicly available information. No, you don't know HOW they voted, but you know WHO voted. The advocates would get paid if the people on their lists were proven to have actually voted. This was so that the advocate would follow up with the people on his/her list, reminding, encouraging, etc. There is no bribe of individual voters, and no coercion. Anyone who says otherwise is just trying to sling mud. The gauntlet is thrown down! Anyone want to pick it up?

Principles Govern : ) | 10:04 a.m. Oct. 13, 2007

Not surprised that the "free Capitalist" scam would be putting people up to this, or have such narrow-minded people working for them. Rick Koerber is a priestcrafter! He mixes business with LDS Religion to get gain and all of his followers "buy into it" because they're confused and say "Oh, he's Mormon, he's a man of God, this can't possibly bad!" They are the ones that need to "Turn their brains on!" Can't wait to see your Equity Mill crash and burn! Foreclosures in Utah will go through the roof! All in the name of God! Go back teaching Institute, Brother Rick! We've seen enough of your ugly mug all over the valley in those ridiculous billboards. What kind of conceded individual puts his face that big on a billboard?

tongue in Cheek | 12:38 a.m. Oct. 14, 2007

They had thought that if they gave cookies and milk to voters, they'd vote for Vouchers. This seemed like a better idea till it got nixed.

:P

Deseret Spectacle | 2:48 p.m. Oct. 15, 2007

"Rick Koerber, CEO of Free Capitalist Project, said the e-mail was sent by a volunteer who got a little "over-anxious.""

Over-anxious? A zealous staffer got a little "over-anxious" and decided to spontaneously send out a letter which committed funds to a vote-buying scheme? Right. Yeah, that sort of thing happens all the time.

Think about it this way: wherever you work, no matter how excited you were about a project, would you ever take the company mailing list and send out an e-mail detailing your plan along with committing funds of the company unless you had 100% permission to do so from upper management?

Give me a break, Free Capitalist. Someone grow up and take some responsibility. Children these days, really.

DS

Observer | 8:30 a.m. Oct. 16, 2007

If you would like to have your eyes opened just a bit, just Google the name Rick Koerber, Wyoming, and fraud. It is very interesting to say the least.

Regular Reader | 8:34 p.m. Nov. 11, 2007

Its interesting how attacking Rick Koerber and the Free Capitalist Project are so honest and uplifting activities. Anyone doing any serious research and with any serious questions will see past this negative, immature, self-serving anti-"Rick" nonsense. Rick is a human being, who is working hard to make a difference in the world. I do not subscribe to all of the ideas espoused by all the free capitalists, but I have attended many events, listened to the radio, researched over the internet, and talked to many people affiliated with him. The negative, grumpy, and often dishonest comments about him and his organization reveal more about the source of criticism than about Rick and the Free Capitalists. Oh, and by the way, interesting to note it was not the Free Capitalist Project that was offering to pay people, it was PCE - in case facts matter to you all.

mohammed from Canada | 12:55 p.m. Feb. 9, 2008

where there's smoke there's fire

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