Reader comments
Most Utahns in favor of ethics-laws reforms

Bozo | 1:15 a.m. Feb. 27, 2008

You are an incompetent bozo, Davidson. You talk about the lobbyist law with such authority and how badly it needs to be tightened, yet you don't even know the law yourself. So here it is: ANY GIFT OVER TEN DOLLARS MUST BE DISCLOSED. Your story says that the threshold is $50, when it reality is $10. You've lost all credibility and you are unprofessional.

Salt Lake County Resident | 3:16 a.m. Feb. 27, 2008

Wow, what a shock to see this issue again and again. What is it with our legislators that they don't get on this issue. I don't mind the meal part because I understand that this is a good time for lobbist to meet with legislators and discuss important issues but what is it with the free Jazz and Bon Jovi tickets? How does this help government? What it really represents is elitism by the dominant party in this State.

As a voting citizen of this State, who generally favors Republican values, I can promise that I will review this issue with my legislators this next voting season and it will have an impact on how I vote, even if it means that I vote Democrat.

Karen Kelnhofer Eddy | 3:41 a.m. Feb. 27, 2008

If Media polls show 3 in 4 Utahans favor reforms in ethics-laws...

Does that include the Utahans living here illegally? and legals who commit crimes? No wonder news stories get so wierd at times -- if Media is consulting the 1 out of 4.

I believe that all law-abiding Utahans agree that ethics standards in law must reflect punishments that actually deter crime.

Any other view would be absurd.

Comments continue below

Karen Kelnhofer Eddy | 4:09 a.m. Feb. 27, 2008

Media takes the polls and shows 3 out of 4 Utahans for law and ethics.

Does that poll include Utahans' criminal population and illegal immigrants we are now swamped with?

I believe all Utahans are in favor of laws with enforceable punishments that are stiff enough to deter crime.

Any other view would be absurd.

PS: I have trouble staying under 200 words, and my comments keep going unposted.

Democrats | 6:05 a.m. Feb. 27, 2008

The only way to go is vote these incumbunts out
Un Ethical good old boys refuse to act
They have their parking garage against the peoples wishes
Trying to write Sen. Allan Christensen has been a wake up call that these people we elect have no interest in Honesty and working for the people.
I just read, They have so much work and they are beating it to death instead of dealing with it.
Seems no one can write a bill that will pass unanously in favor of the people
These people actually think they own the State
Ethics, What is the problem in the Senate and the House?????

illegal | 6:12 a.m. Feb. 27, 2008

Until the day arrives when not one red cent received is illegal - the system we have will continue to be a corrupt one.

Corrupt Republicans | 6:54 a.m. Feb. 27, 2008

Get these guys out of here!!!!!!!!!!!!
They all have thick leashes on and are all told when to bark and by whom.
They don't have their constituents in mind when they vote and are making life long careers out of this. Get them out. And I am or was a republican.

vern | 7:06 a.m. Feb. 27, 2008

"THROW THE BUMS OUT"!!!!!!!

Bob G | 7:40 a.m. Feb. 27, 2008

Ethics and government are contradictory, at least the way it is operating now. These so called gifts are the known gifts. What about the unreported graft and kickbacks? Especially in the businesses these legislators own and operate and fund from state coffers. Lobbyist should not be allowed to give any gifts, even lunch at high dollar facilities. Why should lobbyist have greater access to our representatives than the citizen can get? Lobbyist and businesses don't pay the taxes or cast a ballot in the elections. A favorite place to hide graft and gifts are in an elected officials private campaign fund accounts, so these account should be closed and abolished after each election. How does a representative go from $14,000 earnings and by the time they leave office they are millionairs? Where did they get their millions? It surely didn't come from being honest and trustworthy and working for it. Gifting legislators is a breech of trust to the citizens electing them. Legislators accepting any gifts or donations, including lunch, from a lobbyist is also accepting a bribe. All meetings and transactions should be held to official times, offices, and officialy recorded. No more secret deals or discussions.

fr1nk | 8:31 a.m. Feb. 27, 2008

This is what we get when we have one party rule (either party).
At any other time in history these "gifts" would be called bribes.

not in this state | 10:57 a.m. Feb. 27, 2008

The concept of checks and balances is non-existant in Utah.

Republican for reform | 11:50 a.m. Feb. 27, 2008

You need to start at the top and when you do reform start with making it illegal for one legislator to give another legislator money for their campaign. This is buying votes for leadership positions which is why you have the nut cases leading. The average campaign account for leadership in the 90's was 6500.00. Greg Curtis has over 200,000.00 and he buys his influence. Then you have the conservative caucus buying their votes and influence. Why would these legislators want change to the law that benefits them and the average legislator who plays by the rules is marginalized.

JMG | 12:52 p.m. Feb. 27, 2008

The word ilegal does not mean "ilegal drugs"
It means people who came here and stay, people who want to do what ever it takes to be legal, people who already has a family, in many cases their spouses are American citizens, yes people who broke a law but want to pay the price to fix it and return to their mexican-american families, that is all!
People who want to do good for this beatiful country.
For those who are not involve in this matter please get on board, you can be a big diference in reuniting a family who might be separate now

Really! | 3:47 p.m. Feb. 27, 2008

Ahh C'mon DMN. To say that 3 out of 4 favoring something is "Most." Geesh!

I'd say that's a commanding majority - a landslide - a toppler - a bulldozer - a wash - a flame douser - .....

75% of Utahns say get the ethics reform done. However, I'll bet that we don't see 75% of legislators, especially Butters, not getting behind and voting such legislation in. Wow! 75%! That more than enough to stop a veto.

C'mon Utah State legislaters. The people of Utah have spoken... your constituency... get the ethics reform passed and make sure it has teeth and is void of exclusions and work arounds. Make it happen!

l | 6:56 p.m. Feb. 27, 2008

Someone needs to just draft a citizen's referendum and pass it ourselves. It looks like the deadline is June 1 to get it on the November ballot, but it looks like there's quite a bit to do by then.

Mother Teresa | 8:02 p.m. Feb. 28, 2008

JMG--Your spelling should be illegal! If you can't spell a word like "beautiful" or use "separated" instead of "separate" should not show their ignorance for all to see.

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