Reader comments
Ethics reform badly needed

The problem is that these guys are crooks who are in denial about their criminality. They won't change until they're forced to.

Yes! Ethics reform is high on my priority list to discuss with my legislators. Thanks for this article. It reminded me to get off my duff and send start the dialogue. The elections will be interesting because I believe this is important to all Utahns.

What I would like to see is 100% disclosure. Any meal, pen, note pad, gift, or anything given to a politician should be reported. Another option would be for elected officials to have the same restriction on what a government employee can accept as a gift.

We have the elected people saying "Do as I say, not as I do." This is a very poor way to run a government.

We can force them to change by electing someone to replace them this November. The Democratic party has supplied us with some excellent choices, many of whom are advocating for ethics reform, and are reflecting the values of the voters in their areas in other ways as well.

When the same party-safe people are voted in time after time, there grows a feeling of arrogant entitlement. Power, $$$$, and an anesthetic regard of the will of their constituents result, as showcased by this year's Curtis (ugly black baby)and the omnibus bill.

How about ethics reform for the media? Talk about a conflicted industry.

Frankly I don't see this as the problem the Deseret News is trying to make it out to be. I think it's fine the way it is with the $50 limit. We all know how politics works. I see nothing wrong with being able to take a legislator to a Jazz game, dinner, etc. to get face time with them. We can be reasonable as well as responsible. Making silly statements like "these guys are crooks" gets us nowhere. My experience has been that my legislators are working very hard for very little pay, and I'm generally pleased with the results of the last few sessions. There are, no doubt, exceptions. But I see no need to over-react. If we could keep the conversation real and rational, it would be nice.

Anonymous, I couldn't agree more. You've heard of Business Ethics, and that some call it an oxymoron, how about Media Ethics? That's an outright impossibility!

Also, Orion, if you're going to attack someone, get their name right. Curtis wasn't the legislator who made the incredibly stupid "black baby" comment.

And although I have nothing against Democrats (I just disagree with them lots of the time!), somehow I don't think they have an edge on Republicans in terms of ethics or listening to voters!

If legislators weren't on the whole doing what citizens wanted, they WOULDN'T get re-elected. Go figure!

Does anyone know the connection between the Cannon Family and the Republican Party? The last time I checked, their name was plastered all over the list of those who truly run the party (sorry to disappoint everyone who believes that every vote counts). They're the ones that frame the issues that everyone squabbles about- and distract them in the meantime from noticing that the party is becoming more liberal.

Lets see Joe Cannon (the Editor in chief of the Deseret News) is brother with Chris Cannon (a former Congressman from Utah, among other things). The evidence is there for those who care to look.

To Jon and others:

You are absolutely right. The name was not used correctly and I apologize to Curtis for that. BUTTARS is the (in)famous legislator with foot-in-mouth disease.

Thank you for the heads-up on the inexcusable mistake.