Reader comments
Donors: Big firms are generous to incumbents

Anonymous | 6:44 a.m. April 25, 2008

Time to reform campaign laws to what they should have been, not what that idiot McCain did. Two rules: 1. $1,000 campaign donation limit per individual. 2. Individuals are the only ones allowed to donate, businesses and other entities are not allowed to donate. The end.

Incumbunts get big bucks? | 6:48 a.m. April 25, 2008

They are the mouse in someone elses pocket
Not for the public good
Vote these bums out

Anonymous | 7:10 a.m. April 25, 2008

Why is there no outrage? Why does the legislature continually defeat any bill that would require full disclosure for all donations and/or gifts? They would have any problems with full disclosure if they did not have anything to hide.

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R. Cook | 7:33 a.m. April 25, 2008

Everyone knows that all the companys are doing is buying the party that will help them get what they want without any questions. If you have the money you to can buy a vote or a staduim ask Sandy they know and now we the voters of Utah have to pay for it to help the rich get richer. What looks good on paper is not always good for the state. The funny part is that we the people keep letting them get away with it year in and year out, shame on us.

no business cash | 7:33 a.m. April 25, 2008

Corporations should not be allowed to donate to campaigns. How much corruption are we willing to live with? Where do we draw our line in the sand?

conservative cathy | 7:39 a.m. April 25, 2008

Special interest groups give to who Greg Hughes tells them too. He is a bought and paid for legislator. He is a corrupt man. How else could he buy votes if he wasnt?

purge | 7:59 a.m. April 25, 2008

Let's clean house this weekend Utah County. The rest of the state is counting on you to eliminate the corruption. We're watching to see if Provo believes in what is right and proves it by not supporting who has the most power on the extreme right.

Anonymous | 8:33 a.m. April 25, 2008

Why would they ever institute campaign reform and cut off their own gravy train?? Who doesn't want free Jazz tickets?

realist | 8:55 a.m. April 25, 2008

This is our system. Vote in the challengers and I assure you that they would be doing the same things as the current office holders. Welcome to our democratic, republic system where we have a first amendment and capitalism. As one who has been actively involved in local politics for many years I am amazed at how quick many are to throw stones when, compared to the political scene elsewhere, we have a pretty good group of people running our state who do their best. It could be worse, just look at DC! I guess convention season is the time for the soap opera news cycle of politics to begin. It happens every year despite who is in office.

Can Think for Myself | 8:56 a.m. April 25, 2008

This type of reporting is beyond pathetic. I hope the incumbents squash their opponents at convention. Rather than suck up this slanted reporting by biased media, I would encourage you to educate yourself on the facts about Utah's prosperity. Find out why we've received the title of best managed state, why our economy is thriving while other states are struggling, that our teachers received a $4200 direct raise and $1000 bonus in the last two years, record funding to education. Why don't you bother to check the legislative website yourself to discover it's well over half the state budget. Learn what your legislator has done across the board. Why does this appear to be a witch hunt the day before the Utah County convention. Pathetic and sad reporting.

What!? | 9:05 a.m. April 25, 2008

Curt Bramble takes more money from tobacco companies, votes to make chew more accesible to children, against the advise of the american cancer society and then uses the money to go to Paris! I'm tired of these politicians in the legislature to serve themselves in a culture of corruption!

Chance Williams | 9:36 a.m. April 25, 2008

Nice to know that my unbiased Republican Party leaders gave my opponent (Mike Morley) some cash to help him campaign against any challengers.

From the delays in giving us contact information and email addresses of delegates, to strangling "Freedom of Speech" it's just been one power move after another.

I hope the Delegates at Convention will say, "Enough!"

Jeff | 9:50 a.m. April 25, 2008

Angry Posters: In case you don't know, and since Biased Bob won't include it in his opinion-reporting, you are all a special interest or represented by one. You know those dirty lobbyists Bernick whines about incessantly? At least one of them represents your interest. Small businesses, hunters, doctors, teachers, the teachers union lapdogs in the PTA, even the LDS Church all have lobbyists and represent a special interest. A lot of us had hoped Joe Cannon would right the sinking DNews ship...guess not.

Beware of Posts from Incumbents | 10:19 a.m. April 25, 2008

Clearly, "Can Think for Myself" (above) is a member of the Legislature posing as a "man of the people." It would be nice if legislators really COULD think for themselves, but that's not going to happen as long as they are beholden to Lockhart and Bramble and Energy Solutions instead of the voters who put them in office. I hope the delegates refuse to be intimidated.

Like they... | 10:33 a.m. April 25, 2008

always say, "Money Talks."

duagne | 10:57 a.m. April 25, 2008

As a delegate in Craig Frank's district I've gotta say the implications of corruption here are just silly. I will be voting for Craig tomorrow at convention because his actions in the legislature match very closely to what I want him to be doing, not because he had the flashier mailers or better refreshments at his delegate meetings.

No candidate has ever had to spend one dime to get my attention and fair consideration. It's insulting to me that the press seems to think my vote can be bought. All of the many delegates I know personally vote for the best candidate, regardless of the amount of money he or she has on hand.

If, as this article implies, corporations are puppet masters behind the scenes pulling the strings of Utah County legislators, where's the controversy? I'm glad the press keeps a light shining on this because there's certainly potential for abuse, but now that we are all aware of the potential conflicts of interest we should be less concerned about motives than we are about actual performance.

Best run state in the country -- that's what matters to me.

Observer | 11:30 a.m. April 25, 2008

Corporations and special interest groups are given the same rights to "petition" government as individuals giving rise to lobbying, gifts, bribes, buying government. Until corporations and special interest groups are treated as such, and not as individuals, and as long as donations are not limited with no loopholes, then America will continue to have government bought and paid for by the highest bidder.

To duagne | 12:05 p.m. April 25, 2008

I think you've just summed up exactly what is wrong with Utah politics. The first thing a fascist regime touts is that they are efficient. The "performance at all costs" mindset is at the roots of caste systems, slavery, denying voting rights to all but property holders, and on and on.

When organizations in power bend the rules and transact money for influence to suit their own interests, this is a slippery slope that can lead to far greater abuses.

a concerned grandma | 5:43 p.m. April 25, 2008

I'sn't that "PAYOLA" You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours? Did 't people used to go to jail for this kind of behavior. Sounds like we need a cleanup in utah.

Compare apples to apples | 5:49 p.m. April 25, 2008

The first half of the article speaks to how much Fife has received from corporations (which certainly isn't much when compared to Robles' total take). The article mentions that Luz Robles has gotten some, but why not tell us how much? It's blatant sensationalism to compare percentages in this race without even telling us the same numbers for both candidates. Let's compare apples to apples... how much has she received from corporate dollars and from whom? My guess is that the amount would be far greater than that of the incumbent!

Max Powers | 9:31 p.m. April 25, 2008

Here is what matters. Once again we see Fife not doing ANYTHING! He does nothing! He does not respond to constituents emails, phone calls. Ask legislators who he is, and they will say WHO? Plain an simple it's time for him to go! He has done his job if you can call it that, we thank him for his service and we need better and more effective new blood. If you read Carlton Christensen another ineffective city council man he describes Senator Fife as INVISIBLE! So this Saturday I will vote like the rest of the country, we need people that are willing to put the effort and CHANGE what is wrong with this country. Complacency among elected officials, that believe they are entitled to represent us without doing the work and not keeping in touch with their constituents has got to deserve what is coming for them.

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Donors: Big firms are generous to incumbents

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Donors: Big firms are generous to incumbents