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GOP ready to tackle state referendum law
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Brambles and briars | 1:41 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
Curt Bramble is the product of decades of one-party rule in Utah. Wake up
Utahns!
Coincidence? | 2:25 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
Isn't it a given nowadays that when a story runs in the paper about
political arrogance, that Curt Bramble is interviewed?
Utah Republican | 3:23 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
This conservative Utah Republican will now blindly vote a straight democratic
ticket in all state races, no matter what. No questions asked. I won't even
look at the names or the issues. Its long past time to get these dictators out
of office.
Comments continue below
Devildog | 3:24 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
We the citizens of Utah need to clean house and elect new representatives, esp.
the GOP ones who make laws that go against the majority will of the people!
Democratic form of government have elected representatives that vote on the
consensus of the citizens they represent. It's time to get real GOP of
Utah and clean house!!!
How to stop this | 3:43 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
Yes, Curt Bramble is arrogant. He doesn't represent his constituents.
He represents himself only.
Everyone who cares needs to talk to their representatives and tell them to LEAVE THIS LAW ALONE.
Everyone who cares needs to talk to their representatives and tell them to LEAVE THIS LAW ALONE.
This is what I'd like to see... | 3:56 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
Modify the referendum law by doing 3 things:
1: Leave the signature process alone.
2: Require a 2/3 vote to override the elected legislature.
3: Remove the ability of the legislature to prevent a referendum by 2/3 of their own.
1: Leave the signature process alone.
2: Require a 2/3 vote to override the elected legislature.
3: Remove the ability of the legislature to prevent a referendum by 2/3 of their own.
To: Cats | 4:26 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
The referendum vote was put on the ballot by the governor, he had to issue the
special election order. Turn out was higher then average, with people voting
well past 8 pm, they were in line at 8 pm and therefore had the right to vote.
The final vote count was 198,205 For the vouchers and 325,279 Against vouchers. 41% of registered voters voted. Even if every public school teacher, employee, and parent voted, I doubt that it would have totaled the 523,484 that voted in the election. Vouchers were defeated and unfortunately the Legislative leadership is taking it personally and are choosing to take away one of the citizens' opportunity to tell them they are wrong.
Maybe if Bramble, Valentine, and Hughes were voted out this year, things could start to change in the Utah State Legislature.
The final vote count was 198,205 For the vouchers and 325,279 Against vouchers. 41% of registered voters voted. Even if every public school teacher, employee, and parent voted, I doubt that it would have totaled the 523,484 that voted in the election. Vouchers were defeated and unfortunately the Legislative leadership is taking it personally and are choosing to take away one of the citizens' opportunity to tell them they are wrong.
Maybe if Bramble, Valentine, and Hughes were voted out this year, things could start to change in the Utah State Legislature.
to: Matthew Piccolo | 4:44 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
"Please don't turn Utah into California where they have 15 initiatives
and referenda on every ballot and interest groups spend billions trying to get
their way."
Are you seriously trying to tell us that special interest groups in Utah don't spend billions (or at least millions) trying to get their way? Special interest groups hire lobbyists to bribe legislators to pass laws for their own benefit. Try visiting the capitol and getting an appointment with your state senator or representative, you'll soon find out that it's "No pay, No say."
Tell me which is easier for a special interest group:
(1) Campaign donations and gifts to a few key legislators to get them to pass your law.
or
(2) Massive petition drive to get an initiative on the ballot, followed by large-scale public relations campaign to get the general public to vote the initiative into law.
Believe me, special interest groups in Utah would much rather have the initiative and referendum processes severely restricted (if not eliminated altogether). That way, the people would not be able to overturn the laws they bribed the legislature to enact.
Are you seriously trying to tell us that special interest groups in Utah don't spend billions (or at least millions) trying to get their way? Special interest groups hire lobbyists to bribe legislators to pass laws for their own benefit. Try visiting the capitol and getting an appointment with your state senator or representative, you'll soon find out that it's "No pay, No say."
Tell me which is easier for a special interest group:
(1) Campaign donations and gifts to a few key legislators to get them to pass your law.
or
(2) Massive petition drive to get an initiative on the ballot, followed by large-scale public relations campaign to get the general public to vote the initiative into law.
Believe me, special interest groups in Utah would much rather have the initiative and referendum processes severely restricted (if not eliminated altogether). That way, the people would not be able to overturn the laws they bribed the legislature to enact.
Can we finally... | 5:03 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
vote these guys out? Are the majority of Utahns finally seeing what the
Republican-held legislature feels about following what the voters want?
The Utah legislature doesn't care what voters think because they know they'll be reelected anyway. I hope more citizens are seeing what a stranglehold this has had on democracy in Utah.
The Utah legislature doesn't care what voters think because they know they'll be reelected anyway. I hope more citizens are seeing what a stranglehold this has had on democracy in Utah.
Rick James | 9:47 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008
This just simply proves what I already suspected: Republicans in Utah have no
fear of any recourse by the populace. They can say and act in virtually any way
they choose and can guarantee to be reinstated term after term. Please wake up
this year Utah! Republican does not equal "inspired leader". What we
have is an oligarchy of businessmen who are looking out for their own interests,
abusing the people who vote for them year after year. If McCain or Obama had
uttered those words, you can bet it would go immediately into the news cycle and
their campaign would meet its demise. Here in Utah, however, voters will happily
go to the polls to reinstate the oligarchy. Thank God for the UEA, who acted as
one of the last firewalls to organize the people's will to overturn the
legislature's ridiculous decision.
Capitol Observer | 10:18 a.m. Aug. 20, 2008
Funny thing: Bramble was actually the only legislator who DID represent his
constituents on the voucher issue. Turned out his district was the only district
that voted to keep the voucher law during the referendum.
But I do agree that he's one of the worst legislators we have, in terms of arrogance, bullying, and insider manipulation.
But I do agree that he's one of the worst legislators we have, in terms of arrogance, bullying, and insider manipulation.
Rick's Cafe | 10:15 a.m. Aug. 21, 2008
Bramble is not only a parasite, he is a cut rate one.
tired | 12:31 p.m. Aug. 21, 2008
Just vote them out, please!
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