Reader comments
Lawmakers should listen, not build barriers

Anonymous | 5:15 a.m. Aug. 25, 2008

There are numerous groups who represent the People: Utah Education Association, Utah Public Employees Association, Utah School Boards Association, PTA, Utah Issues, Voices for Utah Children, HEAL Utah, Coalition of Religious Communities, Citizens for Tax Fairness, the Deseret News, Salt Lake Tribune, NPR, and many others.

Utah Bill | 6:37 a.m. Aug. 25, 2008

Well, it's obvious - isn't it John? Legislators don't want constituents interfering with their decisions. They say they represent us, yet want our input limited. Now, I can understand that to a point, but referendums and initiatives are hardly random input.

It's no coincidence this all ties back to the voucher issue. People who've seen my posts here are probably tired of me saying it - but the legislators cannot let that issue go. They had decided in advance what was best for Utahans regarding vouchers and were angered and humiliated that their constituents did not support them. They forgot that their job is to support what WE want. Legislators want to head off any similar voucher-type defeat by removing our ability to weigh in when they're way off-target.

We need to be vigilant on this issue and vote any legislator out of office who stands in our way by saying, ï¿½Thereï¿½s too much democracy in Utah.ï¿½

stevo | 7:54 a.m. Aug. 25, 2008

Enough of the people having the last say, just let King Valentine and Curtis rule with the velvet fist!

Comments continue below

Anonymous | 8:36 a.m. Aug. 25, 2008

This issue may be the biggest we have or will see. Call your representative. Tell them if they support changing this law to make referendums harder to get on the ballot, you will fight for their removal until they are gone. This is what we get when one group feels they are untouchable.

On the founders... | 10:03 a.m. Aug. 25, 2008

John,

I agree with you on most everything but not on this issue. The founders didn't want to have a king, but they also didn't want the people to be the legislative body, that's why we have representative government not pure democracy.

We, the people of Utah, have plenty of say in what our legislators do; we can vote them out of office if we don't like them, we can write them letters, visit their homes, and call them. If our failure to act gives lobbyists more power, then that's our fault, not the system's.

I've lived in CA and observed the initiative/referendum process there. It's crazy. Interest groups have even more power there because whoever can pay the most for an ad wins over voters. The founders wanted people who were educated, good, and wise to govern and, yes, listen to the people, but not have the people as a general body vote on issues.

JMR | 10:11 a.m. Aug. 25, 2008

@ Anonymous 5:15--
I hope your writing is tongue-in-cheek. The people as a whole are represented only by Senators and Represenatives. Most, if not all, of the organizations you have listed represent people with special interests. Special interest groups are not always a bad thing, in fact, there is a niche in our politics carved out for them (read Federalist No. 10). Just make sure you realize their special interest might not be you -- or in many cases, most other people. As far as Sens. and Reps go, if you want to be represented accurately, write your Congressman or Senator, join a campaign, or get out and vote.

to the founders | 11:44 a.m. Aug. 25, 2008

This may, no will sound strange but I dont really care what the founders wanted. The founders wanted only MALE LAND OWNERS to be able to vote. I want to be able to put the legislature into its place when it acts up. I dont want this law passed so these fat cats can do whatever they please without repercussions. The voucher issue is quite apt. The people didnt want vouchers. The legislature knows most of them dont have to be worried about re election because they have an elephant next to their name so they just push it through anyway. The people put them back into their place. It worked they way it was suppose to work. In Utah it is already a hard process to get through. It doesnt need changing unless you are a legislator who wants to do something the people dont want.

RE: to the founders | 2:18 p.m. Aug. 25, 2008

The purpose for referring to the founders is that Mr. Florez referred, and often refers, to the founders in his articles.

If you don't like what your legislators do, then vote them out of office, even run for office yourself. The CA system is awful. We don't want to go there.

If you don't care what the founders wanted, then you may want to reconsider your opinion. I'm not saying you should believe in everything they did, but to discard everything they say off hand when their opinions were based on the experience and wisdom of generations before them is imprudent. That's one of the major problems of politics today, we assume that we are enlightened and know better than those who came before us. Maybe we do in many cases, but I think it's probably wise to consider very carefully what our predecessors thought and did.

Steve Urquhart | 4:41 p.m. Aug. 25, 2008

I submitted a pretty benign comment about the D News making up the story about the GOP changing the referendum process. That's a fact. If you dispute that it's a fact, release the recording. Simple.

Why the cone of silence and the censorship?

Honesty | 6:41 p.m. Aug. 25, 2008

Perhaps Mob mentality is not a good way to make laws?

Elkman. | 7:58 p.m. Aug. 25, 2008

The GOP Leadership in this state does not believe in good open government. They have been bought with special interest monies and are therefore unable to represent the will on the voters. The arrogance of our State Leaders is amazing. The Voucher Bill was killed by a bunch of teachers and PTA ladies. Curtis and his band of neo-cons have done everything they can do to hurt public education an educators. There plans to hurt educators can be seen in their attempts to limit pay roll deductions and the failed ideas of merit pay. The support of the GOP Leadership in splitting Jordan District was also an underhanded attempt to get back at teachers. We need to bring about ethics reform and vote out the GOP Leadership. Please support Black, Beck, Seegmiller, and Morgan this fall. Let's send Curtis and his band of special interest buddies packing in November!!!

Watchdog | 9:29 p.m. Aug. 26, 2008

Interesting censureship of any criticism of Bernick and his misinformation campaign. Too bad the DNews can dish it out but can't take it.

owl | 12:24 p.m. Aug. 27, 2008

Government Records Act the right to know is superseded by the right to privacy. Utah Government considers itself a bleeding entity.

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