Reader comments
Readers' forum: Huntsman pushing socialism

Greg | 1:40 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008

Hear Hear! The question is: what can we do about it?

Timj | 4:23 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008

I agree. Let Social Darwinism reign (although we need to go with Buttar's plan and keep actual Darwinism from the kids). Survival of the fittest. That's the ticket.
I look forward to a return of 14-hour days in factories, where people work 100-hour workweeks and make just enough money to get by.
Oh, and child labor. No more mandatory school.
All these regulations and rules...they're just so stifling.

lost in DC | 6:39 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008

reg, whether you support or oppose the governor's agenda, you can talk to your state representative and/or senator about your position concerning it. Even if you can't get a hold of them in person, they all have e-mail through the state.

Comments continue below

lost in DC | 6:41 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008

Sorry, my last comment was for Greg, not reg. Fat fingered it

Indiana | 7:10 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008

amen!

Grover | 7:12 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008

The simple answer to Greg's question above: "Nothing, since it you and the writer of the letter who are out of the mainstream now." The Governor has a huge plurality and has stratospheric approval ratings, good luck at selling this hard right tripe in today's market of ideas.

Ultra Bob | 7:41 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008

If you don't like socialism, give us another name for what happens when people work together for their common good.

How about we call it Americanism. That word probably won't have the evil conotation that the right wing capitalist have given to the word socialism.

Grimble | 7:44 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008

Sorry folks. The right wing is on the wane. Get used to it.

Sensible people are realizing you can have a functional government that provides valuable services to strengthen society without it being "Socialism."

Calling commonsense programs "socialism" has become the right wing's "cry wolf."

Bob in line | 7:53 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008

Maybe organize a march on the State Capitol.

I remember way back when Governor Norm Bangerter wanted to raises taxes. Over 10,000 people showed up at the Capitol to say no. The taxes were not raised and Norm didn't run for reelection.

Huntsman just won reelection so now he is feeling his oats to push big government junk. Huntsman wants his family money to buy him a US Senate seat. Nothing would get his attention more than having 10,000 people show up to the Capitol saying No Way to his agenda!

We should do it the first day of the legislative session.

the observer | 8:06 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008

this is ridiculous. Huntsman is a successful businessman and moderate Republican. Conservatives just can't fathom that governing from the center is the best way to run a state, which is why they just took such a beating in national and state races across the country. I am not a Republican (thank God) but I do like John Huntsman and appreciate his efforts to represent ALL Utahns, not just the lunatic fringe on the right.

Stevo | 8:20 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008

Ditto! Huntsman is a RINO. 4 years and his only major accomplishment is a 4 day work week. Now that gas prices are down 50% from their summer highs, will we see a return to regular hours? Don't bet on it. Huntsman is worse than Leavitt. His personal life has insulated him too far from the everyday life the rest of us experience. Here's a thought, Guv. Run a business, make a payroll, figure out how to attract and retain good employees (without a union backstop), work within a budget where you can't control what comes in only what goes out.

Huntsman is a major disappointment, parachuting into events to been seen but leaves the real work to the rest of us. Vacuous windbag.

Meredith | 8:22 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008

I agree. I don't know why this guy was re-elected by such a whopping majority. I didn't vote for him and don't know many who did.

County resident | 8:40 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008

Its one reason I have never voted for Huntsman. We would have been better off with Scott Matheson, Jr. four years ago. Huntsman is only slightly better than Obama by my estimation but that is my opinion.

He has said he won't run again in 2012 so we'll need to see if he keeps his word...just like Hatch who blasted Sen. Moss for "being up there so long."

MEB | 8:46 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008

I don't know what we can do about it, but I voted for Springmeyer because he's more conservative than Huntsman ever dreamed of being. Huntsman gets a way with a lot because he runs as a Republican.

What? | 9:00 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008

So all of a sudden moderates are considered socialist? Um, ok. Actually moderates represent more of the Reagan republicans. It's the neo cons fault that we are in the nightmare we are living right now.

that's entertainment! | 9:08 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008

You guys crack me up.

"Socialism" is merely today's AM radio blowhard "scare the rubes" word.

Get over it, guys.

What'll the blowhards have to stimulate your adrenal glands tomorrow?

"Space aliens are coming!"

Michael | 9:10 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008

Huntsman won a landslide and his priorities reflect those of the electorate that voted for him.

T | 9:56 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008

Socialism??? I know that socialism is a word that no longer is used for what it really means and turned into a universal scare word. It is a nice term to use for those who don't understand what they are talking about, but still want to scare everybody to agree with them. It is almost like the boogie man, something you really don't know what is, but are scared of until you grow up and learn the truth. But still, what is wrong with you? Are you easily scared of stories about ghosts and boogie men, or are you just ignorant?

Gus Talwynd | 10:13 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008

Sounds like another angry voice from the fringe Right.

"I don't like it. It might cost me money. It must be 'Socialism'."

This must be a broken phonograph record that needs to be thrown out. This mantra has gotten really old with utterly no meaning outside that small cadre of true believers who chant it at every opportunity.

Stewart | 10:37 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008

Al is right, but then so was Springmeyer, leaving me no choice, but to vote for "Super" Dell.

Kirk R. | 10:42 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008

So moderate=socialist? I don't think so. Only in Utah. Why didn't one of you "principled" conservatives run against Huntsman if he is so terrible?

Ernest T. Bass | 10:58 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008

Good for Jon M. Junior! Now I'm glad I voted for him.

Frenchie | 11:27 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008

You cant do anything about it. That's what is so funny, the guy got over 72% of the vote. Even Blue SLC voted in huge numbers for him. He is the future of the GOP, so you better get used to it. The looney right wingers like you have shown the Republican party that it has lost touch with the Middle class of this country and needs to go in a different direction. Hunstman is priming himself to be that GUY the GOP strives for.

D Shields | 11:37 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008

I'm waiting for the results of his grandstanding four-day workweek. How big is the pile of money saved by the one hour state offices are closed (4 11-hr days vs 5 9-hr days)? How does that compare to the inconvenience of having one less day per week open for business? In all the brilliance of this strategy why wasn't Monday chosen as the day to be closed when there are already so many of them closed for holidays?

Grrr. The man runs his own agenda despite the will of the people.

To D Shields | 11:37 a.m. Nov. 8 | 12:19 p.m. Nov. 8, 2008

Have you ever thought that that may be the will of the people? Maybe it's just a small handful that disagree! Obviously the people wanted his legislative idiology as he was reelected by a landslide!!!!

MEB | 1:56 p.m. Nov. 8, 2008

Ernest - You voted for a Republican, and I voted for a Democrat. What is the world coming to.

Haitian School builder | 2:45 p.m. Nov. 8, 2008

I agree. I want a small government that won't interfere in my construction business. If I want to make more $$$ by sticking 3 rickety new stories on a cheap, rotting 2-story school, that's my business. Who cares about the 75 kids crushed underneath when it collapses? The free market will solve the problem eventually... Down with regulation!

the truth | 4:17 p.m. Nov. 8, 2008

I find very interesting that the liberal democrats, socialists, communists, etc, in these comments to want redefine socialism,

in order to make it more acceptable or palatable to the general public.

I believe Krushchev said that the US people would not accept communism but they will accept socialsm in small doses until we are like them.

We must be aware at all time what is really going on, even what seems be harmlessly said in these comments.

Lionheart | 4:39 p.m. Nov. 8, 2008

So don't call it socialism, call it what it is--scam

Not quite a straight ticket | 5:53 p.m. Nov. 8, 2008

I voted entirely for Democrats this past election - except for Gov Huntsman. Thanks Gov Huntsman for recognizing that most of us, whether we're Democrats or Republicans, are most likely moderates and that our common goals and interests usually outnumber our differences. Keep up the great work!

Joseph Atwater | 5:59 p.m. Nov. 8, 2008

Socialism...er...I mean...."Law of Consecration" states "serving the poor and needy that we may be more Christlike.Sounds like Huntsman is getting the right message.If we are not 'socially aware of the needs of others then we` are 'self serving'with an hidden agenda of greed,hate and selfishness.We need to not only read our scriptures but learn to apply them, not be couch politicians and emulate past failures.

V.I. Palin | 11:15 p.m. Nov. 8, 2008

Huntsman a socialist? That's a good one. I am satisfied that the guy has earned the salary that we Uber-generous Utahns have given him.

These guys that can't leave the word "socialism" alone...I'm sorry, but they just seem a bit whacked to me.

Where do we get these guys? Is there a John Birch convention in town?

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