Reader comments
Legislators could appoint their own independent ethics commission

The article says, Utahns don't like the Legislature being judge and jury of lawmakers' own official conduct.

I second that.

The public has a right to know of unethical behavior by any legislator at any time. And free speech, no matter who it offends is a right of every individual. Even law makers and representatives. We americans have the right to dislike our neighbors for any reason including race, religion, nationality, sexual preferences, and say so freely. The 'politically correct' attitude of government has no place in america and it impedes the right of free speech.

Ethical behavior and free speech are different issues and when a legislator is open to bribe and unlawful acts of unethical behavior they should be subject to the laws of the people. Legislators cannot enact self regulating laws that hide and shield unethical acts from the public. I don't call free speech as unethical, I do call self proclaimed gag laws on our legislators as unethical. Our representatives have a right to disclose all information and their personal opinions to the public. It's their duty to be open and public. There would be no need for ethics committees if we had open and honest and ethical government.