Reader comments
'Punitive actions' by legislative leaders may spur ethics complaints
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One party - big problems | 7:40 a.m. June 28, 2008
A one party system that this State GOP is pushing for breads corruption. It is
to bad that honest people let power turn them into slaves of either greed for
power or money. That is the reason that all politicans need to serve only a few
years and then be replaced.
Incumbents beware | 9:54 a.m. June 28, 2008
The Democrats had the majority in this state until 30yrs. ago. If the GOP
leadership continues their abuse of power, that balance may shift once again.
Republicans need to clean up their act or prepare to be voted out.
Comments continue below
I'm Just Saying | 10:32 a.m. June 28, 2008
These five legislators are brave for stepping forward. They've ticked
Steve Urquhart off enough that he is now referring to them as
"grandstanding hacks" and "cancer". His blog is completely
unprofessional, especially for a member of the Utah House now running for Utah
Senate. I guess that is just a small taste of what is store for any legislator
who disagrees with the powers that be.
Thanks | 11:23 a.m. June 28, 2008
Mascaro and Hansen, please keep on being dissidents. If you bring the corruption
into the light they can't hurt you. Dishonesty can't stand light.
Anonymous | 11:37 a.m. June 28, 2008
Allen and Mascaro are not Reagan Republicans. If anything they are Jimmy Carter
Republicans.
Anonymous | 11:40 a.m. June 28, 2008
Hansen? Didn't his brother shoot himself in the foot? Looks like a family
skill. Neil has been shooting himself in the foot for years at the legislature.
Anonymous | 11:41 a.m. June 28, 2008
To I'm Just Saying: Allen, Mascaro, and Hansen are grandstanders and media
whiners. When they don't get their way it's everyone else's
fault. It's the same stories year after year. They just like to wag the
media dog.
I'm Just Saying | 1:54 p.m. June 28, 2008
Anonymous - You interpret standing up to Republican leadership over legitimate
differences of opinion as whining. That is fine - you have every right to do
so. However, to call them a "cancer", as Rep. Urquhart did, crosses a
line. Again, I am glad someone is finally standing up to Bramble, Curtis et al.
These are the same clowns that lecture party members about "speaking no
ill" of other Republicans. "Grandstanding hacks" and
"cancer" seem to qualify as speaking ill of others. Read the blog for
yourself. Urquhart comes across as an arrogant fill-in-the-blank.
Junior High | 2:46 p.m. June 28, 2008
Sounds like the jocks are being mean to the nerds. The nerds have friends on
the yearbook staff, so they'll make it sound like a big deal in writing.
Ever wonder why more capable people don't get involved in politics? In the private-sector (aka, real world), we call it "he who has the gold makes the rules."
Hansen, stop whining and go back to chess club.
Ever wonder why more capable people don't get involved in politics? In the private-sector (aka, real world), we call it "he who has the gold makes the rules."
Hansen, stop whining and go back to chess club.
anonymous | 3:02 p.m. June 28, 2008
Mascaro, Riesen and the others have the courage to do the right thing. The GOP
leadership to have a lot to hide to want to avaiod the sunshine
anonymous | 3:08 p.m. June 28, 2008
Mascaro, Allen, Riesen, Hansen and the others have the courage to do the right
thing. The GOP leadership must have a lot to hide to want to avoid the sunshine.
It is a lot easier not to stick your neck out. As for "Junior High,"
this isn't the "Business world" it is supposedly a democratic
government run by principles we've agreed upon.
Anonymous | 3:08 p.m. June 28, 2008
Of course Urquhart comes across as arrogant on his blog. I assume that's
his style, for better or worse. Maybe he calls them a cancer because Marcaro is
a perpetual lier and is always whining to the media, while Allen is
self-serving, corrupted by her employment, and lied in recent court documents.
Their action tarnish and destroy the legislative process (like an internal
cancer). They don't enhance it. Having corrupt politicians calling others
unethical is not of interest to me.
This has nothing to do with standing up to "leadership". This has everything to do with childish antics by individuals who lose the policy debates day in and day out and will try to win any way possible.
This has nothing to do with standing up to "leadership". This has everything to do with childish antics by individuals who lose the policy debates day in and day out and will try to win any way possible.
simple analogy | 3:36 p.m. June 28, 2008
Junior High will make it easier to understand: He who has the [votes], makes
the rules. "Supposedly" that is a democracy.
And the legislature is actually a democratic republic, but they'll cover that later in high school.
And the legislature is actually a democratic republic, but they'll cover that later in high school.
KettleColor | 3:53 p.m. June 28, 2008
I find it very interesting that the self proclaimed Ethics Democrat from Ogden,
Neil Hansen, is the same Neil Hansen who used his Representative position to get
a speeding ticket fixed in Mantua, Utah a few years ago! What a hypocrite. He
is also the same Neil Hansen which hasn't been asked in years to floor
sponsor any Senate bills, either party, gee I wonder. Mr. In-effective is what
most people call him including this newspaper at the end of every session.
Anonymous | 4:00 p.m. June 28, 2008
Hansen couldn't handle chess club. He's from a family that shows gun
safety by example.
I'm Just Saying | 4:36 p.m. June 28, 2008
To Anonymous @ 3:08 - To be honest, I do not know Neil Hansen. I'd never
heard of him prior to reading this story. I know Sheryl Allen, but only from
her work with the Davis Education Foundation. Her group helped a neighbor kid
get clothes for school after her dad lost his job. Pretty corrupt.
Please provide examples of what you allege in your post. What makes Mascaro a "perpetual liar"? How has Allen been "corrupted" by her employment? When did she lie, and what did she lie about?
If you don't think this has anything to do with standing up to "leadership", you obviously did not read the article we are supposed to be commenting about. I'm beginning to think we have cancer on this comment board - named Anonymous.
Please provide examples of what you allege in your post. What makes Mascaro a "perpetual liar"? How has Allen been "corrupted" by her employment? When did she lie, and what did she lie about?
If you don't think this has anything to do with standing up to "leadership", you obviously did not read the article we are supposed to be commenting about. I'm beginning to think we have cancer on this comment board - named Anonymous.
Anonymous1 | 4:50 p.m. June 28, 2008
This sounds like a bit of electioneering - float some veiled comment of
impropriety, let the media chew on it and try to drag this out until October
and hope that somehow the public will elect a bunch of Democrats this fall. If
you have something let's hear it. Put up or shut up as the saying goes.
Huh??? | 5:51 p.m. June 28, 2008
Isn't this the same Neil Hansen that ran for Mayor of Ogden and DEMANDED an
ethics investigation of his opponent, the incumbent? And Allen uses the same
smoke and mirrors as a plantif against her own colleagues over a vote she lost
on SB2.
Seems that Allen, Hansen, and Mascaro are nothing but incompetent legislators, unable to accomplish much but continue the drum beat of undefined corruption to make themselves look good. Reagan will be rolling over in his grave if these "fine public servants" are calling themselves "Reagan Republicans".
If they are unable to move their corrupt agenda, they file ethics complaints, law suits, and use the media as their PR firm. Bernick should be ashamed of being used as a shill for there agenda. On second thought, this is Bernick's agenda.
Seems that Allen, Hansen, and Mascaro are nothing but incompetent legislators, unable to accomplish much but continue the drum beat of undefined corruption to make themselves look good. Reagan will be rolling over in his grave if these "fine public servants" are calling themselves "Reagan Republicans".
If they are unable to move their corrupt agenda, they file ethics complaints, law suits, and use the media as their PR firm. Bernick should be ashamed of being used as a shill for there agenda. On second thought, this is Bernick's agenda.
Go Figure | 10:02 p.m. June 28, 2008
The very same. The SB2 complaint is the greatest work of fiction this state has
ever seen. When the ends justify the means, selective morals follow.
Don't Speak Ill | 10:46 p.m. June 28, 2008
What was Reagan's 11th commandment? Don't speak ill of another
republican. Looks like Allen and Mascaro completely failed Reagan's simple
commandment. Reagan would now like his name back. Too bad it has been tarnished.
Missing the point... | 9:23 p.m. June 29, 2008
"...legislator warned a lobbyist that the lobbyist had better get
"behind a certain candidate or any bill that that lobbyist wanted would be
dead."
I beleive this is more than unethical I think it might be illegal. There is a political process and for any legislator to keep the "peoples will" from coming foward is shameful at best.
Although Lobbyists have been demonized there are lobbyist who are hired by our local city and county governments to take our concerns to capitol hill. They represent us and we foot the bill.
If a certain legislator withholds a bill that he doesn't like that's politics. But to withhold a bill before knowing what the bill is about, that is a huge concern that we all should be upset about.
Who is this Legislator that made these threats?
I beleive this is more than unethical I think it might be illegal. There is a political process and for any legislator to keep the "peoples will" from coming foward is shameful at best.
Although Lobbyists have been demonized there are lobbyist who are hired by our local city and county governments to take our concerns to capitol hill. They represent us and we foot the bill.
If a certain legislator withholds a bill that he doesn't like that's politics. But to withhold a bill before knowing what the bill is about, that is a huge concern that we all should be upset about.
Who is this Legislator that made these threats?
Anonymous | 9:24 a.m. June 30, 2008
Don' Speak Ill 2
Does Reagan's wisdom apply even when your fellow Republicans are crooks and breaking the law...or are unethical?
I think you have an obligation to speak out and expose such behavior.
Does Reagan's wisdom apply even when your fellow Republicans are crooks and breaking the law...or are unethical?
I think you have an obligation to speak out and expose such behavior.
Still Missing the Point... | 3:25 p.m. June 30, 2008
There is a way to bring those guilty of breaking the law to justice. Disgruntled
legislators spewing innuendos and unfounded allegations is not that way. If they
have information for the authorities, then bring it forward, rather than issuing
a press release to get media attention.
Anonymous | 12:37 a.m. July 5, 2008
Well, it looks like we didn't have to wait too long for the retaliation
based on the D-News story today. I saw such blantant rule-breaking and lack of
ethics at the Republican State Convention I attended this year for the first
time that I'm not surprised at all.
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Reagan was effective because he had the ability to co-opt party Moderates as well as cross the aisle to work with Democrats as necessary. Bush Republicans see politics as a war and consider those who are not fully in lock-step as traitors - then penalize them accordingly. Such a heavy-handed style of politics is divisive and unnecessary.