Deseret News | Reader comments: Bishop's opponent unhappy with mailer

Reader comments
Bishop's opponent unhappy with mailer

Madden | 12:34 a.m. July 17, 2008

Send mailers in non-election years only? A nice suggestion, but these poor reps are up every two years. Hence they are running for re-election the day after winning the previous election. This is one reason politics is so hard, how do you draw the line between serving and communicating with your communities (justifiably at taxpayer expense) and campaigning for re-election?

Give a guy the benefit of the doubt on this and talk about issues that actually matter. There is plenty to attack if you are running against an incumbent this year.

Richard | 5:08 a.m. July 17, 2008

Again we see a member of a do nothing congress taking advantage of his position. It is now election time and the incumbents have to tell the voter what they have done. In most cases it is very little. The average person sees no activity. Mr Cannon's letters weren't able to convince the voter so lets see what happens here.

Cats | 5:57 a.m. July 17, 2008

This is why encumbency is so entrenched. It's true they do have to communicate with their constituents, but I promise you, the reason these newletters are sent out is actually for campaign purposes. The main reason Congressmen have district staffs is to protect encumbency. Sending congratulatory letters out to Eagle Scouts and people who turn 80 is essentially to protect encumbency.

As one who spent a lot of years in Washington on Capitol Hill, I can tell you that a lot of taxpayer money goes to protect encumbency. That's how Chris Cannon (incompetent as he is) managed to stay in office for so long. It's how Democrat Bill Orton (who was totally inappropriate as the representative from the Republican third district) managed to stay in for three terms.

That's just the reality of the situation--but don't blame Bishop. It's just how the game is played. It's not right though.

Comments continue below

Anonymous | 7:18 a.m. July 17, 2008

Matheson always does this right before an election. I don't think I've received one any other time. It's just a campaign piece at taxpayer expense. I find it an abusive practice. But what else would I expect from Matheson.

So What! | 8:06 a.m. July 17, 2008

So Bishop sends out a mailer to announce his efforts on an important issue, one which impacts every one in the state (especially middle and lower income brackets) and Morgan Bowen complains. What would Bowen have him do, nothing. In his quest to join the DEMOCRAT-LED DO NOTHING CONGRESS he whines about a member who is actually doing something to address our energy crisis.

These franked mail pieces have to be approved by a bipartisan panel (the House Franking Commission). So Bowen's charge that such mailings are political is spurious at best.

Also, last I checked, Bishop was STILL the first district representative who happens to be running for reelection. As such he represents all citizens in the first district and has an obligation to communicate with them.

So What?? | 8:17 a.m. July 17, 2008

It's not wrong for a sitting Congressman to try and reach out to his or her constituents. That's what they were elected to do...and Energy is the biggest issue to confront our country in decades. It's killing our economy and paychecks.. I'm glad Bishop is doing this.. It tells me that he really cares to get into a discussion with those he represents about what to do. CHallengers always moan and groan that it's unfair, but Bishop is following the law and I think it's great.

Shirley | 8:26 a.m. July 17, 2008

I got a call last night that allowed me to be part of Representative Bishop's phone town hall. I loved it. There were about 3000 of us online with him. Not once did he say "I'm up for re-election, please vote for me." He let us know what is happening in Washington, especially regarding our energy crisis. It was very interesting.

I don't have a problem with this.

Dr Don | 9:06 a.m. July 17, 2008

"Matheson always does this right before an election. I don't think I've received one any other time. It's just a campaign piece at taxpayer expense. I find it an abusive practice. But what else would I expect from Matheson."

I have gotten periodic mailers from Mr. Matheson for some time and also receive email bulletins from him. Of course, I regularly make my opinions known to my Congress-critters (D & R) rather than just engage in partisan whining and moaning on the 'net.

Rick Votaw | 9:29 a.m. July 17, 2008

I have complained for years about the MULTIPLE franked pieces I receive every two years just before an election from Jim Matheson, but where you on that issue? Perhaps it was just because a Democrat was doing it that you didn't write your "expose" on the practice. This has been going on in our state as long as Matheson has been in office and you did nothing about it then, so why then are you attacking a Republican on the practice now?

randy | 9:56 a.m. July 17, 2008

new slogan in utah politics

incumbents out .. challengers in

lets give others a chance to send out mailers promoting the nothingness politians do in utah, for utah ...

bishop out .. hatch out .. bennett out .. matheson out

spread the politics retirement programs around, give them a chance to be hired by their favorite lobby groups ...

incumbents out .. challengers in

Utah Libertarian | 11:16 a.m. July 17, 2008

Not voting for any candidate from the statist Bipartisan War Party, composed of the DemoRATS and the RepubliCONS.

Will consider all other candidates on the ballot.

Is that you Bobby Bishop? | 11:32 a.m. July 17, 2008

So What,

"So Bishop sends out a mailer to announce his efforts on an important issue, one which impacts every one in the state (especially middle and lower income brackets) and Morgan Bowen complains."

Bishop has had years to discuss this issue with his constituents but when you look at this flier its clearly a campaign piece and its being paid for by taxpayers. I guess Morgan Bowen should be happy to have to pay $30,000 to do a similar piece while he, his family and supporters also get to pay for Rob Bishops piece because a retard voter wants to STEAL our money for their political gain.

"These franked mail pieces have to be approved by a bipartisan panel (the House Franking Commission). So Bowen's charge that such mailings are political is spurious at best."

This is how you sound: "I'm right and everyone else is wrong. I and my buddy Bobby can use your tax money to campaign for office and then I being a retard will say it's spurious that you complain about me and my friend Bobby.

I guess those of us who agree with Morgan can't do anything about you blanks violating our rights.

Small Government | 11:51 a.m. July 17, 2008

When I write to Mr. Bishop about all the great things I'm doing, I have to pay for it. But when he writes to me about all the great things he's doing ... I have to pay for that too.

Mr. Bishop is a superb representative in Congress and good for Utah. But in the spirit of small government, we should eliminate taxpayer-funded mailings like this.

Bishop? | 1:03 p.m. July 17, 2008

Anyone who thinks that Bishop is superb for Utah doesn't follow what Bishop has done. Bishop is a gigantic tool for Energy Solutions. Bishop wants to turn Utah into an international nuclear waste dump. Bishop has attempted multiple times for Energy Solutions to be allowed to carry hotter levels of nuclear waste. This is not what I consider to be good for Utah.

Energy is Good for Utah | 2:11 p.m. July 17, 2008

If ever there was an issue good for Utah and America, it is clean, affordable, nuclear energy. Kudos to Mr. Bishop and others like him for promoting nuclear energy.

Of course, companies like Energy Solutions exist to solve problems caused in large part by the federal government (e.g., nuclear waste). French energy companies have already figured out how to recycle their nuclear waste back into nuclear fuel. Our own federal government inhibits this innovation in the United States.

In any event, Utah is better off than most states --- in spite of whomever we choose to represent us in Congress.

Idiot | 2:22 p.m. July 17, 2008

"Bishop has attempted multiple times for Energy Solutions to be allowed to carry hotter levels of nuclear waste."

Wow. Can anyone really be that stupid? Energy Solutions does NOT deal with NUCLEAR waste, and is regulated by the STATE OF UTAH (not Congress).

By the way, even the the stuff that makes an exit sign in a movie theater glow in the dark is too "hot" for Energy Solutions to handle.

People should really take a minute to educate themselves about what is happening in their own communities before spouting off.

jay | 3:44 p.m. July 17, 2008

rick votaw:

I bet its been almost every election year that the paper (d-news or trib) writes an article about Matheson sending out frank mailers. Where have you been? I say its about time they write about someone else doing it, because ALL Congresspeople do it. Matheson sends out probably four or five a year, its a way people can know what their congressman is doing for them. And regaurdless of whether you agree with Matheson's positions, you have to admit that he is a damn good congressman. He responds to people's concerns and reaches out to his constituents.

@ "Bishop? | 1:03 p.m." | 9:16 p.m. July 17, 2008

I'm afraid you're the one out of touch, my friend. I personally believe Rob Bishop is the best congressman we've had in a long time (and that's saying a lot). He is the most responsive of any of our representatives. He always responds back, sometimes with a personal phone call, when I email him on an issue (and I'm just a nobody). I have friends that kiss the ground he walks on because of his office's help with immigration issues when Senator Hatch's crew just ticked Immigration off.

I've been involved in multiple town meetings, virtual and otherwise, that he's held, and they're not just during election years (nor are his informational mailings). So you can beat up on Chris Cannon all you want, but you'll get a fight from most of us who've actually benefited from Congressman Bishop's dedicated service (and no, he's not my uncle and I'm not on his payroll...).

Rich | 11:26 p.m. July 17, 2008

If it's legal, a congressman should take advantage of franking privileges. I think it should be illegal, and a candidate who promised to eliminate the practice would get my support on that issue. Overall, however, I would give my vote to the person whose overall positions reflected my own. I want a realistic energy policy, not some pie-in-the-sky dream. I want lower taxes and less governmental services. I want to end farm and ranch welfare. I want somebody to do something about illegal immigration and the trade deficit.

Dave from MA | 5:10 p.m. July 18, 2008

I was very impressed with Congressman Bishop during a recent debate regarding HR 415. He made a great attempt at stopping a poor piece of legislation. His speaking style was articulate and pointed. His office staff were very helpful, generous and informative to me regarding this process.I could not get the same information from my own Congressman back in Massachusetts. Your district is very fortunate to have him. I wish I could vote for him.

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