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Lawmakers gobble up freebies

Why is this not surprising?

Says the article:

"Among the legislators who took the most in identifiable gifts were:

* Sen. Mark Madsen, R-Lehi, $1,122;
* SENATOR CURT BRAMBLE, R-PROVO, $903;
* Sen. Greg Bell, R-Fruit Heights, $800;
* Sen. Lyle Hillyard, R-Logan, $688; and
* Rep. Brad Last, R-St. George, $597."
(Emphasis added.)

Somewhere in there is the makings of a great oxymoron -- and the following less-great-but-still-undeniable proverb:

"Oh what a tangled BRAMBLE we cultivate, when we let politicians put their own interests above the interests of the citizens they pretend to represent." (Emphasis added.)

Wouldn't you think that someone who is so often on the receiving (HIGH) end of such obviously unearned and undeserved *gratuities* would be a little bit more generous when deciding what kinds of tips to give to people who actually work for a living, like BYU students who deliver pizza to make ends meet while going to school?

Wouldn't you?

Because he feels entitled. After all, don't we all know who He is? He's Senator Bramble! LOL. I don't think I've ever seen one of these stories where he isn't ranked among the top gift acceptors. The thing is, I believe him when he says he's not really influenced by these freebies. For influence companies must pay a much higher price such as consulting fees paid to his accountant firm--Just ask allied waste, gold cross ambulance etc.

State legislators are important people and it's just fine to receive some reasonable gifts or perks. We aren't talking big money here.

State employess are not allowed to accept gifts/gratuities at all. Why does that not apply to Legilature's? I also want to know why they get a raise this year? I know that as a State Employee, we will more than likely not get a COLA or anything else. If they are serious about saving money, why don't they themselves take a cut as well? Maybe they can give their raises up for the "Meals on Wheels" so the elderly won't go hungry. I wonder what these guy's moms would think?

Let's not impose term limits on our political elites. We can't afford to lose these fine pieces of humanity.

Afterall who will lead the sheeple?

Who cares? This is such a non-story. I am tired of hearing about how these guys are corrupt because they go out to eat. If I recall correctly, the article stated that the average was just over $1,000 per legislator. My question is which one of you complainors would be bought for $1,000. I sure as heck would not sell my soul for that small amount of money. The only reason this is a story is because the media tells us it is and the radicals like Ridgway have nothing better to do with their time. Go get a job Mike.

Business as usual for the Blind Sheep, I mean Beehive state.

worth. About 15-17 yrs. ago there was a proposal in the legislature to put a tax on soda pop and have a deposit on all those disposable bottles that contain soft drinks, (like Calif. and Vt. have). The idea of course, was to be able to come up with a new source of taxation.

The soft drink co's got together and flew about 45 or 50 legislators to a golf/hotel tour in San Diego.
It cost about 1500.00 per person.
Guess what happened to the "soft drink tax"?

In all fairness, most of todays legislators didn't take part in it, and I doubt if they even have ever heard of it. It got very little press at the time because that was "just the way things were done".
So.....I wonder if todays legislators can be "bought" for as little as $1,000 or if they really do have higher ethical standards?

Or.....as others have suggested maybe they get their perks indirectly - maybe have a beverage co. deliver "free" samples to their business? Encourage the lobbyists to frequent their business, etc.

"Ethics reform" will never happen in Utah because they don't think they do anything wrong!

It's about access. Non-profits and ordiary citizens don't have the money to pay for $100 meals so corporate lobbyists get all the facetime and therefore all the access to legislators. I'm guess you are a Bramble in which case I refer you to the comment about believing Bramble isn't swayed by these meals because he generally charges a higher price.