Comments about ‘Gov. Herbert reconsiders donation limits’

Now that Gary Herbert raised over $1 million dollars with $50,000 being the cap for each contribution, he can think about changing the cap.

That is only because he already has so much money NO ONE can challenge him in 2010!

The Governor's Commission did some amazing work and the commissioners should be commended for their hard work and recommendations. The Commission's website is worth exploring and really backs up its work. Now, the question is whether the legislature and governor will take advantage of it or go back to business as usual. . . .

I'd like to know how getting $50,000 from a business and special interest does not buy influence. What a limit does is stop large donors of single businesses and special interest from buy our candidates. We all know that these large donors are expecting some favoritism from who ever they put in power. These power donors also donate to who they think they can gain favoritism and special considerations in legislation and government contracts. These power donors are not giving up $50,000 just for fun, they want something in return. That's the craw in our throats we don't want and why we want limits, make candidates seek donations from the public as they campaign. Candidates should meet the people, not spread gossip, lies, and promises in TV ads.

This limit in no way affects the common donors ability to donate. The struggling middle class can't let their voices be heard when power donors grab the spotlight and get listened to. Money buys the votes and the candidates.

Gov. Herbert seems to have his head on straight. I like his logic and ability to explain his position. I think Utah is fortunate to have a governor that has reason and understanding.

Gov. Herbert makes an interesting argument that can't be simply dismissed out of hand as to the balance between a singularly rich and wealthy candidate who could easily outspend other less wealth candidates and raising funds from various sources. As Obama demonstrated it is possible to raise huge amounts of funds from both large and many small sources. The balance of campaign limitations and influence and suffocating impact on free expression for smaller contributors versus some level larger campaign contributions from a variety of diverse beliefs and position is not one that can be easily fixed in stone. Hopefully together Gov. Herbert and the legislator can arrive at some reasonable balance.

Gov. Herbert:
"My concern is not the electorate,"
This says it all.
Who is he there to represent-- citizens or campaign donors?

The majority of Utah voters who aren't affiliated with the two incumbent political parties were neither represented on, nor well-served by, this Commission of political insiders.

A commission genuinely interested in strengthening democracy would have advocated a more competitive and representative electoral system with a track record of increased voter turnout called "proportional representation."

For more information about electoral reform, learn about FairVote: The Center for Voting and Democracy.

This commission simply called for a stronger bipartisan political cartel.