Comments about ‘Letter: Objections to both Jim Matheson and his mother’

Did you raise the same objection when Jason Chaffetz ran for office two times without living in the district he represents? Did you also object that Jason Chaffetz was the Utah co-chairman for the Michael Dukakis presidential campaign in 1988?

I'm guessing not.

Where does Chaffetz live? And you assume it is bad to support one's political party if that party is Democratic. Why doesn't the principle also apply to the Republican party? I think you have a double standard.

First, the letter writer indicates she saw the referenced TV ad but says nothing about what the ad states, but that she objects soley to both Mathesons. Her first argument is that Jim Matheson is running for re-election in the 4th District where he doesn't live. I don't recall any objections from Republicans about Jason Chaffetz running for Congress in the 3rd District, now resididng in Matheson's current 2nd District in Alpine. In fact, Matheson now lives closer to me than Chaffetz does who is my current representative. No big deal!

Second, most people in Southern Utah affected by the creation of the new monument have gotten over its formation. Case in point. Matheson has received sufficient support from those residents five consecutive times to win re-election.

Why does the Deseret News keep publishing these outlandish anti-Matheson Letters to the Editor? Surely, there are more positive ones in this race to choose from. I can only surmise that the Deseret News is giving a back-handed edge to Matheson's campaign. No wonder why moderate Republicans and independents vote Matheson back into office when they see such ill-founded and illogical statements.

"First, Jim Matheson doesn't live in the 4th District, the district he is running in. Representing anyone is not on his agenda — winning political office anywhere is."

He's just following the lesson he learned from Jason Chaffetz.

But really, living within the arbitrary boundaries drawn by politically motivated state legislators hardly makes one more or less fit to represent the people in that district. The people that live in Salt Lake and the people that live in St. George and Cedar City are in the same district. How does where someone lives make a difference in representation when the boundaries are drawn so absurdly to begin with?

Really? You don't like the guy's Mom? Seriously?

I thought this comment was about Jim Matheson?! Such a boorish response. Since when did what Jason Chaffetz does justify what Jim Matheson does? You are part of the problem. Just like when Jim Matheson waited until he knew Obama Care would pass before he cast his vote against it so he would look good back home and be able to put it on his campaign ad. He is a clever politician and that is NOT what this country needs right now.

What a stupid letter.

You're bringing his mother into this? Oh jeez....

And you're accusing him of doing something that Jason Chaffetz has done? Where were your complaints then?

Yeah yeah yeah, we get it, you don't like the Democrats.

But please, stop ripping Matheson for utterly ridiculous reasons. Disagree with his ideas, that's fine. But bringing his mother into this?

Talk about low...

It would only be worthy of a letter if Norma Matheson came out in support of Mia Love1

Jim Matheson's father was one of the best, if the best, governor in Utah history. The other governor I would put on this short list is Calvin Rampton. Both were Democrats. I would doubt too many that lived in Utah during their administrations would say any different. I imagine that Scott Matheson made a good choice in a spouse.

Well said by the posters above about Chaffetz. He lives out of his district and purposely ran for office to avoid Matheson's district at the time and insuring his own election. Matheson was basically gerrymandered out of his district by the Republican legislature. The constituents he represented for years were subdivided into several districts to diffuse Matheson's base and hinder his reelection bid. I guess that's politics. But since there isn't a district residential requirement for Congressional office, I guess Matheson is playing the same game of politics.

Let's focus on Jim Matheson.

He voted against Utah MANY times. When four Congressmen voted one way and he voted the other, he gave our state the same representation as Wyoming. Jim Matheson decided that he knew what was best for Utah. He voted against the conservative interests of the people of Utah and against the other Congressmen from Utah. Why? He was not elected to "do his own thing". He was elected to represent ALL of the people of Utah. He voted with the most liberal member of Congress, Nancy Pelosi. We are not California. We don't have "Californian values". We are Utahns with the values of the people who had the will and the spine to carve cities out of a desert.

Jim Matheson does not share the values of the people of Utah. He has voted against the will of the people of Utah. He represents HIMSELF in Congress. He was not elected to do that. Obviously, he doesn't know what the people of Utah want. One thing is clear. We don't want a Representative who represents himself.

You guys are still bringing up the Grand Staircase Monument? Geez, get over it and get over yourselves. The monument was a great thing. It hasn't hurt anyone, as welfare cattle grazing is still permitted in the monument.
Matheson is the only thing we have going right in this state.
But hey, we do build great and spacious malls.

The "independent" minded votes from Matheson were mostly after an issue had already been decided in favor of the Democrat party's position. Few critical votes have been cast by him that have not mirrored Nancy Pelosi.

To Mike Richards 1:41 p.m. Sept. 23, 2012

You forget something, Mike. Not everyone who lives in Utah is, like you and some of the others who post here, a far right extremist. There are also true conservatives, moderates and -- GASP -- some liberals (and I would not be surprised if more than a third of Utah's citizens could be found in a combination of those categories). They deserve to be represented too.

I agree that Matheson isn't a far right extremist and, at times, votes aginst what they want (and does a service for Utah and the United States when he does so). That doesn't mean he is voting against the people of Utah. Two of Utah's representatives -- Bishop and Chaffetz -- speak for the people on the far right extremes. I am pleased that there is at least one representative who will speak for everyone else.

Matheson is independent and a true conservative. He votes for what is the best for the country, and does not vote any straight party line. I applaud him for doing so, and am glad that at least HE represents my (moderate, mainstream Republican) interests in Congress.

So Jo Ellen claims Matheson only represents the Democratic Party? So Mia Love represents Utah or just the Republican Party?

Which of the candidates supports helping those who are lacking? Which of them doesn't regard the hungry as less than worthy of assistance or even citizenship simply because they are currently poor?

If you think that Matheson only represents his party then how can you possibly describe Mia Love as anything but doing THE EXACT SAME?

Talk about hypocrisy!

This is why our political climate is so bad. Folks don't bother to research who or what anybody is about. They take cheap shots like this letter writer, and merely "ignores" the hypocrisy shown by their own party.

We need fewer cheap shots and hypocrites, like Mia Love and Mike Lee (who claimed he was going to help America live within its means when he obviously couldn't). More leaders, like Jim Matheson.

I would love to be able to vote for Jim Matheson again, but the Republican legislature made sure I couldn't. It is not Jim Matheson that is against my interests, it is the Republican legislature. And I am a registered Republican that is disgusted with my party.

Jo Ellen, What is it like to be so self-righteous? Many Utahns are Democrats, including many Mormons. Any allegedly Democratic-leaning politician has an obligation to represent his constituency, and it's too bad if conflicts with your narrow-mided ideology. Climb down off your high horse and try a taste of humility for a change.

Jim Matheson deserves to represent Utah if only because he brings a little bit of balance to the power structure here. Politics is supposed to be about a balance of power, but you would be happier if all of our elected officials were Republicans. I'm sure you vote a straight ticket and feel like you have done your civic duty.

As for the Monument, would you prefer that it had become a strip-mine? That's what Utah's "leaders" would have done with it. Have you been there? It is country worth saving, and thanks to Democrat President, it has been saved. Get over it.

Utah Observer,
“most people in Southern Utah affected by the creation of the new monument have gotten over its formation” I believe they call that the Stockholm Syndrome. Even kidnap victim Patty Hearst picked up a gun in support of the SLA.

And many of you cite Chaffetz not living in his district? Two wrongs make a right?

Cavetroll, Maverick
This is not about Love, but Matheson. Just because dems demand lock-step obedience does not mean the repubs demand lock-step obedience.

@lost in DC

That was quite the rationalization posting, and quite humorous. Thanks for the laugh.