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Author Archives: David
Phony Federalism
photo credit: estherase Gene Healy wrote about what he called Obama’s phony federalism but what he was really talking about was a relatively universal perspective on federalism: Not yet a year into his administration, Obama’s record on 10th Amendment issues … Continue reading
Legislator as Advocate
Many times during campaigns for legislative offices voters and candidates alike portray officeholders as leaders. I think this is a mistake. A more accurate portrayal would be of officeholders as advocates. Their job is one where they speak out for … Continue reading
Legislator as Negotiator
Politics is the art of the possible. So said Otto Von Bismarck in 1867 and he was surely right. One of the challenges for an idealist is that compromise is a necessary and appropriate component of the political process. It … Continue reading
Posted in General
Tagged campaign promises, civic participation, communication, ideal, legislature
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Frying a Red Herring
I wonder if our country would be in better shape if we spent more energy in a war on bad arguments rather than a war on terror (or poverty, or drugs, . . . or prosperity). Just a thought. As … Continue reading
Political Cultures
photo credit: www.charlietphoto.com There are two political cultures that we need to change in order to have a healthy “government of the people, by the people, and for the people” in this country. The first is the culture among the … Continue reading
Posted in culture
Tagged change congress, civic participation, discourse, Elevated, legislation, power
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Eight Ideas for Reform
Kyle Mathews shares eight steps he believes would produce a more functional congress at the League of Ordinary Gentlemen. It is an interesting list including ideas I’ve heard before and a few new ideas. There is also some good discussion … Continue reading
Posted in General
Tagged change congress, civic participation, connections, ideas, thoughts, voting
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Term Limits for All
One year ago today I pointed out that the subject of term limits becomes popular after an election. Like clockwork it came up again this year. Jim DeMint jumped the gun a bit by announcing three weeks ago that he … Continue reading
Posted in culture, National, State
Tagged amendments, civic participation, connections, Jim DeMint, term limits
4 Comments
Hit Them Where it Hurts
[quote]As Congress finds new and ever more inventive ways to spend money (both real money and imaginary money) more and more voters are waking up to find themselves becoming fiscal conservatives. First off, I must say that there are not … Continue reading
You Must Answer These Questions
Jim Matheson voted against the health care bills – that’s old news already. Some Democrats have, with varying degrees of seriousness, questioned whether they should run or nominate someone else for his seat – that’s not really fresh news either. … Continue reading
Posted in State
Tagged civic participation, connections, Deseret News, parties, questions
6 Comments
Why Life Imprisonment is Wrong
photo credit: BlatantNews.com When I read Jay Hutchinson’s post about Why Capital Punishment is wrong I could not sit still without sharing the opposite perspective so that some people can recognize that the issue is not one sided or clear … Continue reading