Politics in Utah

Here are my thoughts:
Politics in Utah

What does that really mean? The Republican Party? Family Values? Nothing being done? Since when did the Republican Party become God’s party? I am no democrat, but I also wonder why we put up with corruption, mismanagement, and lies and call it God’s party. Who are we really kidding? Since when did big business care about the little guy? The top 1% of the nation has better tax breaks than the middle class. Why do we allow this? No child left behind, while a great idea is as unfamily friendly as could be. Instead of holding parents and families responsible we are holding educators responsible. Certainly it is their duty to teach in the best possible manner but how can this be with large classes and when many of the best and brightest seek other professions. Yet in the name of the Republican party here in Utah it is okay. So the legislature throws teachers a small bone raising a paltry salary while not lowering class sizes. But of course I hear ads saying the republican party cares about families. So for the past decade when Utah had among the highest class sizes and lowest teacher pay what were they doing? They had no reason to do anything because they would win the election not because of who they were but because they were a republican. Never mind if they were more worried about bringing a gun on a campus than what condition our schools were in. And then the president mandates NCLB and doesn’t fund it, and this is supposed to help our kids? Sorry I am no buying it, I am tired of no one doing anything but winning anyway because they are republican. I am tired of people thinking that if someone is a democrat they must not be a good member, because like it or not you know some people believe it.

The war is defended and while I for one think the world is a better place with Saddam gone, we jumped in carelessly and have proceeded to mismanage and bungle the situation. But its okay cause Bush is a republican and we want to help these people. Sure I understand the latter point, I am still enraged that our government did nothing about Rwanda, and yes I do believe that because we are well off in this country we should help others out; that is if they want our help and if what we are doing is really helping. I am not saying some people haven’t benefited in Iraq, I know they have. However, are we giving the help that the region needs; guns and war never bring peace. As far as Bush goes I am not going to say he is the devil like some, I admire the fact that he has stuck to his principles; one thing on that though, if what you are doing isn’t working then is that just being stubborn or bull-headed at the cost of lives. My biggest criticism of Bush is that he has not brought our country together. His dad did in Desert Storm. I know you can argue that war was different, but even the most conservative person will admit that Bush has done a pretty lousy job inspiring this country and uniting us. That being said despite all the dislike of Bush, John Kerry was such a poor candidate that even as unpopular as Bush was he couldn’t beat him. Rich politicians that are fake like Kerry are everything wrong with the process. Lifetime politicians who live off their namesake like Bush are everything wrong with the process. It is time for change.

I was born in a conservative family, my father was ultra conservative about as far to the right as you could be. I am an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, which last time I checked did not back any candidate or party. I know the perceptions of republicans and democrats in this state. Yet when I talk to people they always say I vote for the person not the party. Do you really? Think about that for a minute. How many of the candidates do you really know about? Or do you just look at the party on the ballot? When I first voted the people at the election(local school) all knew my dad, he had always been politically active when they gave me the ballot one of them asked if I just wanted to vote a straight party ticket? I was taken back by that notion, that I would not vote for the person, but the party. I understand they were basing their comment on my dad. But even he told me when Nancy Workman was running that he had worked with her and didn’t like her and that he knew too many people that worked under her that did not like her either, so just because she was a republican she would not get his vote. Kind of telling, what with the scandals and abuse of power that led to her ultimate demise.

We are at time when voting for the person matters more than ever, we shouldn’t elect someone based on party. I think most of us would agree that when we think of politicians we think of the winks and nods for favors and slimy stereotypes. What happened to the Mr. Smiths? I want a president I am proud of; one that can get a point across, one that can inspire, one that can unite. I believe that person is Barack Obama. And yes he is a democrat, but I truly do vote on the person. I have read his book Dreams of My Father and have come to understand him. He is one of us, he was born of biracial parents, but has father left his mother to raise him at an early age. He was not born into privilege, he had to work for everything he earned. He went to Harvard, not because of his parents bank account, but because he worked his butt off to get his schooling paid for. He is not a lifetime politician with a sordid political record. He is young and new, the first fresh breath of air I can ever remember in politics. For while my dad was always heavily involved I disliked the divisiveness of politics, the partisanship, the slimy fake feel I got when I was around them. I don’t feel that way about Obama, he is the first candidate that has ever inspired me. He has spoken out about the problem with partisanship and the problem this country is facing because we are not united. He is a leader, he will unite and unify, he got me, who has felt apathetic about politics for so long to believe that something can be done. I encourage you to consider Obama for the next election, this country needs a leader that will bring us together, we need a leader that is not a lifetime politician born with a silver spoon in their mouth. We need someone who represents us and that is Obama. Feel free to visit his site www.barackobama.com . Hear him speak, read about him, get to know him. I am confident you will like him, I wouldn’t have sent this I didn’t feel that way. It is time for change, so don’t look just at the party, look at the person. I think you’ll see the person you can envision leading this country, I know I have.