Dear Senator Bennett,
As an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and as vice chair of the Utah State Democratic Party, and as the father of three potential Mormon Democrats, I am truly taken back by your comments that were printed in the Standard-Examiner article by Andy Howell titled, "Utah Senator: Democrats have forced out moderate Mormons".
I have always looked to you as a man of "reason". My father in-law, Patriarch Devon Doney, has told me that he served with you in the Army, and that he holds you in high regard, as I am sure do a majority of your constituents. Even Congressman Jim Matheson has stated his high regard for you.
With that said, the question I must ask you is this, when did political deceit and baring false images against your fellow Utahns become a part of your nature?
Simply put, your blatant lie is reprehensible and is an insult to the leadership and membership of the Utah Democratic Party, as well as The First Presidency of the LDS Church who purposely changed the wording of this year's neutrality statement to represent this truth, "Principles compatible with the gospel may be found in the platforms of all major political parties..." This statement has brought comfort to so many LDS Democrats who have suffered unjustly at the hand of discrimination not because the have done anything wrong, but due to the fact that their conscience could not, and would not allow them to feel comfortable participating in their constitutional rights as members of the Republican Party.
I would also like to ask if you ever thought about the harm you may have caused to the children of people like myself who are proud Democrats? Can you imagine my children coming home from school after being told by their classmates that their father is "anti Mormon"?
Senator Bennett, in the name of honesty and decency I ask that you revoke your lie and the clear and intentional misrepresentation of the Utah Democratic Party, its leaders, and membership. Only a public apology will suffice and clear you from bearing falsehoods against your neighbor. You have been giving great opportunity to do good in your life; it would be a shame to see you lose your ethical character in the name of fear and in the pursuit of absolute power.
With every best wish,
Rob Miller
Vice Chair, Utah State Democratic Committee
I have always looked to you as a man of "reason". My father in-law, Patriarch Devon Doney, has told me that he served with you in the Army, and that he holds you in high regard, as I am sure do a majority of your constituents. Even Congressman Jim Matheson has stated his high regard for you.
With that said, the question I must ask you is this, when did political deceit and baring false images against your fellow Utahns become a part of your nature?
Simply put, your blatant lie is reprehensible and is an insult to the leadership and membership of the Utah Democratic Party, as well as The First Presidency of the LDS Church who purposely changed the wording of this year's neutrality statement to represent this truth, "Principles compatible with the gospel may be found in the platforms of all major political parties..." This statement has brought comfort to so many LDS Democrats who have suffered unjustly at the hand of discrimination not because the have done anything wrong, but due to the fact that their conscience could not, and would not allow them to feel comfortable participating in their constitutional rights as members of the Republican Party.
I would also like to ask if you ever thought about the harm you may have caused to the children of people like myself who are proud Democrats? Can you imagine my children coming home from school after being told by their classmates that their father is "anti Mormon"?
Senator Bennett, in the name of honesty and decency I ask that you revoke your lie and the clear and intentional misrepresentation of the Utah Democratic Party, its leaders, and membership. Only a public apology will suffice and clear you from bearing falsehoods against your neighbor. You have been giving great opportunity to do good in your life; it would be a shame to see you lose your ethical character in the name of fear and in the pursuit of absolute power.
With every best wish,
Rob Miller
Vice Chair, Utah State Democratic Committee
5 comments:
Thank you Rob!
Just when I think we're getting closer to making progress in the "you can't be a good Mormon AND a Democrat game" we get hefty doses of this rhetoric from respected members from the other side of the political spectrum.
Yesterday while I was at the county fair, a woman passed by the Iron County Democrats booth, picked up my platform brochure, read it all the way through and then said "well, everything looks about perfect except for the fact that you're a democrat."
AAAAGGGGH! Nothing drives me more crazy. I think I convinced this dear woman to vote for me anyway, and I'm sure she will do so even though she feels it to be a great a sacrifice. (her words, not mine)
This morning as I was driving around to the different buildings in my LDS stake to deliver Stake Choir Practice flyers, I was thinking about this woman and contrasting it to an experience I had over 20 years ago.
Before I met my husband, I dated a young man who was not a member of the LDS church. He thought I was the coolest thing since sliced bread, and really wanted to marry me. But there was one thing holding him back. He told me that I was "perfect in every way" except for ONE thing... I would be PERFECT if weren't a MORMON. I even attended his Baptist Born Again church a few times and was called to repentance from the pulpit by his pastor, who told me, from the pulpit and in front of the entire congregation, that I was the member of a cult and that it was his personal responsibility to save me from the evil Mormon church.
Back then, I wasn't especially politically active, but I am certain had I chosen to be a democrat, my boyfriend, his pastor, and his entire congregation would have had one more thing to preach about, against me.
Soon thereafter, I decided that a mixed-religion family wasn't for me. I am grateful that I met Mark Hollingshead and we are raising our 2 kids together in the LDS church. We also are active members of the Utah Democratic Party.
However, once again it appears that I am on the *wrong* side of things, as far as some people in my church and my community are concerned. I'm grateful that membership in a political party doesnt' determine my eternal salvation, but for some people being a Democrat makes me "less than perfect." I'm sticking to my guns, however. As I did with my religion, I'm staying put within the Democratic party. I don't care if that is a strike against me in my quest for the Utah Senate, because anybody who reads my platform will know that we all want the same thing, that it doesn't matter what political party we belong to, because everyone just wants good elected officials who will always do the *right* thing, not the politically expedient thing.
Rob, keep talking about it and keep that voice loud and clear. LDS and Democrat is *not* an oxymoron.
Best,
Emily
Rob,
Thanks for calling Bennnet to task. He should be ashamed of himself. I'm not even a Mormon and I took offense to his statement.
You are a brave and honest man.
Thanks.
What gives the infamous Senators the right to belittle the people they are susposed to represent? Those two are susposed to represent all the people of the state, Democrat or Republician. I guess they think that they can call those of us who don't agree with them down the line anything they want. If they are calling their opponents names openly what do you think they are saying about those who voted for them behind closed doors? Why should Democrats be moderate when the Repubicans(not a misspell) are such a bunch of control freaks and facists?
I am ashamed by the conduct and verbal abuse the Senators of this state have for the people of this state. These men have proven themselves to be of little moral fiber and less smarts than we have given them credit for. Hatch is in the pocket of the drug companies, and who knows whose pocket Bennett is in, but you can bet it is not anyone in this state. Both have sold out to the highest bidder and could give a big rats ass about the state in general. I am not sure God will forgive me for ever voting for either one of these pompus gas bags. Know this for sure they will NEVER get my vote again.
Here are some LDS Democrats that are/were on this year's ballot:
Steve Olsen for Congress - Current Bishop in the LDS Church
Pat Jones for State Senate - has been in the Stake Relief Society presidency and Young Women's President.
Debbie Hansen for Weber County Recorder/Surveyor - currently serving as the Relief Society President of the Eccles Park Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ogden, Utah. In the past, I also served as the Young Women's President in the same ward.
Elizabeth Rice McDonald for State House - teaches Relief Society and a temple worker at the Mt. Timp Temple.
Larry Daniel for State House - has been 2nd Counselor in a Branch Presidency, 1st Counselor in the Elder's Quorum, Young Men's President, Scout Master
Assistant Scout Master, Varsity Leader and Primary Worker
Trisha Beck for State Senate - Relief and Sunday School Teacher, Girls Camp Director, Primary Teacher, young Women Counselor. Word on Pioneer Trek.
Stuart Howell for State House - has been a Bishop and High Councilman in the LDS church and called to numerous other "church" positions.
Lisa Johnson for State House - Primary presidency & teacher, Gospel Doctrine teacher, YW Advisor, Pianist, Music Coordinator, Compassionate Service, etc..
Retireing Senator Karen Hale – advisor to 16 year old women in the Laurels
Told that Brent Goodfellow and Neal Hendrickson have both been bishops.
Early recruit for Congress was Bob Roberts, a return mission president.
CD03 candidate Christian Burridge is a Sunday School Teacher (LDS)
Kelly Ann Booth, Karen Morgan, Lou Shurtliff and Brad King are all active and likely would have church positions.
Carol Spackman Moss for State House - Relief Society teacher
Stuart Reid for State Senate -served as a bishop twice--once in SLC and presently in Ogden. Also served as a LDS Chaplain in the US
Army. Additionally, worked as the manager over government relations for the Public Affairs Department.
Ken Peay for State House - currently serving in the Stake Young Men's Presidency in the LDS church. Just prior to that as a Stake High Councilman.
Norm Springer for State House - LDS Bishop a few years ago.
Paulo Diquattro for State Senate - Young Adult Representative for West Berlin Germany. Served as a Missionary in Oakland California. Was a clerk or assistant cleark in three seperate bishoprics in three different cities in Salt Lake County. Was a Ward Family History Counsultant, Sunday School teacher and President. Cub Scout Leader. Currently a Ward Employment Specialist and Fun Adult Leader.
Chuck McDowell for State House -returned Mormon missionary.
Neil Hansen for State House - has been in few leadership roles for the church of Jesus Chirist of Latter Day Saints including Bishop, high priest group leader, stake mission presidency, Stake high councilor, bishopric 2nd councilor.
Joel Briscoe for State House – a primary teacher, a Sunday School teacher, a Gospel Doctrine teacher, a member of a ward Sunday School Presidency, an Elder's Quorum instructor, an Elder's Quorum President, an Executive Secretary in a Bishopric, a ward clerk, a 1st Assistant in a ward High Priest Group leadership, a counselor in the Stake Mission Presidency, and currently a member of the Salt Lake Central Stake High Council.
George Mortimer for State House – bishop (twice) and stake president (once).
Post a Comment