Jean Welch Hill's New Campaign Office is located at...

The Historic Walker Mansion
(Across the street from the Governor's Mansion)
610 East South Temple
Suite 40
Salt Lake City, Utah 84111
801-548-8579

When McCain Attacks

Tom and Ryan's Last Show on KVNU's For The People...

Is happening RIGHT NOW!

CLICK HERE to visit, KVNU's For The People

16 years ago today....

I love you Miss lily

CBS NEWS: Payday Lending

Ohio State Representative Chris Widener (R) discusses the problematic nature of payday lending and what his government is doing to help eliminate the ensuing cycle of debt.

Check Out Richard Watson's Website, "Moving Forward"

"Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other."

John F. Kennedy

WHAT IF ...

A viewpoint for change

What if Davis County had an Economic Development plan that makes sense? Today, we hear local politicians put the cart before the horse as they promise to relocate companies to our local cities. Believe it or not, tax incentives are not what attract businesses to relocate. Simply put, most local governments around the country offer incentives for businesses to relocate. And businesses know they can negotiate with a municipality no matter where they relocate. Then what is it that draws a business to move?

Planning for economic development is similar to a puzzle with many pieces. And one key reason a company will relocate to a certain area is the quality and welcoming atmosphere of local public schools. Not only does a company want the best public school system for their employees, great public schools also produce a potential, future workforce. Employers value the importance of public education.

Indeed, we are proud of what our public schools accomplish for what little funding they receive. But instead of having good public schools… What If Utah had the best public schools in the nation? It is a goal we can attain if we adopt a few changes in policy that reflect the principles of educating our children today and for future generations.

What if…

• Teachers, parents and students work together towards educational success.
• Schools had smaller classrooms to concentrate more on the potential of individual students.
• The core curriculum base better prepared students for post-high school education.
• Improved assessments measured the quality of teachers and students.
• Improved community involvement resulted in more local control.
• Public Schools implement changes that make sense for Utah.
• The public had more accountability and more educational options within public schools.
• Compensation plans are improved to retain existing teachers and to attract new teachers.
• Students are provided with equal opportunities throughout Utah.

(Source: Utahns For Public Schools and Utah Foundation report on low per-pupil funding in Utah 5/29/08)

Moving Forward …with Better Public Schools

Richard's Site...

Thad from Woods Cross Citizen recently went to lunch with Richard. You can read about it on Thad's post titled, "I had lunch with a Democrat!"

Enjoy!

From Best Friends: Petition to Urge the Obama Family to Adopt Their New Dog

To: Sen. Obama and family

If Sen. Barack Obama becomes president, he’ll instantly be faced with decisions that will affect millions of Americans. Senator Obama will also soon be making a decision that could affect millions of American dogs. It has been reported that once the election is over, win or lose, the Obamas will be looking for a new four-legged family member (much to his daughters’ delight).

We, the undersigned, urge the Obama family to rescue a homeless dog. Whether they choose to adopt a purebred or a mutt, this action would undoubtedly cause a ripple effect to the benefit of all homeless animals. In a country where millions of dogs are killed each year in shelters, adopting a dog that would not otherwise have a future is a winning choice. Taking a stand by choosing to save a life would set an example of the highest standard.

Sign the petition...

Davis County Clipper: Did Obama’s world tour change the race?

Party Lines - Did Obama’s world tour change the race?
Clipper 29.JUL.08
By Rob Miller, Utah Democratic Vice Chair

Future President Barack Obama’s “World Tour” has not only been worthwhile, it has helped present a new direction for both America and our allies. Unilateralism has been relegated to the dust bin of history and Obama had the opportunity to offer a vision of a future built on cooperation that recognizes the reality that we are all part of a global economy with a common interest in tackling extremism, climate change, and nuclear proliferation, just to name a few.

Throughout this tour, Senator Obama has been able to express the values the world remembers America for. By acknowledging that we have sometimes stumbled, the Obama administration has shown its commitment to a path that does not include torture and violations of the Geneva Convention will not be tolerated. Obama does not offer excuses, rather he gives people around the world a chance to remember why they love our great nation.

In the spirit of JFK and Ronald Reagan, Obama was able to articulate our common love for freedom and appreciation for the rule of law essential to liberty; he is thus laying the foundation for a renewal in relations with other countries that have been sorely lacking over the past 7 1/2 years. Simply said, Senator Obama has not only been able to define what “Change” means to Americans, he has been able to define “Change” to the world. His reception in Berlin reaffirms that the world is not only listening, but is also embracing, a movement that will undoubtedly put our country and its allies back on the right track.

Proof that this positive vision is taking hold can be seen in a recent Gallup Poll Daily conducted from July 24-26 that shows that Barack Obama now leads John McCain among national registered voters by a 49 percent to 40 percent margin which makes sense given John McCain’s repeated references to Czechoslovakia — a country that has not existed since 1993, and let’s not forget McCain’s statement that Afghanistan borders Iraq when in fact it does not.

Our country is at a political crossroads and as a Davis County Democrat who became involved in politics due to the current state of affairs caused by one-Party domination locally, and the failed policies of the current national administration, I can whole heartedly say that I am delighted to endorse and sustain Barack Obama’s candidacy.

Although Barack Obama is running on the Democratic ticket it is my opinion that his leadership represents an opportunity for all Americans. His message transcends party affiliation and that’s why I don’t see Barack Obama simply as the “Democratic” candidate, but as our “American” candidate whose message of “Change” will undoubtedly put our nation back on track both locally and abroad.


Party Lines - Did Obama’s world tour change the race?
Clipper 29.JUL.08
by Todd Weiler, Utah Republican Vice Chair

When I heard Donnie Osmond belt out “Puppy Love” in the Conference Center over the weekend, I was reminded of the media’s man-crush on the junior senator from Illinois. When McCain visited the Middle East a few months ago, the media hardly took notice. Yawn. But when Obama’s foot touched ground in Iraq, the news anchors were live on the scene. As though Neil Armstrong had just landed on the moon or something.

Not surprisingly, the Europeans simply adore the most liberal senator in Washington. Especially the French, who have embraced his cut and run strategy for Iraq. After all, no one knows more about surrendering than the French. Let’s face it, if the election was to be held in Europe, McCain wouldn’t stand a chance. (They didn’t like Reagan either.) But back at home, Barack is slipping in the polls — he is in a statistical dead heat with McCain.

Don’t get me wrong. I readily admit that Barack looked good on the road. He attracted a crowd in Berlin that was reminiscent of Kennedy. Americans saw Obama meeting with world leaders, which obviously made him look more presidential. Since many Americans (like me) view Obama as inexperienced, he needs to convince the electorate that he is capable of leading the free world.

So if the trip went “very well” (Barack’s words, not mine), then why is he losing support? Like all rock stars, Obama looks good on a stage. But what happens when the lights go down?

Obama’s ego trip exposed a serious weakness: pride. Take the troop surge in Iraq. Obama voted against it last year. He said it was a big mistake, and would only lead to bigger problems in Iraq. But he was wrong. Anyone with a pulse can see that the surge has worked, and in a big way. So what does Obama say when he visited Iraq? He said if he had it all to do over again he would still vote against the surge. Wow. What kind of president will he be if he cannot admit when he has made a mistake?

Pride and inexperience are not Barack’s only problems. Voters are beginning to realize that Obama is big on rhetoric but little on substance. In other words, he is an empty suit.

And then there’s his politics. As the campaign intensifies over the next couple of months, America is going to realize that Obama is the most liberal candidate ever nominated for president, far more liberal than Kerry or Gore.

They will discover that when Obama says he wants “change”, he means he wants us to become more like the French. And that isn’t going to sit so well with middle America.

Check Out J Dell Holbrook's Website

From J Dell Holbrook's Website:

J.Dell Holbrook is a life long resident of Davis County and is widely recognized for his leadership as a public servant. He is running for the office of Davis County Commissioner in response to the encouragement of a number of bipartisan Davis County residents who are concerned about skyrocketing property taxes. He joins fellow residents in the need to address this issue and other important concerns facing our county.

J.Dell and his wife Jacque have been married for thirty-eight years. They live in West Bountiful and have 5 children and 6 grandchildren.

LEADERSHIP, SERVICE & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Utah Air National Guard - 23 Year Service
Bountiful City Volunteer - Firefighter
Sheriffs Correction Officer
City Administrator - West Bountiful City
Licensed General Contractor
Davis County Commissioner - 1991 -1994
Gubernatorial Appointments - Utah Air Quality Board, Judicial Review Board, Utah Uniform Building Code Commission
South Davis Fire District - Board of Directors Chairman
Local Small Businessman
Davis, Weber, Morgan Counties Safe Schools Council
Avid Fisherman & Hunter
County Council of Governments
President of South Davis Kiwanis Club
Bountiful Community Food Pantry Board 2000 - 2004
Bountiful Community Board Chairman 2001 - 2003

Amicus Afternoon Edition

• McCain Surrogate on Net Neutrality: Just Trust Us.


• Brownback, still crazy.


• Welcome to the "No Rules" Domestic Surveillance Apparatus.


• Common Cause to Congress on Rove Subpeona: Get Serious!


• Senator "Tubes," Down the Tubes.


• E & P Newspaper Review: The 10 That Do It Right.


• Signs the GOP is Worried: Identity Theft and Voter Suppression in VA.


• Charming Patriarchs?


• Greenwald (via Sullivan): Beware Blind, Uncritical Allegiance to One's Party.


• Ron Paul Supporters' Battle Over Delegates Fizzles.

From Jean Welch Hill's Blog: Shurtleff and Education Funding?

I realize it may not be a smart political move to direct people to my opponent's website, but I must say, Mark has one of the saddest posts on his site that I have ever seen.

He has put together a 23 SECOND video on education funding. Anyone who has ever paid even the slightest attention to education funding can tell you there is no possible way to say anything meaningful on the topic in 23 seconds, and Shurtleff's video proves them right.

More...

Everybody loves a parade!

Last Thursday attorney general candidate Jean Welch Hill joined the Weber County and Cache County Democrats to celebrate Utah's Pioneer Day.

I could go on and on about the fantastic participation by our Weber and Cache County Democratic officials and volunteers, but instead I'll just say thank you and let the slide shows on Jean's blog tell you the rest of the story.

Weber County Pioneer Day Parade

Logan City Pioneer Day Parade

I also wanted to thank Janet Lee and her family for donating and transporting their "Giant Obama" parade pal. Your contribution gave us a better presentation and it was a fun to watch the excitement (especially with the children) that your "Giant Obama" brought to the festivities.

Enjoy

Harry Reid=Joe McCarthy?

At least "Tailgunner" Joe had a reason to chase boogey-men during the Cold War. Are there any Democrats questioning why their fearless U.S. Senate leader is focusing so heavily on polygamists when there are plenty of other important issues facing America?

Here is what Old Joe and Old Harry have in common in their witchhunts: some people were/are guilty of crimes...there were commies in the State Department and there is statutory abuse going on in some polygamist communities. Oh yeah, they have this in common as well: both have overstepped their bounds...the State Department wasn't full of commies and polygamist communities aren't full of abusers.

I have a theory about why Democrats are conspicuously silent on Old Harry's witchhunt...and I'll share it with you, if you first tell me why you guys are so quiet about this.

Questions for Obama (and Obama lovers)

Article from syndicated columnist Thomas Sowell:

...As Well As Several Other Issues
By THOMAS SOWELL | Posted Thursday, July 24, 2008 4:30 PM PT

Here are some questions that Katie Couric, Brian Williams and Charles Gibson should be asking Barack Obama as they follow him on his trip:

Q: Before your trip to Iraq, you said that you intend to give the military a "new mission" — all of the combat troops withdrawn within 16 months. Why bother traveling to Iraq and consulting with commanders on the ground, if you've already decided on a new mission?

Q: In 2004, you called it unwise to announce a timetable. By 2008, however, you announce a 16-month timetable. Only a few days ago, your top campaign strategist stated that you were "not wedded" to that timetable. The next day, you reiterated your 16-month timetable, but added it's important not to "undo" our gains. Isn't this confusing?

Q: On Iran, you criticized President Bush for leaving all options on the table up to and including a "military option." And during the campaign season, you criticized Sen. Hillary Clinton for voting to call the Iranian Revolutionary Guard a terror organization. But you later said that, as to Iran, all military options are on the table, and said that you consider the Revolutionary Guard a terror organization. Did the facts change or the politics change?

Q: You announced support for a two-state solution between the Israelis and the Palestinians, with Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel. The next day, you reversed course, leaving the disposition of Jerusalem a matter to be negotiated between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Can you clarify?

Q: You said you would sit down, without preconditions, with leaders like Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran and Kim Jong Il of North Korea. You later agreed to hold such talks only under prearranged conditions. You further stated that such talks would occur only when and if you choose to hold them. Again, please clarify.

Q: You point to Kennedy's 1961 summit with Khrushchev, held without preconditions. But Kennedy's secretary of state, Dean Rusk, advised against the meeting, and Kennedy later declared the talks a disaster. Many historians say that Khrushchev sized up Kennedy as a novice, which em-boldened Khrushchev in building the Berlin Wall and in putting missiles in Cuba. Is it wise to hold up the Kennedy/Khrushchev summit as a model?

Q: The Canadians recently agreed to accept 550 tons of yellowcake from Iraq. The Associated Press called it the remaining portion of Saddam Hussein's "nuclear program." David Kay, the weapons hunter, found no stockpiles of WMD, but maintained that Saddam Hussein possessed the intent and capacity to restart his chemical and biological program following the lifting of sanctions. Was President Bush, therefore, correct in saying that Saddam posed a "grave and gathering threat"?

Q: Before you joined the Senate, you said that you opposed this war. But you later said that you understood how and why your Senate colleagues voted for the war, that they were "privy" to national security information you did not have. You also said the vote must have been "difficult." Your nomination opponents Christopher Dodd, Joe Biden, John Edwards and Clinton — all in the Senate at the time — voted for the war. How can you be so certain that had you been in the Senate, you would have voted against the war?

Q: Some argue that if the United States does not attack Iran before they get a nuclear weapon, Israel will. Do you believe this is true? If so, what will the U.S. do, especially since many will blame the U.S. anyway?

Q: In stating your intention to end the Iraq War, you say it costs $10 billion per month. But you, as does John McCain, intend to leave a "residual force." Can you give us the size of that force, and provide a cost estimate?

Q: Since the surge, 15 of the 18 benchmarks have been met. The Sunnis, who boycotted Parliament, have now rejoined it. Polls show Iraqis more optimistic about their country's future than Americans are about ours. At the provincial level, oil revenues are being shared, and Iraq's oil production is at a postwar high. But for the surge, wouldn't things in Iraq now be substantially worse?

Q: You opposed the Iraq War and the surge. If you had gotten your way, wouldn't Nouri al-Maliki and other members of the Iraqi government, with whom you have met, be in exile, in jail or dead?

Q: New York Times reporter John Burns estimates that under Saddam Hussein — through war and terror — up to a million Iraqis may have died. Is the world better off without Saddam Hussein?

Q: We have not been hit on American soil in the seven years since 9/11. In the last five years, no major American facility in the entire world has sustained a terror attack. Does President Bush deserve any credit for this?

Q: Estimates for the monetary cost of 9/11 range from $600 billion to $1 trillion. Is it not possible, just possible, that Bush's actions — including beefing up Homeland Security, the Patriot Act, increased surveillance, and especially the war in Iraq — have prevented another 9/11?

Copyright 2008 Creators Syndicate, Inc

Teachers and pay for performance

Click on title for link

Amicus Afternoon Edition

• Poll: 63% of Americans aren't buying the McCain/Bush (Hatch, Bennet, Bishop) Drilling Hype.


• Crandall Canyon Report Complete: Poor Design, Inadequate Oversight.


• 150 Candidates Have Signed on to Recapture the Flag. Have you?
• Testing the "Anti-Dust" Solution.


• Campaign 2008: The Reverse Nader Effect.


• Read the Administration's Proposal for Relaxing Workplace Toxin Rules.


• Glenn Beck is Still an Idiot.


• Logan City Extends Solar Power Program.


• The 11 1/2 Biggest Ideas of the Year.

Barack Obama in Utah Photo Op

That's right folks, future President Barack Obama is now available to you at Utah Democratic Headquarters for your own personal photo opportunity at 455 South 300 East, Suite 301 in Salt Lake City. Lawn signs for Barack Obama are also available as are signs for many of our local candidates like attorney general candidate Jean Welch Hill.

Come on by and have a wonderful 24th of July!

Morgan Bowen Responds to Rob Bishop's Energy Solutions Ties

Morgan Bowen responds to Rob Bishop's acceptance of over $28,000 in campaign contributions from Energy Solutions this election season, via YouTube.



Help Morgan keep foreign nuclear waste out of Utah.

Rob Bishop isn't alone

My apologizes for not posting for awhile but a friend sent me this photo and I just needed to share.

Keep it in the family

Hiring of senator's son drawing fire
Kane development post funded by state money
By Bob Bernick Jr.
Deseret News
Published: July 23, 2008

Kanab economic development officials say everything was above board in their hiring of a state senator's son for an $80,000 a year job after the Legislature funded the position.

Kelly Stowell, son of Sen. Dennis Stowell, R-Parowan, was hired last week as a special consultant/executive director for southwestern Utah's Center for Education, Business and the Arts, located in Kanab. Sen. Stowell represents Kanab and surrounding counties and supported the funding for CEBA.

In addition to his base salary, Kelly Stowell can earn another $20,000 if certain goals are met over the next year, said Christina Schultz, chairwoman of CEBA.

A number of state senators received an e-mail Tuesday complaining about Kelly Stowell's hiring. A July 14 story in The Spectrum, a St. George newspaper, has on its Web site a posted comment that makes the same allegations as the e-mail: that Kelly Stowell is unqualified for the position and that Sen. Stowell helped get CEBA a $125,000 grant funded by the 2008 Legislature that provided the money to hire a new consultant/executive director.

MORE...

Amicus Morning Edition - Nasty and Thoughtless

• Someone cover Scott's sensitive ears, it's getting Nasty and Thoughtless as Rob Bishop gets owned.


• Prosecutors Subpoena KSL Interviews with Greg Curtis, Walker, and Ellis.


• McCain Op-Ed Rejected for Lack of Content.


• What Would an Election Year Be Without a Neo-Con Fear Campaign.


• Young Republicans Feeling Left Out of the Grand Old Party.


• A Short History of Fannie May.


• On the Campaign Trail: The Carbon County Greek Festival.


• Glenn Beck, Stooge for Big Oil.


• Oil Prices = Record Second Quarter for Halliburton.


• Taking a look at Red and Blue State Polarization.

A Beautiful Place

Speed up the slide show, just a bit, and enjoy A Beautiful Place by Good Charlotte.

Have Fun!

Amicus Candidate Spotlight

Bob Springmeyer

• Website: www.bobforgov.org
• On YouTube:
• On ActBlue:

"I am running for Governor because I know that Utah can and must do better. This is a great state. But it must be an even greater state."

• I am not satisfied that more than 400,000 people in Utah, including 135,000 children, have no health insurance and many more families are struggling to keep up with rising insurance costs.
• I am not satisfied that one third of Salt Lake School District students and almost half of Ogden students, and far too many of our Hispanic students end up dropping out. Pretty great is just not good enough anymore!
• I am not satisfied that Utah wages, as a percentage of national averages, have been falling steeply since the early 1980's under Republican Administrations - 80 percent of Utah workers have suffered real wage losses since 1979.
• I am not satisfied that when my 87 year old mother tries to call State Government she can't get a real human - just a complicated stream of clicks, beeps and frustration.
• Middle class families are been squeezed by higher health care, energy and tuition costs. The only thing that is absolutely certain is that we cannot wait to act - We Must Do Better.

Amicus Candidate Spotlight

Bennion Spencer

• Website: bennionspencerforcongress
• Blog: bennionspencerforcongress.blogspot.com
• On YouTube.
• On ActBlue.

Americans deserve the opportunity to realize their dreams by working hard and building a better life for their families. In America today we face unprecedented economic challenges. Middle class families are working harder than ever and receiving less. Foreclosures and fuel prices are skyrocketing. A strong middle class is more essential than ever before to America's prosperity. I am running for Congress because restoring fiscal responsibility in Washington and rewarding America's workers requires experience and strong leadership.

Saw it!

SUPERB!

Jib Jab: Time for Some Campaignin'

Send a JibJab Sendables® eCard Today!

McCain Rhetoric vs. Reality on Taxes

MCCAIN RHETORIC: Obama Will Enact the Largest Tax Increase Since World War II. “No matter which of us wins in November, there will be change in Washington. The question is what kind of change? Will we enact the single largest tax increase since the Second World War as my opponent proposes, or will we keep taxes low for families and employers? This election offers Americans a very distinct choice about what kind of change we will have. This is especially true for the small business community.” [McCain speech to the NFIB, 6/10/08]

THE FACTS: Barack Obama is actually proposing a middle class tax cut. John McCain will provide nearly $2 Trillion in corporate tax cuts (paid for how?) and will make permanent the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy. Ordinary Americans will only see a small fraction of the tax cuts John McCain is providing.

Fact: Barack Obama is the Only Candidate to Propose Cutting the Capital Gains Tax Rate to Zero for Start Ups and Small Businesses

Fact: Barack Obama is the Only Candidate to Propose Tax Relief for Low and Middle Income Seniors

Fact: Less than 2 Percent of Small Businesses Would be Affected by Rolling Back the Bush Tax Cuts on the Wealthy

Fact: McCain’s Tax Plan is More Regressive than the Bush Tax Cuts; Nearly 60 Percent of the Benefits Go to the Top One Percent.

Fact: McCain's Health care plan would burden small business and make it harder for Americans to get health insurance.

Fact: McCain Supports the Bush Tax Cuts that He Once Said were “Too Tilted to the Wealthy,” and “Go to the Most Fortunate Among Us, At The Expense of Middle-Class.”

UPDATE with source link.

FUNdraiser Friday night for Obama!

Friday night is the fundraiser for Barack Obama at Brian's Warehouse. We need to get this man in office so please come to have fun and contribute to the campaign and Utah efforts! Ten dollars is all we ask, but we'll take more. :)

Please RSVP online: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/fundraising/4472c

Local candidates will be there too. Meet Bob Springmeyer, Luz Robles, David Litvak and Christine Jones. Save a few bucks for this crew too. We need to support our local officials.

Best Regards,
Nikki Norton
Co-Chair, Utah for Obama

Amicus Candidate Spotlight

Morgan Bowen

• Website: www.bowenforcongress.com


• Blog: Morgan's Blog


• On YouTube.


• On ActBlue.

When Ronald Reagan became President in 1980 he campaigned on the theme: "Are you better off now than you where 4 years ago?" With today's skyrocketing food and fuel prices we might rephrase that statement by saying: "Are you better off today than you were yesterday?" Today, more than ever, we need to take action to ensure a prosperous future for America.

My opponent recently said, "Sometimes inaction is the best thing." Under today's conditions this type of attitude is fundamentally flawed. We must take action now to achieve Energy Independence, Eliminate the National Debt, and build our Economy.

Davis County Clipper: What is behind Walker investigation

What is behind the Walker investigation?
Clipper 15.JUL.08
Rob Miller, Utah Democratic Vice Chair

The Walker investigation is the tip of the iceberg. For 30 years, Utah has been a one-party state. The Republicans have used their growing majorities to draw district lines to create as many safe GOP seats as possible and reduce areas where Democrats could be competitive. With total party dominance and guaranteed job security, the far right wing of the GOP has felt emboldened to impose its ideological will on Utahns whether they agree or not — and too many legislators have succumbed to the notion that power equals entitlement.

If you chair a committee that controls the flow of bills, why not put the arm on lobbyists and tell them that they’d better contribute money to your special project if they want their bills to see the light of day? After all, if you can’t use power to throw your weight around, what use is it?

The story of Rep. Walker’s $55,000 salary increase proposal to Richard Ellis if Ellis would drop out of the treasurer’s race is a classic example of power’s hubris-inducing dangers. According to Ellis, Walker told him that his (Walker’s) good friend “has assured me we can make this happen” and that it could be done in stages and covertly so that no one would know about it. Ellis blew the whistle and asked for an investigation. When the Lieutenant Governor declined to act, some legislators stepped forward and called for an ethics hearing.

Clearly, this was an instance where the corruptive use of power spilled into the media in a very public way, and what makes this episode unusual is that Walker had talked with so many people about his clever idea to eliminate an opponent that there were too many people in the know to cover it up, and there was also a paper trail of corroborative e-mail messages.

It’s fair to say that too many years of single-party rule have bred a culture of corruption, where powerful legislators feel they can do anything they wish. What’s really going on when a powerful legislator asks a lobbyist to make a campaign contribution to the legislator’s good friend? The rule says, “members of the House shall not use their official; position to secure privileges for themselves or others.” When that lobbyist has a bill in front of the Legislature that’s important to his employer, what’s the lobbyist going to do? Of course. Ask how much is wanted and write the check. This goes on all the time. It’s how pro-voucher legislators financed a pro-voucher political issue committee in 2007 to tell voters to pass the voucher bill.

Why do we, the voters, put up with this kind of unethical strong-arming? Because the perps like to keep it secret. Who, after all, will blow the whistle? The lobbyists who always need legislators’ votes? Not likely. Thank goodness, in the Walker case, five courageous legislators, three Democrats and two Republicans said, “if not us, who; and if not now, when?”

Walker had made many public statements denying any wrongdoing, but when it came time to deny it under oath and in response to several witnesses who had heard him speak candidly, he didn’t want to defend himself — and he didn’t want to answer questions about which other legislator — most likely in the GOP leadership — had said “we can make it happen.”

I’m a Democrat in Davis County, and we work hard to find qualified candidates who’ll uphold the public trust. The best antidote against legislative corruption is the check and balance of a strong, competitive two-party system. We used to have that in Utah, and government worked better for it.

What is behind the Walker investigation?
Clipper 15.JUL.08
By Todd Weiler, Utah Republican Vice Chair

It is easy to make a snap judgment when you just read about something or someone in the newspaper. “That guy is guilty. He ought to go to jail.” Or, “I think that guy is lying. I don’t believe a word he says.” That used to me. I was that guy. But my perspective has changed. The more involved I have become in politics, the more people I have met. As a result, I know just about all of the key players involved with the Mark Walker investigation.

Mark Walker and Richard Ellis are both great guys: friendly, personable and competent. As a Republican, I was proud to have them both on the ballot because the way I figured it, we would be in good hands no matter who won.

Then everything changed. In late May, Ellis claimed that Walker had offered him an illegal bribe in March, in the form of a job with a big pay raise, to drop out of the race.

Walker denied the allegation, and explained that he only intended to dispel the notion that he wouldn’t fire anyone in the Treasurer’s office if he was elected.

Ellis filed a complaint, and then a lawsuit. On June 24, he won the primary election in a landslide.

Walker resigned from his job during the campaign, lost the election, and now has resigned his seat in the Legislature.

Since Walker is the subject of a criminal investigation, there is no way his attorney was going to allow him to testify before the ethics committee. I don’t blame him for resigning his seat to avoid the hearing. Regardless of his guilt or innocence, he would have been foolish to ignore the advice of his counsel.

As strange as it may sound, much of this controversy is tied to vouchers. The anti-voucher crowd was backing Ellis.

The pro-voucher crowd was backing Walker. Even though the state treasurer has little or nothing to do with vouchers, the battle lines had been drawn.

This all stems back to the referendum on vouchers. When vouchers were defeated last November, the anti-voucher advocates were emboldened. They believed that they had finally shown that the “emperor had no clothes”. In their minds, it was proof that the conservatives in the Legislature had lost touch with the electorate.

This same anti-voucher crowd is now suing the state over the education omnibus bill that was passed earlier this year.

Since they successfully overturned vouchers last year, they decided to take a shot at overturning the omnibus bill this go round.

All of these battles have exposed a deep and bitter divide within the Utah legislature.

Although I cannot predict what will result from the Walker investigation, I am quite certain that this political war is far from over.

Amicus Candidate Spotlight

Jean Welch Hill

• Website: www.jeanwelchhill.com


• Blog: Justice For All


• On YouTube.


• On ActBlue.

I believe the attorney general is a watchdog, protecting the public interest and ensuring the highest ethical standards throughout state government.

As attorney general, I will advocate for stronger ethics legislation. For the past nine years, I have prosecuted educators who have violated the ethical standards of their profession, preventing those who fail to meet the standards from teaching in this or any other state. I will bring this experience to the role of attorney general to ensure public officials fulfill the ethical duties of their offices.

Amicus Morning Edition

In Search of the Perfect Energy Bill.

Bloggers on Obama/McCain La Raza speeches.

Setting the Record Straight on Jesse Helms. (Sorry Paul)

A Democrat, a Republican, and an Independent walk into a bar...

The SideTrack's JasonThe (someone I often refer to as "me") on the airwaves.

Nature can be surreal.

Experience McCain's Economic Scientology.

Jean Welch Hill on Neglecting Education.

Got Experience?

House Minority Leader Brad King with Attorney General Candidate Jean Welch Hill at the Carbon County Greek Festival

Amicus Afternoon Edition

• President for Hire. (This is really becoming a running GOP theme, no?)


• Utah's Capitol Infused with GOP Feud.

  The House is on fire, and Republican factions are busy dousing each other in gasoline



• Fox News, fair and balanced.


• The Bush/McCain Gimmick.


• Do Americans Really Want a Less Partisan Government? No.


• Nikki won a t-shirt.


• McCain Knows What a Computer Is... Sort of.


• Embedded Journalist Censored.


• Huntsman, miffed.


• Objections to Largest Immigration Raid in History.

Uncle Don Miller says, "Hold your horses Steveu"

Hold your horses Steveu, see (http://steveu.com/blog) performance pay update) the jury is still out on the benefits of performance pay for teachers. Consequently, the Utah Foundation, didn't have "actual data" to conclude "that funding increases for public education don't produce improvement unless those increases are tied to performance pay incentives," as Steveu's researcher asserts. Oh, those pesky details

In the interest of full disclosure, I unsuccessfully ran against Rep. Urquhart in 2006. Starting as an outsider with virtually no name recognition and little money, while also contending with the fact that only 7 percent of the voters in Washington County are registered Democrats, I only garnered about 23 percent of the vote.

Pesky Utah Foundation details

Nevertheless, hold your horses Steveu, while the Utah Foundation reported that "Educational researchers generally find greater promise in alternative salary schedules that incorporate student achievement or demonstrable teaching skills into the determination of salary, . . . " But the Foundation also continued: "Such innovative salary systems are relatively new and utilized by relatively few states and districts, and the research on their effect on student achievement is therefore limited."

And the Foundation reported that study results suggest that states and districts should be implementing pilot programs, but that the current research cannot even begin to prescribe how the salary systems should be designed.

This is a far cry from providing actual data to conclude that funding increases for public education don’t produce improvement, unless those increases are tied to performance pay incentives for teachers as asserted.

Moreover, the Foundation's report segment headed Does Money Matter points out: "All researchers acknowledge that additional funding could make a difference."

The Foundation's report continues by noting that the existing research “shows clearly that . . . holding school district characteristics constant, a higher level of student performance requires higher spending per pupil.”

Again, the Utah Foundation didn't conclude that funding increases for public education don’t produce improvement unless those increases are tied to performance pay incentives. Why? Because the jury is still out on the benefits of performance pay for teachers. On the other hand, according to the Utah Foundation: "All researchers acknowledge that additional funding could make a difference."

Oh, those pesky details.

Don L. Miller

Salt Lake City, Idaho

Another comforting sign of East Coast geographical awareness of anything west of the Mississippi. Yogi Berra and Samuel Goldwyn would be proud.

Say what? NYC mayor often mangles his words
By SARA KUGLER | Associated Press Writer
July 11, 2008

NEW YORK - When Mayor Michael Bloomberg called in to his weekly radio show Friday from a media conference out West, he could hardly contain his excitement as he described the beautiful mountains and weather out in "Salt Lake City, Idaho."

The problem, of course, is that there is no such place. Bloomberg was in Sun Valley, Idaho - and Salt Lake City is 300 miles away and in a different state.

One might blame the high altitude for fuzzing Bloomberg's brain, but his tongue trip in the mountains was not an isolated incident. It was just the latest on a long list of mayoral malapropisms that the Harvard-educated billionaire has coughed up during his six years in office, tormenting his staff and entertaining various observers and the City Hall press corps.

Just last month, rock star Jon Bon Jovi gently ribbed Bloomberg during a news conference after the mayor recalled a famous concert in Central Park as being performed by the duo "Simon and Garfinkle," butchering Art Garfunkel's name.

"Did I say that?" Bloomberg asked.

"Yes, you did," Bon Jovi said, laughing.

What else has he said?

He's been known to introduce former Yankee manager Joe Torre as "Joe Torres."

He once described Randall's Island in the East River near Manhattan as "Randolph Island."

He claims to have a piece of artwork hanging in his home that depicts two "flamingo dancers" _ referring, one would assume, to the flamenco musical genre and not the flamboyant bird known for its agility.

When he recuses himself from decisions about city business that might present a conflict of interest with his personal company, he says he has decided to "recluse" himself.

And when he's trying to recall the name of another elected official, he often just takes a wild stab.

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa are among his victims _ Nickels once became "Nettles," and Villaraigosa's name has been transformed into various creative combinations.

New York City Councilwoman Letitia James, who goes by "Tish," is always greeted by the mayor as "Trish."

"He never gets it right," said James. "But he can call me whatever he wants as long as he provides resources to my district and addresses the needs of my constituents."

Bloomberg's aides usually just exchange knowing glances after one of their boss's public bungles, or if it's particularly embarrassing, they bend over their BlackBerries and pretend not to have noticed.

Sometimes, the mayor's way with words has ended up being part of the story of the day.

In 2004, Bloomberg put on a cowboy hat and gathered some country music stars at City Hall to announce that the Country Music Association awards would be held in the unlikely location of Manhattan the following year, the first time the show had not been in Nashville in its nearly 40-year history.

But when Bloomberg referred to Shania Twain as "SHA-na-ga Twain" and Tim McGraw as "Tom McGraw," he became an automatic example for anyone looking to paint the big city as unfamiliar with the country music industry.

Bloomberg's spokesman Stu Loeser said Friday that the city's 8.2 million residents care more about actions than words.

"New Yorkers judge him by what he does, not what he says," he said.

Toward a Neutral Net

Baby Steps.

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said today that the Commission is wrapping up its investigation of Comcast's network management practices. Chairman Martin is recommending that his fellow commissioners find that Comcast violated the FCC's September 2005 principles that broadband networks be "widely deployed, open, affordable and accessible to all consumers."

For our part, we believe that such a Commission order will provide useful clarity on what types of practices are acceptable under the agency's Internet freedom principles, and help ensure that today's broadband networks remain open platforms to the Internet. No broadband company, including Comcast, should be allowed to employ traffic management practices that harm the interests of consumers, and the Internet itself, by failing to deliver fair access to all of the Net’s resources.

Neutrality is an issue of growing concern as the internet becomes (for better or worse) a larger part of our daily lives, careers, and even our politics. Read more about this issue here.

Name that Tune!

Yep, that's Rep. David Litvack singing his favorite Karaoke hit. Help us decide which song he is singing and the best entry will win either a lunch with Sutherland Institute President Paul Mero, or you can win a free milkshake at your favorite ice cream shop, as long as it's not at any of Patrick Byrne's Iceberg locations.

Be funny, be nice.

Photo compliments of the Jean Welch Hill for Attorney General Campaign

Doug Butts says, "Prove me wrong that Judge Rodney Page is legislating from the bench"

Today a comment was left on one of my earlier posts titled, Why is Doug Butts auditing Judge Rodney S. Page by someone claiming to be a judge who used the tag, "keeping it real." Although I have already addressed Judge Real on that thread I have decided that it is time for another post. I want to thank my neighbor Rob for allowing me the use of his blog to have a voice and to say, "Prove me wrong that Judge Rodney Page is legislating from the bench!"



Here's my post.


I have yet to have anyone prove Judge Rodney Page had the authority to change the statues listed below. Here's how he ruled on cases between 1995-2006 based on my audit.

78-45-7.15(3,6) - 356 times ruled at 50/50 *Correctly
78-45-7.15(3) - 4 times ruled at 1/3, 2/3
78-45-7.15(6) - 10 times ruled at 1/3, 2/3
78-45-7.16(1) - 3 times ruled at 1/3, 2/3
78-45-7.15(3) - 28 times ruled at 100%

Current law:

U.C.A. 78-45-7.15 Medical expenses,

(3) The order shall require each parent to share equally the out-of-pocket costs of the premium actually paid by a parent for the children’s portion of insurance.

(6) The order shall require each parent to share equally all reasonable and necessary uninsured medical expenses, including deductibles and co-payments, incurred for the dependent children.

U.C.A. 78-45-7.16. Child care expenses – Expenses not incurred.

(1) The child support order shall require that each parent share equally the reasonable work-related child care expenses of the parents.

Statute history:

Notice in 1990 the statute used to say “ratio to be determined by the appropriate court” ask yourself why would the legislature go through all the trouble to change the statute to say “shall require each parent to share equally” if the court had discretion to change it anyway? Results show in fact the court does not have discretion as some would have us believe.

1990 78-45-7.15

(1) Only the costs of health and dental insurance premiums for children are included in the base combined child support obligation table

(2) (b) both parents to share [equally] all other reasonable and necessary uninsured medical and dental expenses in a ratio to be determined by the appropriate court or administrative agency.

1994 78-45-7.15


(3) The order shall require each parent to share equally the out-of-pocket costs of the premium actually paid by a parent for the children’s portion of insurance.

(5) The order shall require each parent to share equally all reasonable and necessary uninsured medical expenses, including deductibles and copayments, incurred for the dependent children and actually paid by the parents.

1995 78-45-7.15

(3) The order shall require each parent to share equally the out-of-pocket costs of the premium actually paid by a parent for the children’s portion of insurance.

(5) The order shall require each parent to share equally all reasonable and necessary uninsured medical expenses, including deductibles and copayments, incurred for the dependent children [and actually paid by the parents.]

As of today statute wording has not changed

What has the appellate court stated on these statues?

Notice the yellow areas with the last case giving the court discretion only because the word “may” was used. They didn’t site any other statute but the exact wording of the give statute. Hence using the word ‘shall’ does not give the court discretion and using the word ‘may’ does.

Reddish v. Russell, 2005 Case No. 20040027-CA

[29] *fn2 Reddish additionally asserts Russell should have to pay all of the uncovered medical expenses of the child, but fails to reconcile the request with Utah Code section 78-45-7.15(6), requiring the parents to share this expense equally. See Utah Code Ann. § 78-45-7.15(6) (2002). Reddish also requested attorney fees, but because she is not the prevailing party, she is not entitled to them.

Wardle v. Bowen, 2005 Case No. 20031004-CA

[23] Father also argues that the trial court abused its discretion by requiring him to pay for half of Child's daycare expenses. We disagree. Pursuant to section 78-45-7.16(1) of the Support Act, 'each parent [shall] share equally the reasonable work-related child care expenses of the parents.' Utah Code Ann. § 78-45-7.16(1) (2002). The trial court found that the prekindergarten daycare costs at the Challenger School were fair and reasonable, Father presented no evidence that the fees were unreasonable, and Mother 'has not requested reimbursement from [Father] for any costs of private schooling for times when [Child] could have been in public school.' We affirm because Father has failed to challenge any of these findings and, while the cost of Child's daycare may have increased, this does not relieve Father of his statutory responsibility to share these costs equally. See id.

Larsen v. Larsen, 2003 Case No. 20010879-CA

[18] Husband argues that because Wife did not provide him with verification of the expenses, pursuant to subsection 7, the trial court abused its discretion when it awarded Wife the expenses. This court reviews questions regarding child support under an abuse of discretion standard. See Jensen v. Bowcut, 892 P.2d 1053, 1055 (Utah Ct. App. 1995) ('A trial court's decision regarding child support will not be disturbed absent 'manifest injustice or inequity that indicates a clear abuse of . . . discretion.'' (alteration in original) (citation omitted)). By using the term 'may,' subsection 8 of the statute gives the trial court discretion to grant or deny credit to a parent who incurred medical expenses based on that parent's compliance with subsection 7. Further, Wife submitted, and served on Husband, a verification of costs. Although the verification of costs was not submitted within the statutory time period, we determine that the trial court in this case did not abuse its discretion and therefore uphold the trial court's order regarding medical and dental expenses.

Other interesting statistics on Judge Rodney Pages method of rulings.

Notice how much more money Judge Page adds onto the three areas of child support, alimony, and attorney's fees when he did have discretion compared to how much he allocated for medical costs when he didn't have discretion. The table below shows that Judge Page allocated higher costs when he didn’t follow the law as compared to those instances where he did follow the law.

The challenge stands to anyone who can prove that Judge Rodney Page doesn’t have to split the medical costs equally as defined by the above statutes.

To all those who have given us overwhelming response with our audit….. Thanks!

Miscellaneous notes:

I have received questions asking if this the only problem I have with Judge Page. My answer is absolutely not. Maybe in some future posts I will give more details, but my main objective is to try to help others who are dealing with similar situations and to protect them from the brutality of judges like Judge Page. Let me leave you with one of the main reasons as to why I am doing this.

My research shows that a majority of of Utah judges will allow both parties in a divorce share photos and/or make copies of their children from photo albums and scrap books, but in my divorce this was not the case.

When I pleaded with Judge Rodney Page to allow me the opportunity to have copies of my children photos and scrap books his brutally refused. Talk about demoralizing someone who loves his children and yet I have videos of Judge Page saying yes to other fathers.

If Judge Rodney Page had a grudge or wanted to punish me he sure did a good job, but it's my promise that I will do all I can to stop Judge Page from doing the same to others. Judge Page should simply follow the law, and if there is no law, let all fathers who love their children have pictures of them while they were growing up.

Should These Children be Taken Away from Their Mother?

A mother draws a swastika on her daughter's arm...daughter goes to school...teacher scrubs swastika off...mother draws it back on her child...Child Welfare swoops in and removes all of the children from the home. Do you agree with the action of the Child Welfare services?

My answer: no.

Where would you stand?

News link: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/manitoba/story/2008/07/10/swastika-child.html

Petition: Let Our Congress "Tweet"

In my Inbox, from the good folks at the Sunlight Foundation:

Dear Sunlighter,

Shouldn't members of Congress be able to connect with all of us freely and easily online? I'd guess most of you would think that's a good idea. So, when Sunlight's Open House Project Google group got riled up this week about this issue (see http://tinyurl.com/59tvm2/), we were inspired to do something to rally citizens to ensure lawmakers can freely connect with us all online.

In that spirit, we just launched a new campaign, "Let Our Congress Tweet," (http://letourcongresstweet.org) to urge Congress to create clear guidelines about how lawmakers can use the Internet to communicate using Web services like YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and MySpace.

Amicus Morning Edition

• The GOP Plan to Reclaim "The Burbs."


• Good Television, but Not Real News.


• Iraq Victory, One Year from Now (Again).


• Net Neutrality: What Comcast Really Wants.


• Training a New Generation of Journalists.


• McCain in Romney Country.


• Children Left Behind.


• Witness Gas Pump Blogging.

That horse is long gone

That horse is long gone



From:http://www.sltrib.com/business/ci_9823402

"To prevent a repeat of the current mortgage mess, Bernanke said the Fed will adopt rules cracking down on a range of shady lending practices that have burned many of the nation's riskiest ''subprime'' borrowers - those with spotty credit or low incomes - who were hardest hit by the housing and credit debacles."

A classic example of the neocons slowly closing the barn door, long after the poor sheep have been shorn and the ill gotten profits have been stashed away in off shore accounts, and way after the horse is long gone and the maximum damage has been done.

Don L. Miller.

Amicus Afternoon Edition

• Rep. Steve U (UT- 12yr Olds): Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!, and Boo Hoo!


• True leadership, with video.


• John McCain's Technology Policy... is somewhere over... wait, I know we had one... just a minute...


• Utah Voters: Apathetic or Disenfranchised?


• Small Businesses at Odds with McCain Healthcare Plan


• Fight Misguided "Drilling Amendments."


• Cheney Staff Caught Censoring Climate Data Testimonies.


• Rallies Against McCain at Utah Gas Stations.


• The Current Electoral College Map. Not a Good Week for McCain.

Rep. Steve Urquhart gets a "D-" in playing well with others

By Uncle Don Miller

The, esteemed in his own mind, Rep. Steve Urquhart doesn't play well with others, even as he claims to be a fair minded legislative leader. House Rules Committee Chairman Steveu said three of the five legislators who dared to file asking for an ethics investigation, in the face of apparently strong documented evidence that an ethics violation might have occurred, are "grandstanding hacks," as well as cancerous.

So why is Steveu so upset with these three? Obviously, he often forgets the GOP rule that if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. Does this episode reflect on his judgment?

He said the three bad guys -- two Republicans and one Democrat -- who dared to ask for an ethics investigation are "very ineffective legislators." He reportedly continued: "they're not doing well ...., so I think they're willing to drop a bomb anywhere they can, figuring .... why not stir things up?"

If three of the five are bad, how did the other 40 percent somehow escape Steveu's wrath? Does Steveu somehow perceive these two are good as they have purer motives and are more effective legislators, and hence clearly not bomb droppers even though they also asked for an ethics investigation of the same person?

Steveu reportedly wrote "it has long been my perception that these three members are cancer," apparently for not playing well with others. More specifically, apparently for not playing well with Steveu, the most important person in the equation. Could Steveu just be projecting? How did the call for this specific ethics investigation become all about Steveu? How does this episode reflect on his judgment?

Just asking.

Don L. Miller

Utah Republican leaders are a disgrace to Capitalism

SALT LAKE CITY - Bob Springmeyer, the good jobs, good education, good health, good government candidate for Utah governor, today called Utah Republican leaders a “disgrace to capitalism.” Springmeyer an economist and management consultant drew attention to a crisis caused by “wrongheaded energy and farm policies” supported by Utah Republican leaders.

• In the last year, the price of corn has risen 70 percent; wheat 55 percent; rice 160 percent.
• The second largest employer in Sanpete County is to suspend operations because of high feed prices and as many as 675 layoffs will occur.

Instead of accepting their full share of responsibility, Hatch, Bishop and Governor Huntsman are just making it worse by supporting the tangle of subsidies, mandates and tariffs to encourage the production of biofuels. According to the World Bank, almost all of the growth in global corn production from 2004 to 2007 was devoted to American ethanol production — pushing up corn and animal feed prices and prompting farmers to switch from other crops to corn.

In response to the Moroni Feed announcement to suspend operations because of high feed costs, Huntsman just offered subsidized loans and more “corporate hand-outs” - wrongheaded actions which will create more market disruptions and unintended consequences.

Granted, some of the rising cost of food, energy and fertilizer are out of governments’ control, including flooding in the mid-west, droughts in California, and higher consumption in China and India, but the real problem is using food for fuel - fuel that is 70% used for individual transportation.

So far there is no sign that Huntsman and other Utah Republican leaders are ready to step up and do what is needed. They have refused to curtail bio-fuel subsidies, lavish farm subsidies or corporate giveaways.

Springmeyer has operated his own management consulting business for 30 years. The company, Bonneville Research, specializes in strategic planning and economic development. Springmeyer was born in Provo and raised in Ogden and Sugarhouse. He attended the University of Utah where he earned degrees in economics and political science.

Springmeyer has a long record of working to make Utah communities better places to live. At the recent State Democratic Convention, Springmeyer was nominated to be his party's standard bearer by 88 percent of the vote. Josie Valdez was nominated to run as his lieutenant governor.