Category: General Politics

Why Democrats Have Trouble With Messaging

There is a fundamental problem with being a Democrat.  The problem is quite simple, yet complex in an ironic sort of way.  The issue is Democrats’ inability to discuss positions in short, mind-numbing, explanations.  There are two main reasons why Democrats struggle with delivering a clear, concise message: Democratic ideas are more complex and difficult to deliver in… Continue reading Why Democrats Have Trouble With Messaging

Why I am a Democrat

(Written responding to a friend asking about the party I support) The fundamental difference between Republicans and Democrats is one: the role that government plays. All the social wedge issues? Just talk. I believe the government has the ability to solve many of our problems, and I also believe that Democrats over the last 100 years have… Continue reading Why I am a Democrat

The Church Needs a Two Party System

“I also support what has been said by the Brethren–that it is in the interest of the Church to have a two-party system and not to have one party that is exclusively LDS and the other party exclusively non-LDS. Both locally and nationally, the interests of the Church and its members are served when we… Continue reading The Church Needs a Two Party System

Sage Election-Year Counsel from the First Presidency

Each election year, the Church predictably issues statements affirming its political neutrality, which I find both refreshing and reassuring amid all of the mingling of scripture with the philosophies of men that we see in many churches. A few decades ago, during a presidential election season, President Hugh B. Brown of the First Presidency stated… Continue reading Sage Election-Year Counsel from the First Presidency

A Pivotal Moment for President Obama and America

President Barack Obama visited Osawatomie, Kansas last week to speak about the danger of the growing economic inequality in America and the threat this currently poses to the middle class and our country as a whole. I thought this was the most important speech of his Presidency thus far because it clearly illustrated the monumental… Continue reading A Pivotal Moment for President Obama and America

No Politics in Church!

Have you ever been in a Church meeting where someone, a speaker in sacrament meeting, or a teacher or student in Sunday School, Priesthood, or Relief Society, makes a blatant political statement? Perhaps it was only a facetious but degrading comment about a particular Obama Administration policy. If it occurred a few years ago, it… Continue reading No Politics in Church!

Mitt Flips on Climate Change (Is Anyone Surprised?)

Less than two weeks after I wrote a post praising Mitt Romney (and Jon Huntsman) for their admirable stances supporting science’s position on climate change, Romney changed his position! In June, Romney stated the following to an audience in New Hampshire, affirming the existence of global warming: I don’t speak for the scientific community, of… Continue reading Mitt Flips on Climate Change (Is Anyone Surprised?)

The Church’s Political Neutrality

During the last Presidential election season, I wrote the following letter to the editor, which was printed in a prominent newspaper: Lost amid the hype about Mitt Romney’s religion speech and Mike Huckabee’s surge is a story about a church that, unlike most contemporary Christian organizations, does not participate in partisan politics. The Church of… Continue reading The Church’s Political Neutrality

Thanks for the Invite Mr. Speaker!

  No, Speaker Boehner did not invite me out for drinks in his corporate box at this weekend’s Phoenix Open.  But he was kind enough to let me snap off this picture.  With politicking never ceasing, he shook every outstretched hand and stood somewhat attentive for every iPhone camera. Although Speaker Boehner and I view the political landscape very… Continue reading Thanks for the Invite Mr. Speaker!

Let’s Tone it Down Several Notches

So far, it appears that the person who targeted Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona for assassination, in Saturday’s shooting rampage that left 6 people dead and many others seriously wounded, was not directly inspired by the virulent and violent political rhetoric that has been dominating the public discourse over the past 2 years and… Continue reading Let’s Tone it Down Several Notches

Go Cougars!

According to a recent Wall Street Journal post, BYU ranked 11th in the eyes of recruiters, even ahead of prestigious schools like Cornell, MIT, and UCLA. (Harvard and Yale were not even on the top 25!) I’ve always felt that BYU was underrated in the U.S. News and World Report rankings, in part because of… Continue reading Go Cougars!

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“Ground Zero” Mosque

The Eleventh Article of Faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints states, “We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.” [emphasis added] It is frankly shocking and disappointing… Continue reading “Ground Zero” Mosque

A Renewed Call for Civility from LDS Church Leadership

During the most recent LDS General Conference, we heard yet another call for civility in our public dialogue. Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles stated, “many in this world are afraid and angry with one another. While we understand these feelings, we need to be civil in our discourse and… Continue reading A Renewed Call for Civility from LDS Church Leadership

Sean Hannity Scams Injured Vets, Children

Conservative blogger Debbie Schlussel revealed that Sean Hannity’s “Freedom Concerts,” which are ostensibly for raising money to pay for college tuition of the children of fallen soldiers and to assist wounded military veterans, spent less than “20%–and in two recent years, less than 7% and 4%, respectively” for these causes. This is based on information… Continue reading Sean Hannity Scams Injured Vets, Children

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Categorized as General