Soon, LDS Democrats will be an official caucus of the Utah Democratic Party! This is a pretty exciting development in Utah state politics. Utah has been effectively a one-party state since the 1960s, which is unfortunate because it means that the governing party has had little reason to worry about accountability, since they do not… Continue reading Announcing the LDS Democratic Caucus!
Category: General Politics
Presidents and Vacation
I meant to post this in August while Congress was on recess and President Obama was on vacation. It’s not exactly a timely topic anymore, but I think it still warrants mentioning: This August was a crazy time for American politics. The debt ceiling debate (or debacle) along with the “compromise” bill where the Democrats… Continue reading Presidents and Vacation
In accordance with current events…
A couple comments on this chart I created: – All years beyond 2011 are estimates. The dramatic drop in 2013 is due to the reckless Bush tax cuts expiring. The deficit would be closer to 1.3 trillion in 2011 had the Bush tax cuts not been extended. – The trajectory that occurred from 2007 on was… Continue reading In accordance with current events…
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!
“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
Responding to Facebook Post
I was asked to critique why Barack Obama’s Speech on Race was good/great – March 18, 2008 Where we should start is the assumption that this speech is good/great. I guess the issue I have always had comes not with the content (I think the content is remarkable) but the timing. I remember quite clearly the context… Continue reading Responding to Facebook Post
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
Right-Wing Terrorism
The news over the past few days has demonstrated that elements of the Tea Party and others on the far right have resorted to blatant bigotry and threats of violence in the run up to and in the aftermath of Sunday’s House vote on the landmark heath care reform bill. As some Democratic lawmakers were… Continue reading Right-Wing Terrorism
Response Written Concerning The Current Healthcare Legislation
A couple points of response: If any company takes taxpayer dollars, then by right of being a shareholder, taxpayers should have some say in how the company operates. I completely agree with you regarding the government’s lack of industry expertise, but at the same time if the banking industry is going to benefit from my… Continue reading Response Written Concerning The Current Healthcare Legislation
Glenn Beck vs. the First Presidency
On March 12th, the First Presidency of the Church issued a statement encouraging all Church members in the United States to participate fully in the 2010 census. “We urge all members to respond to [census questionnaires] in an accurate and timely manner. It is an important obligation for all citizens to be counted in the… Continue reading Glenn Beck vs. the First Presidency
“Beware of Those Who Stir Us Up to Anger”
To start the blog, I would like to link one of my favorite LDS General Conference talks from the past few years given by Elder Robert S. Wood of the First Quorum of the Seventy. In observing the political climate in 2006, Elder Wood noted: We appear to be living in an era in which… Continue reading “Beware of Those Who Stir Us Up to Anger”
Email to a Friend on Capital Hill
Wow, You seem quick to give up the crown. With McCain winning the Republican nomination, I am not so sure Obama can pull it off. He still has to get by Hillary, who I believe, would have even more trouble against McCain.I will take the idealist comment in a positive light, but its more then… Continue reading Email to a Friend on Capital Hill