By Their Fruits you shall know them......

Acting Governor Gary Herbert used the line "by their fruits you shall know them" twice during tonight's debate.

Well, it reminded me of this little video I saw earlier today over on JMBell's blog:



That is the problem, Mr Governor. We know you by your fruits.

I also enjoyed his "The cigarette tax wasn't mine" even though his signature is on the bill. And his lecturing Corroon about having to work with the Legislative Branch, despite Corroon having five times the Executive experience.

Really, Democrats? Colbert? It's as if we Like to Lose

Immigration is a serious problem. It's broken. Republicans have a plan to fix it. It's a horrible plan.

And Democrats, we have a plan Stephen Colbert.

What better way to show we're serious about immigration than to have comedian come testify?

It's like having a politician vouch for you integrity.

And (I hate saying this phrase) I agree with Jason Chaffetz on this one:

Dear GOP: Spellcheck wins elections.

My College Prep English teacher at Olympus High School (Carol von Schmidt) always taught me that whenever we had a big paper, we had to make sure someone proof read it for us. The bigger the paper, the more eyes we should put on it.

Now, I realize that my blog is far from perfect when it comes to typos and grammatical errors. But, there is a big difference between my little blog and the Republicans' "Pledge for America." And, you'd think that the most important work to get right in the "Pledge for America" would be the word "America."

But, in Republicanland,there is no "I" in team Amerca:

Spending too much time down in Utah County, and trying to spell it phonetically?

Hmmm.....

-Bob

If Republicans' Small Business are Small, then I'm petite

I'm not a small man. I'm smaller than I was a few months ago, but I'm by no means a small man.

When Republicans complain about letting the Bush Tax Cuts expire for people making over $250,000 are going to hurt small businesses, they really mean big businesses disguised as small businesses.

It's like me pretending that I'm petite. I can say it all I want. It doesn't make me any smaller.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Something I found interesting was Mr Bohner admitting that the tax increase only affects 3% of "Small Businesses." The biggest 3% of small businesses.

I work for one of those "Small businesses." It's a "small business" that owns 39 car dealerships (in 7 states), 54 sports apparel stores (in 9 states), 4 movie theaters, one race track (that sits on more acres than Disneyland), one sports & entertainment arena, one NBA tem, and a minor league baseball team.

That's not very small. Not at all.

-Bob

Corroon's Business Plan "For All Businesses, Not Just The Well-Connected"

I recently came across this video that was posted back in June. It features the Sargetakis Family which owns Silver State Textile, and their endorsement of Mayor Peter Corroon's plan for businesses.

Given the recent examples of well-connected businesses getting all the advantages, I think this video is timely:



And, read Corroon's Plan for Businesses here.

I Wish I Lived In Republicanland

Republicanland must be a great place to live. I want to visit some day.

You see, in Republicanland, saying you opponent is trying to take away Seminary from the religious majority by adding 2 more required high school classes (in a 4-year span) is having a good, clean, issue-based discussion. Yet pointing out that there might be something wrong in accepting cash from and meeting privately with people who are seeking government contracts is wrong is hitting "below the belt."

In Republicanland, having the CEO say he doesn't know what's going on in his company means he can get a huge bonus on his way out the door. If the CEO is a Republican Governor, he's a great leader who deserves to keep his job. Who needs to know who's really running the state? In Republicanland, it doesn't matter.

In Republicanland, when you are running up large deficits, it's OK to sue and get sued by the feds. It's also a great time to give tax breaks to rich people. It's also a great idea to give tax breaks to rich people in times of plenty, too. Even if that puts you in deficits. Any other reason (except for war) for going into deficit spending is a bad idea. Even if it puts people to work or helps them buy food.

In Repulicanland, saying your Democratic incumbent opponent is nothing but an empty seat is great campaigning. When it's pointed out that you got the facts wrong, it means that your opponent is slinging mud. (see here)

In Republicanland, a group that endorses both candidates obviously meant it to be the Republican candidate.

In Republicanland, you didn't raise taxes if the only taxes you raised was on cigarettes.

In Republicanland, other politicians are good people to have vouch for your integrity.

In Republicanland, parents should have the option of sending their kids to private school. Unless said parent ever wants to run as a Democrat. Because the only way to know that public schools are failing/succeeding (because in Republicanland, public schools are doing both of them, at the same time) is if your kids are in public schools. But you can know what's best for higher education if you never finished college, and went to a private college at that.

In Republicanland, you can love the constitution, even if you want to add two amendments and repeal three others.

In Republicanland, saying you trust the Utah Legislature more than Utah voters is a great way to get elected.

Republicanland is a big place. It encompasses cities such as Herbertville, Philpot Pharms, and Leeton. Am I missing any more wonderful parts of Republicanland?

-Bob

Ethics Watermelons and Cantaloupes

I was going to use apples and oranges in this post, but they aren't similar enough. Watermelon and Cantaloupe are both melons, but they are still different.

And Holly on the Hill's assertion that Mayor Peter Corroon's one large donation from a company with a County contract is the same as Governor Gary Herbert's three large donations from companies seeking state contracts is as absurd as trying to say that Watermelons and Cantaloupes are the same. Let's review the facts in the case:

On three different occasions, donors who had contributed $50,000 or more got private, sit-down meetings in the Governor's Office with the Governor. In all three of these cases, said donors were seeking to do business with the state, and all three got their wishes. In one of those cases, the bid process was skewed by UDOT to favor the donor, which resulted in a potential lawsuit from a losing bidder. The lawsuit was avoided by the state settling on paying the company $13 Million.

Now, let's goto the accusation from Holly:

Corroon is vocal in his support for ethics UEG style, yet he abuses his office as county mayor, says the governor’s mansion is for sale and that contributions of $50,000 should raise red flags, he himself is – wait for it – taking contributions of $50K from a company doing business with the county.

Kem Gardner’s company – Gateway Associates – developed & owns the Gateway as well as residential, commercial and retail in Salt Lake County. Salt Lake County owns property at the gateway including Clark Planetarium. The county pays Gateway Associates, Kern Gardner pays Corroon’s campaign. Nice.

Well,let's look at some of the facts in the Kem Gardiner case:

Clark Planetarium was opened in April 2003, a full 19 months BEFORE Corroon was elected as Mayor. And, of course, the government contract was signed well before then.

So, you have one case of ONE large-money donor with a County Government contract which was signed more than six years before Peter Corroon probably conceived of even running for Governor versus THREE large-money donors that have gotten government deals in the 13 months Gary Herbert has been Governor.

Hmmm.... I think I'll take the one old deal vs the three brand-new deals, thank you very much.

Culture of Corruption

From my Facebook status update (because it's my blog,and I can do what I want):

While I think it's obscene for politicians to be able to accept $50,000 donations, I have no real problems with it. However, when said donors have contacts or are seeking contracts with the state, that becomes a problem. When said large-money donors seeking government contracts get sit-down meetings in the Governor's Office, there is something wrong. When it happens three times, there's a pattern of corruption...

..when it happens three times, and you've only been in office for 13 months, that's an even bigger problem.

When the state agency giving the contract changes the rules while reviewing the bids, and changes it in favor of the donor, that's dishonorable. When said agency has to pay the losing company $13Million to avoid a lawsuit, that is bad for Utah.

When the best comeback you have when these facts come out is that you opponent is playing dirty, you have a problem. Especially when you threw the first mud. (Look up Herbert's responses to Corroon's education plan.)

Fact-Checking Governor Herbert -- Dew Tour Edition

This is probably the most petty post I'll write this week. But, facts matter. And, when you get them wrong, sometimes it's funny.

Take This quote from the Deseret News article about Governor Herbert welcoming the Dew Tour back to Utah:

Herbert said he was impressed with how sports in the state have evolved over the years.

"It's much more diverse," he said, then listing some interesting facts about the tour's appearance in Utah. Such as:

In 2009 Salt Lake City had the highest attendance of any stop on the Dew Tour with 57,329 fans.

It was broadcast in 50 countries and 180 million homes. On tape delay, it was broadcast into another 180 countries. "It's 58 hours of live television coverage," Herbert said.

Now, I am willing to say that the Deseret News misquoted the Governor. Especially in light of an article posted online a few days ago that said that Jimmy Carter was in the White House AFTER Ronald Reagan.

But, let's assume the DNews got it right. It means the Governor got it wrong.

He said that it is broadcast in 230 countries ("50 countries" + another 180 countries "on tape delay"). However, the US State Department only recognizes 194 countries. And, if he meant 180 countries including those via tape delay, that means that only 14 countries don'tget to see it. I wonder which ones those are.

And, he said it's 58 hours of LIVE television coverage. According to this schedule from the Dew Tour, there are only 33.5 hours that gates are open in total. Competition doesn't encompass that whole time, and there's only 1.5 hours that there is more than one competition going on at the same time. Not to mention that comparing that schedule with TV Listings shows that not all of it is broadcast anyway.

So, there's an extra 24 hours of live broadcast left to fill this weekend. Maybe Governor Herbert can use that time to figure out who is running this state.

-Bob

DISCLAIMER: This post reflects only my opinions, and not the opinions of my employers, nor those of their clients, promoters, or sponsors.

Jim Matheson and the Carlos Boozer Tax Cut

Jim Matheson favors extending this guy's tax cut:



And is willing to have your taxes go up if he doesn't get it.

Yes, Jim, that's exactly what Utahns want.

Really, what the crap? Are you really that scared of Morgan Philpot?



Keep it up, Congressman, and nobody will vote for you.

Governor Herbert is Inept

Yesterday, Curtis over at Blue in Red Zion asked "Is Governor Herbert Inept or Corrupt?"

I'm going to side with inept.

There were the voting machines he selected when he was Lt Governor and in charge of elections. You know, the ones that the state has to pay Diebold $1.3 Million+ for reprogramming/tech support every time we pull them out of the closet for an election, not to mention the extra training for poll workers. And the extra poll workers.. The ones that a Central Utah County Clerk lost his job over for showing just how easy it is to hack the computer?

And then there was the extended family members (who had previously registered in other parts of the state) of a candidate for County Sheriff in Dagget County that all registered to vote at the same residence. And that residence was a gas station. And the Dagget County Attorney forwarded the complaint to then-LG Herbert's office for further investigation, where it died. Because a dozen people can live in a gas station.

And then there was the "new" web site for looking at financial reporting documents. The one that was twice as complicated as the old one, and didn't work with most web browsers. It was easier to take a UTA Bus with two transfers from my house to the State Capitol Building to get the info than it was to get it online. A system that was easy to fix for LG Bell.

Then, we have Herbert's reaction to Corroon's Education plan. His first reaction was to point out that Peter and Amy Corroon chose to send their kids to private school, totally missing the fact that Gary Herbert supports giving people like the Corroons taxpayer money to send their kids to private school. After this was pointed out (and was accused of playing the religion card), Herbert actually played the religion card by saying that Corroon wanted to take away LDS Seminary. No constructive comments on the merits of the actual plan have come from the Herbert campaign yet. And yet he's making "focusing on the issues" part of his campaign platform.

Then, there is the fact that on three different occasions major campaign donors, right around the time they made their large campaign donations, had private meetings in the Governor's office. And all three times said donors had major business coming before the state. Even though it may not be illegal, it doesn't mean it's right (legally, I can run down State Street in a Speedo, but it definitely isn't right).

But, his reaction to this issue smacks of ineptness. In the press conference, Herbert admitted to not knowing any of these major deals were going on. Including the biggest road project in the history of the state.

So, if Governor Herbert is that out of touch with what's going on in the state, who is running the show?

from Curtis's post:

By being utterly unaware of how his state is handling the largest public works project in history, it shows that Herbert is asleep at the wheel, with no concept of how important the project is to the people of the state of Utah.

Furthermore, if he can’t see how such large donations might look bad around election time, he is showing an astounding amount of stupidity. Finally, if he can’t communicate these facts to his own campaign staff of perhaps 30 or 40, why would we want him running our state?

-Bob

Granato: Mike Lee Doesn't Understand Earmarks

From the email box:

As a small businessman for more than 40 years, I know what it means to be fiscally responsible. I’ve run a business on a budget and I’ve made all the tough calls that come with it.
I know the difference between solutions that actually work and a bunch of empty rhetoric — and I can tell you that Mike Lee is offering nothing but a bunch of hot air when it comes to federal funding for Utah.
Mike Lee insists that all earmarks are completely unacceptable, and that he will neither seek nor accept any federal funding for the state of Utah. He claims this is fiscally responsible, despite the fact that it won’t save so much as a penny of the federal budget.
I don’t think Mike Lee understands how the budget process works.
You see, an earmark doesn’t determine if the money will be spent — that decision has already been made long beforehand. Earmarks only determine where the money will be spent — and if Mike Lee refuses to accept the money in Utah, it would simply be spent in California or New York or someplace else instead.
Mike Lee may think he’s taking a noble stand with this charade, but the reality is simple — he’s hurting Utahns. The citizens of Utah pay a tremendous amount in federal income taxes, and our senators should be working to make sure as much of that money comes back to the state as possible.


Quite frankly, Mike Lee’s stand on this issue is an empty gesture that would solve nothing and cost Utah billions of dollars. We can’t afford to let him put his extreme ideological agenda ahead of Utah’s best interests.
It is true that the earmarking process needs reform, and I would demand complete transparency and accountability in that process. However, at the same time, I would not cut off funding for vital programs in Utah that rely on federal dollars — programs like public schools, TRAX and other transportation projects, funding for research and buildings at Utah’s universities, and many others. These projects create good jobs here for Utahns, and that’s something we simply cannot take for granted in these tough economic times.
Mike Lee seems to be the only one who doesn’t understand how important this issue is for Utah.
When I’m elected, I won’t play partisan games with important projects. I will fight for Utah and ensure we receive our fair share of federal funding to improve our state and create jobs here at home.
My allegiance will always be to the people of Utah, not an extreme agenda. Utah families come first.
Sincerely,

Sam Granato

New and Improved Deseret News Altering History

The Deseret News must have laid off all their fact checkers. And editors. And anyone born in the past 30 years. Because this is more than a little mistake:

As Relief Society President during a time of fierce conflict over women's issues and the then proposed Equal Rights Amendment, she was invited to a state dinner with U.S. President Ronald Reagan, and later invited to the White House by U.S. President Jimmy Carter.

Last time I checked, President Reagan served AFTER President Carter. But I could be wrong. After all, The Deseret News is the Only True and Living Newspaper(TM). They can't be wrong.

Chicago-style Pay-to-play: Does Greg Bell know what he's talking about?

Does Greg Bell even know what he's talking about? Take this quote from KSL:

Lt. Gov. Greg Bell labeled the concerns raised about Herbert as "entirely a smear campaign based on innuendo" and said voters should reject the negative turn the gubernatorial campaign has taken. "In Chicago politics, they call it ‘pay for play.' But we're not in Chicago and these kinds of tactics ought not to be tolerated by Utah votes."

yes, LG Bell, Pay to Play should not be tolerated here in Utah. However, a "smear" campaign is not the definition of pay to play. In fact, it's far, far from it.

In politics, pay to play refers to a system, akin to payola in the music industry, by which one pays (or must pay) money to become a player.
Typically, the payer (an individual, business, or organization) makes campaign contributions to public officials, party officials, or parties themselves, and receives political or pecuniary benefit such as no-bid government contracts, influence over legislation, political appointments or nominations, special access[6] or other favors. The contributions, less frequently, may be to nonprofit or institutional entities, or may take the form of some benefit to a third party, such as a family member of a governmental official. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pay_to_Play)

Oops, sounds like exactly what is happening. Companies are donating money to Gov Herbert, and getting Government contracts.

Stop whining that Peter Corroon is saying you are bad at your job. Start trying to show us where he is wrong.

Hey, LG Bell: Who's making the personal attacks?

Dear Lt Governor Bell:

I just saw the ad you made on behalf of your campaign. In it, you mention that Utahns want a discussion on issues, not personal attacks.

Saying someone is doing a bad job is not a personal attack.

And, for that matter, when someone comes out with an education proposal, and you say "What does he know about public schools? He sends his kids to private schools." That is a personal attack. An attack for making a choice that Gov Herbert used to support.

And then trying to say that you opponent is trying to take away Seminary? Another attack, not a substantive debate on the issues.

So, stop lying, and let's have a real debate.

-Bob

Nine Thoughts on Nine Years

1. It's still hard to reflect on what happened that day. May it always be hard to remember those thoughts and emotions.

2. The first incarnation of "The World, According to Me" was started September 3, 2001. It was a place I could go and vent about life. Writing posts about my emotions and feelings was what got me through those first few days. Maybe more venting here will help.

3. ‎"We value our Muslim neighbors across the world and hope that those who live by the tenets of their faith will not suffer. I ask particularly that our own people do not become a party in any way to the persecution of the innocent. Rather, let us be friendly and helpful, protective and supportive. It is the terrorist organizations that must be ferreted out and brought down." -Then-LDS Church President Gordon B Hinckley October 7, 2001 (the day the Afghan War started)

4. Even though the Distraction in Iraq is "over," there are still 50,000 of our brave men and women over there. Let's still remember them.

5. Speaking of "over there," the forgotten war is still going in Afghanistan.

6. It's a shame that the only time we seem to think about our brave men and women on the front lines, the firefighters and police officers, is on 9/11.

7. There was a letter to the editor in a recent City Weekly blasting them for sponsoring beer festival today. There was also a tweet from someone I follow blasting the Avenues Street Fair for being held today. However, I can think of no better was of honoring those who died than spending time with our neighbors in our communities.

8.

9. I wonder if the terrorists have won. The purpose of terrorism is to make people afraid, and the people are afraid. And our politicians are all to willing to play on our fear. From "suitcase nukes" to "too big to fail." From "fighting them there instead of fighting them here" to "beheadings in the desert." From "Ground Zero Mosques" to "taking away Seminary."

CNN: Mike Lee Loves The Constitution (except Amendments 14, 17, 28, 29)

I've been saying this for a while, but now CNN is catching up to it: Mike Lee really loves the constitution. Except the parts he doesn't like.



(Amendments 28 and 29 would be the two he wants to propose. He hates them because they don't exist yet.)

Republicans Guilty of Class B Misdemeanor, Lt Gov Bell Negligent in duties

According to this article in today's Salt Lake Tribune, the Salt Lake County Republican Party forgot to file their campaign disclosure on January 10 of this year.

However, since there is no penalty in state code for this, we'll let it slide. In fact, I should blame Democrats for not pointing this out all this time. I mean, if you can't do something as simple as fill out campaign disclosure reports, what makes you think you can lead? And if you can't bother even looking to see if the opposition has done their duty, are you any more competent?

But, that's another subject for another day.

You see, the Salt Lake County Republican Party also forgot to file their financial disclosure report that was due August 31 (this past Tuesday).

Big deal?

According to state law, it kinda is:

20A-11-508 (Superseded 01/01/11). Political party reporting requirements -- Criminal penalties.
(1) (a) Each registered political party that fails to file the interim reports due on August 31 or before the regular general election is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.

According to the Utah Sentencing Commission, "lass B misdemeanors are punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000."

But, the Salt Lake County Republicans aren't the only ones who have violated this provision:

20A-11-508 (Superseded 01/01/11). Political party reporting requirements -- Criminal penalties.
(1) (a) Each registered political party that fails to file the interim reports due on August 31 or before the regular general election is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.
(b) The lieutenant governor shall report all violations of Subsection (1)(a) to the attorney general.

However, the statement of the Lt Governor's office? (from the Trib article)

But there appears to be some question about whether county political parties are required to file financial disclosures at all. Mark Thomas, director of elections for the Lieutenant Governor’s Office, said the law is so ambiguous that county parties could make a compelling case about why disclosure deadlines don’t apply to them.

“It is not explicit in the code that they need to file,” he said

However, as we saw before, the Lt Governor's office job is to forward the complaint to the Attorney General's office, not to wave it off as a simple mistake. If the AG wants to make the ruling that the law is vague, let him. That's his job, not yours.

I want a Lt Governor who will do their job, and properly enforce election law. That's why I'm voting for Sheryl Allen for Lt Governor.

-Bob