First Meeting with Bob Fuehr - Candidate for US Congress Utah 4th District

Today I attended a town hall meeting put on by Bob Fuehr in Riverton. Unlike my opportunity to have a 1:1 for 60 minutes like I did with Mia, this time around I was just sitting in the crowd of 40-50 delegates.

We started out by watching a campaign video that was pretty well done. It explained his life of growing up in the mid-west, working hard to obtain an education, becoming successful in business, being appointed to different committees in the state, and public service. Of course the video had it's token images of Reagan, Romney, and a lot of American flags.

I didn't get to ask the questions this time, so this won't be a perfect comparison of what I learned from Mia, but I'll follow the same format in the post. Additionally, I have definitely not made a decision between Love and Fuehr, and will post more of my opinions as I gain some more knowledge.

College Education
Bob cares a lot about this. He feels that education is the way we solve the income gap problem in the US. So, Bob supports federal grant and loan money for colleges. When someone asked him where the Constitution permits the Fed government to pay for college education, he responded, "We could probably squeeze that into the general welfare clause." Which the prompted the response of, "yes, then does that mean that can put anything in that clause." He admitted that is true, then adjusted his comment to say he supports funding coming through the states rather than the feds.

I asked if a college education really will close the income gap. He said that people need to learn trades to earn more money. I wish I could have suggested a recent book I read, Linchpin, that promotes a convincing theory of why wages are decreasing for most jobs.

Jobs!
Bob was on the state's board of business development. He argues that the way to get jobs back in this country is by offering tax incentives to businesses for each job they bring back to the US. He said that when they did that in Utah, we earned $12 for every $1 spent in the incentive.

How will you balance the budget?
He didn't really give a straight-forward answer on this one. He generally stated that we need to cut some programs.

Federal Reserve
Bob would love to hear another option, but he feels that we definitely need to have a central bank. He would support an audit of the federal reserve. He said we need to get spending under control so we stop printing more money. (is that possible?)

Which Utah Congressman do you relate to the most?
Chris Stewart. Bob got to know him last time when he ran against him in the 2nd district. He feels that Chris has good judgement and principles.

Illegal Immigration
This was quite the heated topic. Many people in the room felt that we need to protect us from immigrants who, generally speaking, are here to get handouts. There were a few, younger, folks who voiced their opinion that the majority of them are trying to work hard.
Bob laid out his plan as 1. Secure the border however we can, whatever it takes. 2. eVerify program that is enforced with a strict penalty on the business if they hire illegal workers. 3. Bring those who are already here into the system, but if they want citizenship they need to get in the line and do it the right way.

Social Security Reform
Don't touch it for anyone who is at or near 65 years old. But gradually decrease the benefits for the younger people in the workforce. He'd like to get the retirement age closer to the average life expectancy age as it was originally in 1937.

Common Core
The federal government has no right to be involved in our children's education. It should be as close to the parents as possible and in the worse case at the state level. The federal government seems to have a problem with 50 laboratories working to improve the system on their own. Common Core is No Child Left Behind on steroids.

Difference between you and Mia Love?
In short, he feels that his experience will lead him to make better judgements than Mia. He points out that he makes better decisions now than he did 10 years ago because he has learned a lot from experience. He challenges us to ask who do we trust to make the right decisions? He also points out that he is not a career politician, and, in less words, doesn't need the money to pay the bills. (Though to be fair, Mia is not the bread winner in her family.)

Bob's Priorities
1. Jobs
2. Get Federal lands transferred to Utah (by forming a coalition with other Western states and by pointing out how the money will be used for education--a noble cause)
3. Eliminate waste in government

Working with Others
Bob wants to work in coalitions that agree on an issue. I must interject that I feel strongly that this is the only way to get something done in Washington (without junkets of course) and am glad Bob is aware of how to get things done.

Which Committees do you want to be on?
Those that are important to the state, where we are not represented, and where he has a good background that is helpful.
Energy, Banking, Small Business, and Appropriations.

I look forward to writing up my opinions and contrasting these two candidates. I also encourage you to attend any town hall meeting you can to get to know them yourselves. Let me know what you think of them. You can see their schedules at www.bobfuehr.com and http://love4utah.com/events/

My One-Hour Grilling of Mia Love

Tonight I attended a "meet the candidates" town hall in Lehi, UT. There were approximately 80 county delegates there and a dozen or so state delegates. So, it was nice to be able to have some direct conversations with the candidates.

Before I tell you about Mia Love, a quick note on Jennifer Johnson the only other candidate running in District 4 (wait a second, "District 4", is this the Hunger Games?). She gave a brief introduction and answered some questions. I'll focus more on her, at the next town hall, but here's a little about her:

Jennifer Johnson

Has been on the state board of education for the past year, and "came into this mess." She has done some good things around getting rid of discretionary spending w/o the board's approval. She is also FOR Common Core, which didn't go over well with the crowd, or with me. I look forward to interviewing her in the future.

Mia Love

After the brief introductions the state delegates and candidates went to smaller room and "mingled." I decided to spend as much time talking to her as possible since the only other person there was Jennifer Johnson. (I was really bummed that Fuehr hasn't shown up yet.)

I was with 4-5 other people asking Mia questions. And perhaps it was quite rude of me, but I was able to ask most of the questions.

Common Core

Totally against the Federal Gov't dictating any sort of standards. She has 3 kids and they all are different and learn differently. Parents are responsible for the education of their children.

Alternative Education

Mia believes that the money should follow the child and the parents can choose where to educate their child.

Foreign Policy

We should only commit any act of war if:

1. There is an immediate threat to American lives

2. It is approved/declared by Congress

3. We go in with a plan of exactly what we need to accomplish

4. We have a plan on how to get out

Sanctions

They hurt our relationship with the people of the country and further empowers their leaders.  She quoted Frederic Bastiat (automatically scoring points with me) saying, "If goods don't cross borders, armies will."

Philosophy on Government

Protect Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happyness (yes I know it's an "i", but I really love that movie). She agreed with the statement that a person is free to choose to do good or bad as long as they don't infringe on the rights of another person. So of course, I asked her about...

Legalization of Drugs

Make sure you read this carefully: She is against drug abuse and will do whatever she can in the community to persuade people to stay away from them. But she does not think that using drugs should be illegal. Yes, even if that means that it may negatively hurt society, the principle is it is the role of people and society to make a great society, it is the role of government to protect us and keep us free.

"The Messenger Matters"

Mia said this multiple times two years ago as well. I think what she is trying to say is, "I'm a black woman running as a Republican and therefore there will be a lot of interest in me." She says that as the messenger she will say that you need to pay for your own phone, you need to get yourself out of poverty, etc. 

The Federal Reserve

Mia feels that the FED is responsible for the dollar crisis we are in. And that nobody realizes what a crisis it is. 

The Defense of Marriage Act
I asked her if she would support DOMA and this one was a tough one for Mia. She said it is difficult because of her religious and personal beliefs. She took it back to principle and explained that if you give the government power for one thing they can abuse it in the future. She would rather fight the battle to get government out of the marriage business.

Energy

Mia said that the US has the most Oil, Coal, and Gas in the world (true?), and that we should not be dependent on foreign countries. We need to tap into our resources here at home.

Federal Department of Education

Abolish it.

Backroom Deals

She HATES them. I figure that is just a nice political thing to say if you are running for office. But she brought up an example of being behind closed doors with Boehner and he said that the people elect, but after that, they shouldn't have a say in what decisions are made on the Hill. Something to that effect. 

It's About the People

Mia said that she want to represent us and get as many decisions in our hands as possible and out of the Federal Gov't. She plans on holding many town hall meetings. 

Social Media

I encouraged her that if she is to be elected she should explain every vote she makes on Facebook/Twitter. 

Congressional Pay

Decrease it. Too many millionaires.

Reason She is Running

She claims doesn't want run for money or power. After she lost 2 years ago, her kids asked her how she would continue to fight. She isn't excited, but knows that this is how she can make a difference.

My Thoughts

Mia is impressive. She seems very principled in her positions and those principles are the same as they were 2 years ago. I will pay a lot of attention to what she says in public to see how it matches what she said to me.

Something that drives me crazy is that she does speak like a politician. Not as bad as say, Chaffetz or Matheson. Sometimes I can tell she wants to say the principled position, but is trying to say it in a way that will be more widely accepted. It's probably the right way to do it, but I just want the pure truth.

Anyway, take from this what you will. If you have other questions you'd like me to ask her, please be sure to comment.

Observations from EM06 Republican Caucus Meeting 2014

It sure is great to attend the local caucus meeting. It is grassroots and I love the people who attend. They are vigilant citizens who want to protect our freedoms as they best know them.

So some quick observations:

1. The Utah Republican Party Platform
I wish I would have taken notes b/c the platform read changed this year and one thing stuck out specifically stuck out to me:

All the language around regulations previously stated "Government regulation can be a major impediment to productivity and to competition. We must rely more on market forces and less on government." But the new platform mentioned had language that was more regulation-friendly.

2. Establishment vs. Non-Establishment
Four years ago you were elected delegate if you said, "I'm getting rid of the Establishment candidate Bob Bennett."

Two years ago you were elected delegate if you said, "I support the Establishment candidate Orrin Hatch."

This year you were elected delegate if you said, "I support people like Mike Lee and Ted Cruz."

So why the swing? Well, money. The core, grassroots, informed, involved members of the precinct voted the same way each time. But two years ago Orrin Hatch sent out his distress signal in the form of hundreds of thousands of dollars in ads and support from other Establishment folks like Romney. It worked and those Establishment folks came out of the woodwork.

I'm not saying that those people who came last time were not sincere, nor do I say that my generalization can be applied to all. But I think this observation has merit, what do you think?

3. Good People Need Your Encouragement
There were so many good people who could do such a great job at any office position we voted on tonight. I like to see a reluctant, stellar person get elected because I know that they do it w/o any ego or pride. There was one person that I think if I nominated her, she would have been elected w/o even a word or a speech.

4. To Heck with Count My Vote
Primary elections, just like general elections, go to the best politician with the most money. I despise this about the process. The caucus/delegate/convention gives the local citizens are real voice, and forces candidates to answer hard questions in a rigorous vetting process.

5. How Fortunate to Have a Rep in our Precinct
Dave Lifferth is awesome. I only agreed with about 70% of his votes this session, but he will talk with his people. He listens, he considers, he responds, and he cares. I gave a little bit of a hard time b/c that is what I normally do with our reps, but he has done some good things.

Well, I'm stoked to be a state delegate this time... even if just by default. I wasn't planning on it this year and that is probably why I actually got elected :)

The Freemen and the Kingmen

The Two Party System Problem

"And it came to pass that those who were desirous that Pahoran should be dethroned from the judgment-seat were called king-men, for they were desirous that the law should be altered in a manner to overthrow the free government and to establish a king over the land.

And those who were desirous that Pahoran should remain chief judge over the land took upon them the name of freemen; and thus was the division among them, for the freemen had sworn or covenanted to maintain their rights and the privileges of their religion by a free government." (Book of Mormon, Alma 51:5-6)

I don't know about you, but it was very obvious to me growing up that I wanted to be on the freemen side and I just knew that the name of that group in our day was the Republicans. And luckily for me the enemy was quite clear: the Democrats. (However, in speaking with liberal friends of mine, they believe they are the ones fighting for personal freedom, while the republicans are violating them. They think they are Freemen as well.)

I now believe that the Republican vs. Democrat battle is just a distraction for the masses, and I was caught up in it for the majority of my life. This election year it is very easy to see just how much our society's political lines are drawn right down party lines. And can you believe it? The division is nearly directly down the middle of the US population.

The game can be quite fun, too. We have team colors and jerseys, mascots, announcers, team captains, coaching staff, playbooks, pre-season, post-season, and the big game.

 A lot of enthusiasm comes from being on a team, fighting a battle, and getting pep talks every day from folks like Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh. I was very proud to be a Republican, though to prove I had an open mind (yeah right), I was unaffiliated.

I was so caught up in the us vs. them that I didn't realize that both parties were headed in the same direction on a spectrum that I didn't even know existed. See, the two parties don't want you to know there is another spectrum other than Right vs. Left.

THE DISTRACTION SPECTRUM

"LOOK... HARDER" ANOTHER DIMENSION (The Nolan Chart)

The Founders of the United States saw the big picture and created a form of government to protect liberty. See, it wasn't about Right v. Left back then, it was statism vs. freedom. We get distracted by the Right vs. Left that we don't even recognize the march towards totalitarism is the destination down the path of both communism and fascism.

With this understanding we can now see the real Kingmen and Freemen battle. We can also recognize that we are moving down into the authoritarian area and it's nasty down there. Rise above the enticing right vs. left battle and fight for the freedom and government our founders fought for. Fight against tyranny from the left and the right.

Yes We Can?

No They Can't!

I am a huge fan of a lot of John Stossel's work. Yes he an entertainer, but one who's principles are those of liberty and free market economics. Here is a piece that the recently did in response to the slogan, "yes we can." Can government really create jobs?

For your viewing pleasure:

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2dcZlrbBFE

Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPEMde-2yCI

Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9N1ISwkRKM

Senator Hatch Needs to Go

Government is a crazy thing. I we often talk about people's shortcomings and come off as mean or disrespectful of all the good the person does. I have heard plenty of stories about Senator Hatch that tell me that he is likely a good man with good intentions. It is doubtful that he is conniving or mean, but he just doesn't understand or respect the Constitution.

Oh sure, you say. A 30-year-old naive kid thinks he understands the Constitution better than someone who has been a senator 6 years longer than that and has sworn an oath to it at least 6 times? I say unto you, "yea", either that or Hatch understands it and just chooses to ignore it.

Let me first say that people tend to say the word "Constitution" but have not read it, others have read it and never thought about it what it means, and those who do think, study, and ask may interpret it in various ways. I happen to think that my interpretation is on the right track from my studies. If you have any question of disagreement with what I call unconstitutional in this post, please comment. I may be wrong, you may be wrong, or we are both wrong, but shouldn't we talk about it so we can get it right? Now that that is out of the way...

• In January 2009 he was pro-Timothy Geithner as he believed Geithner was well qualified to handle and help correct the economic downturn.
• He voted to raise the minimum wage 9 times since 1993.
• He supported Greenspan's policies of the early 2000s of low interest rates
• Co-sponsored the Medicare Part D bill in 2003 that has cost $1.3 Trillion since.
• Voted for $17B to Amtrak in 2008, $11B in 2007
• Voted for the Dream Act in 2007
• Co-sponsored PIPA until the public outcry then didn't show up to vote
• Repeatedly voted for farm subsidies $300B in 2007 alone (gotta love our HFCS)
• Voted 16 times to raise the debt ceiling
• Co-sponsored the individual mandate for health insurance in 1993
• Voted for TARP :(
• Voted for bailing out Fannie and Freddie :( :(
• Voted to bail out the car companies :( :( :(
• Thought the feds could run education better and voted to establish the Dept of Education
• Voted for NDAA in 2011 that included allowing the administration to indefinitely detain American citizens w/o a trial. Suspended habeas corpus and the 6th Amendment.
• Voted for the [anti-] Patriot Act thus suspending the 4th Admendment.
• Voted to increase taxes to expand SCHIP
• Favors Minimum Wage
• Oh man, So I've been looking though his voting record online and stumbled across this... I don't agree that all these votes are unconstitutional, but for the most part. Look at them here when you have a moment. No need to keep listing them out when someone has already done the homework :)

I guess I should mention three more things. First, Hatch is not Pro-life. He may be pro-life for the unborn, but he has been far to vocal in support of sending young men and women over to the Middle East and other places in the world to die and kill others. I'm not a pacifist, but our wars since WWII have been undeclared, unconstitutional, and unnecessary.

Second, Hatch as been reborn! He has seen the light! Ever since we kicked Bennett out for the same shenanigans Hatch suddenly realized that he wanted to follow Mike Lee's example and basically wait until he knew Lee's positions and then vote along with him. Hatch, the man with all the influence and power in DC, rode on the coattails of a freshman. THAT is the power of influence (though he should had followed Lee on the Patriot Act, NDAA, and PIPA... whoops). Anyway, do you think Hatch will keep doing the same once he secures his position for his final 6 years? Not likely. We'll probably see the old Hatch return.

Third, political office is not a career! Take it away Benjamin Franklin, "Sir, there are two passions which have a powerful influence in the affairs of men. These are ambition and avarice—the love of power and the love of money. Separately, each of these has great force in prompting men to action; but, when united in view of the same object, they have, in many minds, the most violent effects. Place before the eyes of such men a post of honor, that shall, at the same time, be a place of profit, and they will move heaven and earth to obtain it. "

So, there you go. Some reasons why Hatch should go. As a last note, at my caucus meeting it was very obvious that many of the older folks there were there to answer Hatch's distress call. They were voting for the status quo. The status quo may be very comfortable for them, but their children and grandchildren want to take what country they have left and make it free, prosperous, and peaceful again.

Please comment on what you agree with or where I'm not understanding something.

EM06 Caucus Meeting

The place was packed. Parking was nowhere to be found and it easy to get to know your neighbor in that small classroom. 100 or so people showed up to participate in some good old fashioned grassroots government.

I ran as a state delegate and lost. I had a decent showing and many people come out to support me (thank you), but alas, 2 minutes and 2 questions was not enough to convince people that I'm their guy :)

5 people ran for the position and 2 were obvious pro-Hatch supporters. One even said that he'd definitely vote for Hatch and Herbert, and then at the end told us that he doesn't make up his mind until the end. He was an awesome guy, but I don't believe he understands the Constitution.

I got up and said something like this:

I love the Constitution, I study the founding fathers, I follow state and federal politics very closely, I call my representatives weekly to encourage them to vote certain ways, I watch to see their votes, I have met many of the candidates running & have grilled them. And I will not vote for Senator Hatch. He is gone.

Then I read a quote by Ezra T Benson:

And sure enough that was more than my 2 minutes. So question #1: Will you vote according to your opinion or what we tell you. My answer: I will vote my conscience according to the Constitution. This is a Republic, not a Democracy, we are ruled by law and I will judge the candidates according to that standard. (gulp, I realize that most people think that majority should rule and they don't really understand our form of government)

Question #2 (a repeat of question 1 and asked by the wife of the man referred to 3 paragraphs above this): So as our representative you wouldn't vote the way we tell you? My answer: Again, we are in a Republic not a Democracy, we are ruled by law, the law in the Constitution. (She interrupts "It's a yes or no question") Majority rule is like 2 wolves and a sheep voting on who's for dinner. I will study out the candidates and vote for the person who respects the Constitution.

Guy mentioned above: 33

Another Hatch guy: 31

Me: 29

Another Anti-Hatch guy: 17

A stud: 1

In the second round guy mentioned above won.

I'm afraid the many don't understand the Constitution... well I'm sure of it, because I thought I did but until 3 years ago, I really didn't have a clue. Just what Hannity, Rush, Beck, and O'Reilly told me to think.

Here's what I wish I would have said to question #2, keeping it short as to maintain reality: "If the majority of you want me to support a man that voted for NDAA, The Patriot Act, TARP, over a dozen debt ceiling increases, Medicare II, etc., then I will not vote the way you want me to. I used the Constitution as my measuring stick and expect our leaders to uphold it. I look at Hatch and see that he either doesn't understand the Constitution or does not respect it.

You make your choice right now. You either stand for the Constitution and against Hatch or you don't. But as I understand that Heavenly Banner, I cannot stray from it or vote for those who ignore it."

So what now? Keep fighting the good fight. Liberty book club needs to start back up. I'll talk a lot with John Harrington and the guy mentioned above to talk about the proper role of government. Then encourage everyone I can to go to the primary and vote out Hatch.

Now finally, I may be able to stop thinking about this and fall asleep. In liberty, Jonny