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

Freedom to Choose Good OR Evil

We Chose Agency

Everyone who is reading this post has fought for agency--the freedom to choose.

In the pre-mortal life we progressed to the point where we needed to come to Earth and receive a body to progress further. We would have to be righteous & keep God's law to return to him.

Heavenly Father created a plan where we would be able to come to Earth and choose good or evil. This agency would be made possible only through an Atonement because we would all undoubtedly fail.

Lucifer had, what he thought to be, a better plan. He wanted to take away the agency of man and force them to do/choose good so that none would be lost and all would return to HF's presence. But this plan goes against the eternal principle of agency. And, of course, Lucifer wanted the glory for executing the plan.

Everyone here on Earth sided with Heavenly Father's plan and choose agency. We and Heavenly Father knew that we would lose some of our brothers and sisters who choose to do evil, but agency was worth the reward and is the only way we can become like Heavenly Father. We must choose for ourselves.

"Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and call things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil." - 2 Nephi 2:27

The Constitution Guarantees Agency & Liberty

Many of the founders of our country (especially of the Jefferson/Madison crowd) believe that as God is eternally free and we are created in his likeness & image, we too, are eternally free. We are guaranteed life, liberty, & the pursuit of happiness in the Constitution.

We have the freedom to choose good and the freedom to choose evil insomuch as that evil does not infringe on the rights of others.

Many are Choosing Satan's Plan

Since the time of the constitution we as a nation made up of the natural man have moved into the tyrannical state of forcing others to do what we think/believe/know to be right and good.

This is happening on the Left and the Right. It is a Democrat problem and it is a Republican problem.

For example:

The Left wants the freedom to put whatever they want in their lungs, but they don't think someone should have the freedom to do what they wish with their money.

The Right wants freedom to do with their money whatever they wish, but they want to force you to not put drugs into your body.

My libertarian argument is that we don't force other to do what we know to be right or correct. Let's not confuse the role of society and churches with the role of government. Society should urge each other to do good and be righteous. Government should guarantee our freedoms.

The Modern Little Red Hen Shrugged

A friend of mine loaned me some CDs which are a collection of Ronald Reagan radio addresses during the late 1970s before his campaign for the presidency.

It has been a great joy to listen to his words in his own voice. In one address Reagan shared the Modern Little Red Hen story which I believe very simply illustrates some main issues with redistribution of wealth.

Once upon a time, there was a little red hen who scratched about the barnyard until she uncovered some grains of wheat.

She called her neighbors and said, "If we plant this wheat, we shall have bread to eat. Who will help me plant it?"

"Not I," said the cow.
"Not I," said the duck.
"Not I," said the pig.
"Not I," said the goose.

"Then I will," said the little red hen, and she did.

The wheat grew tall and ripened into golden grain. "Who will help me reap my wheat?" asked the little red hen.

"Not I," said the duck.
"Out of my classification," said the pig.
"I'd lose my seniority," said the cow.
"I'd lose my unemployment compensation," said the goose.

"Then I will," said the little red hen, and she did.

At last it came time to bake the bread. "Who will help me bake the bread?" asked the little red hen.

"That would be overtime for me," said the cow.
"I'd lose my welfare benefits," said the duck.
"I'm a dropout and never learned how," said the pig.
"If I'm to be the only helper, that's discrimination," said the goose.

"Then I will," said the little red hen.

She baked five loaves and held them up for her neighbors to see. They wanted some and, in fact, demanded a share.

But the little red hen said, "No, I can eat the five loaves."

"Excess profits!" cried the cow.
"Capitalist leech!" screamed the duck.
"I demand equal rights!" yelled the goose.
And the pig just grunted.

And they painted "unfair" picket signs and marched around and around the little red hen, shouting obscenities.

When the government agent came, he said to the little red hen, "You must not be greedy."

"But I earned the bread," said the little red hen.

"Exactly," said the agent. "That is the wonderful free enterprise system. Anyone in the barnyard can earn as much as he wants. But under our modern government regulations, the productive workers must divide their product with the idle."

And they lived happily ever after, including the little red hen, who smiled and clucked, "I am grateful. I am grateful."

But her neighbors wondered why she never again baked any more bread.

This story is very similar to the strike of the productive workers in Ayn Rand's fable "Atlas Shrugged."