Who can say no to more money? or Why am I running?

People ask me why I am running for the Utah House of Representatives. Well, go to http://gva1.utah.gov/disclosures, select PUBLIC SEARCH then select Candidates and OfficeHolders and look at the 2010-Primary Report of Contributions and Expenditures. You will see seven reasons why (large contributors from outside the district). I want a representative who is not encumbered with contributions from special interests and organizations from outside the district. District 50 deserves a representative that will listen and represent the members of this community.

There should be no doubt that I am not beholden to anybody but to those who live in District 50 (There were unsolicited donations from outside the district which I returned to sender). It should be clear that if I am elected it will not be business as usual. I firmly believe that I can be effective without compromising my commitment to not accept contributions from outside the district or any type of gift from lobbyist and special interests. I don’t want you to have any doubts about who is influencing my decisions.

If you give me the responsibility of representing you, I can, without hesitation promise that it will not be business as usual at the capitol. It is time for a change. We can do better. We must do better. I ask you to help me do that beginning next Tuesday. Thank you.

Steve Roberts
Candidate for Utah House of Representatives, District 50
www.robertsfor50.com
steven80roberts@gmail.com

Heavy Artillery

Heavy Artillery

The big guns came out last week. I am talking about money. Mailers and flyers and more signs. There was more money spent last week by the other candidate than I have spent on my whole campaign. I knew this day was coming because she had the money and that is the way traditional campaigns are run. But as I went out last night and talked to people in the district it became apparent that these are not traditional times and people are frustrated with politicians that have the time to prepare mailers but don’t have the time to talk to them. The fight goes on.



Saturday morning I volunteered at a Flag Day celebration. I was reminded that this is what I am fighting for; I am fighting so the voice of people who are willing to volunteer and sacrifice for their State and Country is heard above the money and special interests. This is a great country and great state because of people like those who were there Saturday morning honoring our flag.

Sign Wars

Campaign signs are popping out of the ground, especially for school board candidates. We are all desperate to have people see our names. I guess the fear is that a voter will see our names on the ballot and think "never heard of him". Of course the voter thinking "I have seen his signs" is not much better. There are alternatives such as standing on the corner with a sandwich board and yelling at cars as they drive by or driving up and down streets with a sound truck like they do in some Latin American countries. Any other suggestions?

I am only putting my signs on peoples yards so at least I talk to one person per sign about why I am running and why they should vote for me. I may try a business here and there. So far I have resisted the temptation to put them on every vacant street corner.

Campaign Guilt

Friday I took the night off from Campaigning and helped my Mother-In-Law move furniture. What was supposed to have been only a few hours ended up lasting until 9:30 pm. I kept thinking that I should be campaigning. I keep running into people who are not aware that there is a primary for House of Representatives District 50. There is only two weeks left. I need to talk to 25,000 people.

Hope and late nights

Hope and Late Nights

Wednesday was graduation for Bingham High School. About 780 graduates. It was an impressive group that included 22 students with 4.0 grade point averages. Principle Hicks said that over $4 million dollars of scholarships have been offered to these students.

I spent the night with about half of the graduates at Noah’s. Staying up until 3:00 am did not seem to bother them. The South Jordan Police Officer that was there to ensure the peace had nothing to do. The kids enjoyed themselves without causing problems. It was actually a very nice evening. Getting up to go to work the next morning was not so enjoyable.

Momentum--31 May 2010

Keeping the momentum is difficult. Watch any sporting event and you will see the momentum change. We have seen the same thing happen here in the Jordan School District. I went to the Board Meeting Tuesday night. The big crowds of a couple of months ago are gone. The major issues have been dodged, not resolved, and life has overtaken most people. I don’t want to suggest that people are not concerned anymore or that they are fickle. Generally they are sincere and want to be involved but they have to make choices between family, careers and being politically involved. The system should make it easier for them to be informed and to engage in constructive dialogue.

I have noticed that I am getting to be too serious and dull on this site. I actually wrote a lengthy paper on the School Board meeting. Then I went to work out. That helps to clear the mind. I decided I need to find something good and something funny to write about each time. Especially since my niece admitted that she still reads my blog but is starting to find it a little boring.

Friday night Matthew, Sid and I went camping with the neighborhood up at the Heber Valley Camp. We arrived about 8:00 pm and shortly thereafter a snowball fight broke out. Now I don’t know why the neighborhood boys don’t throw snowballs at their dads, but they had waited until I arrived. Well I was able to gain control of the strategic ground (the snow bank) and the boys were forced to make suicide runs at the snow bank to try and grab some snow before they got pummeled. Of course they got some good shots in because it was one against twenty. That is the funny, or at least fun.

My job Friday night was to provide scones. It is amazing how good Rhodes frozen dinner rolls can taste when they are flattened out, boiled in oil and smothered in honey butter. It doesn’t get much better. 144 scones were consumed.

Attack!

I received an e-mail that questioned my motives and abilities. I thought about waiting until the morning to respond, but decided I would probably sleep better if I responded immediately. I will not post the e-mail because I don’t want to detract from the issues, but following is my response:

Representative Clark and Senator Waddoups made the point in an op-ed piece that they wrote for the Washington post that the Federal Government tends to micro manage. They stated that "the federal government is attempting to do far more than it has the capacity to execute well. Congress has inserted itself into every aspect of our lives with laws and regulations". I agree with that statement. I also believe that the State Legislature exhibits the same tendencies as manifested in the large number of laws and regulations passed annually.

What I am advocating is that the Legislature restrict its actions just as the Legislature asked the Federal Government to restrict their actions.

I also believe that there are far too many people in positions of power that believe that they are indispensable. We have seen it with the high priced bankers in New York who collected large bonuses as a reward for nearly bankrupting the country, we see it in Senators and Congressman who serve for decades and we see it in state officials. Unfortunately, they have built a system that favors the good old boys over the average citizen that wants to be involved and serve.

There are many good, intelligent, honest people in this district that could serve very effectively if given the opportunity. I believe that I am one of them. I hope to inspire others in our district to get involved and take their turn at serving.

I appreciate your comments. They have made me contemplate my candidacy and strengthened my resolve that meaningful change is needed and can be achieved. I will be an effective legislator and I won't need to over-regulate to do it.

Steve Roberts.