What's your Budget IQ?

So have you ever been at a party, BBQ, or just sitting around with co-workers and friends and the one really opinionated person pipes up with some totally outlandish spending 'fact' or 'statistic' they heard from a friend of a friend who saw something on Glen Beck a few weeks back and you just know you are in for five minutes of trying to keep your blood pressure at a normal level while you quietly let the person relieve themselves of the said 'fact' and they attempt to enlighten the group on why America is going to hell in a hand basket? Ever happened to any of you? Anyone?

Of course it has. Why? Because we're all idiots! Our perceptions are our realities. The news media, pundits, and even politicians themselves highlight items, cases, stories, and statistics that grab your attention and prompt an emotional response. You hear enough of these stories attached to an emotional reaction then they start to become your reality. Politicians and media pundits then capitalize on these new realities and use your feelings; often of anger and fear to keep you watching or listening to their shows or to keep voting for them.

Consider this poll from CNN on America's Budget IQ. Here is the accompanying article: American's flunk budget IQ test.

Let's take one item, say Foreign Assistance; What percentage of the budget would you say America spends on Foreign Aid? According to the poll on average people say we spend 10% of the budget on that one item (1 in 5 say we spend 20% on it). The truth? It's about 1.65%. Are you surprised? If so, why? Why do you think it's higher than it is? Is it because aid programs in Haiti, or parts of Africa, or other places around the globe get so much media attention?

Or is it cases closer to home like Congressman Chaffetz highlighting the inefficiencies of USAID in Haiti? "The relief effort is not progressing fast enough - why are we spending soooo much money there?" That's the message right? Does that make you angry? Of course it does. Are we wasting money in Haiti? Maybe. But would holding hearings and then cutting aid to programs like USAID really make a dent in the deficit? At 1.65%, and I'm guessing USAID isn't even a 10th of that, cutting that whole program wouldn't even be a blip on the radar. Yet you feel like our representatives are working on cutting the graft - trimming the pork right?

Wrong.

To get a sense - a true sense of where cuts need to happen take a look at this graphic for the 2012 proposed budget. It (see graphic at top of this post) gives you a nice visual of the largest programs and puts the smaller (yet often most highlighted) spending programs in context. What are the biggest spending items? Social Security at 20.04%, National Defense at 19.27%, and Medicare at 12.86%. Those three items are over half the total budget alone(!). Scroll over the various items to see their amounts.

So the next time your uneducated yet very opinionated associate starts in on how much the US is spending on what, you can chime in and say 'Oh yeah? If we're ever going to make a real dent in spending, you should take a look at those darn entitlement programs." Or when they say "We're spending 5% on NPR!" You can say; "Actually, it's only one tenth of one percent...If you really want to make a difference we should think about what it's costing us to fight wars on two fronts. 19.27% of our budget goes to national defense..."

Yeah, try giving them a dose of that reality. And the real reality is, that's where the discussion should be, not on earmarks, not on roads to nowhere, not on foreign aid programs. It's time to reform Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, and come up with a cohesive national defense strategy.

Wimmer's no Jimmer

I hate to get into this so early in the 2012 congressional races...BUT it's not secret Carl Wimmer is running for Congress. Which District? We don't know, he doesn't know and honestly I don't think he cares. He's decided he's needed in Congress and the District will find him. It's funny in a time when borders are talked about so vehemently that we've had our struggles with those pesky lines right here at home. Rep Craig Frank's unfortunate situation comes to mind, the upcoming redistricting of State House and Senate lines, and the new 4th Congressional seat, not to mention Congressman Jason Chaffetz not living in the District he represents.

But I digress.

This post is really about HB 477 - no, it's really about ambition, but I'll get to that in a moment. The infamous GRAMA Bill. The one that prevents/makes it more difficult for the average citizen (read news reporters) from gaining access to public records, including text messages and emails. I think it's no secret (notice the common theme) that the process of it's passage has been much criticized by the local media and rightfully so.

Any steps by newly elected Speaker Lockhart to push for a more open process have been severely shadowed by this bill. And it's ironic really. I mean what is the public, let alone the media, to think about a bill that limits access to various public records, when it's pushed forward so quickly and with such little process that a bill of this subject matter traditionally requires? It's really puzzling. And I'm also a bit surprised that the Speaker's new Chief of Staff Joe Pyrah, a former Herald news reporter and favorite blogger (SausageGrinder), didn't advise the Speaker on the potential backlash.

But now comes Representative Carl Wimmer. If Jimmer is everything good about basketball, Rep Wimmer is everything bad about politics. The classic definition of an ambitious, self-serving politician in the year of election. Wimmer is now conveniently calling for HB477 to be repealed. To me Wimmer comes across as an opportunist trying to capitalize on the public displeasure with HB477 and make himself a champion of its repeal. All the while I might add he voted FOR it the first time it came before the House then voted against it the second time when I believe he held his finger to the wind and saw it as a potentially harmful vote that would be held against him in his congressional run.

Does anyone remember the famous "I voted it FOR it before I voted AGAINST it"Kerry political ad of 2004?

Carl. YOU voted FOR HB477 before you voted AGAINST it!

Wimmer is an election year opportunist driven more by ambition than principle at this point. His usage of the repeal of HB477 as a vehicle for his own purposes is the perfect example.

If any of you know of an honest principled candidate considering a run. Please let me know. I'm anxious to help keep this guy out of a place where ambition is all to often rewarded over principle.

In my next post I promise to tell you how I really feel. ;)

Go Cougs!

Military Leave for an Elected Official of a Political Subdivision

Just to follow-up on the National-Guard-City-Council-Vacancy issue...Here is the link to my Letter to the Editor in the Provo Daily Herald that ran earlier this week: Better Solutions.

It's basically a watered down version of my previous post - they only give you like 200 words so it's tough trying to sound intelligent - but as a conservative I always try to do more with less. ;)

Senator Valentine is running the bill, which you can track here: - SB66: Military Leave for an Elected Official of a Political Subdivision (Political Subdivision just means a 'city' which is technically a political subdivision of the state.

You can see the current language here: SB 66.

Please consider sending a note of support to your State Representative* or State Senator*.

*Disclaimer: the links to your local representatives district maps are provided by the state legislature, which may or may not be dependent on county governments, city boundaries, and the price of rice in China. They may or may not be accurate.

Resigned to This

The Provo Daily Herald just published an odd editorial: Honor in resignation trying to link (former but soon to be rightfully restored) Rep Craig Frank's recent resignation to the situation of current Provo City-Wide Councilwoman Laura Cabanilla who is currently serving in Kuwait as a Colonel in the Reserves.

I fail to see the connection. It seems as if the Herald for some reason wants the Councilwoman to resign and is desperately trying to tie the two cases together. Anyone with an ounce of common sense can see the difference. One a bizarre map making error, the other fulfilling one's military duty.

I for one support Councilwoman Cabanilla. Is anyone else offended that The Herald so easily dismisses her willingness to serve our country in a time of war? If The Herald were so convinced of her need to resign where were they six months ago when the City gave her a proper send off?

I'm surprised The Herald's best idea is one of simple resignation. Federal law requires that a servicemember if called to serve cannot be fired and is entiled to their job when they return. Would the Board then have those in the private sector resign from their places of employment before fulfilling their military duty as well? Perhaps The Herald Editorial Board would benefit from brushing up on their HR basics: The USSERA - The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA 38 U.S.C. 4301-4335)

USERRA provides that returning service-members are reemployed in the job that they would have attained had they not been absent for military service...with the same seniority, status and pay, as well as other rights and benefits determined by seniority...USERRA also provides that while an individual is performing military service, he or she is deemed to be on a furlough or leave of absence and is entitled to the non-seniority rights accorded other individuals on non-military leaves of absence.

Provo residents still enjoy representation from their District Councilmember, the other City-Wide member and the Mayor. Additionally, the advance of technology allows those called to military service to still fulfill their duties as members of the Council. The Councilwoman has participated in meetings over the phone, and has on two separate occasions corresponded with my wife via email while overseas.

But really, is resignation the limit of The Herald's imagination? The Councilwoman was elected to a four-year term. The length of her call is expected to be one year. Could the Editorial Board not come up with a reasonable alternative? Senator Valentine is exploring options, including one that would allow the Member to appoint someone in their place for the duration of their leave. I understand the concerns such a proposal raises, but why not use it to further the dialogue? Other reasonable ideas would include, allowing the Council to appoint a temporary replacement or my preferred method would be allowing the Mayor to make the appointment.

In each alterantive the power is centered in one area or the other, either the Councilmember involved, the Council, or the Mayor. I understand the concerns. Perhaps there is some combination of all three, but it seems like this isn't rocket science. Let's define an appropriate process and follow it.

Resignation is unnecessary. Provo deserves better.

Healthcare...get your Healthcare...get your Healthcare...Reform

Great op-ed by former Utah Gov and Bush Cabinet Member Mike Leavitt (yes I realize I just mentioned him in my last post and no I'd don't have a crush).

See the full article here: Healthcare reform: Less spending, less government control

I'll summarize his key points quickly:

1) Define contributions not benefits
2) Engage consumers
3) Give states more flexibility
4) More towards sustainable expectations

He offers the three primary reasons why healthcare, an issue Republicans generally do not win, was in 2010 a winning issue for them: "The truth is that people don't like Obamacare for three reasons: It represents too much debt, too much deficit and too much government."

Amen.

2012

So this comes as no big surprise that Senator Hatch is going to run for another term.

I think he's going to have a tough battle ahead of him. Rumored to run is Rep. Jason Chaffetz and recently mentioned is former Governor Huntsman. I thought it was interesting that two days ago Jason's campaign manager Deidre Henderson followed me on Twitter then literally two hours later so did Senator Hatch.

I suspect Huntsman won't run. I suspect Chaffetz will.

That means 2012 is going to be nuts for elections. The Governor's office is up for election (already), Attorney General (Sen Valentine has been mentioned as interested), Hatch's seat, and all what will by then be four Congressional seats, not to mention the Legislative seats.

I'm looking forward to it. Odds are with so many races going on at the same time there will naturally be an increased demand for people with political and/or campaign experience. The good ones will be nabbed up early so folks need to start organizing now - or else you may be caught in a moral dilemma of trying to decide between high school interns and hiring illegals from Mexico - just sayin. ;)

But back to the Senate race. Who would you like to see run? I think it'd be interesting to see someone like Mike Leavitt run, or even his brother David Leavitt (neither are really being mentioned as interested). I'm a huge fan of Provo Mayor John Curtis (but he's not that politically ambitious). West Valley City Mayor Mike Winder is someone with a political future, but I see him happy with being Mayor (for now). Honestly, at this point I'm not that excited about any of the current Legislators rumored to be interested, but that could change as things get closer to kick off. Not rumored to run but I'd be interested in watching his campaign would be someone like Curt Bramble. Same with John Dougall.

Who knows what it'll bring but with so many races I wouldn't be surprised if we saw Shawn Bradley again, with that, why not Steve Young, Thurl Bailey, Karl Malone (he could come back right), or maybe even that crazy chick from Utah on The Bachelor?

Update 1/24/11: A new addition I'd like to add to the list. Sen Dan Liljenquist. He comes across very sincere and more than qualified.

A House without a Home

I honestly do feel bad for Rep Craig Frank in Cedar Hills. He got shafted. But I am a litle surprised at how quickly people are willing to toss out the State Constitution.

This commentary in the Daily Herald nails it I think:

The pro-Frank crowd felt that the committee and legislature should follow what has been traditionally believed to be right for the last 10 years and ignore the plain language of Utah's constitution that would remove him from office.

I understand the frustration. I understand the confusion. But if you live outside the line you live outside the line.

What's curious is that the majority of Craig's supporters are ardent defenders of the US Constitution. It's just interesting how folks react when an issue hits as close to home as this one does.

Just to add even more intrigue to the issue...Senator Valentine is looking into the definition of what the line actually is.

UPDATE
Valentine and Dougall to run a Bill

The Daisy Awards

Great montage of the best and worst of the political ads from this season. Being in Utah we've missed some of the best...and the worst...but then doesn't that make them the best? I digress...

The Daisy Awards for Political Ads - Political Punch

...my personal favorite? The Carly Fiorina's "Demon Sheep" ad. Priceless

And here's the one that started it all...

Continuing on the Civility Theme

Interesting comments from former President Carter. Speaking of his campaigns back in the day the former President says; "It would have been devastating if any one of us had run a negative campaign against the other," Mr. Carter said, "whereas nowadays it's become a common practice and, unfortunately, it works for the American people."

And that's the sad state of public dialogue in America right now - it works.

Mr. Carter continued, "By the time you get to Washington, even if you are elected, your reputation has been severely damaged by the constant stream of negative TV commercials."

Just in case you've always wanted to get a Polaroid with a former prez, Carter will be signing copies of his new book on Oct. 28 at The King's English Bookshop near 1500 South and 1500 East in SLC.

Fore!

Here's my comment in last Sunday's Daily Herald regarding Provo's golf course.

They only give you 100 words on those things. Not much to make yourself sound very intelligent. I thought the Herald's Op-Ed "Is City Owned Golf a Sand Trap?" on the topic did a fine job outlining the issues.

So. Should cities be involved in golf? Call me unprincipled but I say - it depends. I have nothing against a community pooling its resources to fund beneficial projects. It's just in this case East Bay Golf Course is unable to operate at a profit because they cannot raise their rates - why? Because the marketplace already has enough golf courses. It's supply and demand.

Other similar issues like say a rec center in Provo I'm open to because Provo doesn't have one, and the market is such that a private investor won't get a decent ROI. So if the citizens of Provo decide we want to build one that oh say - just breaks even, then I say let's go for it.

I guess that's why I'm a Republican and not a pure Libertarian.