The Perfect Set-Up for Spending

UPDATE (August 24, 2012):  The STAR Forum has gathered some citizens for an application for a Referendum Vote on this tax increase.  Please contact me to help gather signatures of Summit County Voters, so we can show this county council we are tired of tax and spend policies in this county.

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What would be the best way to get a tax increase through?  Can you imagine setting a budget that includes a tax increase, spending the money, and THEN having a final public hearing?  Well, that’s pretty much how it’s done.  And it’s okay under Utah law.

Wednesday, August 15, a number of residents attended the “public hearing” for the tax rate increase on their municipal taxes in unincorporated Summit County.  This tax increase was a 51.7% increase.  This was the second public hearing.  The first public hearing was not well-attended, because it wasn’t until people got their tax notices and saw the increase that they were up in arms.  Let’s just say, the council sees Summit County homes as their money machine.

The council chambers were packed.  It was standing room only.  Chairs were brought in from other areas of the building.  Residents came from all over Summit County frustrated by the seemingly lackadaisical attitude of the council.

For ½ an hour, the council “sold” us their reasons for the tax increase and how important it was for the roads.  One of the main points I got out of their sale was, we held one public hearing and no one was there, so we moved forward and already spent all the money because it was construction time and we had to fix all the roads.  So, this was nothing more than a “dog and pony show” as one Wanship resident put it, and the public hearing meant absolutely nothing.

I personally stood and asked what items were CUT from the budget in order to make up some of this difference.  Were there non-essential services cut?  Were salaries brought down to a level in line with the private sector?  One gentlemen, Mr. Callahan, lauded the work done by the new machines purchased that save us so much money but cost more man hours to run.  I looked up his salary while I was sitting there.  In 2010 this guy made $147,000 per year.  I doubt he’s taken a pay cut, and I’ll bet he’s seen a pay increase since then.  Our county employees are making much better than the private sector, while the private sector has had to tighten their belts significantly.  Please remember council, it’s those private citizens that are paying those public employees’ salaries.

With blank stares the council looked at me, until John Hanarhan stepped in to say that the budget has been cut year over year because of less tax revenue.  While parts of the budget may have been cut, overall, this is not true according to the counties own records.  Carston Mortensen quoted to the council all of their revenues over the last five (5) years or so and it shows either an increase or a leveling of revenue, not a decrease.

Sally Elliot when on to say they have not wanted to let people go in such a tough economy, and so they have cut budgets by attrition.  WHAT?  This is such a horrible way to handle the public’s money.  No one wants to let people go in their business.  When the construction business took a turn for the worse, that’s what we had to do.  These were people with families, and mortgages.  It eats me up inside to let someone go, but the survival of the company has to be considered, just as the survival of the people of the county must be considered.   Either a few people were let go or the whole thing goes down.  Here is the problem with the “ruling class” thinking of the council:  They think that it’s okay to “keep people” because they can just raise your taxes and mine to make up the difference.  It matters not at all to them if YOU “need” these people to work for YOU.  Or have they forgotten, that YOU are paying the bills?

John Hanarhan and Chris Robinson simply quote Utah code to say they complied by having a public hearing.  I pose a question to my council:  Is it good practice to comply with the law and simply ignore the public, or is it a better practice to be responsible with the public’s money and be sure the public is heard when their money is being taken through legal plunder?  Speaking of roads, Granite did most of the road repair.  The road in front of Chris Robinson’s home was done, even though it wasn’t due for repaving yet.  And imagine that, money found it’s way into Chris’s election fund from none other than Granite.

Then Bob Jasper, the county manager, actually said it was either the roads get fixed with a tax increase, or the roads get fixed and we lose services from our Sherriff’s department.  Really?  These kind of scare tactics are tired, and old, and we simply don’t buy it anymore.  Either you won’t be safe, or it’s for the children.  Can’t the council come up with something new?

I have no respect for Bob Jasper’s position.  I didn’t vote him in, and neither did any of you.  This position is the rubber stamp of the council.  He doesn’t answer to the people, only to the council.  Also, for a guy who’s running our county, I for one would like to be able to vote him out if needed.  The recommendation to “spend the money” during construction season before a final hearing shows me where his allegiance lies, and it isn’t with the people.  Also, I can’t tell you how many times Sally Elliot, looked over to the county manager, or the county attorney for help with her answers.  Sometimes she even verbally said, “help me.”

Cuts can be made everywhere, and in a $47 million budget, I’m pretty sure we could have trimmed more than half of this “needed” money from someplace else.  Friends of Animals, where Claudia McMullen is making quite a chunk of change is supported by our county tax dollars.  Is that necessary, or should the funds be coming from private sources?  If FOA is saving the county money, maybe the county should look at privatizing the Animal Control and get their monies worth.

There is money that can be saved even in the Sherriff’s office.  We (the tax payer) replace vehicles not on time in the field, but on mileage.  All of our officers are taking their vehicles home and many do not live in Summit County.  Summit County has the highest paid wages in the state of Utah, and our prisoners are the highest paid prisoners in the state.  (Don’t even get me started on the prison pay.)  But this is just one department and it is an essential one.

[Since this article was printed I received a call from Summit County Sherrif, Dave Edmonds.  This issue of driving vehicles home, after studies have been done, actually saves the county money when officers are assigned a vehicle, because they tend to take better care of their vehicles.  Also, we need to remember that there are essential services and non-essential services.  Our county is spending WAY TOO MUCH on non-essential services.  We can put this tax on as a referendum, and then help the county council cut non-essential services to balance their budget.]

While I’m sure the people on the county council are well-intentioned, they are misguided, and I believe do not understand the proper role of government, nor the great responsibility that comes with handling the public treasury.  I need to be clear that one council member did NOT vote for this tax increase.  That was Dave Ure.

I bet most of the people that pay taxes in Summit County would be okay with a much more streamlined government in this county.  Fewer so-called perks, and more appropriate government, where government does what it is supposed to do, instead of being everything to everyone.  Then we could ease the tax burden on our county’s citizens.

Question answered on Orrin Hatch

Today, a member of my meetup group said she didn’t feel I had done my homework on Orrin Hatch, and wondered why I felt he wasn’t standing up for our Constitution.  I respect her right to disagree, and wrote this quick email back.  Then I decided to just make it public.  I know he has many votes and he believes we are “cherry-picking” but these few votes, put in context of our current situation show a lack of understanding for the free-market, self-government, Federalism, and our Constitution. 

I’ve included a few photos to corroborate my story.

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For the benefit of the group, I will be happy to share my personal and political experiences with Orrin Hatch.  I have met with Orrin personally now on 4 or 5 occasions over lunch or breakfast.  As you know, he came to Coalville a year ago and did a town hall that I set up for him.  He has called me personally from his cell phone in DC as well, to talk “about things,” and I have flown to DC and met him there as well.   I have expressed to him my frustration, only to be told, “I didn’t understand.”  This is nothing more than DC arrogance, and I’m done with it.  These guys work for us.  This is not second-hand information but direct votes and my personal experience.

If you don’t know much about me, I am a very self-educated individual and consider myself an avid student of government, history, and human nature.

• I was frustrated over TARP in 2008. HATCH VOTED YES!  I believed that vote under Bush (and I am a Republican) could eventually create the downfall of our economic system.  I was trading the stock market that day and AIG was getting the $80 Billion bailout.  I knew this was a direct violation of free-market principles, and I also understood history.  Anytime a government tries to artificially manipulate the free-market system it either creates a deeper recession or depression, or complete collapse of an economy.  It rarely if ever turns out good.  That was a Pandora’s Box.
• I began looking into Hatch’s record.  There is a website where you can see many of his votes that have been in direct violation with smaller government, or the constitution in and of itself.  www.hatchrecord.com This is a page with accurate information.
• Medicare Part D was THE BIGGEST entitlement before Obamacare occurred in this country.
• NDAA 2012 is another huge violation of our civil liberties. (See post)
• SCHIP — bad legislation
• In May he voted against an amendment put forward by Senator Rand Paul that would STOP allowing the FDA to do armed raids against people who drink raw milk, and sell goat cheese without a warrant.  Mike Lee, Rand Paul, and Mike Crapo (the guy who will be the finance chair from Idaho if Hatch does not return.) all voted in favor of this amendment.  This amendment would have put back in place our 4th amendment rights that we are not to be improperly searched or seized without a written warrant from a judge.
• He has voted to raise the debt ceiling $7.6 Trillion dollars (almost 1/2 of our current national debt)
• He has been in office longer than a dictator. 
• He is using the same tactics that got us into the mess to try to get us out.  It won’t work.
• His son works as a lobbyist for a pharmaceutical company and much of his donation money comes from that industry.
• I’ve heard him publicly say the FDA deserves more money and more power.
• He approved Cass Sunstein as regulatory czar.
• He approved Ruth Bader Ginsberg to the supreme court.
• The Senate Finance Chair should not be someone who has been fiscally irresponsible over the last 36 years.
• Dan Liljenquist worked at Bain Capitol (Mitt Romney‘s company) and I’m sure he’ll get along just fine if he is the president.
• Hill AFB is not in danger.  BRAC determines which bases close and which don’t.  Hill is getting tons of money dumped into it right now, and we are building the NSA right here in Utah, so it will need close defense of that BILLION dollar building.
• Voted for the Federal Department of Education (and took away the ability for states to have control over education)

I hope all of you will do your own homework.  This is just a short list of my reasons. 

(I haven’t blogged in a long time … sorry)

Friendship & Miracles – A Night We Will Not Ever Forget

by Jacqueline Smith

(I wanted to post some pictures but that will have to be later.)

Yesterday, the campaign trail was loaded with stops.  Many had three stops to make.  It started with a nice breakfast at the Wasatch County Lincoln Day breakfast.  Aaron Gabrielson did a great job putting on a fabulous event.  I did not attend this event, because I wanted some shuteye, and it is not in the 1^st District.

We all met up in Duchesne for a nice meet and greet for a few hours.  Brooks Snow and his team, again, fed us lunch and we had a chance to get to know the good people in Roosevelt.

Then it was off to Vernal for the Uintah County Lincoln Day Dinner and VIP reception.  We were all following each other around the state.  Sean Reyes and I have been together for the last 4 days in a row.  You really get to know the other candidates when you are running for office.  Joni Crane put on a fabulous event.  The décor was beautiful, and you really could tell a woman’s touch was involved.  It was well organized and very well attended.  There were just too many people to meet.  I had been in heels all day, and I was wishing I could just put on my cowboy boots by that time.  Nevertheless, it was fun.

We were able to here from Senator Mike Lee, Governor Gary Herbert, Senator Orrin Hatch, and Representative Rob Bishop.  Then all of the candidates had an opportunity for a short 3-minute speech.  I had not prepared one before today, so this was a new adventure.  Everyone articulated their ideas and thoughts well.  It is amazing how much you can get out in 3 minutes, and how much is left untouched.  Hard to make a lasting first impression in 3 minutes, but it was a generous thing to do since there were so many candidates.

After the dinner, they had a great auction and Mike Lee did a little dance while holding up on the items for auction.  It was a fun time.

We mingled for a while after dinner, and then decided it was getting late.  We all had long drives home.  There were nine of us that decided to head over to a legendary spot in Uintah County known as “Skinwalker Ranch.”  It is one of those mythical places were people say paranormal activity occurs, and many are frightened by the stories surrounding the area.  We talked to a few locals, and they were fully convinced it was not a place they wanted to be.

So three cars, full of tired campaign staff and candidates headed to Skinwalker Ranch.  We loaded up on some caffeine and snacks at a gas station, and I felt like I was in high school on a dare.  It was fun.  Morgan Philpot, Toby Emory, and Keith Kudor were in one car.  Kara Harrison and Cindie Quintana were in another.  Cleve Smith (my husband), Kim Weis, and her daughter Cheyanne and I were in another car.

We stopped at the overlook to Skinwalker Ranch.  It was peaceful and absolutely beautiful.  The stars filled the sky with the blackness that surrounded this rural area of Utah.  It was breathtaking.

One of the rumors is that if you are caught on or near the ranch you will be chased off by dogs, or cars, or police will show up.  Sure enough, Officer Luecerno (I hope I remembered his name right.) came by.  We took him off guard because three cars in the middle of nowhere had stopped, and the people he pulls up to see are men and women in suits.  The officer mistook my husband for an FBI agent that works in the area.  He was great.  Talked to us about the rumors, and showed us where the boundaries to the ranch were.

It was a fairly uneventful trek, but we were so close we wanted to experience this part of the Uintah basin.  On the way home we did a three-way call so we could all chat for the hours we would spend driving.  Each of us shared different experiences we had in our lives, and we all grew closer as a group, laughing and talking.  We told them the tires were pretty bald on our vehicle, and since the snow was getting heavier, we were planning on going pretty slow.  No one said we were going to stick together, but we did, and I believe that was providential.

Then the calls began to drop frequently as our reception weakened about 20 miles before Daniels Summit.  Cleve and I talked about how so many of us believe we have been given a call to proclaim and protect liberty.

Then the unthinkable happened.  The car in front of us, holding Morgan Philpot, Keith Kudor and Toby Emory lost control and was gone from the side of the road.  Cleve said,  “They just wrecked.  They’ve gone over the edge.”

We pulled our car off the side of the road where we thought they had gone off.  Cleve said that his first thought was, “I just lost three friends.”  We could not see their lights anywhere.  I saw the cliff off to my left, and I immediately began praying aloud for God’s protection of these men.  I did not know how they could have survived the drop off.  Cleve and I were running as fast as we could.  We must have run about 100 yards before we got to where their vehicle was on its side down a 70-100 foot very steep decline.   Kara Harrison mentioned she had never seen a woman run so fast in the snow in a skirt. We shouted to them.  They shouted back that they were all okay.  It was an absolute miracle.  Divine Providence had definitely intervened.  They climbed the side with help of straps from someone who had stopped.  Another woman stopped and gave us a sleeping bag out of her car to wrap the guys in.  We were on the side of the road for hours waiting for police and an ambulence.  Keith seemed like he was in shock.  A few cuts.  Toby had a small cut on his head, and Morgan had bumped his shin and there was a huge knot on it.  But they walked away.  It was amazing.

I had silently thanked the Lord when Morgan Philpot gathered everyone together and we formally thanked God for our protection.

Today I remembered a blog post I had done years ago.  Boyd K. Packer was speaking in Provo, and I remembered the words he spoke after receiving the Lifetime Freedom Award.  Here is an excerpt from this blog post…

…After receiving the award, President Packer spoke of the freedoms the nation enjoys today — freedoms that came at a price.

He reflected upon James Madison’s record of the Constitutional Convention, referencing the weeks of time and effort that had been exhausted creating the U.S. Constitution allowing the freedoms enjoyed today.

He then told a story about the day that the men were individually signing the Constitution. During the convention, President George Washington was sitting in a high-back chair that had a picture of a rising sun on the back. Benjamin Franklin said that he had been looking at the sun all during the convention. He said he was never sure if it was a rising sun or a setting sun. But, as the men came forward one by one to sign the document, Franklin said that day he had the confidence to know it was a rising sun.

“Now 12 wars later and all that has gone on, that sun is now obscured,” President Packer said. “We know that war can’t destroy it, but if it is destroyed it will be from within. And now we face a danger greater than any of the wars we have faced. To honor the Constitution and to honor freedom is a sacred duty for all of us.

“I invoke the blessing on you who are doing this sacred work that you will keep it up, and that in due time the challenges that we face now from within can be conquered so that this nation may remain free.”

Last night I experienced that blessing, and I believe this is a sacred work.  I believe this is much more than a political position for either Morgan Philpot or myself.  We were witnesses to yet another miracle of God in our lives.

http://www.jacquelinesmith2012.com

Jacqueline Smith Exploratory Committee

Dear Family & Friends: 

I am being drafted to run for U.S. Congress in District 1 of Utah, the current seat held by Rep. Rob Bishop.   I have created an Exploratory Committee to see about the viability of that race. Rep. Rob Bishop has represented our state for the last 10 years, and many feel it is time for him to turn the reigns over to someone else, especially after his vote on the NDAA. (The National Defense Authorization Act, which gives power to detain American citizens indefinitely without charges, trial, or jury.)

Whether you live in the 1st District or not, if you believe in limited government, if you believe in maintaining our rights as defined in our Declaration and Constitution, if you believe that it is time to have someone in Washington that won’t just vote “okay” most of the time, but will be a STRONG VOICE for…

View original post 642 more words

The Constitution Hanging by a Thread?

It has been a long time since I have posted anything.  However, today is the first day of a New Year.  We have so much to be grateful for in this country, but we also have much to be wary of as well.  Today, a bill (HR 1540) goes into effect.  This is the NDAA or National Defense Authorization Act.  This one bill is over 500 pages, and quietly passed into law.  Click here for a link to the bill.

This is anything but an exhaustive article, but I want to hit a few points, so take the time to read this briefly and then dig deep and find your own answers. 

Today, I would dare say, our Constitution hangs by a thread.  I am reminded of the phrase attributed to Martin Niemöller,

“First they came for the communists, and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a communist.  Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a trade unionist.  Then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a Jew.  Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me.” 

This statement was first published in 1955 in a book called, They Thought They Were Free.  How many Americans watched the ball drop, celebrated with friends, played games and got drunk last night, and thought they were free?  I know that I enjoyed the night with family and friends alike.  However, I have no illusion that I am as free today as I was yesterday.  I still live in the greatest country on earth.  I still have more freedoms than most people have ever had, but they are dwindling quickly, and I am watching.

Image via Wikipedia

I belong to many different “groups” on Facebook.  There are many disccusions…usually trivial and meaningless, but sometimes the debates are very interesting.  I am saddened by the educational dead zone that exists.  Yes, many know some facts, and many know the rhetoric on the left and on the right, but many are blind to the duplication of history that is being performed right before their eyes.  At least, some of them.  They trust their government.  They trust that human nature “could never” do something like happened to the Jews during WWII.  But it has begun, in the same manner as it did then, and many other times in history.  You remember the saying, those that do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.  One of our Utah Representatives, Rob Bishop, was a history teacher.  Has he forgotten the lessons he taught?  Because it appears he saw no problem with this bill. 

Let’s not repeat history, let’s make history.  Let’s be the first nation in the history of the world to not fall into tyranny, but liberate ourselves once again the individuals in America from a tyrannical Federal Government, that believe our rights as American citizens can be tossed aside for a little safety.  We do this not by violent measures, but by a strong state government that is unwilling to allow the Federal government to overreach its jurisdiction within our state.

I am not a Rachel Maddow fan, but this clip illustrates that this is not a left / right issue, but an issue of civil liberties that should alarm all of us.  It is not R’s vs. D’s.  It is us (the people) against the tyranny of a much-too-large Federal government and it’s overreaching powers and authority.  The blame I place is not on the Democrats, because the Republicans control the House.  It does not sit entirely on Obama’s shoulders, however, he signed it without a veto as he should have. 

 

You can see how your House representatives voted click HERE.  Three of Utah’s representatives (Jim Mattheson –D , Rob Bishop –R , and Orrin Hatch of the Senate – R) decided your rights as an American citizen no longer deserved the protection granted in the Bill of Rights.  What does the Oath of Office mean to people?  Does it mean anything?  Do they understand they are not there to protect us from would-be crimes, but to protect our rights and liberties?  How long will the people of Utah allow their representatives to disregard their oath?   We have many Republicans running against Jim Mattheson in the 4th district including two of my favorites, Carl Wimmer and Mia Love.  We have a few candidates considering Orrin Hatch be “called home” namely Dan Liljenquist and Chris Herrod.  Also, Tim Aalders has talked about running, but is not official as of late.  But who is challenging Rob Bishop?  No one!  Really?  He goes unchallenged, and that causes me to believe Utah is fast asleep at the wheel, or they think Rob unbeatable.

Montana is doing something about this, and I hope Utah will join in the fight with them.  It’s time to re-call these men for violating their oath.  See the Montana article HERE.  But in order to be like Montana, we will need a very strong governor that will push hard against the Federal government. So far, Gary Herbert hasn’t been that guy.  Our individual liberty demands that our state sovereignty be strengthened.  We have a few candidates that have stepped up to run against Utah’s governor, namely Morgan Philpot and Ken Sumsion.

I’ve had people say to me, “Come on this will never affect YOU.”  Well, this bill, hasn’t had time yet, but it’s predecessor, The Patriot Act already has.  Rachel Maddow brings up the movie “The Minority Report.”  Please read my post on that subject here called Guilty until Proven Innocent.  For I have felt the sting of The Patriot Act myself, and wonder what would possess my Federal Government to suddenly see me, a mother of five, as a terrorist?  And yet, I was questioned because of the Patriot Act as if I was one.  If I have no right to trial, no right to a lawyer, no right to even know my charges, then what hope would I ever have of liberty or freedom in this once great country? 

Do you see how slippery the slope is when we trade essential liberty for a little temporary safety?  In the words of Benjamin Franklin, “we will have neither, and deserve neither.”

Other articles you may like peruse from Forbes and the ACLU and a few that talk about why this is a very real threat: 

http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2011/12/05/the-national-defense-authorization-act-is-the-greatest-threat-to-civil-liberties-americans-face/?mid=569

http://www.aclu.org/blog/national-security/president-obama-signs-indefinite-detention-law

http://theintelhub.com/2011/12/17/crushing-the-disinformation-surrounding-indefinite-detention-of-americans-under-the-ndaa/

http://www.infowars.com/president-obamas-ndaa-signing-statement-i-have-the-power-to-detain-americans-but-i-wont/

http://www.naturalnews.com/034538_NDAA_American_citizens_indefinite_detainment.html?mid=56

Since this was published, Ron Paul has asked for section 1021 to be repealed….

Let the Scare Tactics Begin — Where Are Your County Dollars Being Spent?

It’s time to look local!

Recently Bob Jasper, the Summit County Manager, was asked some tough questions by KPCW.  You should listen to his responses.  Click on this link for the audio file — Bob Jasper on KPCW

On November 8, Summit County voters have a chance to vote on some ballot initiatives.  When deciding if you want to rob Summit County of its assets to make up for the losses, and buy into the scare tactics of the County Coucil,  here are some things to consider:

1.    The County was over budget by $1.6M last year, and $2.1M this year.

2.    The County for too long has been using these heavy-handed strategies to get their agenda passed.  Sending out a letter paid by the taxpayer to try to pass their agenda is just a form of propaganda.  And YOU are paying for it.  They believe you are the little people, and that their agenda is too important to worry about the best interests of the people they are paid to represent.

3.    The County is lending money to Mountain Regional Water (the county owned water system) at a rate of 1.5%, when they would probably have to pay five (5) times that amount in the market.  Why is that?  Jasper said the Treasurer (Corrie Kirklen) made that decision.  Why should any business receive preferential treatment from the county over another business in the same industry?  And is this really a good risk for the county?

4.  The county Treasurer is working basically part-time and receiving approximately $110k per year.  So, who is really making these big decisions?

5.  The County gave Mountain Regional Water the ability to create a 14% rate increase this year and next, and for some reason they still need $500K of County funds.  There are other companies, like Gorgoza Mutual Water Company in Pinebook, and Summit Water Distribution Company, that are private organizations, that seem to be able to handle their water just fine, without county help, and even with the county doing things to block their progress.  These are great examples of how private industry is much more efficient than a government that can simply tax away your money instead of providing better services at a lower cost.

4.    Jasper claims there is an announcement on the movie studio.  Really?  Too bad the other parties involved don’t know of any deal on the table that will be announced in the next two weeks.  Is this just more propaganda to give hope?  And hope to who?

5.    In the discussion with KPCW, Mr. Jasper made a comment about someone on the planning commission  made negative comments about Prop 2 on her Facebook page.  (We know who this is.)  If someone made negative comments, then obviously there is an “against” that could have been written for the county publication.  It is wholly inappropriate for a county manager to take a public swipe at someone to try to get them into line with the will of the Council.

6.  Your county manager is a hired position.  His job is on the line under the direction of the County Council.  This is a horrible check.  It would be like our governor being appointed by our state legislators, and then if they didn’t like his positions, threatening his job.  How can Jasper claim to be doing what is in the best interest of the county, when he only answers to five (5) people on the council, instead of to the residents of Summit County.

There will be much more to see on the antics of this county council, so please subscribe in the box to the right to receive these posts right in your email box so you can easily forward them on to your other friends in Summit County.

The 9.12 Project of New York Takes Education Head On

There is an amazing change happening all across America.  We are learning our real history.   I remember watching The Glenn Beck Program as he stumbled across a thing called “TJed.”  That is the short version of A Thomas Jefferson Education.  This type of education is becoming popular, even if it is not called by that name.  Some call in Student Directed Learning, others Agency Based Education, others Classical Education.

This type of education takes you away from rote work and gives history and literature life.  TJed is getting back to the classics.  It’s experiencing mentors, and real thinking begins to take place no matter how old or young you may be.

I saw a young lady mention this education on The Glenn Beck program a while back.  I could not remember her name, but I remembered she was from New York and was heading up the 9.12 movement in that state.

I have been using TJed in my own personal life, as well as in the lives of my children for the past ten years.  I love learning, and I love the idea of TJed.  I continue to educate myself on a regular basis, so I signed up for a course at a college over the summer, that would enhance and rejuvenate myself about that learning process.  This college is in Monticello, Utah, and is rightly named Monticello College.

 

If you have read my blog over the years, you know I love history, especially the cycles of history, and most importantly, how they affect us today.  This retreat was going to be a camping retreat all about the cycles of history, so I said to my husband, “We’re going.”  He was thrilled, because I’m not really much of a camper and he loves it, and he’s not into the education side as much as I am, so this was a complete win / win.

While I was on this summer retreat, I ran into two 9.12ers from New York, who flew all the way to Utah to go camping and learning in the mountains of Monticello.  And sure enough, the girl on Glenn

Cleve Smith, Jacqueline Smith, Megan Daniel, Eli Schultz, Jeremy Near (Utah and New York 9.12ers)

Beck, Eli Schultz, was one of them.

Many people in the 9.12 movement have made this movement just about politics, and that is a sad mistake.  This movement goes deep into the heart of why our country is in this situation in the first place.  We are here, because we have allowed ourselves to get here.  We have been too obsessed with attainment, and/or entertainment.  We have allowed ourselves to become “the stupid people” that need to be governed, rather than governing ourselves.  Many 9.12 movements (including mine) have weighed-in heavily in the political environment, and while I don’t think that is going to go away, I am seeing a shift into the education side of the movement.  It will not be enough to just read a few popular books, or even a few old ones.  It is time to dig deep.  It is time to become a new American founder.  After all, what comes after a Fourth Turning?  A founding.  We must change our thinking.

I will be spending the next 12 days in New York travelling with Dr. Shanon Brooks, and his daughter around the New York area.  The first two days will be spent on some intense training called The Foundations of Liberty series.  These classes require a deep commitment to education, and while the readings are tough, the results are spectacular. 

After these two classes we will be making a tour here in the New York area called RVA or Re-Value America.  We will also have a special Cycles of History class available for those that ready for a more in-depth study into the broader perspective of the events of our day.  We will be studying the Tytler Cycle, the Toffler Cycle, and of course The Fourth Turning also known as the Kondratiev Wave.  I

Cover of The Fourth Turning

was honored that Dr. Brooks asked me to join him on this tour and teach some wonderful leadership principles to the people of New York through the cycles.

To come to one or both of our events (that are all free by the way) please contact Eli Schultz. elilong141@gmail.com   Here is our schedule:  www.ReValueNY.com

Sept 28            NYC area

Sep 29             Saratoga

Sept 30            Albany

Oct 1               Rome & Watertown

Oct 2               Syracuse & Fulton

Oct 3               Buffalo

Oct 4               Rochester

This is a great opportunity to really heal your perspective and get ideas on how YOU can really make a difference not just in this country, but in your own community, in your own family, and in your own life.   

If you do not live in the New York area, please feel free to contact Dr. Shanon Brooks at his college website www.monticellocollege.org to schedule an RVA tour for your area, and then get the FOL classes in your neck of the woods.

Until we are an educated electorate that understands not only the nuances of government, but also has a deep understanding of human nature and the principles of liberty, we will remain “ruled over.”

“Hope” and “change” don’t come from the top down, but from the bottom up.  We are the hope and the change that the world is waiting to see.  “Be the change.”

If you see a book in these blog posts, just click on it, and it will take you to our STAR store, and your purchase will help promote liberty.

The Hatch Machine vs. ?

Opinion Piece

The long arm of the paid Hatch-brigade has sunk to a new low.  Since the exit of Jason Chaffetz as a possible candidate to unseat Hatch, there are many in the liberty movement desperately searching for not only a better candidate than Hatch, which isn’t hard, but one that could knock him off his 36-year throne.  http://www.dethronehatch.com/

I am one of those people exploring ALL my options.  My brother-in-law, set up an informal meeting with Neil Walter.  You might remember him from the convention race with Morgan Philpot for Congressional Seat 2.  He hasn’t said he’s running, and was only looking at options today in a breakfast meeting with a few activists that want Hatch out.

I put a note out for people to meet with Neil, and asked that they RSVP.  I was a few minutes late since I was driving from the Park City area.  When I walked in, they were just starting the discussion.  I looked up and across the table was Christy Achziger.  I like Christy, but this stunned me.  She hadn’t RSVP’d of course.   Word was she was working for Hatch.  I could not believe the nerve.  Now, she is free to work for anyone she wants, but as a paid staffer, it’s like the opposing team’s quarterback coming to your team meeting and acting like it’s no big deal to just open your playbook.  I asked her promptly if she was working for Hatch.  She replied in the affirmative.  I invited her to leave.  She didn’t, until another gentleman pulled her aside and explained why it would be uncomfortable, and we could not speak openly with her there.  The bad manners displayed by the Hatch campaign staff needs to be understood as marching orders from their boss.  Hatch will do anything to keep himself relevant, and sadly he is making some really nice people, look really bad in the process.

Hatch has also managed to get our “trusted” news source of Fox News to suddenly have a love-fest with the senator.  With Sarah Palin, Gretta van (whats-her-name), and Sean Hannity all falling into step.  I am now convinced principles don’t matter to most people, only what is in their best interest and the tug of the almighty (quickly losing value) dollar.

Within two hours of our meeting, someone from the Hatch office had called Neil and set up an appointment for him to meet with Senator Hatch.  One by one Hatch will attempt to convince his opponents to drop out of the race.

I am looking for the man or woman with the guts and drive to stand this goliath in the face and say, “Give it your best shot.”  If you have skeletons in your closet, lead with them.  He’s got them, too.  If you think he can dig up dirt on you from a soiled past and that isn’t who you are now, lead with it.  People understand.  They aren’t perfect either, but don’t let this man bully you into not running.  RUN.

We’ve done our homework Mr. Hatch, and you can be beat.  It isn’t just the liberty movement that is tired of you.  It’s many of the delegates and general populace within the Republican party right here in Utah.  It’s old school Republicans that are your age, and young fresh-faced voters, that have had the same Senator in office their entire lives.  What do you call a six-term senator?  You call him home.  Enough already.

Þ   You are a six-term senator, and that bothers me.

Þ   You started the Department of Education, and that bothers me.

Þ   You crafted legislation on Medicare Part-D (the largest entitlement the country had ever seen until Obamacare), and that bothers me.

Þ   You voted for TARP, and that bothers me.

Þ   You claim to have written the Patriot Act, and that bothers me.

Þ   You continue to give more power to the regulating bodies like the FDA and the USDA, and that bothers me.

I could go on and on.  These things bother me.  As a voter do they bother you?  Take a good look at the Hatch voting record.  I’ve provided some links for you to visit.

http://www.hatchrecord.com/index.php/the-truth/

http://www.michaeljolley.net/hatch-vs-bennett.html

If we want to change Washington, we must first change ourselves.  For me, I’m changing myself into a concerned citizen that is paying attention and will no longer let the power-hungry stay in power.

I won’t be scared into believing your stories about Olympia Snowe.  She probably uses Hatch as her number one reason to be re-elected.  Those of you in DC use this strategy with each other against the people, and then you get to DC and shake hands and laugh at the American people who have been “had” again.  You sit in your DC bubble, with a cushy job, with cushy retirement, and cushy medical care, all on the backs of the tax-payers, while you listen to yourselves pontificate at Senate hearings that mean nothing and accomplish nothing other than feed your egos.

Our founding fathers never wanted career politicians.  We need to renew that belief.  We need people who won’t play the seniority game in Washington.  We don’t need any more games in Washington.  We need people who aren’t afraid of losing their “power,” and actually would rather not have it, but believe it belongs to the people.  We need people that will not make compromises that go against their principles for the sake of getting along, but instead hold their ground, for the people of our great nation, and restore our country to it’s founding principles.  We need individuals of integrity, wisdom and virtue.

We are waiting …..where are you?

Related articles

• Hatch not ruling out 2018 run (hollyonthehill.wordpress.com)
• Rep. Jason Chaffetz won’t take on Sen. Orrin Hatch (sfgate.com)

HB116 – Will it divide or unite?

HB116 – Will it divide or unite?

After watching the overwhelming division of the Republican Party on HB 116, I wondered if this division can make our party stronger?  I believe the answer is yes.  While I voted my conscience on the repeal of HB116, it does not mean that I do not understand or sympathize with the other side.  In fact, I probably land more on the side of those that support HB 116 than most would think.

I think the vote would have come out much differently had delegates stayed to do their duty.  I watched most of my county leave immediately following the elections of the party officers, including some of the county leadership.  That was unfortunate.  I do not know which side of the issue they fell on, but their voice was unheard.

 

What did the Repeal of HB116 resolution do?  Actually, nothing.  Having the delegates stand and say they want something doesn’t mean it will actually happen.  However, it does put pressure on our legislators to do something, but in the end, they can do what they want.  But, they have heard the voice of the delegates.  While some delegates were adamant about the repeal, others, like myself, felt this was not something that really should have taken up so much of our energy.  This is just one issue, although I believed the reason I chose to repeal was valid.  Those who act like anyone that voted for this legislation should be thrown out, need to calm down.  You paint yourselves as an angry mob instead of acting like statesmen.  I have deliberately held my tongue on this issue because the frenzy that surrounded it seemed so out-of-place.

The 10^th Amendment:  Clearly our state must put forward legislation that sends a strong message to our federal government.  We do need to take matters into our own hands.  We must continue to fight the battle for state sovereignty.  But in order to make these battles work, we need to be able to win.

Constitutional?  Yes and no.  Yes it’s Constitutional when you look at the original intent of the Constitution, but under current views, it will not be held as constitutional because the Federal government has stripped away state sovereignty in today’s America.  It is my hope that this extra pressure from the delegates will push the legislature to make the necessary changes to HB116 to bring it into full compliance, next session.   A letter sent to delegates by The Salt Lake Chamber stated,  “We may not be able to achieve a federal waiver.  It may be deemed unconstitutional.  The penalty for being here illegally and for businesses that break the law may not be high enough.”   One person, in public office in my county, that is highly in favor of HB116, testified before the legislature that HB116 was unconstitutional.  What we are trying to achieve with this legislation is probably a good thing in theory, however, the ramifications of passing laws that will be deemed unconstitutional will eventually come back and haunt us.  Yes, almost all of the Republican party wants to see immigration laws change.  The Republican party wants to bring illegal immigrants out of the shadows.  The Republican party wants to follow the rule of law.  On this we agree.  Therefore, we must find a way to construct a bill, or amend the current legislation to bring this bill into compliance.

Why is Constitutionality such a sticking point?  I’ve heard the argument that a message bill is fine if it fits your agenda.  While this is a message bill, what exactly is the message?  After many, like Mike Lee, have said that a waiver will most likely not be granted by the federal government, and the bill does not go into effect, there are many that claim it sends a message to Washington.  Maybe the message we are sending is the wrong one.  Let’s take the immigration issue out of the equation for a moment, and talk about the theory.  What happens when a state (even ours) puts forward a bill that we highly disagree would be good for our state or any other state for that matter.  What happens when we discover that the highly unprincipled idea is also unconstitutional?  Are we going to scream and cry and raise our voices and decry, “This is unconstitutional?”  If we do not ask for repeal, or correction to HB 116, then we will become hypocrites, when the situation is something with which we disagree.  We will have set a very dangerous precedent.

We all know our Federal government is completely failing in regard to immigration.  The doors are not open wide enough for legal immigrants, the red-tape is far to cumbersome, and the delays are devastating to renewal of visas creating illegal status.  I disagree with those that claim HB116 creates cheap labor.  I disagree with many of my colleagues that claim HB116 is amnesty.  The point is, if this bill is unconstitutional and goes against our party platform, we as Republicans have no business even bringing it to the table until it complies.  If, we as states, want to bring the idea of immigration back to the states, then we must amend the Constitution, or get a coalition of states to join us in repealing the federal government’s authority on immigration. 

 

Here’s what we can do in the mean time. 

 

Rights vs. Entitlements:  We can look at legislation that cuts any and all entitlements to non-citizens.  This is the root of the problem.  This is what has most people up in arms.  We can call on private citizens, churches, and non-profit organizations to help pick-up to the slack for any individuals truly needing help, while they either begin the process of becoming a citizen or help them return to their own countries.  We can remember that all people on this earth are here as God’s children, and deserve to be treated that way.  We can remember that rights come from God, not our government.  Whether people are here legally or not, they still have rights.  They do not have rights to entitlements, but they are still people with human rights. 

 

English vs. anything else:  We need to call upon citizens, and non-profit organizations to teach English to immigrants and their children before they enter grade school, at low or no cost.  This helps the schools, this helps employment, and this helps continue with the great melting-pot of our nation.  No one is asking people to give up their culture, but we are asking that you do what you can to learn ours. 

 

American vs. hyphenated-American:  We need to teach immigrants the beauty of being an American.  Help individuals understand our history, our diversity, our language, and how American opportunities will help them.  multiculturalism doesn’t work.  American Exceptionalism does.  Teach people how to be owners (Georgics) again.

 

Enforce current laws vs. creating new ones:  Enforce current laws on the books regarding identity theft, and other crimes.  We do not need to have a separate set of rules for illegal immigrants.  Laws should be enforced when an individual aggresses against another regardless of their status.  If ICE will pick them up, that is their decision.  If ICE will not get involved, prosecute them just as you would anyone else.

 

Free Market Labor vs. Minimum Wage Laws:  Work to repeal minimum wage laws.  This may not seem like a good argument for the “cheap labor” crowd, but labor is a mans’ to give at whatever price he or she deems is acceptable.  This is your property.  I am not told what price I must sell my home.  But I get a price the market will bear.  In the same token, I should not be told at what price I should sell my labor.  I will get the price the market will bear.  The artificial wage control by the federal government is a crime on it’s own.  Everyone has different needs.  Prices would probably go down, and most people would have their basic needs met even if wages dropped in the process.  We would not need government subsidies for the dairy industry and other agriculture industries if men set their own wage.

People vs. status:  Let’s all remember that people are at the very heart of this discussion.  Everyone has dreams, hopes, and aspirations.  Let’s make it easier to be here, easier to be an American, and welcome immigrants with open arms.  Remember our individual rights come from God, not government, and so they belong to all people, from all nations.  We are just lucky enough to live in a country where we still enjoy some of those individual rights.

Utah Resident vs. U.S. Citizens:  This one is fuzzy to me, because I don’t hold a degree in Constitutional Law, but I have heard it said you can be a resident of the sovereign state of Utah, and be considered a foreign national and not a U.S. Citizen, sometimes referred to as a Permanent Resident Alien.  If that is the case, then let’s use current law on the books to create that status for people who live here already, but have not aggressed beyond infractions.  We all know “round ‘em up and ship ‘em out” is not only a horrible idea, but a very unpractical (and impossible) one as well.  We must find a way to comply with our current Constitution.   They can pay taxes, but being a documented resident of Utah does not necessarily give them rights to vote, if they are only a resident alien.  But they will be documented and legally here.  I could be way off, but, I hope this at least gets the discussion going.

 

TIME TO UNITE: This bill, while seemingly able to divide the party can actually create great strength in the party as we pull together to fix or repeal bad legislation and thoughtfully put forward legislation that cannot be argued by the Democrats as unconstitutional.  Because the day will come when the other side will pull some huge shenanigans and if we are on the wrong side on this argument, we will have no ability to cry “unconstitutional” to their legislation.  Republicans have always stood for their constitution and their platform.  This is an inconvenient time, but it is the right thing to do.  Being the party that leads on principle is not easy, but this is the party that can do it.  To paraphrase the key-note speaker at Saturday’s convention, when you find a rat in a bottle of Coke, it sours you from buying Coke for a long time.  As Republicans, we need to stick to our platform and principles, so our Republican base is not soured on future Republicans.

The National Day of Prayer in Park City, Utah

Today is the National Day of Prayer.  In Park City, Utah, The Christian Center of Park City joined together this morning and took the day seriously.  I, along with a few other STAR Forum members, attended the event.  I wasn’t sure what to expect, and was very impressed.

The morning started out with a wonderful breakfast of doughnuts, muffins, sausage, bacon, quiche, juice, coffee, and more.  I saw many friendly faces from around the community, and met a few new ones.

The event began with a prayer.  We sang a few hymns of praise, and different people from the community spoke.  With each community member concluding, we were asked to specifically prayer for just a couple of minutes at our tables for those specific needs.  Lisa Kirtchenheiter, a Park City school board member, spoke of the difficulties that children are facing.  She asked that we also remember in our prayers the homeschooled children (as she gave me a quick nod), charter-school children, and private-school children.  Then the prayers began.  I was overwhelmed with the spirit of these prayers, thinking of the youth that will grow into our local leaders, our entrepreneurs, our healers, and maybe even leaders of our nation. 

Then it came time for the law enforcement to say a few words.  Chief of Police in Park City, Wade Carpenter, and Summit County Sherriff, Dave Edmonds, both had a chance to speak.  They spoke of their commitment to community, and Chief Carpenter spoke of the way Sherriff Edmonds always seeks for guidance in prayer every day before his duty begins.  They spoke of the hardships of serving, how these officers see things that can disturb you for life.  Among other things, they deal with child pornography, abuse victims, drugs, and violence.  They spoke of the divorce rate among police officers, and it is around 75%.  They asked us to prayer for safety of the officers in both body and mind.

I wish I had taken my camera to the event, because Sheriff Edmonds was in his highest uniform, covered with stars on his collar, and stripes on his arms.  Today was an especially emotional day for Sheriff Edmonds.  Today four names were to be added to the memorial of fallen officers in Utah.  And every year on this day, Sheriff Edmonds thinks of Officer Ron Wood, who served in West Jordan and was killed in the line of duty, after being shot.  He was Dave’s friend, and trained with him.  I remember this man, because I lived in West Jordan at the time of his death.  What a small world it is.

We heard from other pastors and teachers here in the area.  The one that struck me, (and I apologize for not remembering his name now,) was the man who quoted from scripture and reminded us to love our enemy, and “pray for those that despitefully use you.”  He reminded us to pray for such organizations as Hamas, and al-Qaeda, and request that their hearts be softened toward us, and not wish to do violence.  Wise words.

The Christian Center left a sheet on each table that listed National Leaders, from Barrack Obama on down to Eric Holder, State Senators, our State Governor, Park City Local Leaders, the principles of the schools, and our Supreme Court Justices.  Sadly, some local leaders that had been invited were unable to attend.  The center distributed a book mark put out by Pray! magazine, that listed 30 ways to pray for people in Authority. 

The thought that came to my mind, that is often attributed to Alexis De Toqueville, but is unverifiable, where he is claimed to have said,

“I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers – and it was not there . . . in her fertile fields and boundless forests and it was not there . . . in her rich mines and her vast world commerce – and it was not there . . . in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution – and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.”

The spirit of the morning was beautiful.  There are many good Christians that understand that while many things are in their circle of concern, they seem out of reach of our circle of influence.  However, there is something everyone can do;  Pray.

Today, on the 2011 National Day of Prayer, pray for our nation, its public servants, and it’s people.  We must remember that we are One Nation, but only under God.