Labels, Campaigns, and You

by Jacqueline Smith

I recently received an email sent out by the Democratic Candidate for Treasurer.  It linked Henry Glasheen the Republican Candidate for Treasurer to the “right wing” group The STAR Forum in a negative way.  First, Henry Glasheen is not a member of our group.  While most of the members support Henry in his election because he is a fiscal conservative, and qualified enough to handle this position, my main point of this article is to discuss labels. 

Labels are a way for the opposing view to denigrate individuals and groups.  Going back in history, we look at the Nomad age.  Those who were living on farms and in stable homes, also known as the Agrarian culture called the Nomads “barbarians.”  Once the Industrial Age caught on, those people building factories looked at the Agrarian age as “Third World.”  Each group wants to denigrate the other with a label.  What might the Information Age call the Industrial Age builders?  Polluters maybe.

Many labels have been attached to the freedom movement, such as “tea baggers,” “racists,” “hate-mongers,” and “right-wingers“ etc.  This type of label is not only inaccurate, but can fool us, if we as a people do not look at the entire picture.  We have a right / left paradigm in our society, and I have used the terms myself.  Liberal / Conservative is thrown around a lot as well, but with less negative connotations.  If you are using a term to describe a standpoint, be sure you are using it with accuracy.  Liberals call themselves liberals.  That is not a derogatory term.

 I think it would be good to define right-wing.  The video linked here is a video that shows why right-wing is the opposite of the definition many people place on groups intent on supporting the Constitution of the United States as seen through the eyes of the founding fathers.  Right wing actually is a call for anarchy.  This is not the case for The STAR Forum at all. 

The STAR Forum stands for Save The American Republic.  I cannot imagine a Republican, Democrat, Libertarian or Independent not wanting to Save the Republic.  Unless you believe in total anarchy or Fascism / Communism, we have common ground.  If you believe in God or simply in good, we have common ground.  If you believe that the Constitution of the United States is the law of the land, and holds government at bay to ensure the highest level of liberty for the people, then we have common ground.  If you believe that government is necessary, but should be limited, we have common ground.

The purpose of The STAR Forum is to educate people in ways of government workings.  We seek to give individuals the tools necessary to participate in an environment that may otherwise seem foreign.  We teach the proper role of government, and give the individuals the ability to look at history and better understand the period we are entering, known as The Fourth Turning.  It is individuals aligning themselves with others that want to recognize the vital role they can play in ensuring liberty for all.  It is recognizing the need for charity, honesty, and public virtue from ourselves on a daily basis.  We believe that an educated electorate is the most important thing in maintaining a Republic as our form of government.  We are not a democracy, because our founders understood as James Madison said, “…democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention; have ever been found incompatible with personal security or the rights of  property, and have in general been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their deaths.”  In addition, Samuel Adams stated, “Democracy never lasts long.  It soon wastes, exhausts and murders itself.”

If placing labels on individuals or groups is the only way to win elections, and it works, it will not be the fault of the person placing the label, but the individuals who are fooled by those labels and vote based on the “feeling” the label creates.  Be an educated voter.  Look at comments and phrases placed on opposing candidates in context.  Do not believe everything you hear.  Study things out for yourself.  Find the candidates that align most with your views and belief systems.  Above all else, remember that this Republic has lasted longer with our Constitution than any other written Constitution on the earth.  It is the duty of all who take office, and all who vote, regardless of party to align themselves within the bounds of that document.

 FREEDOM CAN WIN!

2010 Summit County Fair Republicans Responsible for Stimulus

Jamisyn with her Star Class hogs

The Summit County Fair has been going on all week.  The kids raise their hogs, steers, and lambs to show and sell at the fair.  The younger kids usually join in with chickens, bunnies, and art.  Summit County has long been known for its high prices for the auction.  This year seemed a bit lean due to the economy, but it was still a great success. 

Jamisyn with her 4th Place Hog

Silvere helping show hogs

I did notice one thing this year.  It is an election year, and you often see candidates step in and purchase.  They are helping the kids, helping the community, and they get name recognition by the people who are keeping the rural part of Summit County alive and well. 

Right out of the shoot,  

Rob Hunt for County Assessor

 Rob Hunt, running for County Assessor, and Richard Motto, running for County Clerk, purchased a hog.  The auctioneer mentioned they would take that kind of “stimulus.”  This was their first time purchasing at the fair, and they were looking forward to getting great meat and donating to a good cause. 

Richard Motto for County Clerk

Then Sherriff Dave Edmunds joined in.  He also purchased a hog.  After the hogs were sold, the steer went to sale, then the lambs.  Henry Glasheen, running for County Treasurer purchased a lamb. 

Sheriff Dave Edmunds

Richard Motto & Henry Glasheen for County Treasurer

Here is the interesting thing … they are all Republicans.  This is typical of a Republican.  See a need, and fill it, without government interference.  The Summit County Jr. Livestock Sale, through the 4-H program, is a way to encourage our youth to achieve their goals, set aside money for college, and learn about the circle of life.  Amazingly, there seems to be no need for government subsidy.  Hard work actually pays off for these youth.  In addition, their parents are actively engaged in helping them.  That is the American way.  These kinds of programs are what every community needs.  If not with animals, then with art, crafts, gardening, etc.  A little competition is great for these kids, and gives them a sense of pride.  It teaches them that instant gratification is less rewarding than reaping what you sow.  Our country has become obsessed with having it now, and that is not real.  It takes time to create a harvest; it takes time to raise an animal. 

Some children become very attached to their animals and both of my girls shed quite a few tears as their animals were taken away to the slaughterhouse.  They have loved these animals all summer, fed, watered and walked them.  Nevertheless, they understand that while their bodies are still here for us to appreciate and help sustain us, their spirits have moved on, and they have filled the measure of their creation.  Besides, bacon is yummy! 

Also, Lyndon & Stacy Jones, STAR Forum members, were responsible for the purchase of many animals, including a steer.  This is a wonderful way for everyone to get involved in their community, and show their support for those in the upcoming generation. 

If only our government understood these principles.  We, the people, do, and as we continue to teach our children these principles, they will grow up and become our government.  We have raised children in a 3^rd turning, and it is now time to raise adults. 

Now, I could have missed the Democrat candidates purchasing animals, but I did not hear any names that I recognized as candidates.

Utah’s Biggest Tea Party … so far

by Jacqueline Smith

Before the 9.12 projects, and the tea party movement, many Republicans went to the polls in November, held their nose and voted.  Now we have a new age dawning.  9.12 groups, like the Davis County 9.12 Group, Utah Rising, The S.T.A.R. Forum, and Salt Lake County 9.12 have awakened the masses to the political process.  Groups already waving the banner of liberty with Utah Eagle Forum,  The Campaign for Liberty, and the John Birch Society have joined them.

This Tuesday, March 23, 2010, will be the biggest tea party so far.  You will see record numbers this Tuesday come out to caucus night in neighborhoods statewide.  This mass meeting is the cornerstone of the Representative Republic that holds our country together.  People have turned off the TV, they got off the couch, and they are attending.  In the past few months, people have read books like Glenn Beck’s Common Sense, and Cleon Skousen’s The 5,000 Year Leap.

Many Utahns have become educated in this process.  Before the education process swept over the masses, many people didn’t even understand that the only way to have a say on who showed up on the ballot in November was through this process.  It was a mystery how candidates were selected.  However, those days are over.

With the Federal Government ever encroaching into our daily lives, many Americans have been asking, “What can I do?”  The 9.12 movement came forward and said, “We have a plan, and it’s called caucus night.”

Henry Glasheen, Summit County Republican Chairman, said, “Turnout is going to be fantastic across the board.”  When asked why, he stated, “People are tired of government they view as not for the people.”

When an educated people participate in the process, liberty and freedom move forward.  We must constantly watch our elected officials and demand they give us the most individual liberty, ask for the most personal accountability from themselves and their constituents, and demand that Federal Government stay within the bounds set by the Constitution. 

You have never been to a caucus before?  That is okay, these people are your neighbors.  Find out where your caucus is by going to your COUNTY website.  All the county websites are listed at http://www.utgop.org/county.

This is a great year to begin your participation in the election process.  However, it cannot be your last.  We have much to correct in our states, and in our federal government.  So get involved, and stay involved.  That is how freedom works.  We have moved out of apathy, and it is vital to our liberty that we do not move back into a state of complacency.

FREEDOM CAN WIN!