Dear Rush–

I hope it is as haunting to you as it is to me that the liberal media has won over so many “conservatives” with the illusion that we want our president to be “ONE OF US!”  Every time I hear the news reporting that Romney’s wealth potentially hurts his electability due to the perception that “he can’t relate to the people” I am shocked that this is the sentiment in a Republican Primary process where a supposedly conservative base of voters are now disenchanted because of his success.  Why are conservatives perpetuating the propaganda that a candidate needs to be an average Joe in order to qualify for the most important office in the world?!  For some reason we have embraced Evita’s cry to the common people “I am one of you!” and Bill Clinton’s pleading, “Won’t you be my neighbor” as he stripped the Oval Office of dignity appealing to the common folk who would relate more to the casual-sweater conversation in the family room.

Surely I’m not the only one who isn’t planning to write-in my neighbor for President of the United States.  As wonderful as my neighbors are, they represent the average American–myself included–and I know I don’t have the ability to head this country!  I don’t need an average guy in office to convince me he can lead an average country.  I want a dignified leader who can inspire me to achieve the American Dream–and to know it’s possible because he’s living it!!  Romney is a distinguished professional with a proven track record for taking “common” but complex situations and making them successful.  And now that it has become fully transparent just how successful he has been, we are turned off because he “can’t relate?”  Why aren’t we ecstatic to have found such a distinguished leader who can relate well to our struggling nation (as he has seen this scenario repeatedly) and see clearly what to do to turn it around?

Even within our purportedly conservative party we have fallen victim to demonizing the most worthy candidate because of his success–whether that be his “vulturous” ventures or his “low” tax rate (a capital gains tax paid honestly according to law) or because of his personal income which seems just too high for Mitt to be my “comrade.”  Where are the voices that should be rallying in support of capitalism, applauding his wealth as a commendable achievement rather than allowing him to be lynched by the press and his eligibility questioned?!

Self-proclaimed conservatives who assaulted Romney for his business successes were hand-slapped for a day or two by conservative media for their anti-capitalist attacks–then promptly forgiven and again awarded “conservative” status, while Romney continues the fight to earn that title despite all evidence that he is the only one willing to defend American ingenuity and capitalism.  Wearing the same disguises, they demanded the release of Romney’s tax returns unprecedentedly early–specifically before the South Carolina primary–intent on the greatest possibility of inciting class warfare with the shock value of his earnings, a tactic usually reserved for liberals.  Somehow, within the Republican Party, enough bit off on the idea that they should be disenchanted by Romney’s success to pull down his numbers in favor of someone personified as “more average”–less wealthy, less moral, less dignified–and therefore more “in touch.”

Everyone who can stand up for capitalism bears the responsibility to do so–or essentially assists this socialist agenda to limit success.  We cannot afford to remain silent while Romney is continually persecuted for attaining the Dream we should all strive to keep alive.  It is frightening to watch as Romney’s success becomes his greatest liability to the masses who want to enviously cap it before his greatest achievement of attaining the most worthy position of President of the United States.

Krista N.
A.K.A. Average Joe with kids, a mortgage, some debt and a desire to keep the American Dream alive, despite that Obama desperately wants to assist me with my finances and shrink the considerable gap between me and Romney.

By Margaret Dayton
Utah State Senator
Utah is the only State in the nation that has a standing Constitutional Review Commission. Other states have a situation similar to what I am proposing, where the Commission is convened for specific instances by the Legislature, as opposed to the option of year-round meetings. In some states, the Committee meets only in certain pre-appointed years to make recommendations.
Currently the CRC and the TRC are filled by highly qualified volunteers, who have been appointed by Legislative leadership and the Governor. My bill does not eliminate these highly useful groups of advisors, but it does require Legislative approval to activate them. It is like freezing your credit card in a block of ice. It is still there when needed, but requires serious thoughts to activate it.
This bill makes it very easy for these commissions to be convened. I want to keep them available and organized as they presently stand, but encourage us to be judicious in utilizing their services.

Here are pictures and a video of the Lt. Col Liechty and Lt. Liechty who are from Senate District 15 but currently serving in Afganistan.  They explain the challenge that their family members have had registering in our system of Higher Ed.

The text of this bill can be found at: http://le.utah.gov/~2011/htmdoc/sbillhtm/sb0046.htm

To hear the Senate Committee debate, visit here.

Here are a few reports:

Senate Site: Senate President Michael Waddoups’ Notes

Representative Ryan Wilcox’s tweets

Salt Lake Tribune 1: Arizona law sponsor urges Utah to act

Salt Lake Tribune 2: Utah legislators get a look at border

TIME Magazine: Will Utah follow Arizona’s lead?

Photo album from the Senate’s Flick’r Site:

Representative Sandstrom has written a bill designed to help Utah begin to solve immigration problems.  I am the Senate sponsor.   Here is the draft made available in August.  It has been edited and improved since then, but you can still see the intent.  Please let me know what you think.