LDS Church and Party Preference

An article in yesterday's Provo Daily Herald described the efforts by new Utah State Democratic Chairman Jim Dabakis to get more members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to switch to the democratic party; an effort hindered by a decades old cultural assumption that all Mormons (the common name for the LDS church) vote Republican.
This came about because a church leader  once stated his voting preference in an interview (in the 30's or 40's, I believe), and church members here in Utah took his comment to mean this should also be the party preference of all LDS members. After that, this misconception took on a life of its own, and has morphed into the false thinking that all Mormons in the US have to vote republican as well--an erroneous thought that even church leadership has sought to dispel. 
Here is my rebuttal to the article...


"The entire assumption that all Mormons are republican is simply ridiculous. This political mirage exists not just in Utah, but throughout the US as well. Church leadership has never told its members to vote for one party over the other. To do so would go against one of the basic tenents of church doctrine, that of Free Agency. I am so tired of hearing phrases like, "Can a good Mormon be a Democrat?", a quote that was on [local affiliate] Fox13 news last night. How preposterous, ludicrous and downright ignorant of what should be a responsible news agency.

Whether you subscribe to Democratic, Republican, Tea Party or other political philosophies, the fact that you are participating in the political process is the only vital element that anyone should be concerned about. Who an individual American chooses to vote for is a purely individual right, guaranteed in the Constitution of the United States.

The real question every American voter should be asking is, why has the political landscape grown so hostile? These men and women are working for all of us. They should be setting aside their divisiveness and working for the common good. Unfortunately, the philosophical gap only widens with every passing year. Instead of Bipartisanship, we see only political posturing, threatening and grandstanding. The parties have become so entrenched in their limited views that real compromise is nearly impossible in every level of government.

We, the people, should be writing, calling and emailing our Representatives and demanding change, cooperation and real leadership. Are YOU doing this?

Remember, this is a government that is OF the people, FOR the people, and BY the people. Everyone, of all parties, should be actively involved in some way to see that our leaders are leading us.

We don't have to agree on any particular party platform; but we should all agree to be working together to make our country, state and cities better places through a truly representative government.

THAT should be our focus, and not the political infighting and cross-aisle temper tantrums that are so glaringly apparent today."

President Obama's Work Bill

Last week, President Obama asked to speak to a joint session of Congress. During his address, the President introduced legislation that he claims will put Americans to work, and stimulate the economy. Plus, he claims that the $450B price is already paid for, and that Congress "Must pass this bill now!"--a phrase he pushed numerous times during his address. An article in today's Deseret News reiterated that same call from a speech the President made today in Ohio. The following is my reply...

After reading portions of this bill, and listening to and reading the debate, it seems clear to me that the President is pressing Congress to pass this bill so hard because he knows that this is bad legislation, and wants the provisions enacted before anyone takes a close look at the language, outcome of enaction and financial/budgetary consequences.


If this was a solid bill, then I would certainly expect an invitation to scrutinize the legislation. All we hear is, "Pass this bill!" From his Congressional address [in introducing the bill] to his campaign rhetoric; that same call resonates constantly, and should be a warning to Congress. They should study, calculate and scrutinize everything in the language. If not, they could very well be caught in yet another legislative blunder that is eroding public policy and confidence in our elected leaders.