Do voters really want to lose their right to elect their own representatives?

Few Americans are aware of the 17th amendment.  But there are Utah Republicans who are talking alot about it.  To put it bluntly, they don't like it.  Senator Curt Bramble of Provo has criticized the 17th amendment as taking power away from the states.  Republican Senate candidate Tim Bridgewater also has dissed the amendment.   Others have gone further publicly and called for it to be repealed.  Republican Senate candidate Mike Lee wants to get rid of it.  So does former Republican Senate candidate Cheryl Eagar.  Senator Howard Stephenson, who currently represents the northern part of Utah County and the southern part of Salt Lake County, calls it a mistake and also wants it repealed.  

What, exactly, is the 17th amendment?  It is a constitutional amendment that was passed in 1913 to give the voters the power to elect senators rather than state legislators.  The amendment was adopted by Congress and ratified by the states because the U.S. Senate was viewed as out of touch with the ordinary people.  It was known as the millionaires' club because senators were so rich they were buying seats in the Senate by paying off state legislators to elect them.

One of our candidates for county commission, Ted Barratt, told a group of our House District chairs recently that his grandfather had told him that he could only complain about the government if he went out and voted. That was the price of admission for being able to complain.

I'm going to extend that further. If you are a Democrat, or even any type of voter, who complains about government but doesn't get involved, then the way things happen actually is partly your fault as well. Instead of complaining and whining, we need to get involved. We need to change things for the better.

The Utah County Democratic Party welcomes your involvement. If you have computer skills, we can use you. If you like to talk to people door to door or over the phone, we'd love to have you help. If you do professional photography or have experience with graphic design or video production or like to organize events, we need you to join us. And if you can't do any of those things, we would appreciate your financial donation.

The Utah County Democratic Party presented its first Distinguished Service Award to former Governor Olene Walker at its annual spring dinner, Saturday, May 22 at the Covey Center for the Arts, Provo. Over 100 well wishers filled the dining room to capacity to honor Gov. Walker, the first woman to serve as Utah governor. The keynote speaker was former Utah Senate minority leader Scott Howell.
 
Gov. Walker, a Republican, received two standing ovations and was interrupted by applause several times during her remarks by the enthusiastic crowd. She said she is deeply concerned about the deterioration in civility and cooperation between the major political parties. “The political parties have become more about control and power than solving problems,” she said. “What this world needs now is more statesmen and stateswomen and fewer politicians.”  She also expressed alarm at the state legislature’s inadequate funding of public and higher education in Utah.  “By ignoring our education, we are ignoring our future,” she said.

On Saturday evening I attended a dinner and award ceremony where the Utah County Democratic Party presented their Distinguished Service Award to the former Governor of Utah Olene Walker.

It was mentioned several times during the evening that it was interesting that, in these times of harsh partisan politics, the Democratic Party would give this award to a Republican public servant. As Governor Walker spoke, however, it became clear why she is such a worthy recipient.

Her remarks centered on two messages. The first was the need for bipartisanship in legislation and in leadership. She described her experience both campaigning and serving in the legislature and later in the executive offices. She claimed that all people agree on 80% of the issues, but that 20% is driving people apart. She decried those who were more concerned about partisan victory than beneficial public policy. She challenged the candidates and elected officials to work together and to be statesmen, and stateswomen, in the best sense of the word.

The Executive Committee of the Utah County Democratic Party has accepted the resignation of Vaughn Cook as the county party treasurer. Cook has served as treasurer for nearly two years.  He also served as chair of the county party from 2004 to 2007.  

"We are sorry to lose Vaughn," said Richard Davis, county party chair. "We understand he's growing a business, which is important in a deep economic recession. We'll miss him."

The Executive Committee appointed Cecile Peay to fill the rest of Vaughn Cook's term, which ends at the next county convention in the spring of 2011. "We are pleased to have Cecile fill in for Vaughn," Davis said. "She will be a great contribution to the county party. She and her husband, Ken, have been strong supporters of the party for a long time." Cecile Peay and her husband have three children and four grandchildren. Her husband Ken ran for the State Senate in 2008 and the State House in 2006.